CURRICULUM
What you’ll learn
Four free tracks. Each has 4 short lessons, 2 match games, 2 speed reviews, a quiz, a recap and a final test. Pass a track to earn a certificate of completion.
Budget Basics
Beginner · about 45 min · 11 steps
Paychecks, 50/30/20 and the art of not running out by the 25th.
Lesson 1: Where your money goes
You will be able to tell gross pay from net pay, sort expenses into fixed and variable, and spot needs versus wants.
Lesson 2: The 50/30/20 rule
You will be able to split take-home pay with the 50/30/20 rule and explain what "pay yourself first" means.
Lesson 3: Emergency funds
You will be able to explain what an emergency fund is for, how big it is usually, and where people keep it.
Lesson 4: Sinking funds and goals
You will be able to plan for known future costs with a sinking fund and turn a goal into a weekly or monthly amount.
Also in this track: Match game · Speed review · Quiz · Memory game · Speed review · Summary · Final test
Credit Mastery
Beginner · about 45 min · 11 steps
Scores, utilization and how to make a credit card work for you.
Lesson 1: What is a credit score?
You will be able to explain what a credit score is, what affects it most, and who looks at it.
Lesson 2: Utilization
You will be able to calculate credit utilization and describe habits that keep it low.
Lesson 3: Interest and APR
You will be able to estimate interest from an APR and compare two ways to pay off debt.
Lesson 4: Building credit from zero
You will be able to describe common ways to start building credit with no history.
Also in this track: Match game · Speed review · Quiz · Memory game · Speed review · Summary · Final test
Investing 101
Intermediate · about 45 min · 11 steps
Index funds, compounding and how to grow money while you sleep.
Lesson 1: Compound interest
You will be able to explain compound interest, do a simple two-year calculation, and use the Rule of 72.
Lesson 2: Stocks vs bonds
You will be able to explain the difference between stocks and bonds and why investors spread their money out.
Lesson 3: Index funds
You will be able to explain what an index fund is, calculate a fund's yearly fee, and describe dollar-cost averaging and a 401(k) match.
Lesson 4: Risk and time horizon
You will be able to explain time horizon and risk tolerance, and estimate how a mixed portfolio moves.
Also in this track: Match game · Speed review · Quiz · Memory game · Speed review · Summary · Final test
Banking Basics
Beginner · about 45 min · 11 steps
Checking, savings, fees and how to keep your money safe.
Lesson 1: Checking vs savings
You will be able to explain what checking and savings accounts are for, how a debit card works, and how deposits and withdrawals change your balance.
Lesson 2: Interest and APY
You will be able to explain how savings interest works, tell simple from compound interest, and use APY to compare accounts.
Lesson 3: Bank fees
You will be able to name common bank fees, estimate what they cost, describe ways people avoid them, and read the main parts of an account statement.
Lesson 4: Keeping money safe
You will be able to explain how FDIC and NCUA insurance protect deposits, compare banks and credit unions, and spot common bank scams.
Also in this track: Match game · Speed review · Quiz · Memory game · Speed review · Summary · Final test
Who makes the lessons
Finpello is a small, independent project. The Finpello team writes the lessons with help from AI writing tools, then checks every answer, number and explanation against public sources from US government agencies, such as:
- MyMoney.gov: US government money basics
- CFPB: Start Small, Save Up
- CFPB: Credit reports and scores
- CFPB: Credit cards
- AnnualCreditReport.com: free credit reports
- Investor.gov: Introduction to investing
- Investor.gov: Compound interest calculator
- CFPB: Bank accounts
- FDIC: Deposit insurance
- NCUA: National Credit Union Administration
The lessons have not yet been reviewed by certified teachers or financial professionals. Teacher reviews are planned as part of our beta. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we’ll fix it.
Finpello is for education only and doesn’t give personal financial advice. See our financial disclaimer.