Managing money can be difficult for most people, especially if financial literacy wasn’t something you learned early on.
Fortunately, there are plenty of courses available that can teach you the fundamentals without costing a fortune.
Below is a quick list of the top 8 financial literacy courses in 2024 to help you confidently manage your savings, spending, and investments.
1. SoFi’s Fundamentals of Personal Finance Specialization
Price: Free for 7 days, then $49/month until completion
SoFi offers a well-rounded course that covers everything you need to kickstart your personal finance journey. The five-course specialization touches on debt management, risk management, and investing. If you’re new to managing finances, this course provides a solid understanding of how money works, along with real-world tips.
2. Khan Academy’s Financial Literacy
Price: Free
Khan Academy provides a wealth of free educational content, and their financial literacy courses are no exception. The lessons cover various topics, including:
- Budgeting and saving
- Investing and retirement
- Insurance
- Housing
- Scams and fraud
- Careers and education
The beauty of Khan Academy is that it’s entirely self-paced. Whether you finish in one night or over a few months, this course will be an invaluable resource for your financial education.
3. Udemy’s Personal Finance 101 Course
Price: Free
Udemy hosts hundreds of personal finance courses, but its Personal Finance 101: Everything You Need to Know course is a standout. Designed by MoneyCoach.io, it’s ideal for beginners who want to cover topics ranging from estate planning to building credit. The course has a 4.7 rating and has already attracted 80,000 students.
4. FINRA Smart Investing Courses
Price: Free
For those interested in investing, FINRA (the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) offers free courses that cover the basics of investing, including risk management and portfolio strategies like diversification. It’s a fantastic entry point for any beginner looking to dip their toes into investing.
5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Financial Planning for Young Adults
Price: Free for 7 days, then $49/month until completion
This course, available through Coursera, is perfect for anyone just starting to manage their finances. It covers essential skills such as goal setting, understanding the time value of money, and basic savings strategies. This course is especially helpful for those fresh out of school and starting their financial journey.
6. H&R Block’s Income Tax Course
Price: Free
Tired of paying for tax preparation each year? H&R Block’s free course teaches you the basics of tax filing, so you can handle your own returns. Plus, you’ll gain the skills to start a side business as a tax preparer. The course is available online and in person.
7. Udemy’s 5-Week Personal Finance Transformation Course
Price: Free
Sometimes all you need is a quick guide to achieve meaningful results. Ivy Brooks’s 5-Week Personal Finance Transformation Course on Udemy provides practical steps to overhaul your finances in just five weeks. You’ll learn how to create a budget, shift your financial mindset, track spending, and apply useful saving techniques.
8. Marginal Revolution University’s Money Skills Course
Price: Free
Created by two economics professors from George Mason University, Marginal Revolution University’s Money Skills course is an excellent tool for learning key financial principles. The course focuses on four primary topics: saving, real estate, career management, and investing. It simplifies complex financial topics, making it easier to digest the information without feeling overwhelmed.
The Bottom Line
For many Americans, a lack of financial education can make managing money a challenge.
But with these affordable or free courses, you can take control of your financial future and begin building a better life.
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