Personal Finance curriculum

A practical finance curriculum covering budgeting, banking, credit, debt, investing, insurance, taxes, housing, college costs, and financial decision-making.

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High school / college / adult financial literacy

Personal Finance curriculum

A practical finance curriculum covering budgeting, banking, credit, debt, investing, insurance, taxes, housing, college costs, and financial decision-making.

Pacing

8 units, 12-24 weeks self-paced

Units

8 unit sequence

Practice

32 checked answers

Support

Self-paced or tutor-guided

Outcomes

Build a realistic money plan from income, expenses, goals, and constraints.
Use credit, debt, insurance, and investing concepts without getting trapped by bad assumptions.
Make financial decisions with tradeoffs, risk, and time horizon stated clearly.

Khan Academy companion path

Use these linked courses for video instruction and mastery practice, then return here for PeerTutor original checks and tutor help on the exact unit that got stuck.

Personal finance Economics and finance

External video content is linked, not copied. PeerTutor practice is original and cites each source path separately.

Unit sequence

Built for independent progress first, then tutor support where the student gets stuck.

01
Budgeting and cash flow
- Track income, fixed costs, variable spending, and savings.
- Use zero-based, envelope, and percentage-based budgeting models.
Practice: Build a monthly budget with one realistic stress test.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Personal finance and Economics and finance. Take notes until you can explain: Track income, fixed costs, variable spending, and savings.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Build a monthly budget with one realistic stress test.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Use zero-based, envelope, and percentage-based budgeting models.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Business calculation
Revenue is 120 and cost is 75. What is profit?
Decision reasoning
Which business explanation is strongest?
uses numbers, assumptions, and tradeoffsuses only a sloganignores costshides the calculation
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Personal Finance unit "Budgeting and cash flow"?
Track income, fixed costs, variable spending, and savings.Use zero-based, envelope, and percentage-based budgeting models.Set an emergency-fund target from actual obligations.Compare checking, savings, CDs, fees, and interest.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Budgeting and cash flow" before asking a tutor for help?
Skip the unit and start a new subject.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Build a monthly budget with one realistic stress test.
02
Banking and emergency funds
- Compare checking, savings, CDs, fees, and interest.
- Set an emergency-fund target from actual obligations.
Practice: Choose a banking setup and justify it using fees, access, and safety.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Personal finance and Economics and finance. Take notes until you can explain: Compare checking, savings, CDs, fees, and interest.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Choose a banking setup and justify it using fees, access, and safety.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Set an emergency-fund target from actual obligations.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Business calculation
Revenue is 130 and cost is 80. What is profit?
Decision reasoning
Which business explanation is strongest?
uses numbers, assumptions, and tradeoffsuses only a sloganignores costshides the calculation
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Personal Finance unit "Banking and emergency funds"?
Compare checking, savings, CDs, fees, and interest.Use zero-based, envelope, and percentage-based budgeting models.Track income, fixed costs, variable spending, and savings.Set an emergency-fund target from actual obligations.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Banking and emergency funds" before asking a tutor for help?
Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Skip the unit and start a new subject.Choose a banking setup and justify it using fees, access, and safety.
03
Credit scores and borrowing
- Explain credit reports, utilization, payment history, APR, and amortization.
- Compare loans by total cost, not payment size only.
Practice: Analyze two borrowing options and compute the real tradeoff.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Personal finance and Economics and finance. Take notes until you can explain: Explain credit reports, utilization, payment history, APR, and amortization.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Analyze two borrowing options and compute the real tradeoff.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Compare loans by total cost, not payment size only.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Business calculation
Revenue is 140 and cost is 85. What is profit?
Decision reasoning
Which business explanation is strongest?
uses numbers, assumptions, and tradeoffsuses only a sloganignores costshides the calculation
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Personal Finance unit "Credit scores and borrowing"?
Use zero-based, envelope, and percentage-based budgeting models.Track income, fixed costs, variable spending, and savings.Explain credit reports, utilization, payment history, APR, and amortization.Compare checking, savings, CDs, fees, and interest.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Credit scores and borrowing" before asking a tutor for help?
Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Skip the unit and start a new subject.Analyze two borrowing options and compute the real tradeoff.
04
Debt payoff and consumer decisions
- Use avalanche, snowball, refinancing, and consolidation reasoning.
- Identify predatory terms and sunk-cost thinking.
Practice: Create a debt payoff plan with payment order and risk notes.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Personal finance and Economics and finance. Take notes until you can explain: Use avalanche, snowball, refinancing, and consolidation reasoning.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Create a debt payoff plan with payment order and risk notes.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Identify predatory terms and sunk-cost thinking.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Business calculation
Revenue is 150 and cost is 90. What is profit?
Decision reasoning
Which business explanation is strongest?
uses numbers, assumptions, and tradeoffsuses only a sloganignores costshides the calculation
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Personal Finance unit "Debt payoff and consumer decisions"?
Identify predatory terms and sunk-cost thinking.Use zero-based, envelope, and percentage-based budgeting models.Track income, fixed costs, variable spending, and savings.Compare checking, savings, CDs, fees, and interest.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Debt payoff and consumer decisions" before asking a tutor for help?
Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Create a debt payoff plan with payment order and risk notes.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Skip the unit and start a new subject.
05
Investing foundations
- Use compounding, diversification, index funds, risk, and time horizon.
- Distinguish investing from speculation.
Practice: Compare two investment scenarios with contribution, return, fees, and time.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Personal finance and Economics and finance. Take notes until you can explain: Use compounding, diversification, index funds, risk, and time horizon.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Compare two investment scenarios with contribution, return, fees, and time.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Distinguish investing from speculation.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Business calculation
Revenue is 160 and cost is 95. What is profit?
Decision reasoning
Which business explanation is strongest?
uses numbers, assumptions, and tradeoffsuses only a sloganignores costshides the calculation
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Personal Finance unit "Investing foundations"?
Track income, fixed costs, variable spending, and savings.Compare checking, savings, CDs, fees, and interest.Use compounding, diversification, index funds, risk, and time horizon.Use zero-based, envelope, and percentage-based budgeting models.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Investing foundations" before asking a tutor for help?
Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Skip the unit and start a new subject.Compare two investment scenarios with contribution, return, fees, and time.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.
06
Taxes, paychecks, and benefits
- Read pay stubs, withholding, deductions, and common tax forms.
- Compare compensation packages beyond salary.
Practice: Interpret a sample paycheck and explain each line item.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Personal finance and Economics and finance. Take notes until you can explain: Read pay stubs, withholding, deductions, and common tax forms.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Interpret a sample paycheck and explain each line item.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Compare compensation packages beyond salary.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Business calculation
Revenue is 170 and cost is 100. What is profit?
Decision reasoning
Which business explanation is strongest?
uses numbers, assumptions, and tradeoffsuses only a sloganignores costshides the calculation
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Personal Finance unit "Taxes, paychecks, and benefits"?
Track income, fixed costs, variable spending, and savings.Compare checking, savings, CDs, fees, and interest.Use zero-based, envelope, and percentage-based budgeting models.Compare compensation packages beyond salary.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Taxes, paychecks, and benefits" before asking a tutor for help?
Skip the unit and start a new subject.Interpret a sample paycheck and explain each line item.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.
07
Insurance, housing, and major purchases
- Use risk pooling, deductibles, premiums, and coverage limits.
- Compare renting, buying, leases, and large purchase financing.
Practice: Build a decision table for a major purchase with costs and nonfinancial constraints.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Personal finance and Economics and finance. Take notes until you can explain: Use risk pooling, deductibles, premiums, and coverage limits.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Build a decision table for a major purchase with costs and nonfinancial constraints.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Compare renting, buying, leases, and large purchase financing.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Business calculation
Revenue is 180 and cost is 105. What is profit?
Decision reasoning
Which business explanation is strongest?
uses numbers, assumptions, and tradeoffsuses only a sloganignores costshides the calculation
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Personal Finance unit "Insurance, housing, and major purchases"?
Use risk pooling, deductibles, premiums, and coverage limits.Use zero-based, envelope, and percentage-based budgeting models.Compare checking, savings, CDs, fees, and interest.Track income, fixed costs, variable spending, and savings.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Insurance, housing, and major purchases" before asking a tutor for help?
Skip the unit and start a new subject.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Build a decision table for a major purchase with costs and nonfinancial constraints.
08
Financial plan capstone
- Set goals, prioritize tradeoffs, and update plans as conditions change.
- Communicate assumptions and uncertainty clearly.
Practice: Create a one-year financial plan with budget, emergency fund, credit, investing, and next actions.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Personal finance and Economics and finance. Take notes until you can explain: Set goals, prioritize tradeoffs, and update plans as conditions change.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Create a one-year financial plan with budget, emergency fund, credit, investing, and next actions.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Communicate assumptions and uncertainty clearly.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Business calculation
Revenue is 190 and cost is 110. What is profit?
Decision reasoning
Which business explanation is strongest?
uses numbers, assumptions, and tradeoffsuses only a sloganignores costshides the calculation
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Personal Finance unit "Financial plan capstone"?
Compare checking, savings, CDs, fees, and interest.Track income, fixed costs, variable spending, and savings.Communicate assumptions and uncertainty clearly.Use zero-based, envelope, and percentage-based budgeting models.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Financial plan capstone" before asking a tutor for help?
Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Skip the unit and start a new subject.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Create a one-year financial plan with budget, emergency fund, credit, investing, and next actions.