It may seem like a relatively modern concept, but humans have been operating on credit, borrowing from one another, and paying back debts for millennia. However, credit isn't necessarily a simple concept. In this course, we'll go over the basic principles of credit, including what it is, some of the different types of credit available today, and why it's important to have credit.

You know you need to build your credit, but as a young adult, is having a credit card really a good idea? In this course, we'll look at both the benefits and risks of having a credit card as a young adult, as well as some strategies for how to be responsible if you do choose to open a credit card account. We'll also discuss credit limits, making payments, and avoiding late fees.

Understanding the terms and conditions of your credit card is vital for using your card responsibly and to your advantage. In this course, we'll go over the common terms in your credit card's fine print so you can understand exactly what you're signing up for. We'll discuss variable and fixed interest rates as well as annual percentage rates, or APR. We'll also talk about grace periods and annual and credit insurance fees.

There are many different credit cards out there, so in this program, we'll take a look at the criteria you can use to choose a credit card that works for you and your financial goals. We'll discuss secured vs. unsecured cards, credit cards vs. charge cards, fine print items, and rewards programs. We'll also talk about having multiple credit cards and how that impacts your credit score.

There are several reasons you might need to take out a loan, like for purchasing a house or a car. Maybe you need money to pay for college tuition or room and board, or perhaps you have a large home improvement project to finance. The point is, almost everyone takes out some kind of loan in their lifetime, even if it's just opening a credit card account. In any of these situations, it pays to know the basics of what a loan is and how it works. All loans come with several basic components, including the term, the interest rate, miscellaneous costs, and penalties. In this course, we'll take a look at each one in more detail.

If you're considering a student loan to help you manage the financial costs of your education, you're certainly not alone. In 2019, there were almost 45 million student loan borrowers who collectively owed more than $1.5 trillion dollars in the United States. Let's talk about how student loans work so you can be prepared to handle one. In this class, we'll discuss how scholarships and grants work and how to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. We'll go over the four federal loan types, who qualifies, how they're paid, and what to do if you don't qualify for federal loans. Lastly, we'll go over paying back your student loans.

Unless you're lucky enough to work in a city with great public transportation, you're probably going to need a car at some point in your life. Whether you're going to work or just running out to get groceries, most of us use cars on a daily basis. In this course, we'll talk about how many pay for these cars: taking out an auto loan. We'll discuss how car loans work and go over the different types of lenders available. We'll talk about down payments, loan terms, and making payments. And finally, we'll cover what happens if you're unable to make a payment and what you should do if you're facing that situation.

Purchasing your first home is a major milestone, but it's also a very complicated process. In this course, we'll break home loans into simple, easy-to-understand steps. We'll define common home loan terms and go over the various types of loans available and their requirements. We'll also talk about interest rates, escrow payments, and what happens if you're unable to make a mortgage payment.