Introduction to Personal Finance

Introduction to Personal Finance

This course is part of The Fundamentals of Personal Finance Specialization

Instructor: Brian Walsh

Access provided by Vanderbilt University

39,244 already enrolled

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

247 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

94%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

247 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

94%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

28 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the The Fundamentals of Personal Finance Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 4 modules in this course

This course is a general overview of a variety of personal finance topics - including budgeting, the importance of your credit score, cash flow, setting financial goals, and taxes. Taught by two CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professionals, the concepts are broken down through videos, readings, and activities so you can apply what you are learning in real time. The course provides the foundation to build on for the rest of The Fundamentals of Personal Finance Specialization or as a standalone survey course to improve your understanding of basic personal finance terminology, as well as how they apply to your own financial situation.

This module will cover the importance of being intentional with your finances and the underlying forces impacting your current relationship with money.

What's included

16 videos8 readings6 assignments

16 videosTotal 70 minutes

Course Introduction6 minutes
The Basics of Financial Planning5 minutes
Life Cycle of Financial Planning4 minutes
Financial Planning in 6 Steps5 minutes
Understand the Human Side of Personal Finances5 minutes
Deep Dive into Personality 1 - Money Worship4 minutes
Deep Dive into Personality 2 - Money Avoidance3 minutes
Deep Dive into Personality 3 - Money Vigilance5 minutes
Deep Dive into Personality 4 - Money Status4 minutes
Managing Finances with a Partner – Where to Start5 minutes
Managing Finances with a Partner – Joint Accounts, Separate Accounts or Some of Both?4 minutes
Working with Your Partner on Finances3 minutes
Understanding and Overcoming Loss Aversion4 minutes
Understanding and Overcoming Hindsight Bias4 minutes
Understanding and Overcoming Confirmation Bias4 minutes
Understanding and Overcoming Reference Bias4 minutes

8 readingsTotal 56 minutes

About Your Instructor1 minute
Activity - Financial Knowledge12 minutes
Activity - Identify Interests, Fears, and Questions6 minutes
Tips for Creating a Financial Plan5 minutes
How to Plan for Your Future7 minutes
Overview of Money Personalities10 minutes
Activity-Take Your Money Personality Assessment (KSMI)10 minutes
Improving Your Relationship With Money5 minutes

6 assignmentsTotal 56 minutes

Approaching Your Finances with Purpose30 minutes
An Introduction to Financial Planning4 minutes
The Financial Planning Process2 minutes
Common Money Personalities Assessment5 minutes
Roles and Responsibility5 minutes
Behavioral Bias10 minutes

This module will help you assess your current financial situation by detailing assets, liabilities, and credit scores.

What's included

13 videos7 readings7 assignments

13 videosTotal 63 minutes

What is Net Worth and Why Does it Matter?4 minutes
Types of Assets - Understanding What You Own5 minutes
Measuring and Assessing Your Liquidity4 minutes
Types of Debt - Understanding What You Owe5 minutes
Using Personal Finance Tools to Understand What You Own and Owe2 minutes
What is a Credit Score and Why Does It Matter?4 minutes
Who Determines Your Credit Score?5 minutes
Key Components of Your Credit Score8 minutes
What’s Your Credit Score?4 minutes
How to Request and Review Your Credit Report5 minutes
How to Improve Your Credit Score8 minutes
9 Most Common Credit Score Mistakes4 minutes
Protecting Your Credit5 minutes

7 readingsTotal 49 minutes

What Are Liquid Assets and How Do They Work?7 minutes
What Are the Different Types of Debt?6 minutes
Activity - Determine Your Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth 10 minutes
What is a FICO Score?5 minutes
Activity - Obtain and Assess Your Credit Score 8 minutes
Activity - Obtain Your Credit Report8 minutes
How to Build Credit Over Time5 minutes

7 assignmentsTotal 49 minutes

Understanding Your Net Worth and Credit Score30 minutes
Matching Assets to Categories3 minutes
Matching Liabilities to Categories3 minutes
The Ins and Outs of Credit Scores3 minutes
The Components of Your Credit Score3 minutes
Checking In on Your Credit Score3 minutes
Improving Your Credit Score Over Time4 minutes

This module will help you understand where your money is coming from and where it is going, including taxes.

What's included

10 videos12 readings7 assignments

10 videosTotal 43 minutes

Understanding Cash Flow5 minutes
Maximizing Your Cash Flow7 minutes
Cash Flow Changes in Different Life Stages3 minutes
Managing Uneven Cash Flow4 minutes
Ways to Determine Your Cash Flow2 minutes
Types of Taxes5 minutes
How Income Tax Withholding Works4 minutes
Understanding Your Key Tax Numbers6 minutes
Preparing to File Your Taxes3 minutes
Taxes - DIY vs. Hiring a Pro4 minutes

12 readingsTotal 80 minutes

What is Disposable Income?6 minutes
How to Improve Personal Cash Flow6 minutes
7 Life Events You Should Financially Prepare For7 minutes
Activity - Calculate Your Monthly Cash Flow10 minutes
Understanding Different Personal Finance Ratios6 minutes
How to Evaluate Your Personal Finances5 minutes
How Much of Your Paycheck Should You Save?6 minutes
Why Your Debt to Income Ratio Matters4 minutes
Activity - Calculate Your Financial Ratios10 minutes
What Are the Different Types of Taxes?6 minutes
What Tax Bracket Am I In?10 minutes
How Income Tax Withholding Works4 minutes

7 assignmentsTotal 55 minutes

Assessing Your Cash Flow and Taxes30 minutes
Match Income and Expenses to Categories3 minutes
Calculating Cash Flow 3 minutes
Ways to Determine Your Cash Flow1 minute
Key Ratios of Your Personal Finances6 minutes
Types of Taxes4 minutes
Tax Concepts8 minutes

This module will identify different budgeting strategies, financial goals, and how to ensure your money is working towards those priorities.

What's included

14 videos10 readings8 assignments

14 videosTotal 77 minutes

Budgeting Basics4 minutes
There Isn’t One RIGHT Way to Budget5 minutes
7 Tips for Budgeting Success5 minutes
Setting Up Your Budget Using the 50/30/20 Approach6 minutes
Checking in on Your Budget6 minutes
Adjusting Your Budget as Life Happens6 minutes
Ways to Reduce Your Spending6 minutes
Ways to Increase Your Income7 minutes
3 Types of Financial Goals8 minutes
6 Tips to Achieve Your Financial Goals4 minutes
A Framework for Your Next Money Move4 minutes
Why the Order of Your Goals Matter5 minutes
Applying the YNMM Framework to Your Finances6 minutes
Setting SMART Financial Goals4 minutes

10 readingsTotal 65 minutes

5 Different Types of Budgeting Methods8 minutes
Activity - Identify Your Budgeting Approach6 minutes
How To Make A Budget6 minutes
Activity - Build Your Budget10 minutes
How to Stop Spending Money: 7 Strategies to Curb Overspending7 minutes
How to Set Money Goals4 minutes
Smart Short Term Financial Goals to Set for Yourself4 minutes
The Importance of Setting Your Long-Term Financial Goals6 minutes
Activity - Identify Your Financial Goals10 minutes
Investing vs. Saving: Finding a Balance4 minutes

8 assignmentsTotal 50 minutes

Planning and Budgeting for Your Future30 minutes
Different Ways to Budget4 minutes
Establishing a Budget5 minutes
Maintaining and Updating Your Budget3 minutes
Define Common Financial Goals3 minutes
Define the YNMM Framework2 minutes
Steps in the YNMM Process1 minute
SMART Financial Goals2 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

(96 ratings)

Brian Walsh

SoFi

5 Courses67,429 learners

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Reviewed on Aug 8, 2025

The course was very informative and rewarding—some of the ideas and practices I have already implemented in my finances. I will use the suggestions that the instructor mentioned in the course.

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2021

This was a great course, I enjoyed learning about the psychology behind finances. Having the order we should do things in was helpful.

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2021

Great overall course that can help with your personal finances and if you are in a business can also help with your goals for that business

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