Created by the editors at Money magazine and its Web site, Money 101 consists of electronic lessons that help you invest, save, borrow and spend more wisely. The essentials of each lesson can be absorbed in just 10 minutes. But all lessons feature greater detail--including calculators, quizzes and a library of supplemental materials--for those who want to dig deeper.
LESSON 1 Setting priorities Here's help for the first -- and often the hardest -- step in achieving your financial goals: deciding which goals to pursue.
LESSON 2 Making a budget How to bring your spending under control, so that you get the most out of every dollar.
LESSON 3 Basics of banking and saving Here's how to get the best banking services at the best price, either online or off.
LESSON 4 Basics of investing An introduction to making money in stocks, bonds and mutual funds.
LESSON 5 Investing in stocks The market can be a great place to turn savings into wealth -- or to lose your shirt. Here are some fundamentals of investing wisely.
LESSON 6 Investing in mutual funds It's a mutual-fund jungle out there. Here's how to create a simple portfolio that works.
LESSON 7 Investing in bonds Bonds can provide a steady and reasonably secure income, while adding ballast to your portfolio--but only if you really understand what you're buying.
LESSON 8 Buying a home Owning your home is part of the American Dream, but if you’re not prepared, buying it can be a nightmare. Here are some fundamentals for buyers and sellers.
LESSON 9 Controlling debt You've got to know when to hold debt--and when to fold it. This lesson shows you how to accomplish your financial goals by making debt work for you.
LESSON 10 Employee stock options More companies are handing out stock options, and to a much broader group of employees. This lesson gives you vital information on how to handle ESO's.
LESSON 11 Saving for college It's not rocket science, just common sense. By starting early and investing regularly, your children may have a wider choice of colleges, and paying the bill won't hurt as much.
LESSON 12 Kids and money Up until they start earning a living, and sometimes well beyond that, kids are apt to spend money like it grows on trees. This lesson will help you put your children on the road to handling money responsibly.
LESSON 13 Planning for retirement Achieving a comfortable retirement in the 21st Century requires a new approach to retirement planning.
LESSON 14 Asset allocation The single most important thing an investor can do is practice asset allocation. Here's how.
LESSON 15 Hiring financial help What to keep in mind when when seeking professionals to handle your financial planning, stock trading, insurance coverage and tax returns.
LESSON 16 Health insurance Whether your employer provides you with a group medical plan or you need to buy coverage on the individual market, understanding how health insurance works is the best way to get your money's worth.
LESSON 17 Buying a car Buying a car is like no other shopping experience. The choices seem to be endless. This lesson helps you sort through your options.
LESSON 18 Taxes Among the long list of necessary evils we must encounter throughout our lives, perhaps the most constant -- taxes -- is also the least understood. But the whole process isn't nearly as baffling as you may think.
LESSON 19 Home insurance Homeowners' insurance can be a nightmare. It's costly, confusing, and unrewarding -- until you have to use it. Here, you'll learn how to purchase peace of mind now and later.
LESSON 20 Life insurance Life insurance is critical to financial planning. It's a necessity for anyone with dependents who would be affected financially by your demise. Yet life insurance is one of the hardest financial products to understand and it's sold by agents who are sometimes more concerned with their commissions than your needs. This Money 101 lesson is all about a better way to buy life insurance.
LESSON 21 Estate planning Americans are in the midst of one of greatest inter-generational transfers of wealth in history, yet few of us have done any planning for it. Here's how to start.
LESSON 22 Auto insurance Auto insurance can be a nightmare. It's costly, confusing, and unrewarding -- until you need it. Here's how to purchase peace of mind now and later.
LESSON 23 401(k)s It's the most important tool you've got for retirement. Here's how to make the most of it.
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