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Smart Budgeting Academy

A free curriculum for everyday money confidence

The academy is organized into four learning tracks. Each track is made up of short, self-paced lessons that build on one another, so you can start wherever you feel comfortable.

Track 1 · Budgeting basics

Understand income, fixed and variable expenses, and how to build your first simple budget without spreadsheets or apps.

Track 2 · Saving strategies

Explore different approaches to setting savings goals, building an emergency fund, and staying consistent month to month.

Track 3 · Understanding debt

Learn the general vocabulary of debt, how interest works conceptually, and questions worth asking before borrowing.

Track 4 · Planning ahead

Look at longer-term planning concepts such as goal-setting, life changes, and building habits that last beyond a single month.

Person writing budgeting notes in a planner next to a calculator
Lesson format

What each lesson includes

  • Plain-language reading

    A short article covering the concept, written without financial jargon.

  • Printable worksheet

    An optional worksheet you can use offline to apply the lesson to your own numbers.

  • Reflection questions

    A few prompts to help you connect the lesson to your own situation and habits.

Curriculum overview

Sample lesson schedule

Week Topic Track Format
Week 1 Mapping your income and expenses Budgeting basics Article + worksheet
Week 2 Choosing a budgeting method that fits you Budgeting basics Article
Week 3 Starting a small emergency fund Saving strategies Article + worksheet
Week 4 Reading a loan or credit agreement Understanding debt Article
Week 5 Setting a one-year financial goal Planning ahead Article + reflection

The schedule above is illustrative of how our lessons are sequenced and is provided for informational purposes only.

Have a question about a lesson?

Reach out to our team and we will be happy to help you find the right starting point.