Course Syllabus | Fall Semester 2025
Course Title
Financial Well-Being 101: Building Habits for Your Future Self
Instructor
Mazuma Credit Union
Course Description
This course introduces the fundamentals of financial well-being with a focus on practical skills you can apply right away. Topics include budgeting, cybersecurity, emergency savings, credit and debt management, and retirement planning. By the end of the semester, students will have developed confidence in managing money and protecting their financial future.
Course Objectives
- By the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:
- Create and follow a personal budget.
- Understand and apply basic cybersecurity practices to safeguard accounts.
- Build an emergency savings plan.
- Distinguish between credit scores and credit reports.
- Identify strategies for paying down debt.
- Describe the impact of compound interest and the importance of retirement savings and preparedness.
Required Texts & Materials
- Mazuma Blog
- Clever Girl Finance by Bola Sokunbi
- Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez
- Podcasts: Her First $100K, Afford Anything, Journey to Launch
- Supplemental readings and podcasts will be recommended throughout the semester.
Course Modules & Schedule
Unit 1: Financial Well-Being Basics
- Budgeting 101: Track your spending and explore different budgeting methods.
- Cybersecurity Awareness: October is Cybersecurity Month and Mazuma is a CAM Champion! Learn how to spot scams and protect your money online.
Unit 2: Emergency Savings
- Build an emergency fund and explore why even $500 can make a difference.
Unit 3: Credit & Debt
- Understand credit scores vs. reports and compare debt payoff strategies.
Unit 4: Future You
- Learn the power of compound interest and get started with retirement savings.
- Reviewing beneficiaries and staying up to date
Electives & Wrap-Up
- Holiday Budgeting 101
- Final Project: Reflect on your year’s spending
- Final Exam: Share your biggest takeaway
Grading Policy
A: Consistently completed assignments and feel more confident with money
B: Skimmed materials but took some action
C: Participated occasionally
F: Ghosted financial well-being this semester
Spoiler alert: Everyone passes! Progress is the only grade that matters.
Office Hours
Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, and the Mazuma blog for weekly lectures, assignments, and study tips.
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