by Mason Ferguson
If you’re an Emory student looking for a user-friendly platform to learn about financial literacy and how to budget, CashCourse is an excellent resource to explore. CashCourse is budgeting and financial education software that all Emory students have access to for free, and it is designed to offer personalized financial education. It equips users with practical tools and guidance on various money-related topics. Whether you’re managing your own finances for the first time or looking to refine your budgeting and saving skills, CashCourse has something for everyone. This blog will walk you through its essential features and how to make the most out of each section.
The Dashboard: Your Central Hub
Upon logging into CashCourse, the “Dashboard” serves as your main control center. Here, you’ll find an overview of all the tools and sections available, such as financial tools, activity history, and access to financial experts. Everything you need to start your journey toward better financial management can be easily navigated from this page.
Financial Tools: Building Your Financial Skills
The “Financial Tools” section is the heart of CashCourse. It’s designed to give you hands-on experience with budgeting, goal setting, and financial planning through several interactive features:
1. Budget Wizard: If you’re unsure where to start managing your money, this tool walks you step-by-step through the process of creating a budget. You’ll be prompted to input information such as your monthly and periodic income, fixed and variable expenses, periodic expenses (like tuition or insurance), and savings goals. With these inputs, the Budget Wizard will generate a clear breakdown of your finances, helping you keep track of your spending and savings goals. Whether you’re trying to get through college without going into debt or preparing for post-grad life, the Budget Wizard is a great starting point.
2. Financial Calculators: CashCourse offers tools that help you calculate breakdowns for all types of topics. These topics include whether it’s better to rent or buy a home, how long it will take to pay off loans, the long-term costs of your credit card balance, and how extra payments can reduce the timeline for your financial obligations.
3. Worksheets: For those who prefer to have everything written down, CashCourse provides numerous worksheets covering topics such as budgeting, debt recovery, and even a moving checklist. Whether you need a “job offer worksheet” to compare potential salaries and benefits or a “student loan budget” to manage your educational debt, these downloadable documents make organizing your finances easy and tangible.
4. Financial Glossary: The world of personal finance is full of jargon that can be intimidating for beginners. The “Financial Glossary” helps you break down complex terms like “amortization” and “compound interest” so that you can better understand the material you’re working with. This glossary acts as your personal dictionary, ensuring you grasp the key concepts of finance.
5. Coursework and Learning Modules: This feature allows you to deepen your knowledge with more formal learning opportunities. The modules come with pre-tests to gauge your existing knowledge on topics like budgeting, credits, saving, investing, income taxes, and employee benefits. These modules have short readings dedicated to teaching you the information in a succinct way. Post-tests follow, which you can compare to your pre-test scores to gauge your learning level.
My Activity: Tracking Your Progress
As you navigate through the platform, the “My Activity” section logs your engagement with the various tools and modules. Whether you’re working on budgets, quizzes, or watching videos, this area keeps a running tally of everything you’ve completed, helping you track your financial progress over time and allowing you to look back on what you have learned.
Financial Experts: Real-World Advice
One of the most valuable aspects of CashCourse is its “Financial Experts” section, where you can access answers to frequently asked financial questions. These experts cover a wide range of topics, including student loans, medical bills, buying a car or house, and day-to-day budgeting tips. From my experience using CashCourse, every time I had a question, I was able to find some type of beneficial advice in the FAQs.
Featured Videos: Learning by Watching
For visual learners, CashCourse offers a section of “Featured Videos” that provide practical advice on essential topics. From “how to invest” and “retirement planning” to strategies for paying for school and saving effectively, these videos break down complex financial concepts into digestible, engaging content. This resource is perfect for those who learn better by seeing examples rather than just reading about them.
Exploring Specific Financial Topics
To make navigating financial literacy easier, CashCourse has an array of topics available on the top banner of the screen. From here, you can jump straight into specific subjects like saving for the future, investing, spending, or paying for school. This quick-access menu allows you to target the areas where you need the most help, without having to navigate through other sections of the site.
Conclusion: Your Guide to Financial Success
CashCourse provides an all-encompassing toolkit for students and individuals looking to improve their financial literacy. From its Budget Wizard to its expert advice, the platform makes managing money approachable, no matter what your financial background is. Whether you’re just starting out on your financial journey or looking to fine-tune your budgeting skills, CashCourse is a one-stop shop for all your personal finance needs.