Credit & Debt

Every time you swipe, tap, or sign is a promise to pay someone back later. This lesson introduces how borrowing works, why lenders charge interest, and what makes someone creditworthy.

Every loan is just four variables fighting each other. This lesson breaks down how principal, interest rate, term, and down payment interact — and why amortization means you pay mostly interest first.

Not all loans are created equal—a mortgage and a payday loan share a name but live in different financial universes. This lesson explores secured vs. unsecured loans, common loan types, and loan structures.

A 30-year mortgage costs more in interest than the house itself—and most buyers never realize it. This lesson unpacks how amortization quietly front-loads interest, why down payments and PMI matter, and how a few extra dollars can save tens of thousands.

Before there's a score, there's a report. This lesson outlines what a credit report is, where it comes from, how to read it, and how to fix it.

The score on your free app probably isn't the one a lender will ever see. This lesson unpacks what a FICO® Score actually is, why there are dozens of versions, and how the number sets the price you pay to borrow.

A credit card isn't free money. It's a high-interest loan with a grace period attached. This lesson unpacks how credit cards actually work, why APR matters, and kicks off the Advanced Budgeting simulation.

Your credit score isn't damaged by what you spend—it's damaged by how you handle what you owe. This lesson explores how utilization, payment history, and identity theft shape credit health, and what students can do today to protect tomorrow's score.

Borrowing 'just a little' at 400% APR can wreck a budget faster than any credit card. This lesson exposes predatory debt traps and equips students with two proven debt repayment strategies—snowball and avalanche.

Financial crises don't announce themselves—they ambush you mid-month with a busted transmission or a surprise medical bill. This lesson equips students with a problem-solving framework and concrete safeguards to weather emergencies without spiraling into debt.

A flashy lifestyle and a fat paycheck don't equal wealth. Net worth is the real scoreboard. This lesson explores how assets and liabilities determine true financial health.