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Financial basics

Elevate your financial skills by taking the self-guided courses below. Take the courses in any order to develop your knowledge and make future decisions with confidence.

Emergency Fund 
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How much money should you set aside in case of an emergency? This training will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to create a financial safety net to weather unexpected storms. Learn about the importance of planning, saving and strategic use of funds to help you if you ever find yourself in a crisis.

Take the online training course.

Your Credit Score 
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Want to learn about your credit score? This training will teach you what a good credit score is, what affects your score and how to improve it.

Take the online training course.

 

 

Savings 
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Saving money is a fundamental pillar of personal finance, offering immediate and long-term benefits for financial well-being. It provides a safety net for unexpected events, allowing you to overcome financial challenges without accumulating high-interest debt or depleting your resources.

Take the online training course.

Budgeting 
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The goal of this training is to help you understand how to effectively plan, track and manage your money through budgeting. This will empower you to make informed financial decisions and work toward achieving your financial goals.

Take the online training course.

 

Managing Debt 
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One of the biggest key foundations for your financial success is managing your debt effectively. This training will help guide you to manage and reduce your financial debt.

Take the online training course.

 

Taxes 
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Taxes are the main source of revenue for governments, and they pay for public goods and services that benefit communities and society. Find out more in this course about tax basics, including details about filing income taxes.

Take the online training course.

Investing 
A person in a cozy sweater is sitting on a couch, smiling while using a tablet and a smartphone in a bright living space.

Investing plays a crucial role in building wealth, achieving financial goals and living comfortably in retirement. Investing allows your money to potentially grow faster than inflation. By strategically allocating funds into various assets, such as stocks, bonds or real estate, you can capitalize on market growth and the power of compounding returns, where your investment earns returns on previously accumulated earnings.

Take the online training course.

Online tools

From calculators to educational videos, explore the online tools CalSTRS offers to help you secure your financial future.