Our Agenda
WHAT WE’VE DONE; WHAT WE’RE DOING
Fall 2024 Session (August – September 2024)
Week 1: Real Estate and Passive Income Streams: To kick off the fall session, we explored how to generate passive income through real estate investing. We discussed rental properties, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and property flipping. Students learned the pros and cons of each method and how to get started. ---------------- Week 2: Sustainable and Green Investing: We delved into sustainable investing, focusing on companies that prioritize environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical governance. Students learned how to identify green investment opportunities and create portfolios that align with their values. --------------------------- Week 3: Preparing for Financial Independence: This session introduced students to the concept of financial independence. We discussed strategies for saving, investing, and living frugally in order to retire early or pursue financial freedom. Students explored how to set long-term financial goals and plan for decades into the future. ------------------------------------- Week 4: Building Wealth through Business Ownership: We shifted focus back to entrepreneurship, where students learned about building wealth through business ownership. We discussed the process of buying an existing business, franchise opportunities, and scaling small businesses into larger enterprises. ------------------------------ Week 5: Stock Market Trends and Analysis: We explored how to identify stock market trends and patterns through technical and fundamental analysis. Students learned how to interpret financial statements, study historical market data, and use these tools to inform investment decisions. -------------------- Week 6: Investing in Emerging Markets: In this session, students were introduced to the risks and rewards of investing in emerging markets. We discussed the economic potential of developing countries and how to evaluate international investment opportunities while mitigating geopolitical risks. ----------------------- Week 7: Financial Innovations and Fintech: We took a futuristic look at financial technology (fintech), discussing how innovations like blockchain, artificial intelligence, and robo-advisors are changing the finance industry. Students explored new investment platforms and tools that are shaping the future of personal finance. ------------------- Week 8: Year-End Financial Review and Planning To conclude the session and the year, students reviewed their personal finances, assessed their financial progress, and made plans for 2025. We discussed the importance of regularly reviewing investment portfolios, adjusting goals, and keeping up with market changes.
DownloadSpring 2024 Session (April – May 2024)
Week 1: Building an Investment Portfolio We started the spring session with an in-depth look at how to construct and manage an investment portfolio. Students learned how to assess risk tolerance, diversify their portfolios, and rebalance them over time to meet financial goals. --------------------------- Week 2: Financial Planning for Major Life Events This week, we discussed how to plan for significant life events like buying a house, getting married, or starting a family. Students learned how to save and budget for these milestones and make informed financial decisions during these times. ------------------------ Week 3: Managing Taxes Efficiently We revisited tax strategies, focusing on tax-efficient investment strategies like tax-loss harvesting, tax-deferred accounts, and maximizing deductions. Students also learned how to make charitable donations and other tax-advantaged moves to reduce tax liabilities. ----------------------------- Week 4: Understanding the Global Economy We explored how different economies interact in the global financial system, touching on topics like international trade, foreign exchange rates, and global markets. Students learned how economic policies in one country can have ripple effects across the world. ---------------------------------- Week 5: Navigating Economic Crises This session focused on how to protect personal finances during an economic crisis or recession. Students learned about preparing for downturns, keeping emergency funds, and adjusting their investment strategy to minimize losses. ------------------------------- Week 6: Evaluating Startups and Businesses for Investment We returned to entrepreneurship, teaching students how to evaluate startups and businesses for potential investment. We discussed metrics like revenue growth, customer acquisition, and competitive advantage to help students assess whether a company is worth investing in. ------------------------------ Week 7: The Future of Work and Personal Finance This session was all about how the changing nature of work—freelancing, gig economy jobs, and remote work—affects personal finance. Students learned how to adapt their financial strategies to fit these new work models and how to prepare for a non-traditional career path. ------------------------------- Week 8: Financial Goal Check-In and Long-Term Planning We wrapped up the spring session by checking in on the financial goals students had set at the beginning of the year. We also discussed long-term financial planning, including retirement accounts, long-term care insurance, and estate planning.
Fall 2023 Session (October – November 2023)
Week 1: Financial Technology (Fintech): We started the session with an introduction to fintech innovations like mobile banking, online investment platforms, and blockchain technology. ---------------------- Week 2: Personal Finance for College Students: This session focused on strategies for managing money while in college, including building credit, minimizing debt, and saving on a student budget. ----------------------------- Week 3: Crowdfunding for Social Impact: We discussed how to use crowdfunding platforms to raise money for social causes and entrepreneurial ventures. Students explored how to create compelling crowdfunding campaigns. -------------------------------- Week 4: Behavioral Finance 2.0: Building on our previous behavioral finance session, we dove deeper into how emotions like fear and greed drive market trends and individual financial decisions. -------------------------------------- Week 5: Preparing for Recessions: We discussed strategies for protecting your finances during economic downturns, focusing on safe investments and building an emergency fund. ------------------------ Week 6: Cryptocurrency Risk Management: In this advanced crypto session, students learned about risk management strategies for investing in cryptocurrency. We explored ways to diversify a crypto portfolio and discussed how to protect investments against market volatility through hedging strategies. ------------------------- Week 7: Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) Movement We introduced students to the FIRE movement, a lifestyle that aims for financial independence and early retirement. We explored how individuals can save aggressively, invest wisely, and cut expenses to achieve financial freedom decades before traditional retirement age. ------------------------- Week 8: Venture Capital and Startup Ecosystems To close out the fall session, students were introduced to venture capital (VC) and how startups secure funding from VC firms. We discussed the dynamics of the startup ecosystem, how to pitch to investors, and how venture capital plays a critical role in business growth and innovation.
Spring 2023 Session (April – May 2023)
Week 1: Building an Investment Portfolio: We started the spring session with an in-depth look at how to construct and manage an investment portfolio. Students learned how to assess risk tolerance, diversify their portfolios, and rebalance them over time to meet financial goals. ----------------------------- Week 2: Financial Planning for Major Life Events: This week, we discussed how to plan for significant life events like buying a house, getting married, or starting a family. Students learned how to save and budget for these milestones and make informed financial decisions during these times. -------------------------- Week 3: Managing Taxes Efficiently: We revisited tax strategies, focusing on tax-efficient investment strategies like tax-loss harvesting, tax-deferred accounts, and maximizing deductions. Students also learned how to make charitable donations and other tax-advantaged moves to reduce tax liabilities. ----------------------------- Week 4: Understanding the Global Economy: We explored how different economies interact in the global financial system, touching on topics like international trade, foreign exchange rates, and global markets. Students learned how economic policies in one country can have ripple effects across the world. ------------------------------- Week 5: Navigating Economic Crises: This session focused on how to protect personal finances during an economic crisis or recession. Students learned about preparing for downturns, keeping emergency funds, and adjusting their investment strategy to minimize losses. --------------------- Week 6: Evaluating Startups and Businesses for Investment: We returned to entrepreneurship, teaching students how to evaluate startups and businesses for potential investment. We discussed metrics like revenue growth, customer acquisition, and competitive advantage to help students assess whether a company is worth investing in. -------------------------------- Week 7: The Future of Work and Personal Finance: This session was all about how the changing nature of work—freelancing, gig economy jobs, and remote work—affects personal finance. Students learned how to adapt their financial strategies to fit these new work models and how to prepare for a non-traditional career path. -------------------------------------- Week 8: Financial Goal Check-In and Long-Term Planning: We wrapped up the spring session by checking in on the financial goals students had set at the beginning of the year. We also discussed long-term financial planning, including retirement accounts, long-term care insurance, and estate planning.
Fall 2022 Session (October – November 2022)
Week 1: Retirement Planning: We kicked off the fall with a session on retirement planning, discussing different retirement accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, and how to maximize long-term savings for the future. --------- Week 2: Personal Budgeting Hacks: This session focused on practical tips for maintaining a personal budget. Students learned about the 50/30/20 rule, how to track spending, and ways to cut unnecessary expenses. ---------------- Week 3: Understanding Inflation: We explored the impact of inflation on personal finances and investments. Students learned how inflation affects purchasing power and how to hedge against inflation in their portfolios. ----------------------- Week 4: Side Hustles: We introduced the concept of side hustles as a way to increase income. Students brainstormed ideas for small businesses they could start alongside their main jobs or studies. ----------------------------- Week 5: Ethical Investing: We revisited ethical investing, with a focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria. Students researched ethical funds and learned how to build a socially responsible portfolio. ---------------------------- Week 6: Student Loan Strategies: We discussed various strategies for managing and paying off student loans, including repayment plans, consolidation, and forgiveness programs. ---------------------------------- Week 7: Financial Apps and Tools: This session covered a range of financial tools for managing money, from budget trackers to advisors. Students reviewed apps and shared which tools they found most helpful. ------------------ Week 8: Goal Check-In: To end the year, we revisited personal financial goals and adjusted them for the upcoming year. Students reflected on their progress and made new plans for 2023.
Spring 2022 Session (April – May 2022)
Week 1: Investment Psychology: We kicked off the session by exploring how emotions and behavioral biases affect investment decisions. Students learned strategies to avoid common traps like herd mentality and loss aversion. --------------------- Week 2: Financial Independence: This week focused on building the foundations for financial independence, with discussions on long-term savings, emergency funds, and the importance of living within your means. ------------------- Week 3: Passive Income: Students were introduced to various forms of passive income, from rental properties to dividend-paying stocks, learning how these income streams can help build wealth over time. --------------------------- Week 4: Cryptocurrency: We took a deep dive into cryptocurrency, discussing the basics of blockchain technology, popular currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, and the risks involved in crypto investing. --------------------------- Week 5: Financial Ethics: This session focused on the ethical side of finance, discussing corporate social responsibility, the ethics of wealth accumulation, and how personal values can align with financial decisions. ----------------------------- Week 6: Crowdfunding and Startup Capital: Students learned about raising capital through crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and GoFundMe, and how entrepreneurs can attract investors through creative means. ------------------------ Week 7: Risk Management in Investments: We explored different types of financial risk, including market risk, inflation risk, and interest rate risk. Students learned how to protect their portfolios against these risks. ------------------------------- Week 8: Future Financial Trends To wrap up, we looked at emerging trends in finance, such as fintech innovations, AI in finance, and the growing role of sustainability in financial markets.
Fall 2021 Session (October – November 2021)
Week 1: Financial Markets and the Economy: We started with a deep dive into how financial markets work, focusing on stocks, bonds, and global market trends. Students analyzed recent news to understand how world events impact markets. _____________________ ___________________________Week 2: Networking in Finance: This week was all about building professional networks in the finance industry. Students created LinkedIn profiles and practiced elevator pitches to grow their connections. ___________________________Week 3: Debt and Loans: We tackled the ins and outs of managing debt, focusing on student loans, mortgages, and credit card debt. Students learned about loan structures and strategies to manage and reduce debt. ___________________________Week 4: Real Estate and Long-Term Investing: Students explored real estate investing as a tool for long-term wealth building. We covered the basics of property evaluation and understanding the risks associated with real estate investments. ___________________________Week 5: Social Impact Investing: This session focused on how finance can drive social change through impact investing. Students learned to align their financial goals with social good by researching companies that focus on environmental sustainability or social justice. ___________________________Week 6: Advanced Investment Strategies: We explored advanced investment topics, including risk diversification, portfolio management, and asset allocation. Students tested their skills in an investment game that mirrored real-world markets. ___________________________Week 7: Building Wealth through Entrepreneurship: We discussed how to scale a business, secure funding, and maintain cash flow. Students refined their entrepreneurial ideas and presented business models to the group. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Week 8: Financial Resolutions and Goal Review: In our closing week, we revisited the financial goals set earlier in the year and discussed strategies to stay on track. Students made new financial resolutions for the year ahead.
Spring 2021 Session (April – May 2021)
Week 1: Introduction to Financial Literacy ------------------------------- We started with the basics, diving into budgeting, saving, and the importance of understanding personal finances. Students shared their own experiences, setting the tone for a collaborative learning environment. Week 2: Setting Financial Goals : This week focused on goal-setting. Students learned how to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) financial goals, developing a clear roadmap for their financial future. ---------------------- Week 3: The Psychology of Money: We discussed how emotions drive financial decisions. By understanding spending habits, students explored ways to stay in control of their finances, using mindfulness and strategies to avoid impulse purchases. ----------------------- Week 4: Investing 101: Students learned the basics of investing—stocks, bonds, and mutual funds—and how to build a diversified portfolio. We ran a fun investment simulation to help students test their strategies in a mock stock market. --------------------------------- Week 5: Understanding Credit: This session demystified credit scores, loans, and how to maintain a good credit profile. Students also learned about the dangers of mismanaging credit and how to use it responsibly. ------------------------------------------------ Week 6: Entrepreneurship Basics: We introduced the entrepreneurial mindset. Students worked on creating business ideas, developing basic business plans, and discussing how to launch a startup. ------------------------------ Week 7: Taxes and Tax Filing: In this critical session, students learned the fundamentals of taxes and how to file tax returns. We walked through mock tax forms, emphasizing deductions and credits. --------------------------------------- Week 8: Personal Finance Tools: Wrapping up the session, students were introduced to various personal finance apps and tools to manage their finances effectively. We explored budgeting apps and tools for investment tracking.