Financial Literacy Course
At Vision Credit Union, we want you to succeed financially.
Financial success starts with a solid foundation in financial literacy. We want you to succeed and reach all your financial goals. So, we've begun to assemble a collection of financial literacy topics and we'll keep adding to it so be sure to keep checking back for more helpful topics and information.
We all learn best in different ways. That's why each topic is presented in written form, a video you can watch, or an interactive course you can work your way through. If you're a teacher and would like to present the information to a class, we've also included a presentation with teacher's notes and a handout.
Basic Banking
In this section, we'll cover these topics:
- Choosing the Right Account(s) for You
- Deposits & Withdrawals
- Savings & Investments
Budgeting
In this section, we'll cover these topics:
- Budgeting Basics
- Needs vs. Wants
- How to Create a Budget
- Tips for Sticking to a Budget
Borrowing - Credit History
In this section, we'll cover these topics:
- Credit History
- Credit Report
- Credit Score
- Building Good Credit
- What to Do if You Can't Pay Your Bills
Borrowing - Credit Cards and Credit-Related Cards
In this section, we'll cover these topics:
- Credit Cards - Introduction
- Choosing a Credit Card
- Using Your Credit Card
- Credit Cards - Loose Ends
- Credit-Related Cards
- Card Security Tips
Borrowing - Loans
In this section, we'll cover these topics:
- Advantages & Disadvantages of Borrowing Money
- What Do You Need to Borrow Money
- What to Consider Before Borrowing Money
- Types of Loans
- Smart Borrowing
* We're still building this section. Please check back later.
Borrowing - Smart Borrowing
In this section, we'll cover these topics:
- Good Debt vs. Bad Debt
- Count the Cost
- Know the Warning Signs of Debt Problems
- Managing Debt
- Ways to Avoid Debt Problems
* We're still building this section. Please check back later.
Be Safe - Types of Fraud and Scams
In this section, we'll cover these topics:
- Fraud Introduction/Overview
- Identity Theft
- Phone Scams
- Online Scams
- In Person Scams
- Red Flags
* We're still building this section. Please check back later.
Be Safe - Fraud Prevention
In this section, we'll cover these topics:
- Protect Your Cards
- Protect Your Cheques
- Protect Your Documents
- Protect Yourself When Shopping Online
- Protect Your Devices
- Protect Your Passwords & PINs
- Protect Your Personal Information
* We're still building this section. Please check back later.
Be Safe - Reporting Fraud
In this section, we'll discuss why it's important to report fraud and where to report it.
* We're still building this section. Please check back later.
Basic Banking
In this section, we'll cover these topics:
- Choosing the Right Account(s) for You
- Deposits & Withdrawals
- Savings & Investments
Budgeting
In this section, we'll cover these topics:
- Budgeting Basics
- Needs vs. Wants
- How to Create a Budget
- Tips for Sticking to a Budget
Borrowing - Credit History
In this section, we'll cover these topics:
- Credit History
- Credit Report
- Credit Score
- Building Good Credit
- What to Do if You Can't Pay Your Bills
Borrowing - Credit Cards and Credit-Related Cards
In this section, we'll cover these topics:
- Credit Cards - Introduction
- Choosing a Credit Card
- Using Your Credit Card
- Credit Cards - Loose Ends
- Credit-Related Cards
- Card Security Tips
Borrowing - Loans
In this section, we'll cover these topics:
- Advantages & Disadvantages of Borrowing Money
- What Do You Need to Borrow Money
- What to Consider Before Borrowing Money
- Types of Loans
- Smart Borrowing
* We're still building this section. Please check back later.
Borrowing - Smart Borrowing
In this section, we'll cover these topics:
- Good Debt vs. Bad Debt
- Count the Cost
- Know the Warning Signs of Debt Problems
- Managing Debt
- Ways to Avoid Debt Problems
* We're still building this section. Please check back later.
Be Safe - Types of Fraud and Scams
In this section, we'll cover these topics:
- Fraud Introduction/Overview
- Identity Theft
- Phone Scams
- Online Scams
- In Person Scams
- Red Flags
* We're still building this section. Please check back later.
Be Safe - Fraud Prevention
In this section, we'll cover these topics:
- Protect Your Cards
- Protect Your Cheques
- Protect Your Documents
- Protect Yourself When Shopping Online
- Protect Your Devices
- Protect Your Passwords & PINs
- Protect Your Personal Information
* We're still building this section. Please check back later.
Be Safe - Reporting Fraud
In this section, we'll discuss why it's important to report fraud and where to report it.
* We're still building this section. Please check back later.
Basic Banking
Choosing the Right Account(s) for You
Financial Success starts with choosing the right accounts. You want accounts that will support you well as you work to reach your financial goals.
Deposits & Withdrawals
Once you have an account, you will be able to deposit and withdraw money from your account.
Savings & Investments Introduction
Reaching your financial goals usually involves a solid plan for saving and investing your money so you have what you need, when you need it.
Savings & Investments - Term Deposits
Term Deposits (also called Guaranteed Investment Certificates) are an investment type that promises a guaranteed return at a fixed interest rate over a specified term.
Savings & Investments - RRSPs
It's never too early to start saving for retirement. Learn about how RRSPs work and some tips to help you make the most of your RRSP contributions.
Savings & Investments - RRIFs
Once you've saved for retirement in your RRSPs, you'll need convert those RRSPs to a RRIF so you can fund your retirement.
Savings & Investments - TFSAs
Who doesn't love Tax-Free investments!?! We'll tell you how Tax Free Savings Accounts work and how you can use them to help you reach your financial goals.
Choosing the Right Account(s) for You
Financial Success starts with choosing the right accounts. You want accounts that will support you well as you work to reach your financial goals.
Deposits & Withdrawals
Once you have an account, you will be able to deposit and withdraw money from your account.
Savings & Investments Introduction
Reaching your financial goals usually involves a solid plan for saving and investing your money so you have what you need, when you need it.
Savings & Investments - Term Deposits
Term Deposits (also called Guaranteed Investment Certificates) are an investment type that promises a guaranteed return at a fixed interest rate over a specified term.
Savings & Investments - RRSPs
It's never too early to start saving for retirement. Learn about how RRSPs work and some tips to help you make the most of your RRSP contributions.
Savings & Investments - RRIFs
Once you've saved for retirement in your RRSPs, you'll need convert those RRSPs to a RRIF so you can fund your retirement.
Savings & Investments - TFSAs
Who doesn't love Tax-Free investments!?! We'll tell you how Tax Free Savings Accounts work and how you can use them to help you reach your financial goals.
Budgeting
Budgeting Basics
A budget can be a very useful tool to help you manage your finances. We'll walk you through what a budget is and some of the benefits of having a budget.
Needs vs. Wants
The ability to identify your needs and your wants is an integral part of creating a budget. We'll teach you the difference between needs and wants and show you how to categorize your expenses.
How to Create a Budget
Creating a budget can seem like a daunting task but we'll take you through each of the steps and direct you to some budgeting tools that you can use to help make it even easier.
Tips for Sticking to a Budget
Sometimes, sticking to your budget is harder than creating it. We'll give you some tips to help make it easier to stick to your budget and achieve your financial goals.
Budgeting Basics
A budget can be a very useful tool to help you manage your finances. We'll walk you through what a budget is and some of the benefits of having a budget.
Needs vs. Wants
The ability to identify your needs and your wants is an integral part of creating a budget. We'll teach you the difference between needs and wants and show you how to categorize your expenses.
How to Create a Budget
Creating a budget can seem like a daunting task but we'll take you through each of the steps and direct you to some budgeting tools that you can use to help make it even easier.
Tips for Sticking to a Budget
Sometimes, sticking to your budget is harder than creating it. We'll give you some tips to help make it easier to stick to your budget and achieve your financial goals.
Borrowing - Credit History
Credit History
In this lesson, we'll discuss what your credit history is and why it's important.
Credit Report
Your credit report will have a big impact on your financial future... for good or for bad. We'll talk about what is in your credit report and some things you can do to ensure you have a good credit report.
Credit Score
In this lesson, we'll discuss what your credit score is, how it is determined an why it is important.
Building Good Credit
Whether you're just starting out and want to know how to ensure you build a good credit score or you currently have a bad credit score and need to improve it, this lesson will go over some things you can do to improve your credit score.
What to Do if You Can't Pay Your Bills
Many of us run into hard times and have trouble paying bills and making ends meet from time to time. This lesson will go over some things you can do if you find yourself having trouble paying your bills.
Credit History
In this lesson, we'll discuss what your credit history is and why it's important.
Credit Report
Your credit report will have a big impact on your financial future... for good or for bad. We'll talk about what is in your credit report and some things you can do to ensure you have a good credit report.
Credit Score
In this lesson, we'll discuss what your credit score is, how it is determined an why it is important.
Building Good Credit
Whether you're just starting out and want to know how to ensure you build a good credit score or you currently have a bad credit score and need to improve it, this lesson will go over some things you can do to improve your credit score.
What to Do if You Can't Pay Your Bills
Many of us run into hard times and have trouble paying bills and making ends meet from time to time. This lesson will go over some things you can do if you find yourself having trouble paying your bills.
Borrowing - Credit Cards and Credit-Related Cards
Credit Cards - Introduction
In this lesson, we'll discuss what credit cards are along with some advantages and disadvantages.
Choosing a Credit Card
In this lesson, we'll go over some things to consider when you're choosing a credit card.
Using Your Credit Card
There are many advantages and benefits to using your credit card and we'll discuss some things you can do to help you manage your card well and get the most out of your credit card.
Credit Cards - Loose Ends
In this lesson, we'll go over some legal stuff related to credit cards and what to do if you don't qualify for a credit card.
Credit-Related Cards
There are some cards that are related to credit cards in some way. In this lesson, we'll go over what some of these cards are.
Card Security Tips
While your credit card or debit card will come with a lot of built in security features, we'll tell you about some things you can do to protect yourself from card fraud.
Credit Cards - Introduction
In this lesson, we'll discuss what credit cards are along with some advantages and disadvantages.
Choosing a Credit Card
In this lesson, we'll go over some things to consider when you're choosing a credit card.
Using Your Credit Card
There are many advantages and benefits to using your credit card and we'll discuss some things you can do to help you manage your card well and get the most out of your credit card.
Credit Cards - Loose Ends
In this lesson, we'll go over some legal stuff related to credit cards and what to do if you don't qualify for a credit card.
Credit-Related Cards
There are some cards that are related to credit cards in some way. In this lesson, we'll go over what some of these cards are.
Card Security Tips
While your credit card or debit card will come with a lot of built in security features, we'll tell you about some things you can do to protect yourself from card fraud.
