Course

Banking & Savings

Make your cash work harder.

Where to keep your money, the difference between banks and credit unions, how to actually earn interest on savings, and the four types of savings tools regular people should know.

9 lessons·~36 min total

Lessons in this course

1
Checking vs. savings: the right setup
Most people use these wrong. Here's the simple structure that maximizes your interest while keeping your daily money easy to access.
4 min
→
2
High-yield savings accounts (HYSAs)
Why most checking accounts pay almost nothing — and how a high-yield savings account at the right place can pay you 20× to 100× more.
3 min
→
3
Money market accounts vs. money market funds
Same name, very different products. One is a bank account, one is an investment. Here's how to tell them apart.
4 min
→
4
Certificates of deposit (CDs): the predictable cousin
A CD is a savings account where you agree to lock the money up for a set time in exchange for a guaranteed rate. Useful in some situations, ignored in others.
4 min
→
5
Treasury bills (T-bills) for beginners
Short-term loans to the U.S. government, considered the safest dollar investment in the world. How they work and where to buy them.
4 min
→
6
I-Bonds: inflation-protected savings
A government savings bond whose interest rate adjusts with inflation. Useful for medium-term savings, with some annoying restrictions.
5 min
→
7
Credit unions vs. banks: what's the difference?
Credit unions are nonprofits owned by their members. They often pay better rates and charge lower fees. Here's the trade-off.
4 min
→
8
How banks actually make money
Understanding the bank business model helps you understand why your savings rate is what it is, and why banks fight so hard for your checking account.
4 min
→
9
Emergency fund: the unsexy thing that saves you
Cash set aside for surprises is what keeps a job loss or medical bill from becoming a financial catastrophe. Build it before you invest aggressively.
4 min
→

PREMIUM

Final exam + certificate

When you finish this course, take a 15-25 question final exam to test what you've learned. Pass and earn a verified ClearMoneySchool certificate you can share on LinkedIn.

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