Foundations of Financial Resilience

This unit introduces students to the economic context, personal resource assessment, and practical tools needed to prepare for and respond to financial shocks. Students will learn to interpret economic reports and media, understand basic investment and insurance options, and design short-term recovery and coping strategies that reduce fear-based choices and build security.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze how broad economic conditions, common economic indicators, and media/pundit narratives can affect personal financial security during crises by interpreting sample reports and commentary.
• Evaluate personal financial resources and spending by constructing a compact balance snapshot that prioritizes liquid reserves, essential expenses, and debt obligations for short-term recovery.
• Demonstrate understanding of core financial instruments and protections—including stocks, bonds, savings/investment accounts, and basic insurance—by explaining their risks, benefits, and appropriate roles in household recovery planning.
• Apply crisis-preparedness and recovery strategies that combine behavioral insights and evidence-based practices to create a concise action plan for coping with a hypothetical financial shock.