Every investment portfolio starts with a foundation and for most investors, that foundation is built on two core asset types: stocks and bonds. This module introduces both, starting with stocks and what it truly means to own a piece of a company. Beyond the basics, you'll explore how stocks are traded and valued, giving you the tools to look at a stock not just as a ticker symbol, but as a real stake in a business with real potential to create wealth over time. Next you will explore bonds — a fundamentally different type of investment that plays an equally important role in a balanced portfolio. You'll learn how bonds work, what distinguishes them from stocks, and why investors often rely on both to manage risk and return together. 💡 Tip for Success: As you work through this module, look up a stock or bond you've heard of, a company you're familiar with or a fund in a retirement account you may already have. Connecting the concepts to something real makes the material far more engaging and easier to retain.

Not every investor wants to research and select individual stocks and bonds — and they don't have to. This module introduces two of the most popular and accessible investment vehicles available to everyday investors: mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, or ETFs. You'll explore the benefits each one offers, how they differ from one another, and how they can serve as efficient, diversified building blocks within a broader investment strategy. Whether you're just starting out or looking to simplify your approach, understanding these tools opens the door to investing in a way that is both manageable and effective. You will then expand the view beyond U.S. borders to explore international investing. The global economy offers opportunities that simply don't exist in domestic markets alone — but with those opportunities come unique risks and considerations. You'll learn how to recognize both, giving you the perspective to evaluate whether and how international investments might fit into your own financial strategy. 💡 Tip for Success: When comparing mutual funds and ETFs, focus on understanding the key differences rather than trying to determine which one is universally better — because neither is. The right choice depends entirely on your goals, your timeline, and how you prefer to invest. Keeping that context in mind will make the distinction between the two much clearer.

Knowing what to invest in is only part of the equation — knowing how to put it all together, and how to safeguard what you've built, is what separates a collection of investments from a true portfolio strategy. You will explore how risk, return, and marketability interact within a portfolio, and how to use that understanding to make more intentional investment decisions. You'll also get a practical look at brokerage accounts — the gateway through which most investors access the market — and what to consider when choosing the right type of firm for your needs. From there, the module broadens the investment conversation to include real estate and alternative investments, two asset classes that appeal to investors looking beyond traditional stocks and bonds. You'll explore why real estate remains a preferred wealth-building vehicle for many, and how factors like supply and demand, spreads, and specialization influence the value of alternative investments. The module closes where every good investment strategy should — with protection. You'll learn concrete ways to shield your portfolio from both market losses and fraud, ensuring that the wealth you work to build is well defended. 💡 Tip for Success: In this module you will be exploring a wide range of investment topics, Investigate one at a time and resist the urge to rush. The concepts build on one another, and a solid understanding of portfolio construction will make the protection strategies at the end feel like a natural — and necessary — conclusion.

Summative assessment for the course