Course 1 · Foundation
How money actually works
Ten lessons that answer the question almost nobody is taught: what is money, who makes it, and why does it buy less over time?
10 lessons, about 88 minutes
What you will be able to do
- Define money by the three jobs it does, and say which job is failing when people complain about money.
- Explain the difference between currency, money and wealth without using jargon.
- Measure a change in purchasing power yourself using the official index.
Lessons
Lesson 1 · 9 min · free preview
What is money, really?
Money does three jobs, and the arguments people have about it are almost always about the third one.
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Lesson 2 · 10 min · free preview
Where does new money come from?
Most money is created when banks lend, not when a press runs.
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Lesson 3 · 8 min · free preview
What does 'fiat currency' actually mean?
Fiat means money by law rather than by metal — a design with a known weakness.
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Lesson 4 · 9 min
How do I measure what my money has lost?
Two dates and one official calculator will tell you exactly.
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Lesson 5 · 8 min
Is inflation the same as prices going up?
Not quite, and the distinction changes how you respond.
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Lesson 6 · 9 min
What is M2, and should I care?
M2 measures quantity, not willingness to spend.
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Lesson 7 · 10 min
Who sets interest rates, and how?
The central bank sets one rate; markets set the rest.
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Lesson 8 · 8 min
What is the difference between the debt and the deficit?
One is a stock, one is a flow, and confusing them wrecks arguments.
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Lesson 9 · 10 min
Who actually owns the U.S. debt?
Roughly a quarter is held abroad — a real dependency, and far less than commonly claimed.
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Lesson 10 · 7 min
Why does any of this matter to a household?
Because every plan you make is denominated in a unit you do not control.
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Rather ask a person?
A specialist will answer a specific question without a pitch. No account needed, no obligation. Monday – Friday, 7am – 4pm Pacific.