Course Purpose
This course challenges you to think deeply about money, choices, and life. It’s not about memorizing lessons—it’s about asking questions, testing ideas, and realizing how today’s decisions will shape your future opportunities. The goal is to make you stop and think about the choices you’re making right now, so you can see how those choices will either open doors or close them later.
Learning Approach
- Critical Thinking Questions – you’ll explain why and how, not just “what.”
- Application Scenarios – you’ll connect the video lessons to other parts of life.
- Peer Discussion – you’ll share and hear different perspectives.
- Personal Reflection – you’ll build your own independent thoughts, not just repeat someone else’s.
- Real-Life Application – you’ll leave with strategies you can use right now.
Course Breakdown
1. Watch & React
- Play the video.
- Ask:
- What was the most powerful line to you? Why?
- What part do you disagree with or find difficult to accept? Why?
- How would this advice apply differently to a young man vs. a young woman?
2. Living Below Your Means
- Question: Why can’t you afford a $2,000 apartment if you make $2,000 a month?
- Extension: How does living above your means trap you now and limit you in the future?
- Activity: Write 3 examples of how debt or bad spending habits can block opportunities (e.g., can’t start a business, can’t travel, can’t get approved for a loan).
3. Pooling Money & Building Together
- Question: Besides real estate, what other ways can a group of friends or cousins pool money to build wealth?
- Brainstorm Examples: food truck, cleaning business, sneaker reselling, small e-commerce store, vending machines, barbershop, daycare, etc.
- Group Activity: Teams design a business plan using only $500/month from each person.
4. Real Estate & Housing Decisions
- Teaching Point: Everyone has to live somewhere—the way you pay for it determines whether you grow wealth or lose it.
- Question: What’s the difference between paying rent vs. paying toward an investment property?
- Extension: How could living with family or friends strategically put you ahead instead of behind?
5. Decisions That Derail You
- Open Discussion:
- How can a criminal background limit your financial and life options?
- Why does having multiple kids before being stable make life harder?
- How do drugs, partying, or “fast living” hold people back financially?
- Activity: Map out a “derailment chain” — start with one bad decision (e.g., drugs) and show all the ripple effects that follow (arrest record → can’t get job → financial stress → more bad choices, etc.).
6. Time, Patience & Focus
- Quote: “Stop trying to star in other people’s movies. Star in yours.”
- Question: What does this mean in your own life?
- Reflection: Write about a time when comparing yourself to others made you feel behind. What would have happened if you had just focused on your own lane?
7. Working Together to Build Independence
- Question: How can working together with others actually help you become independent faster?
- Discussion: Why do many people avoid sharing or collaborating? What fears or ego issues hold them back?
- Activity: Groups design a “support system plan” — how friends or cousins could share resources, support each other, and speed up success.
8. Personal Blueprint
- Final Assignment: Create a “Critical Life Choices Blueprint” that includes:
- Three smart money decisions you commit to making in the next 5 years.
- Three traps you refuse to fall into (relationships too early, criminal activity, etc.).
- One way you will work with others to build stability faster.
Takeaway Message
“Every choice you make is either building your freedom or building your cage. If you think now, you can live free later. If you don’t think now, you’ll spend later trying to escape decisions you can’t undo.”