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.”
let your desions be your own
pick your own choices
Make sure what ever is done is something you want to be done
Why can’t you afford a $2,000 apartment if you make $2,000 a month? Because if you make 2,000 a month, you and rent is 2,000 a month you won’t have money for anything else.
What’s the difference between paying rent vs. paying toward an investment property? the difference is paying rent means you don’t own the property and evesting into a property means you will soon own the property.
make your own decisions and dont let the crowd or bad influences control you
If you do something, make sure you go hard at what you do and make sure that it’s something that you wanna do and make sure that what you’re doing you want to be done for a purpose and reason.
Be intentional about the decisions you make
Yo should make your own decisions and don’t let the people around you be bad influences. Make sure you are surrounded by good people who will have an effect on your future?
A rainbow only follows storms.
In the next five years, I commit to making three smart money decisions to secure my financial future. First, I will create and stick to a budget. This will help me track my income and expenses, ensuring I don’t overspend and can allocate funds towards savings and investments. Second, I plan to start investing early, even if it’s with small amounts.
To build stability faster, I will actively seek opportunities to collaborate with others. Specifically, I will join or create a study group with peers who share similar academic or professional goals. By working together, we can share resources, exchange ideas, and provide mutual support, accelerating our learning and progress. This collaborative approach will not only enhance my knowledge and skills but also build a strong network of like-minded individuals who can contribute to my long-term stability and success.
I will seek opportunity to do better
In the next five years, I plan to make smart money choices like saving regularly, avoiding unnecessary debt, and keeping a budget to track my spending. I will also stay away from common traps such as rushing into relationships too early, getting involved in criminal activity, or comparing myself to others instead of focusing on my own progress. To build stability faster, I’ll work with friends and family by sharing support, advice, and encouragement so we can all reach our goals together.
make your own decisions and don’t let anyone dictate that
Make your own choices, but listen to wise council.
Make your own decision and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise
Make your own decisions and be confident in your decisions. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise
pick your own choices
Question: What’s the difference between paying rent vs. paying toward an investment property?
Rent is a monthly expense. You’re paying your landlord for the right to occupy the property, but you don’t build ownership. Once paid, the money’s gone.
It does not build equity, it only covers housing and potentially utilities/maintenance that the landlord manages.
Extension: How could living with family or friends strategically put you ahead instead of behind?
Reduced expenses: Lower or no rent means you can save aggressively.
Bigger down payment = More savings. You’ll have a stronger financial foundation when you buy. That can reduce interest rates, shorten loan terms, or give you flexibility in picking the right property. Instead of stretching to pay for an apartment that builds no equity, you’re funneling money into investments, debt payoff, or a business and buying sooner (and smarter):
What part do you disagree with or find difficult to accept? Why?
I find it difficult to accept that not saving money is a smart financial decision. You can still spend and save wisely.
the victory is who you become on the journey
another way to make money is by starting a business or getting a job.
Follow out your passsion, be confident and strong in your own decisions, and stay strong in your convictions.
start saving early, i find having people to live with difficult,
The most powerful line to me is that nothing is impossible with time
make your own decisions and dont let the crowd or bad influences control you no matter what