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Before You
Fly Away.

A financial literacy course that prepares you for the real costs and decisions of independent adult life — ending with a live presentation of your complete financial plan. Mark each chapter as you go and track your progress toward the finish line. Enjoy the journey — it gets real fast.

Mom & Dad's Guide to Help You Thrive · Little Scoop Co. · littlescoop.co
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Welcome to the Course

This is not a textbook.

Every chapter asks you to research something real — a real job listing, a real apartment, a real loan balance, a real grocery budget. By the time you reach the presentation, you won't just know about adult financial life. You'll have a plan for yours.

Most people your age — and many older — have never done what you're about to do. Work through it honestly. Use real numbers. Don't guess when you can research. The effort you put in here is exactly proportional to how prepared you'll be when you fly.

14Chapters
32Weeks
1Real Plan
Part One
Landing the Job
Chapter 1
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Build Your Resume
Complete the 7-section questionnaire and generate your resume with Claude AI.
Weeks 2–3→
Chapter 2
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Find & Apply for a Job
Research a real job listing, write a tailored cover letter, and track your applications.
Weeks 4–5→
Chapter 3
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The Interview
Prepare STAR answers, practice common questions, and complete your mock interview.
Week 6→
Part Two
Managing the Money
Chapter 4
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Employee Benefits
Learn health insurance, 401(k), HSA, and PTO — then calculate your true total compensation.
Weeks 7–8→
Chapter 5
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Negotiate Your Salary
Research market rates, set your floor, target, and stretch numbers, then practice the conversation.
Weeks 9–10→
Chapter 6
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Understand Your Paycheck
Learn gross vs. net, FICA, and withholding — then calculate your real monthly take-home pay.
Week 11→
Chapter 7
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Open Your Bank Accounts
Compare account types, set up direct deposit, and build your emergency fund target.
Week 12→
Chapter 8
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Build a Monthly Budget
Build your complete 50/30/20 budget with real numbers — including giving. The spine of the course.
Weeks 13–14→
Chapter 9
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Understand Your Student Loans
Document your loans, choose a repayment plan, calculate your payoff date — and learn the credit card rule.
Weeks 15–16→
Part Three
Finding Your Place
Chapter 10
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Find an Apartment
Research three real listings, run the roommate calculator, and total your move-in costs.
Weeks 17–18→
Chapter 11
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Understand Your Lease
Work through 12 lease clauses, document real terms, and identify red flags before you sign.
Weeks 19–20→
Chapter 12
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Set Up Your Utilities
Track every utility, get a renter's insurance quote, and understand ACV vs. RCV coverage.
Week 21→
Part Four
Getting Around & Feeding Yourself
Chapter 13
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Buy or Lease a Car
Research a real vehicle, run your loan calculation, and calculate the true monthly cost of ownership.
Weeks 22–24→
Chapter 14
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Grocery & Meal Planning
Plan a week of meals, build a grocery list from your plan, and commit to two saving strategies.
Weeks 25–26→
Capstone
The Presentation
Closing Chapter
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Your End-of-Year Presentation
Assemble your complete financial plan, fill in your summary numbers, and prepare to present to Mom and Dad.
Weeks 27–32→
Appendix
Quick Reference
Quick Reference
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Workplace Communication
Email etiquette, Slack best practices, and professional communication frameworks for the modern workplace.
Reference→
Quick Reference
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Tools & Resources
Recommended apps, calculators, websites, and books — the tools you'll use in adult life. Rocket Money, YNAB, studentaid.gov, KBB, and more.
Reference→