Big Life Events: free beginner lessons
Big Life Events is a FinCon topic with 5 short lessons. Navigate the financial side of life's biggest moments. Each lesson takes about five minutes and ends with a quiz.
What will I learn in Big Life Events?
You will work through: Wedding Finances, Having Kids: The Real Costs, Career Changes & Money, Inheritance & Windfalls, Divorce & Finances.
What is in each Big Life Events lesson?
Wedding Finances
Average US wedding cost: $30,000+ 🚨 The wedding industry is designed to make you overspend: • "It's the biggest day of your life!" • "You deserve the best!" • Add the word "wedding" and prices double A beautiful wedding doesn't require debt. Let's plan smart.
Smart wedding budgeting: 1️⃣ Decide what you can pay WITHOUT debt 2️⃣ Identify your top 3 priorities (venue? food? photos?) 3️⃣ Allocate 50% of budget to your priorities 4️⃣ Be ruthless about the rest 💡 Tips that save thousands: • Off-season/weekday weddings: 30-50% cheaper • Limit guest list (biggest cost driver) • DIY where it makes sense
What's the single biggest driver of wedding costs? Every additional guest means more food, drinks, favors, and possibly a larger venue. Cutting 20 guests can save $5,000+.
More important than the wedding: the money conversation. 💬 Before saying "I do," discuss: • Debt each person brings • Spending vs saving styles • Financial goals as a couple • Joint vs separate accounts • How to handle disagreements about money Money is the #1 cause of divorce. Talking about it BEFORE marriage is the best investment.
What's the #1 cause of divorce in the US? Money conflicts are the leading cause of divorce. Having open financial conversations before marriage dramatically reduces this risk.