Passive income.

Lesson 20, Saturday, January 17, 2026.

Lesson Title:

Passive Income: Building Certificate of Deposit (CD) Ladders

Lesson Description:

This lesson introduces students to Certificate of Deposit (CD) ladders as a strategy for generating low-risk passive income. Students will learn what CDs are, how they work, and how to structure a CD ladder to maximize liquidity and interest earnings. By the end of the lesson, students will be equipped to create their own CD ladder and understand its role in a diversified financial plan.

Lesson Plan:

1. Introduction to Certificates of Deposit (10 minutes)

• Define Certificates of Deposit (CDs):
  • A fixed-term deposit offered by banks with a guaranteed interest rate.
  • Low-risk and FDIC-insured (up to $250,000 per account holder per bank).
• Discuss why CDs are a reliable tool for passive income.
• Highlight the trade-off: higher interest rates vs. locked funds for a fixed term.

2. What is a CD Ladder? (10 minutes)

• Explain the concept of a CD ladder:
  • Dividing investment into multiple CDs with staggered maturity dates.
  • Benefits: regular access to funds (liquidity) and higher average interest rates.
• Example of a 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year CD ladder and how it works.

3. Benefits and Risks of CD Ladders (10 minutes)

• Advantages:
  • Provides a steady income stream.
  • Maximizes returns without sacrificing liquidity.
  • Protects against interest rate changes.
• Risks:
  • Early withdrawal penalties.
  • Lower returns compared to more aggressive investments.

4. Steps to Build a CD Ladder (15 minutes)

• Step-by-Step Process:
  1. Decide how much money to invest.
  2. Choose a bank or credit union offering competitive CD rates.
  3. Split funds into equal parts and invest in CDs with staggered maturity dates (e.g., 1-year, 2-year, 3-year terms).
  4. When a CD matures, reinvest in a new, longer-term CD to maintain the ladder.
• Provide a worksheet for students to plan their own CD ladder.

5. Activity: Create a CD Ladder Plan (15 minutes)

• Objective: Apply the concept to a real-world scenario.
  • Provide a fictional investment amount (e.g., $10,000).
  • Present sample CD options with interest rates and terms.
  • Ask students to design a CD ladder and calculate potential returns.

6. Wrap-Up and Q&A (10 minutes)

• Recap:
  • CD ladders as a low-risk way to generate passive income while maintaining liquidity.
  • How they fit into a broader financial strategy.
• Answer student questions and provide additional resources (e.g., bank rate comparison tools, articles on CD ladders).

Lesson 21, Saturday, January 24, 2026.

Lesson Title:

Passive Income: Investing in Treasury Bills, Notes, and Bonds

Lesson Description:

This lesson explores Treasury securities—Treasury Bills (T-Bills), Notes, and Bonds—as low-risk investments for generating passive income. Students will learn how these government-backed securities work, their key differences, and how to choose the right options based on financial goals. By the end of the session, students will understand how to start investing in Treasury securities and incorporate them into a passive income strategy.

Lesson Plan:

1. Introduction to Treasury Securities (10 minutes)

• Define Treasury securities: debt instruments issued by the U.S. government to finance its operations.
• Highlight their risk-free nature (backed by the U.S. government).
• Discuss why they are popular for passive income generation.

2. Types of Treasury Securities (15 minutes)

• Treasury Bills (T-Bills):
  • Short-term securities (maturities of 4 weeks to 1 year).
  • Sold at a discount and mature at face value (no interest payments).
• Treasury Notes:
  • Medium-term securities (maturities of 2 to 10 years).
  • Pay semiannual interest.
• Treasury Bonds:
  • Long-term securities (maturities of 20 to 30 years).
  • Pay semiannual interest, offering the highest yield.

3. Benefits and Risks of Treasury Investments (10 minutes)

• Benefits:
  • Virtually risk-free and highly liquid.
  • Reliable source of passive income through interest payments.
  • Exempt from state and local taxes.
• Risks:
  • Lower returns compared to other investment options.
  • Vulnerable to inflation reducing purchasing power.

4. How to Invest in Treasury Securities (15 minutes)

• Step-by-Step Process:
  1. Open an account on TreasuryDirect or use a brokerage.
  2. Decide on the type and term of the Treasury security.
  3. Purchase at auction or on the secondary market.
  4. Monitor interest payments and reinvest proceeds for compounding.
• Provide an example of how to use Treasury securities as part of a diversified portfolio.

5. Activity: Build a Treasury Investment Plan (15 minutes)

• Objective: Apply knowledge to a practical scenario.
  • Present a fictional investment amount (e.g., $5,000).
  • Provide sample Treasury securities with different maturities and yields.
  • Ask students to allocate funds among T-Bills, Notes, and Bonds to achieve a balance of liquidity and income.

6. Wrap-Up and Q&A (10 minutes)

• Recap:
  • Treasury securities are safe, reliable tools for passive income.
  • Key differences between T-Bills, Notes, and Bonds.
  • How to incorporate them into long-term financial planning.
• Address questions and provide additional resources, such as TreasuryDirect guides and investment calculators.

Lesson 22, Saturday, January 31, 2026.

Lesson Title:

Passive Income: Generating Income with Annuities and Commercial Insurance Contract Investments

Lesson Description:

This lesson introduces students to annuities and commercial insurance contract investments as tools for generating passive income. It explains how these financial products work, their types, benefits, and risks. By the end of the session, students will understand how to evaluate and utilize these options to create reliable income streams for retirement or other financial goals.

Lesson Plan:

1. Introduction to Annuities and Commercial Insurance Contracts (10 minutes)

• Define annuities: Contracts with insurance companies that provide regular payments in exchange for an initial investment.
• Define commercial insurance contract investments: Policies designed for long-term savings or investment purposes.
• Highlight their role in passive income strategies, particularly for retirement planning.

2. Types of Annuities (15 minutes)

• Immediate Annuities: Payments start soon after a lump-sum investment.
• Deferred Annuities: Payments start at a future date, allowing investments to grow.
• Fixed Annuities: Provide guaranteed payments with low risk.
• Variable Annuities: Payments depend on the performance of underlying investments.
• Indexed Annuities: Payments are tied to the performance of a market index (e.g., S&P 500).

3. Benefits and Risks of Annuities and Insurance Contract Investments (10 minutes)

• Benefits:
  • Guaranteed income stream (especially with fixed annuities).
  • Tax-deferred growth on investments.
  • Customizable to financial goals and time horizons.
• Risks:
  • High fees and surrender charges for early withdrawal.
  • Limited growth potential for fixed annuities compared to other investments.
  • Dependence on the financial stability of the insurance company.

4. How to Invest in Annuities or Insurance Contracts (15 minutes)

• Steps to Begin:
  1. Assess financial goals and determine the role of annuities in your strategy.
  2. Consult with a financial advisor or insurance specialist.
  3. Compare different annuity products (e.g., fees, payment schedules, flexibility).
  4. Understand the terms and ensure the contract aligns with your income needs.
• Provide an example scenario: planning for retirement using an annuity.

5. Activity: Evaluate and Compare Annuity Products (15 minutes)

• Objective: Help students critically assess financial products.
  • Present fictional annuity options with different features (e.g., payment terms, fees, growth potential).
  • Ask students to choose the best option for various financial goals (e.g., retirement income, estate planning).
  • Discuss their choices and reasoning.

6. Wrap-Up and Q&A (10 minutes)

• Recap:
  • Annuities and commercial insurance contracts can provide secure, predictable income.
  • Importance of understanding fees, terms, and risks before investing.
• Answer questions and provide resources for further learning, such as annuity calculators and consumer guides.

Lesson 23, Saturday, February 7, 2026.

Lesson Title:

Passive Income: Earning Through Dividend-Paying Stocks

Lesson Description:

This lesson explores dividend-paying stocks as a strategy for generating passive income. Students will learn how dividends work, the characteristics of dividend-paying companies, and how to build a diversified dividend portfolio. By the end of the lesson, students will understand how to identify reliable dividend stocks and use them to create a steady income stream.

Lesson Plan:

1. Introduction to Dividend-Paying Stocks (10 minutes)

• Define dividends: A portion of a company’s profits distributed to shareholders.
• Highlight why dividend-paying stocks are ideal for passive income:
  • Regular income payments (usually quarterly).
  • Opportunity for capital appreciation.
• Explain how dividends fit into broader investment strategies.

2. Understanding Dividend Stocks (15 minutes)

• Types of Dividend-Paying Stocks:
  • Blue-chip stocks: Established companies with consistent dividends (e.g., Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson).
  • Dividend aristocrats: Companies that have increased dividends for 25+ consecutive years.
  • REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts): Offer higher dividend yields.
• Key metrics to evaluate dividend stocks:
  • Dividend yield, payout ratio, and dividend growth history.

3. Benefits and Risks of Dividend Stocks (10 minutes)

• Benefits:
  • Steady cash flow and passive income.
  • Compounding through dividend reinvestment.
  • Potential for long-term capital appreciation.
• Risks:
  • Dividend cuts during financial downturns.
  • Stock price volatility.
  • Over-reliance on a single stock or sector.

4. Steps to Build a Dividend Portfolio (15 minutes)

• Steps:
  1. Set investment goals (e.g., income vs. growth).
  2. Research companies with strong dividend-paying histories.
  3. Diversify across sectors to reduce risk.
  4. Use tools like dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs) to grow investments.
• Provide a practical example of a beginner dividend portfolio.

5. Activity: Analyze and Choose Dividend Stocks (15 minutes)

• Objective: Help students apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios.
  • Present a list of sample companies with dividend data (yield, payout ratio, growth history).
  • Ask students to select stocks for a $10,000 portfolio aimed at passive income.
  • Discuss their choices and reasoning as a group.

6. Wrap-Up and Q&A (10 minutes)

• Recap:
  • Dividend-paying stocks are a powerful tool for generating passive income.
  • Importance of researching and diversifying investments.
• Address questions and share additional resources, such as stock screeners, dividend calculators, and books like The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham.

Lesson 24, Saturday, February 14, 2026.

Lesson Title:

Passive Income: Passive Stock and Commodity Trading | Copy Trading

Lesson Description:

This lesson explores passive approaches to trading stocks and commodities, with a focus on strategies like automated trading and copy trading. Students will learn how these methods work, their advantages, and the risks involved. By the end of the session, students will understand how to start passive trading or use copy trading platforms to mirror successful traders, generating potential passive income.

Lesson Plan:

1. Introduction to Passive Trading (10 minutes)

• Define passive trading: Using automated systems or strategies requiring minimal active involvement.
• Discuss key passive trading approaches:
  • Automated trading systems.
  • Copy trading (mirroring the strategies of experienced traders).
• Explain how these methods can generate passive income.

2. Understanding Copy Trading (15 minutes)

• How It Works:
  • Copy trading allows users to replicate the trades of skilled investors in real-time.
  • Popular platforms: eToro, ZuluTrade, and MetaTrader.
• Benefits:
  • No need for deep market knowledge.
  • Access to experienced traders’ expertise.
• Risks:
  • Over-reliance on traders who may underperform.
  • Market volatility and platform fees.

3. Automated Trading Systems and Tools (10 minutes)

• How Automated Trading Works:
  • Systems use algorithms to execute trades based on pre-set parameters.
  • Common tools: Trading bots, algorithmic trading platforms (e.g., Interactive Brokers, NinjaTrader).
• Advantages:
  • Eliminates emotional trading.
  • Operates 24/7.
• Risks:
  • Requires careful setup and monitoring.
  • Vulnerable to market conditions and technical glitches.

4. Steps to Start Passive Trading (15 minutes)

• Copy Trading:
  1. Select a reliable platform.
  2. Review and analyze top traders (performance history, risk levels).
  3. Allocate funds and start mirroring trades.
• Automated Trading:
  1. Choose a platform or bot with good reviews.
  2. Set parameters for trade execution (e.g., stop-loss, target profit).
  3. Test with demo accounts before committing funds.

5. Activity: Evaluate and Select Trading Strategies (15 minutes)

• Objective: Practice evaluating traders or setting up parameters.
  • Provide a mock copy trading platform interface showing top traders’ performance stats (e.g., ROI, risk score).
  • Ask students to choose a trader to follow or create automated trading parameters.
  • Discuss choices and the reasoning behind them.

6. Wrap-Up and Q&A (10 minutes)

• Recap:
  • Passive trading and copy trading provide accessible ways to generate income.
  • Importance of understanding the risks and monitoring performance.
• Address questions and provide resources for further exploration, such as platform tutorials, trading guides, and market analysis tools.

Great topics and courses are very cheap!

I signed up for the courses.

The only bad thing is that I have to wait a long time.