Fundamentals of Financial Planning, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women

Overview

This is a beginner-level, 3-hour free course titled "Fundamentals of Financial Planning, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women," offered directly by Goldman Sachs as part of their 10,000 Women collection—a set of 10 courses aimed at empowering (likely women entrepreneurs, based on the initiative). It provides an accessible introduction to core financial planning concepts, perfect for those dipping their toes into personal or business finance basics.

Who It's For

Ideal for absolute beginners with zero prior knowledge in finance—no prerequisites needed, making it great for aspiring entrepreneurs, small business owners, or anyone curious about financial planning fundamentals. It's especially suited to those aligned with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women initiative, like women entering business or seeking career growth in roles involving basic budgeting, saving, or financial decision-making. Self-paced format fits busy learners who want quick, bite-sized progress over structured, long-term commitments.

Strengths

• Goldman Sachs Credibility: Backed by a top-tier financial institution, lending real-world expertise and prestige to the content—students rave about this in the 4.6/5 rating from 133 reviews.
• Short and Accessible: At just 3 hours, it's efficient for beginners, delivering practical financial planning basics without overwhelming time demands.
• Free with High Satisfaction: Completely free to enroll, yet boasts strong student approval (4.6/5), suggesting solid value in its concise curriculum and support materials like videos or quizzes (typical for Coursera).
• Collection Integration: Part of a 10-course series, encouraging further learning and building a portfolio of Goldman Sachs credentials.
• Beginner-Friendly Focus: Emphasizes foundational skills over theory, ideal for real-life application in personal or entrepreneurial finance.

Weaknesses

• Limited Depth: Only 3 hours means it scratches the surface of financial planning—don't expect advanced topics like investment strategies or complex tax planning; it's not for those wanting comprehensive coverage.
• Narrow Target Audience: Tied to the 10,000 Women initiative, it may feel geared toward women entrepreneurs, potentially less relevant for others; the incomplete description leaves some uncertainty about exact focus.
• Short Duration Trade-Off: While convenient, the brevity could leave learners wanting more hands-on projects or deeper examples, especially compared to longer free alternatives.

Curriculum Highlights

With limited syllabus details available, the standout is its focus on "Fundamentals of Financial Planning"—likely covering essentials like budgeting, saving, debt management, and goal-setting tailored for beginners (possibly with an entrepreneurial lens from the 10,000 Women context). What makes it shine is the Goldman Sachs branding, promising credible, real-world insights distilled into a quick format, setting it apart from generic finance intros.

Value Assessment

Absolutely worth the zero cost and minimal 3-hour commitment—it's a low-risk entry point with high ROI for career starters, offering a shareable Goldman Sachs certificate that boosts resumes for entry-level finance or business roles. Compared to paid alternatives (e.g., longer Udemy courses at $10-20), this edges out on prestige and ratings; stack it with the other 9 free courses in the collection for even better value, though deeper free options like Khan Academy exist for more theory.

Bottom Line

Take this if you're a beginner (especially a woman entrepreneur) seeking a quick, credible finance primer from Goldman Sachs—it's a no-brainer free win. Skip if you need in-depth analysis or already have basic knowledge.

Rating

8.5/10
Excellent for what it is—a short, high-quality intro with strong ratings and brand power—but docked for limited depth and sparse details on content.