Live Well on Less Than You Think The New York Times Guide to Achieving Your Financial Freedom

A smart, down-to-earth primer on financial survival-and prosperity-in today's uncertain economy, from the author of the bestselling Retire on Less Than You Think WithRetire on Less Than You Think,New York Timesbusiness columnist and editor Fred Brock challenged the conventional wisdom on the real costs of retirement. Now he turns his attention to the hype that is driving money decisions during the working years-credit card debt, health care costs, stagnant wages-and shows how it is possible for all of us to build a secure and prosperous household on less than we think. Brock offers his distinctive brand of savvy, real-world advice, including how to - assess the real money value of your job based on commuting costs, benefits, and job market opportunities - get the most out of location, from tax savings and living costs - minimize your housing costs while maximizing your assets - manage major expenses, like college tuition and cars - cut expensive habits and pay attention to the "little" things to boost your savings - get to the bottom line on insurance - play the credit card game to your advantage Brock shows readers how to analyze their true costs of living so that they can live debt- and worry-free while enjoying themselves and securing their future. A substantial list of national, regional, and online resources as well as work sheets once again give readers the tools to customize and realize their financial plans.

Fred Brock, a former business editor and current contributor to The New York Times, is the author of Retire on Less Than You Think (0-8050-7374-4) and is the R. M. Seaton Professor of Professional Journalism at Kansas State University. He has also been an editor and reporter covering politics, business, and finance for The Wall Street Journal, the Houston Chronicle, and the Louisville Courier-Journal. He lives in Manhattan, Kansas.

From Live Well on Less Than You Think:
Getting debt under control is the most important move you can make to cut expenses-particularly the amount you pay in interest. But be wary of the conventional advice to cancel or cut up your credit cards. Learn instead to control your credit, rather than have it control you:

Shun brand loyalty and "miles" or other affiliate programs, which can saddle you with
uncompetitive interest rates.

Stick with cards with steady lower rates rather than cycling between cards carrying zero
interest during the first months of use.

Keep an eye on your interest rate every month; it can change without notice. Contrary to the
ads, there is no such thing as a fixed-rate card.

Never make a late payment, even if that means using an overnight courier service. Some
companies will raise your interest rate as much as 30 percent if you pay late just once, and
"late" can mean receiving your payment after 1 pm on the day your payment is due.