Quick Steps to Financial Stability

Quick Steps to Financial Stability Find money you didn't think you had Deal with your debt Make the most of tax breaks Boost your investment returns Get your kids through college Ditch the job and retire Choose the right loan Save time and money by using our easy-to-follow templates No time to figure it all out on your own? LetQuick Steps to Financial Stabilitybe your guide. "When it comes to financial self-help advice, Al Lavine and Gail Liberman are as good as it gets. Whether it's setting up a budget, reducing debt, or taking out the right loans, Lavine and Liberman boiled it all down in this latest book to a series of practical steps to make complicated financial planning simple." -David Callaway, editor-in-chief, MarketWatch Looking to get your finances on track? It's as easy as following the steps outlined in this book. You needn't be an accountant or a financial planner. Get the straight and simple scoop on how to take the bull by the horns yourself-just follow the step-by-step approach outlined inQuick Steps to Financial Stability. Have access to a computer? If so, it's even easier. And there are several online calculators you can use to help you get the job done. Alan Lavine and Gail Libermanare husband-and-wife syndicated columnists. Their columns run in theBoston Herald,Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,Palm Beach Daily News, several Scripps Howard newspapers, and several online websites. They also write a biweekly consumer banking column for Dow Jones MarketWatch. They have been guests on CBS'sThe Early Show,Fox and Friends, CNN, CNBC,The 700 Club, and PBS. Their book,Rags to Riches, was featured on Oprah's television show and hit two best-seller lists. They live in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Introduction
Are You Ready?
Examining Your Financial Condition
Net Worth: Finding Your Bottom Line
Round Up Your Assets
List All Your Liabilities or Debts
Subtract Your Liabilities from Your Assets
Reviewing Income and Expenses
Calculate Your Monthly Income
Categorize Monthly Expenses
Determine Where You Stand
Setting Your Financial Goals
Freeing Up Quick Cash Controlling
Your Debt Trimming Expenses Beefing Up Your Income
Summary
Identifying Your Financial Goals
Preparing for Life Identifying Your Insurance Needs Setting Financial Goals Considering Your Savings Plan
Planning for Big Goals Buying a Home Having a Baby Saving for Your Children's Education and Retirement
Summary
Zeroing In on Your Debt
Over Your Head in Debt?
Try These Fixes Controlling Debt Yourself Credit Counseling Consolidating Your Debts Bankruptcy
Understanding Your Credit Score Getting
Your Score Check
Your Credit Report to Raise
Your Credit Score Correcting
Mistakes on Your Credit Report
What If Your Bad Credit Score Is Accurate?
Summary
Creating a Simple Investment Plan
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Simple Investment Options
Understanding Basic Investments Cash Bonds Stocks Basic Investment Rules
What Kind of Investor Are You?
Investing in Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds
Summary
Creating a Plan That Works for You
Choose Low-Risk Investments for Short-Term Goals Bank Deposits U.S. Treasury Securities Other Lower-risk Investments
Stocks: More Risk for Better Long-Term Returns
Choose Mutual Funds to Help You Diversify Analyzing the Risk of Mutual Funds Pinpoint
Your Strategy with Life-Cycle and Target Funds Take a More Conservative
Approach with Balanced Funds
Boost Your Performance Stick with No-Load Funds
Use Index Funds Opting for Actively Managed Funds Consider
Dollar Cost Averaging Rebalance Your Investments
Always Consider Taxes
Summary
Protecting the Downside: Insurance and Other Safeguards
Finding Financially Secure Companies
Health Insurance Policy Types What to Examine Before Buying a Policy Cut the Cost of Medical Insurance
Disability InsuranceLife Insurance Low-Load Companies Getting Professional HelpLong-Term Care Insurance
Property Insurance Automobile Insurance Homeowner's Insurance
You Need a Will
Summary
Supercharging Your Savings Plan
Saving for Retirement
Determine What to Expect from
Your Retirement Income Sources
Your Retirement Plan Options 401(k)
IRAs Roth IRA AnnuitiesCan You Retire?
Need More?
Other Ways to Retire
Summary
How to Pay for Your Children's Education
Getting Your Hands Around the Cost of College
Determine What You Can Save
Examine Your Investment Options 529
Plans Coverdell Educational Savings Accounts
Uniform Transfers to Minors Act and Uniform Gifts to Minors
Act Other Tax-Advantaged Options
Tax Breaks for College Savings
The Hope Scholarship Credit
The Lifetime Learning Credit Tax Deduction for Student Loan Interest
Rules for College Investing
Financial AidIf You Must Borrow
Other Ways to Get Your Children to College
Summary
Save by Choosing the Right Loans
Your Loan Objectives
The Scoop on Credit Cards
Understanding Car Loans and Leases
Picking a Mortgage Checking Out Loan Upfront Costs and Fees Choosing a Mortgage
Type Finding Information on Special Mortgage Programs
Home Equity Loans and Lines
Other Low-Cost Ways to Borrow
Beware When You Borrow Money
Eliminating Debt from Your Financial Life Refinance
Your Home Prepay Your Mortgage Consider a Biweekly Mortgage
Summary
Your Keys to the Good Life, Now and Later
Evaluate Your Income and Spending
Evaluate Your Insurance Coverage
Review Your Investments
Review Your Tax Situation
Update Your Estate Plan
Enjoy Your Great New Financial Life
Summary

Appendixes
References and Resources
Finding the Right Help
Mortgage Shopping Worksheet 0789735083 TOC 10/19/2006
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Quick Steps to Financial Stability

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials