The Savage Truth on Money

Smart strategies for taking control of your money from bestselling author and personal finance expert Terry Savage—the new, fully updated third edition.

The Savage Truths on Money are time-tested, but new technologies and techniques make it easier and more profitable to make your money work for you! Now, financial success can be achieved simply and automatically through new apps, tools, and access to low-cost money management tools and advice. Living in financial security—not constantly worrying about education costs, medical bills, or having enough money saved for retirement—is within anyone’s reach. 

In this new edition of The Savage Truth on Money, author Terry Savage shares the time-tested truths of financial security, guides you on redirecting your finances, and helps you create a financial plan for your future—using all the resources of technology, the best people in the financial planning industry, and your own informed judgment. This must-have resource is a roadmap for navigating today’s economic reality on the way to your best possible financial future. This invaluable guide will help you:

• Take responsibility for your own financial future, using technology to improve your financial decision-making  
• Control your spending and deal with debt, protect your assets, and grow your savings
• Learn the basic truths about money, markets, and human emotions—and how to use that knowledge to your advantage
• Find financial advisors you can trust—fiduciaries who will put your interests first, and save you money on costs
• Make a realistic plan for college without being buried in debt—and deal with existing student loans
• Create—and reach—retirement goals that allow you to enjoy your financial success

Whether you're just starting out and unsure of your next steps, or you’re worried about how you'll manage your investments and plan your retirement, the third edition of The Savage Truth on Money is your one-stop guide for taking control of your finances today and reaping the benefits tomorrow.

TERRY SAVAGE is the nationally syndicated personal finance columnist for Tribune Content Agency, a regular on national television and radio, and the author of four best-selling personal finance books. She has won the National Press Club award for Outstanding Consumer Journalism. Terry's expertise comes from experience. She was a founding member of the Chicago Board Options Exchange, and a member of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange's International Monetary Market. She serves on the Board of Directors of CME Group, Inc. Visit Terry's website to post questions and read her latest columns.

www.TerrySavage.com

Preface ix

1 The Savage Truth on Getting Rich 2
Financial Security Demands Smart Choices

2 The Savage Truth on Money and Technology 30
Knowledge is Power

3 The Savage Truth on Spending and Debt 44
You Can Control Your Cash Flow

4 The Savage Truth on Chicken Money 70
Nest Eggs Need Some Safety

5 The Savage Truth on Financial Advice 94
Not All “Advisors” Are on Your Side

6 The Savage Truth on the Stock Market 110
It’s Less Risky Than You Think

7 The Savage Truth on Investment Choices 138
Getting Started is Easy

8 The Savage Truth on Investing for Retirement 174
The Sooner the Better—But It’s Never Too Late

9 The Savage Truth on Annuities 198
Risks and Rewards

10 The Savage Truth on Life, Health, and Disability Insurance 218
Don’t Wait until It’s Too Late

11 The Savage Truth on Protecting Your Assets 250
Your Home, Your Auto, Your Wealth

12 The Savage Truth on Paying for College 264
A Burden and a Blessing

13 The Savage Truth on Getting to—and through—Retirement 292
Time to Withdraw

14 The Savage Truth on Social Security, Medicare, and Aging Alone 312
Getting It Right is Essential

15 The Savage Truth on Long-Term Care Insurance 330
Insure Your Retirement Lifestyle

16 The Savage Truth on Estate Planning 348
It Pays to Plan While You Can

Conclusion . . . and Beginning 369

Acknowledgments 371

Index 375

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.