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Tables of Contents for Get a Financial Life
Chapter/Section Title
Page #
Page Count
Introduction
19
2
Crib Notes
21
12
A ``Cheat Sheet'' for Time-Pressed Readers
Taking Stock of Your Financial Life
33
17
Figuring Out Where You Are and Where You Want to Go
Putting a Price Tag on Your Goals
34
1
Learning How to Reach Your Goals
35
2
Figuring Out Where Your Money Goes
37
4
Financial Rules of Thumb
41
2
Getting Your Financial Life in Order
43
7
Debt and the Material World
50
40
Finding the Best Loans and Getting Yourself Out of Hock
Two Pointers for Anyone with Debt
51
1
Credit Cards
52
12
Student Loans
64
7
Car Loans
71
6
Home Equity Loans
77
4
Credit Reports
81
4
If You're in Serious Debt
85
5
Basic Banking
90
21
Learn How to Get the Most from Your Bank for the Least Amount of Money
A Bank by Any Other Name
91
1
Finding a Low-Cost Checking Account
91
5
Managing Your Checking Account
96
3
Using the ATM Wisely
99
4
Joint Versus Separate Accounts
103
1
Different Ways to Save in a Bank
104
5
A Warning About Bank-Sold Investments
109
2
All You Really Need to Know About Investing
111
39
For New Investors, the Feeling Is Mutual (Funds)
Mutual Fund Fundamentals
112
2
Money Market Funds
114
8
A Word About Inflation
122
2
Stock Funds
124
7
Bond Funds
131
7
The Right Mix of Investments
138
1
Mutual Fund Expenses
139
3
Deciding Where to Buy Your Mutual Funds
142
2
Socially Responsible Investing
144
2
Buying Individual Stocks
146
4
Living the Good Life in 2030
150
25
Think It's Crazy to Worry Now About Retirement Then? It's Crazy Not To
What Are Retirement Savings Plans, Anyway?
152
1
Contributing to Your 401(k)
153
1
Contributing to an IRA
154
7
How Your Retrirement Savings Grow
161
1
Some Drawbacks (and Why They Don't Matter)
162
2
A Word About Inflation and Taxation
164
2
Answers to Some Common Questions
166
6
If You're Self-Employed
172
3
Oh, Give Me a Home
175
38
Advice on Getting an Apartment or House of Your Own
What Every Renter Needs to Know
176
3
Should You Rent or Buy?
179
4
What Lenders Look For
183
2
Costs of Owning a Home
185
5
Special Mortgage Programs for New Homebuyers
190
5
If You Don't Qualify for Special Programs
195
5
Shopping for a Mortgage
200
7
Making the Process Go Smoothly
207
6
Insurance: What You Need and What You Don't
213
44
Finding the Right Policies and Forgoing Coverage You Can Do Without
Shopping for Insurance
214
4
Checking Out Credentials
218
1
Making the Most of Your Employer Plan
219
4
Health Insurance
223
8
Auto Insurance
231
6
Disability Insurance
237
4
Home Insurance
241
6
Life Insurance
247
5
Insurance You Probably Don't Need
252
5
How to Make Your Life Less Taxing
257
38
Put More Money in Your Pocket and Less in Uncle Sam's
Why Is Your Paycheck So Small?
258
1
The Taxes You Pay
258
3
Figuring Out Your Tax Rate
261
2
Filing Your Tax Return
263
5
Maximizing Your Tax Breaks
268
10
Ten Tax Moves That Could Save You Money
278
3
If You're Self-Employed
281
2
Getting Your Tax Life in Order
283
6
Do You Need a Tax Preparer?
289
6
Further Reading
295
6
Acknowledgments
301
12
Index
313