| Introduction |
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1 | (4) |
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1 | (1) |
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2 | (1) |
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3 | (1) |
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3 | (1) |
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3 | (2) |
| Book 1 Taking Charge Of Your Finances |
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5 | (92) |
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Chapter 1 Assessing Where You Are Financially |
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7 | (18) |
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Asking Some Preliminary Questions |
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8 | (1) |
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Evaluating Your Relationship with Money |
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9 | (1) |
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Recognizing emotional spending |
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9 | (1) |
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9 | (1) |
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Checking Out Your Credit Reports |
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10 | (1) |
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Getting copies of your credit reports |
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10 | (1) |
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Knowing why your reports matter |
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11 | (1) |
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Finding Out Your FICO Score |
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11 | (1) |
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Comparing Spending and Income |
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12 | (6) |
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Gathering the necessary materials |
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12 | (1) |
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Categorizing your expenses |
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13 | (4) |
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Figuring out the fritter factor |
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17 | (1) |
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Totaling spending and earnings |
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17 | (1) |
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Calculating your financial bottom line |
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18 | (1) |
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Assessing Your Spending Habits |
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18 | (2) |
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20 | (2) |
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22 | (3) |
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Chapter 2 Improving Your Relationship with Money |
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25 | (18) |
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Working with Your Partner to Achieve Financial Goals |
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26 | (7) |
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Recognizing your financial strengths and weaknesses |
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26 | (2) |
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Identifying long-term goals |
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28 | (1) |
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Establishing savings goals |
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29 | (1) |
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Finding peaceful solutions to differences |
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29 | (1) |
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Pulling together with your spouse or partner |
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30 | (1) |
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Talking money with your children |
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31 | (2) |
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33 | (2) |
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35 | (2) |
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37 | (1) |
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38 | (1) |
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Step 1 Acknowledge the problem |
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38 | (1) |
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38 | (1) |
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Step 3 Set a good budget and live within it |
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39 | (1) |
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Step 4 Contact your creditors |
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39 | (1) |
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39 | (4) |
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Step 1 Categorize your expenses |
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40 | (1) |
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Step 2 Estimate what you spend |
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41 | (1) |
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Step 3 Calculate and adjust |
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41 | (2) |
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Chapter 3 Building and Sticking to a Budget |
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43 | (16) |
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Comparing Monthly Spending and Income |
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44 | (5) |
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Tackling a Budget Deficit |
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49 | (3) |
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49 | (1) |
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Reducing debt before saving |
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49 | (1) |
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50 | (2) |
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Paying the Important Stuff If You Can't Pay Everything |
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52 | (2) |
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Distinguishing between secured and unsecured debt |
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52 | (1) |
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Knowing when to prioritize an unsecured debt |
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53 | (1) |
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Examining a Budget Surplus |
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54 | (1) |
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Finalizing and Sticking to Your Budget |
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54 | (5) |
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55 | (1) |
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Checking your progress each month |
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55 | (4) |
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Chapter 4 Cutting Spending and Boosting Income |
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59 | (18) |
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Finding Ways to Spend Less |
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60 | (10) |
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60 | (1) |
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Spending less on your housing |
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60 | (1) |
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Lowering your utility bills |
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61 | (1) |
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62 | (2) |
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Paying less for transportation |
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64 | (1) |
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65 | (1) |
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66 | (1) |
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66 | (1) |
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Reducing your phone costs |
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67 | (1) |
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Saving on prescription drugs |
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67 | (1) |
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Inching down your insurance costs |
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68 | (2) |
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70 | (7) |
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Earning more at your current job |
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71 | (1) |
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71 | (3) |
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Getting (and surviving) a second job |
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74 | (1) |
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75 | (2) |
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Chapter 5 Cleaning Up Your Credit Reports |
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77 | (20) |
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Understanding the True Value of Good Credit |
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78 | (3) |
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Reviewing Your Reports for Problems |
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81 | (3) |
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Using the Law to Get Your Credit Record Clean and Keep It That Way |
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84 | (3) |
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Identifying and Disputing Inaccurate Information |
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87 | (7) |
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Understanding the dispute process |
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87 | (1) |
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Correcting all your credit reports |
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88 | (5) |
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93 | (1) |
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Adding Positive Information to Your Credit Report |
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94 | (5) |
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Asking your landlord to report your rent payments |
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94 | (1) |
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Adding your utility and cell-phone payments to your report |
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94 | (1) |
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Opening new credit accounts |
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95 | (1) |
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Adding a 100-word statement |
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95 | (2) |
| Book 2 Managing Home And Personal Finances |
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97 | (92) |
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Chapter 1 Running a Money-Smart Household |
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99 | (22) |
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Reaching Out to Touch Someone |
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99 | (2) |
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100 | (1) |
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Using email and texting to stay in touch |
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100 | (1) |
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Rediscovering the joys of letter writing |
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100 | (1) |
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Saving on Climate Control |
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101 | (5) |
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101 | (1) |
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Keeping your cool when the weather's not |
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101 | (3) |
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104 | (2) |
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Cutting Back on Electricity and Gas Use |
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106 | (2) |
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Improving your appliance efficiency |
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107 | (1) |
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Shedding some light on the subject |
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107 | (1) |
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Trash Talk: Controlling Garbage Costs |
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108 | (2) |
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Reducing what you throw away |
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108 | (1) |
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Reusing household items in creative ways |
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109 | (1) |
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Cutting Down on Water Use |
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110 | (1) |
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Keeping a Ceiling on Housing Budgets |
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111 | (4) |
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111 | (1) |
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Saving money on home ownership |
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112 | (3) |
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Cutting Transportation Costs |
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115 | (4) |
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Finding a deal on a set of wheels |
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115 | (2) |
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Using public transportation |
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117 | (1) |
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117 | (1) |
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Finding bargains on airfare and rental cars |
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118 | (1) |
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Opting to travel by train or bus |
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119 | (1) |
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119 | (2) |
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Keeping energy efficiency in mind |
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119 | (1) |
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Shopping for scratch-and-dent and secondhand |
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120 | (1) |
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Thinking twice about renting-to-own |
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120 | (1) |
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Chapter 2 Selecting the Best Home Purchase Loan |
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121 | (18) |
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Three Questions to Help You Pick the Right Mortgage |
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122 | (3) |
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How long do you plan to keep your mortgage? |
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122 | (1) |
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How much financial risk can you accept? |
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123 | (1) |
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How much money do you need? |
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124 | (1) |
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Fixed-Rate Mortgages: No Surprises |
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125 | (2) |
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Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMS) |
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127 | (8) |
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How an ARM's interest rate is determined |
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129 | (3) |
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How often does the interest rate adjust? |
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132 | (1) |
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What are the limits on rate adjustments? |
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132 | (1) |
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Does the loan have negative amortization? |
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133 | (2) |
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Fine-Tuning Your Thought Process |
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135 | (2) |
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136 | (1) |
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Making the 30-year versus 15-year mortgage decision |
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136 | (1) |
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Getting a Loan When Rates Are High |
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137 | (2) |
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Chapter 3 Handling a Mortgage Meltdown |
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139 | (16) |
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Assessing the Damage from a Mortgage Meltdown |
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140 | (1) |
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Understanding How Mortgages Differ from Other Loans |
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141 | (2) |
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Spotting a foreclosure on the horizon |
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142 | (1) |
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142 | (1) |
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Knowing Where to Turn for Help |
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143 | (3) |
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Finding good help for free |
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143 | (1) |
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Working with your mortgage servicer |
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144 | (1) |
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145 | (1) |
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Considering Alternatives to Going Down with the Ship |
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146 | (5) |
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146 | (1) |
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What to do for more serious problems |
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147 | (1) |
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What to do to end matters |
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147 | (1) |
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148 | (1) |
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Strategic default: Stopping payments |
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149 | (2) |
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Dealing with Deficiencies |
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151 | (1) |
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Preparing for "Credit Winter" |
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152 | (3) |
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Chapter 4 Keeping a Lid on Medical Costs |
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155 | (24) |
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Saving on Medical Expenses |
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155 | (2) |
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Keeping a close eye on bills |
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155 | (1) |
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Looking into payment plans |
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156 | (1) |
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Coordinating insurance benefits |
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156 | (1) |
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Finding less-expensive prescriptions |
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156 | (1) |
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Discovering What Makes a Great Health Insurance Plan |
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157 | (1) |
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Deciding Between Individual and Group |
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158 | (2) |
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158 | (1) |
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158 | (1) |
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159 | (1) |
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159 | (1) |
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159 | (1) |
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Saving Money on Individual Coverage |
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160 | (4) |
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160 | (3) |
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Saving indirectly with self-care |
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163 | (1) |
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Coping with Health Insurance Problems |
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164 | (10) |
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164 | (1) |
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Staying insured through hard times |
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165 | (1) |
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Insuring your kids when your policy no longer covers them |
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165 | (1) |
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Evaluating insurance available through college |
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166 | (1) |
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Understanding temporary health insurance |
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167 | (1) |
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Continuing coverage following a divorce |
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168 | (1) |
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Deciding on a conversion policy |
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169 | (1) |
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Considering HIPAA instead |
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170 | (4) |
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174 | (5) |
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Reviewing bills with a fine-tooth comb |
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175 | (1) |
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Making your plan pay what it should |
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175 | (1) |
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Taking advantage of hospital discounts |
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176 | (1) |
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Reducing your medical debt |
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177 | (2) |
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Chapter 5 Using the Internet to Help Manage Your Finances |
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179 | (10) |
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Giving Yourself an Online Financial Makeover |
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180 | (1) |
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Using the Internet to Budget |
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181 | (3) |
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Finding Online Resources to Track Your Income and Expenses |
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184 | (1) |
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Using the Internet to Get Free Financial Advice |
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185 | (1) |
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Finding Out What You're Worth |
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186 | (3) |
| Book 3 Dealing With Debt |
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189 | (86) |
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Chapter 1 Tackling What You Owe |
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191 | (12) |
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Taking Stock of Your Finances |
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192 | (1) |
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Using a Budget to Get Out of Debt |
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193 | (1) |
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Taking the Right Steps When You Have Too Much Debt |
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194 | (1) |
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195 | (3) |
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196 | (1) |
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Understanding why debt collectors behave as they do |
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197 | (1) |
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Getting a Financial Education |
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198 | (5) |
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The difference between good debt and bad debt |
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198 | (1) |
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Distinguishing between types of credit |
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199 | (1) |
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Seeing yourself through a creditor's eyes |
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200 | (1) |
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Building a better credit history |
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201 | (2) |
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Chapter 2 Starting or Restarting Your Credit in Real Life |
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203 | (22) |
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Debunking Misinformation about Banking and Credit |
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204 | (3) |
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205 | (1) |
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206 | (1) |
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Obtaining Credit: Starting Out on the Right Foot |
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207 | (8) |
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Establishing a credit file without a Social Security number |
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208 | (1) |
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Setting goals before you set out |
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209 | (1) |
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Establishing a relationship with a financial institution |
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210 | (2) |
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Using prepaid and reloadable cards |
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212 | (1) |
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Fattening up your credit file |
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212 | (2) |
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Avoiding high interest, fees, and scams |
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214 | (1) |
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Overcoming Credit Fears and Mistakes |
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215 | (2) |
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Qualifying for First-Time Cards and Lending |
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217 | (3) |
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217 | (2) |
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219 | (1) |
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Considering Credit for Students and Military Members |
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220 | (5) |
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Giving credit to students |
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220 | (2) |
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Following military credit rules |
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222 | (3) |
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Chapter 3 Consolidating Your Debts |
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225 | (12) |
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Knowing When Debt Consolidation Makes Sense |
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225 | (1) |
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226 | (10) |
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227 | (2) |
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229 | (4) |
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Borrowing against your life insurance policy |
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233 | (1) |
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Borrowing from your 401(k) retirement plan |
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234 | (2) |
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Avoiding Dangerous Debt-Consolidation Possibilities |
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236 | (1) |
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Chapter 4 Negotiating with Creditors and Getting Help |
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237 | (20) |
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Getting Ready to Negotiate |
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238 | (5) |
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239 | (1) |
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Zeroing in on certain debts first |
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239 | (1) |
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240 | (1) |
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Pulling together your financial information |
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241 | (2) |
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Getting Down to Business: Contacting Creditors |
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243 | (1) |
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Making the Agreement Official: Putting It in Writing |
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244 | (2) |
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Knowing the Deal with Credit Counseling |
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246 | (1) |
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Finding a Reputable Credit Counseling Agency |
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246 | (4) |
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Differentiating the good from the bad |
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247 | (1) |
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Locating agencies in your area |
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248 | (1) |
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Knowing what to ask and what to expect |
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249 | (1) |
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Working with a Credit Counselor |
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250 | (4) |
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Sharing your financial situation |
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251 | (1) |
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Whittling down your debt with a debt management plan |
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251 | (3) |
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Avoiding Debt Settlement Firms |
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254 | (1) |
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Being wary of false promises |
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254 | (1) |
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Preventing worse financial problems |
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255 | (1) |
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Getting Relief If You Get Ripped Off |
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255 | (2) |
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Chapter 5 Considering Bankruptcy |
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257 | (18) |
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Viewing Bankruptcy in a Historical Context |
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258 | (2) |
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Debunking Bankruptcy Myths |
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260 | (3) |
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"People who go bankrupt are sleazy deadbeats" |
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260 | (2) |
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"Bankruptcy is the easy way out for folks who can pay their bills" |
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262 | (1) |
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"Bankruptcy threatens the ethical foundations of our society" |
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262 | (1) |
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"Honest folks pay a 'tax' to support people who are bankrupt" |
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263 | (1) |
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Understanding What You Can Gain Through Bankruptcy |
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263 | (5) |
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Stopping creditors in their tracks |
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265 | (1) |
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Wiping out most of your debts |
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266 | (1) |
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Catching up on back mortgage and car payments |
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267 | (1) |
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Filing bankruptcy to pay some debts over time |
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267 | (1) |
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Using bankruptcy to pay all your debts |
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267 | (1) |
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Knowing What You Can Lose in Bankruptcy |
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268 | (1) |
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Considering Alternatives to Bankruptcy |
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269 | (1) |
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Introducing the Different Types of Personal Bankruptcy |
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270 | (2) |
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271 | (1) |
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Consumer reorganizations (Chapter 13) |
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271 | (1) |
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Weighing the Consequences of Not Filing Bankruptcy |
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272 | (2) |
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Claims secured by your car |
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272 | (1) |
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Claims secured by your home |
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273 | (1) |
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273 | (1) |
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273 | (1) |
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273 | (1) |
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274 | (1) |
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274 | (1) |
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Using the Statute of Limitations |
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274 | (1) |
| Book 4 Saving And Investing |
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275 | (82) |
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Chapter 1 Becoming a Saver |
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277 | (14) |
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Eliminating Most of the Fat |
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278 | (2) |
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Making lists of where you are now |
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278 | (1) |
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Carving away the truly wasteful |
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279 | (1) |
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280 | (2) |
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282 | (1) |
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Changing Your Perspective and Watching Your Savings Grow |
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283 | (6) |
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283 | (1) |
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Educating yourself about investing |
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284 | (3) |
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Taking advantage of giveaways |
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287 | (2) |
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289 | (2) |
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Chapter 2 Investing in Stocks, Bonds, and Mutual Funds |
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291 | (18) |
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Stock: Owning a Piece of the Rock |
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292 | (5) |
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292 | (1) |
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Conducting business in stock exchanges |
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293 | (1) |
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Brushing up: A quick stock glossary |
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294 | (2) |
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Picking a stock investment strategy |
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296 | (1) |
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Buying Bonds for Fixed Income |
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297 | (4) |
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297 | (1) |
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Sorting out different kinds of bonds |
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298 | (1) |
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Interpreting bond ratings |
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299 | (2) |
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Mutual Funds: The Power of Many |
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301 | (1) |
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Understanding mutual funds |
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301 | (1) |
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Defining different kinds of mutual funds |
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302 | (1) |
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Doing It Your Way versus Using a Broker |
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302 | (2) |
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303 | (1) |
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304 | (1) |
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304 | (1) |
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Avoiding Five Common Investing Mistakes |
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304 | (5) |
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Investing before you're ready |
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305 | (1) |
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305 | (1) |
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Believing those "hot" tips |
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306 | (1) |
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Not diversifying your portfolio |
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307 | (1) |
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Selling too soon (or too late) |
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307 | (2) |
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Chapter 3 Saving for Retirement |
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309 | (18) |
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Targeting Your Retirement Date |
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310 | (1) |
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Getting Your Hands on Your Money |
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311 | (7) |
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Drawing on your Social Security |
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311 | (5) |
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Tapping into other sources |
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316 | (1) |
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Living the retirement life |
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317 | (1) |
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Testing the waters in your gene pool |
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318 | (1) |
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Developing Your Retirement Savings Plan |
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318 | (9) |
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Cutting down on your expenses |
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318 | (2) |
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320 | (4) |
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324 | (3) |
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Chapter 4 Saving for College |
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327 | (12) |
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328 | (1) |
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Exploring Section 529 Plans |
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329 | (1) |
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Checking Out Coverdell Accounts |
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329 | (1) |
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330 | (2) |
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Maximizing Your Savings, Minimizing Your Tax |
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332 | (1) |
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Checking Out the Cost of College |
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332 | (4) |
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333 | (1) |
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333 | (2) |
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Factoring in books and supplies |
|
|
335 | (1) |
|
Looking into the Costs of Various Types of Schools |
|
|
336 | (3) |
|
Exploring career and vocational training schools |
|
|
336 | (1) |
|
Taking community college and continuing education classes |
|
|
336 | (1) |
|
Going for a four-year public education |
|
|
337 | (1) |
|
Getting your education in private |
|
|
337 | (2) |
|
Chapter 5 Working with an Online Broker |
|
|
339 | (18) |
|
Finding the Best Broker for You |
|
|
340 | (2) |
|
The nine main factors to consider |
|
|
340 | (2) |
|
|
|
342 | (1) |
|
Separating the Types of Brokerages |
|
|
342 | (8) |
|
Paying the minimum with a deep discounter |
|
|
343 | (1) |
|
Get more with a discounter |
|
|
344 | (4) |
|
|
|
348 | (2) |
|
|
|
350 | (1) |
|
Finding Out What Reviewers Think |
|
|
351 | (1) |
|
Is Your Money Safe? Checking Out Your Broker |
|
|
352 | (2) |
|
Cutting the Cord: Mobile Trading |
|
|
354 | (1) |
|
Opening and Setting Up Your Account |
|
|
355 | (4) |
|
The checklist of what you need to know |
|
|
356 | (1) |
|
The checklist of what you need to have |
|
|
356 | (1) |
| Book 5 Protecting Your Money And Assets |
|
357 | (102) |
|
Chapter 1 Combating Identity Theft |
|
|
359 | (24) |
|
|
|
360 | (9) |
|
Getting on the technology train |
|
|
361 | (1) |
|
Looking out for phishing scams |
|
|
361 | (2) |
|
Safeguarding your computer data |
|
|
363 | (1) |
|
|
|
364 | (1) |
|
|
|
365 | (1) |
|
Storing financial data in your home |
|
|
366 | (1) |
|
Putting your credit information on ice |
|
|
366 | (1) |
|
Shielding your credit card number |
|
|
367 | (2) |
|
Catching Identity Thieves in the Act |
|
|
369 | (5) |
|
Watching for early-warning notices |
|
|
370 | (1) |
|
Getting early warnings from the IRS |
|
|
371 | (1) |
|
Handling a collections call |
|
|
372 | (1) |
|
Detecting unauthorized charges |
|
|
372 | (1) |
|
Being denied credit or account access |
|
|
373 | (1) |
|
Noticing missing account statements |
|
|
373 | (1) |
|
Taking Fast Action When Identity Theft Occurs |
|
|
374 | (6) |
|
Communicating with the right people |
|
|
374 | (3) |
|
Protecting your identity through the FACT Act |
|
|
377 | (2) |
|
Sending out a fraud alert |
|
|
379 | (1) |
|
Blocking fraudulent credit lines |
|
|
380 | (1) |
|
Getting and Using Credit After Identity Theft |
|
|
380 | (3) |
|
Closing and reopening your accounts |
|
|
380 | (1) |
|
Altering your PINS and passwords |
|
|
381 | (1) |
|
Changing your Social Security number and driver's license number |
|
|
382 | (1) |
|
|
|
383 | (10) |
|
Online and Traditional Banks |
|
|
383 | (2) |
|
Advantages of online banking |
|
|
384 | (1) |
|
|
|
384 | (1) |
|
Accounting for Your Accounts |
|
|
385 | (2) |
|
|
|
385 | (1) |
|
|
|
386 | (1) |
|
Interest-bearing checking account |
|
|
386 | (1) |
|
|
|
386 | (1) |
|
|
|
386 | (1) |
|
Choosing an Online Bank That's Right for You |
|
|
387 | (3) |
|
Identifying your user profile |
|
|
387 | (1) |
|
Noting the fees when you shop |
|
|
388 | (2) |
|
Opening Your Online Bank Account |
|
|
390 | (3) |
|
Chapter 3 Homeowner's Insurance: Protecting Your Stuff |
|
|
393 | (20) |
|
Introducing the Six Parts of a Homeowner's Policy |
|
|
394 | (7) |
|
Insuring your residence (Coverage A) |
|
|
394 | (2) |
|
Insuring detached structures (Coverage B) |
|
|
396 | (1) |
|
Insuring your belongings (Coverage C) |
|
|
397 | (1) |
|
Insuring additional living expenses (Coverage D) |
|
|
398 | (1) |
|
Insuring your personal liability (Coverage E) |
|
|
399 | (2) |
|
Insuring guests' medical bills (Coverage F) |
|
|
401 | (1) |
|
Choosing the Right Homeowner's Property Coverages |
|
|
401 | (3) |
|
Understanding the causes-of-loss options |
|
|
402 | (1) |
|
Introducing the six most common homeowner's policies |
|
|
403 | (1) |
|
Establishing Property Coverage Limits |
|
|
404 | (7) |
|
Determining the replacement cost of your home |
|
|
405 | (2) |
|
Guaranteeing you'll have enough insurance to rebuild |
|
|
407 | (1) |
|
Estimating the cost to replace belongings |
|
|
408 | (1) |
|
|
|
409 | (2) |
|
|
|
411 | (2) |
|
Chapter 4 Auto Insurance Basics |
|
|
413 | (18) |
|
Managing Your Lawsuit Risks |
|
|
413 | (6) |
|
Reviewing noninsurance strategies |
|
|
414 | (1) |
|
Buying liability insurance |
|
|
414 | (5) |
|
Insuring Your Personal Injuries |
|
|
419 | (5) |
|
Understanding how uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage works |
|
|
420 | (3) |
|
Saving money on medical coverage |
|
|
423 | (1) |
|
Dealing with Damage to Your Vehicle |
|
|
424 | (5) |
|
Choosing cost-effective deductibles |
|
|
425 | (3) |
|
Knowing when to drop collision and comprehensive coverage |
|
|
428 | (1) |
|
Evaluating Road Service and Car Rental Coverages |
|
|
429 | (2) |
|
Chapter 5 Insuring Yourself Life Insurance |
|
|
431 | (28) |
|
|
|
431 | (2) |
|
Who doesn't need life insurance |
|
|
432 | (1) |
|
Who does need life insurance |
|
|
432 | (1) |
|
Determining How Much Coverage You Need |
|
|
433 | (3) |
|
Looking at a hypothetical family |
|
|
433 | (1) |
|
Using the multiple of income method |
|
|
434 | (1) |
|
Using the web to estimate needs |
|
|
434 | (2) |
|
|
|
436 | (1) |
|
Understanding the Types of Life Insurance |
|
|
437 | (2) |
|
|
|
437 | (1) |
|
|
|
438 | (1) |
|
|
|
438 | (1) |
|
Understanding the Variations of Permanent Life Insurance |
|
|
439 | (6) |
|
|
|
440 | (1) |
|
|
|
441 | (1) |
|
|
|
442 | (1) |
|
Cash value options when dropping permanent insurance |
|
|
443 | (2) |
|
Understanding the Variations of Term Life Insurance |
|
|
445 | (3) |
|
Annual renewable term (ART) |
|
|
445 | (1) |
|
|
|
445 | (2) |
|
|
|
447 | (1) |
|
Insurance from your mortgage company |
|
|
447 | (1) |
|
|
|
448 | (1) |
|
Evaluating Life Insurance Sources |
|
|
449 | (5) |
|
|
|
450 | (2) |
|
|
|
452 | (2) |
|
Debunking Myths and Mistakes |
|
|
454 | (7) |
|
Mistake: Trading cash value for death protection needs |
|
|
454 | (1) |
|
Myth: Supplemental group life is cheaper |
|
|
455 | (1) |
|
Mistake: Buying life insurance in pieces |
|
|
455 | (1) |
|
Mistake: Accidental death/travel coverage |
|
|
456 | (1) |
|
Mistake: Covering only one income |
|
|
456 | (1) |
|
Mistake: Ignoring a stay-at-home parent's value |
|
|
456 | (1) |
|
Mistake: Covering children, not parents |
|
|
457 | (1) |
|
Mistake: Decreasing term insurance |
|
|
457 | (1) |
|
Mistake: Being unrealistic about how much life insurance you can afford |
|
|
457 | (1) |
|
Mistake: Buying before you need it |
|
|
458 | (1) |
|
Myth: It's cheaper when you're young |
|
|
458 | (1) |
| Book 6 Dealing With The Tax Man |
|
459 | (58) |
|
Chapter 1 Tax Return Preparation Options and Tools |
|
|
461 | (14) |
|
Preparing Your Own Return |
|
|
462 | (1) |
|
Taking Advantage of IRS Publications |
|
|
463 | (1) |
|
Perusing Tax-Preparation and Advice Guides |
|
|
464 | (1) |
|
|
|
464 | (1) |
|
Accessing Internet Tax Resources |
|
|
465 | (3) |
|
|
|
466 | (1) |
|
|
|
467 | (1) |
|
|
|
468 | (1) |
|
|
|
468 | (5) |
|
Deciding whether you really need a preparer |
|
|
469 | (1) |
|
|
|
469 | (1) |
|
|
|
470 | (1) |
|
Certified public accountants (CPAs) |
|
|
470 | (1) |
|
|
|
471 | (2) |
|
Finding Tax Preparers and Advisors |
|
|
473 | (2) |
|
Chapter 2 Getting and Staying Organized |
|
|
475 | (16) |
|
Maintaining the Burden of Proof |
|
|
476 | (1) |
|
|
|
477 | (4) |
|
Ensuring a complete and accurate tax return |
|
|
477 | (2) |
|
Setting up a record-keeping system |
|
|
479 | (1) |
|
Tracking tax information on your computer |
|
|
480 | (1) |
|
Deciding when to stash and when to trash |
|
|
481 | (1) |
|
Reconstructing Missing Tax Records |
|
|
481 | (7) |
|
Property received by inheritance or gift |
|
|
482 | (3) |
|
Securities received by inheritance or gift |
|
|
485 | (1) |
|
Improvements to a residence |
|
|
485 | (1) |
|
|
|
486 | (1) |
|
|
|
487 | (1) |
|
Using duplicate account statements |
|
|
487 | (1) |
|
Understanding the Cohan Rule |
|
|
488 | (3) |
|
Chapter 3 No Form Fits All (Or, What Kind of Taxpayer Are You?) |
|
|
491 | (26) |
|
What Rendition of 1040 Shall You Play? |
|
|
492 | (2) |
|
|
|
492 | (1) |
|
|
|
493 | (1) |
|
|
|
494 | (1) |
|
|
|
494 | (14) |
|
|
|
495 | (1) |
|
|
|
495 | (1) |
|
Married filing separately |
|
|
496 | (4) |
|
|
|
500 | (2) |
|
Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child |
|
|
502 | (1) |
|
|
|
502 | (1) |
|
Deciding who is your dependent |
|
|
503 | (3) |
|
Securing Social Security numbers for dependents |
|
|
506 | (2) |
|
Filing for Children and Other Dependents |
|
|
508 | (1) |
|
Defining Who Is a Qualifying Child |
|
|
509 | (2) |
|
|
|
509 | (1) |
|
|
|
510 | (1) |
|
|
|
510 | (1) |
|
|
|
510 | (1) |
|
|
|
511 | (8) |
|
|
|
513 | (1) |
|
|
|
513 | (1) |
|
|
|
514 | (1) |
|
|
|
514 | (3) |
| Book 7 Retiring Comfortably |
|
517 | (80) |
|
Chapter 1 Checking the Benefits of a 41(k) |
|
|
519 | (16) |
|
Realizing What a 401(k) Does for You |
|
|
520 | (7) |
|
Lowers how much tax you pay |
|
|
520 | (5) |
|
Gets you matching funds from your employer |
|
|
525 | (1) |
|
Makes room for a little something extra: Employer non-matching contribution |
|
|
526 | (1) |
|
Allows you to save without tears |
|
|
527 | (1) |
|
Vesting: When Your Employer's Contribution Is Yours to Keep |
|
|
527 | (3) |
|
Vesting of employer contributions |
|
|
528 | (1) |
|
|
|
529 | (1) |
|
Letting the Pros Work for You |
|
|
530 | (1) |
|
|
|
530 | (2) |
|
Meeting minimum standards |
|
|
531 | (1) |
|
Avoiding losses in bankruptcy |
|
|
532 | (1) |
|
Watching Out for Potential Pitfalls |
|
|
532 | (3) |
|
Earning more may mean contributing less |
|
|
532 | (1) |
|
Being at the mercy of your plan |
|
|
533 | (2) |
|
Chapter 2 Retiring Your Way: IRAs |
|
|
535 | (10) |
|
Looking at the Basics of Your IRA |
|
|
535 | (4) |
|
|
|
536 | (1) |
|
|
|
537 | (1) |
|
Benefiting from a spousal IRA |
|
|
538 | (1) |
|
Starting an IRA for a child |
|
|
538 | (1) |
|
|
|
539 | (3) |
|
Deciding where to invest your money |
|
|
540 | (1) |
|
|
|
541 | (1) |
|
|
|
542 | (1) |
|
|
|
542 | (3) |
|
Chapter 3 Paychecks from Your House: Reverse Mortgages |
|
|
545 | (14) |
|
Grasping the Reverse Mortgage Basics |
|
|
546 | (9) |
|
Considering common objections |
|
|
547 | (1) |
|
Who can get a reverse mortgage? |
|
|
548 | (1) |
|
How much money can you get and when? |
|
|
549 | (2) |
|
When do you pay the money back? |
|
|
551 | (1) |
|
|
|
551 | (1) |
|
|
|
552 | (1) |
|
What's the out-of-pocket cost of getting a reverse mortgage? |
|
|
552 | (1) |
|
What are the other reverse mortgage costs? |
|
|
553 | (1) |
|
What's the total annual rate? |
|
|
554 | (1) |
|
How do reverse mortgages affect your government-sponsored benefits? |
|
|
555 | (1) |
|
Shopping for a Reverse Mortgage |
|
|
555 | (2) |
|
|
|
556 | (1) |
|
|
|
557 | (1) |
|
Deciding Whether You Want a Reverse Mortgage |
|
|
557 | (2) |
|
Chapter 4 Determining How Much You Need for Retirement |
|
|
559 | (14) |
|
Improving Your Chances of an Ideal Retirement |
|
|
559 | (1) |
|
Deciding How Much of Your Salary to Put Aside |
|
|
560 | (6) |
|
Making use of your salary deferral agreement |
|
|
560 | (1) |
|
Measuring your plan's maximums |
|
|
561 | (1) |
|
Being highly paid means different rules |
|
|
562 | (2) |
|
Estimating what your budget can afford |
|
|
564 | (2) |
|
|
|
566 | (7) |
|
If you're retiring in the near future |
|
|
566 | (3) |
|
If your retirement is farther off |
|
|
569 | (1) |
|
Using a retirement calculator |
|
|
570 | (3) |
|
Chapter 5 Managing Money in Retirement |
|
|
573 | (24) |
|
Looking Forward to Retirement |
|
|
574 | (1) |
|
Decisions, Decisions: What to Do with Your 401(k) Money |
|
|
574 | (5) |
|
Being older can save you money |
|
|
576 | (1) |
|
Foiling the dreaded early withdrawal penalty |
|
|
577 | (1) |
|
Leaving money with your former employer |
|
|
578 | (1) |
|
Making Withdrawals from Your IRA |
|
|
579 | (1) |
|
Paying Uncle Sam His Due: Required Withdrawals |
|
|
580 | (3) |
|
Developing a Strategy to Deal with the Tax Man |
|
|
583 | (2) |
|
Which comes first: Plucking the chicken or emptying the nest egg? |
|
|
583 | (1) |
|
Dealing with that darned company stock |
|
|
584 | (1) |
|
Managing Your Investments in Retirement |
|
|
585 | (2) |
|
|
|
585 | (1) |
|
|
|
586 | (1) |
|
|
|
587 | (3) |
|
|
|
587 | (1) |
|
|
|
588 | (2) |
|
Consolidating Your Accounts |
|
|
590 | (1) |
|
|
|
591 | (1) |
|
Row, Row, Row Your Boat, Gently Down the Income Stream |
|
|
592 | (2) |
|
Treating Your Home Like the Asset It Is |
|
|
594 | (5) |
|
|
|
594 | (1) |
|
Making use of your equity |
|
|
595 | (2) |
| Book 8 Planning Your Estate And Will |
|
597 | (66) |
|
Chapter 1 The Fundamentals of Estate Planning |
|
|
599 | (20) |
|
|
|
600 | (7) |
|
The basics: Definitions and terminology |
|
|
600 | (3) |
|
|
|
603 | (1) |
|
Types of property interest |
|
|
604 | (3) |
|
Why You Need to Plan Your Estate |
|
|
607 | (1) |
|
Why Your Estate-Planning Goals Differ from Your Neighbors' |
|
|
608 | (2) |
|
The Critical Path Method to Planning Your Estate |
|
|
610 | (3) |
|
Getting Help with Your Estate Planning |
|
|
613 | (6) |
|
Making sure that your team of advisors is "FAIL" safe |
|
|
614 | (1) |
|
Working with Certified Financial Planners (CFPs) and other professionals |
|
|
615 | (1) |
|
Knowing what to expect from your accountant for your estate planning |
|
|
616 | (1) |
|
Working with your insurance agent |
|
|
617 | (1) |
|
Working with your attorney |
|
|
617 | (2) |
|
Chapter 2 Where There's a Will |
|
|
619 | (16) |
|
|
|
620 | (1) |
|
Knowing the Different Types of Wills |
|
|
621 | (2) |
|
|
|
621 | (1) |
|
|
|
622 | (1) |
|
Choosing Your Will's Contents |
|
|
623 | (5) |
|
|
|
624 | (1) |
|
|
|
625 | (2) |
|
|
|
627 | (1) |
|
|
|
628 | (1) |
|
Changing, Amending, and Revoking Your Will |
|
|
629 | (3) |
|
Why you may need to change your will |
|
|
630 | (1) |
|
|
|
631 | (1) |
|
Protecting Your Loved Ones from Your Unloved Ones |
|
|
632 | (1) |
|
Figuring Out Your Will Status |
|
|
633 | (2) |
|
Testacy: You've nailed everything down |
|
|
633 | (1) |
|
Intestacy: You die with zero "will power" |
|
|
633 | (1) |
|
Partial intestacy: The vultures start circling |
|
|
634 | (1) |
|
Chapter 3 The Limitations of Wills: What You Can and Can't Do |
|
|
635 | (14) |
|
Making Your Peace with Statutes That Affect Your Will |
|
|
636 | (1) |
|
Identifying Statutes That Your Will Can Change |
|
|
636 | (6) |
|
Abatement: There's not enough in the cupboard for everyone |
|
|
637 | (2) |
|
Ademption: Some property is missing |
|
|
639 | (1) |
|
Antilapse: Someone dies before you do |
|
|
640 | (1) |
|
Divorce: High noon in Splitsville |
|
|
640 | (1) |
|
Simultaneous death: Sorry, but we have to talk about it |
|
|
641 | (1) |
|
Living (And Dying) with the Laws That Your Will Can't Change |
|
|
642 | (7) |
|
|
|
642 | (2) |
|
|
|
644 | (1) |
|
Homestead allowance: Keeping a house for kiddies and spouse |
|
|
645 | (1) |
|
Homestead exemption: How the law protects your house from your creditors |
|
|
645 | (1) |
|
Exempt property: How the law protects your personal property from creditors |
|
|
646 | (1) |
|
Family allowance: Drawing from your estate to protect your family |
|
|
646 | (1) |
|
Oops! Taking care of VIPs who aren't in the will |
|
|
647 | (2) |
|
Chapter 4 Estate Planning with Online Resources |
|
|
649 | (14) |
|
Understanding Wills and Trusts |
|
|
650 | (2) |
|
Where there's an online will, there's a way |
|
|
650 | (1) |
|
|
|
651 | (1) |
|
Getting the Basics of Trusts |
|
|
652 | (2) |
|
Trusting in Living Trust to Avoid Probate |
|
|
654 | (1) |
|
Joint Tenancy and Beneficiary Arrangements |
|
|
655 | (2) |
|
Not all heirs are created equal |
|
|
656 | (1) |
|
Don't keep your estate plans hush-hush |
|
|
657 | (1) |
|
Customizing Estate Planning for All Ages |
|
|
657 | (4) |
|
|
|
658 | (1) |
|
|
|
659 | (1) |
|
Retired and enjoying the good life |
|
|
660 | (1) |
|
Selecting an Estate Planner |
|
|
661 | (1) |
|
Preparing to Meet Your Estate Planner |
|
|
662 | (1) |
| Index |
|
663 | |
