Everyone's Money Book on Financial Planning Book

	List of Figures	vii
	Preface	ix
1.	Giving Yourself a Financial Checkup	1
	Determining Your Net Worth	1
	How to Set Up a Recordkeeping System	10
	Defining Your Financial Goals	11
	Analyzing Your Cash Flow	15
	Creating a Budget That Works	30
	Points to Remember	32
	Resources	35
2.	Assembling a Long-Term Financial and Investing Plan	37
	Setting Up an Investment Strategy	39
	Tracking Your Investments	45
	Assessing Your Risk Tolerance	47
	The Investment Risk Pyramid	50
	Points to Remember	52
	Resources	55
3.	Financing Your Needs Part One: Housing, Cars, and Credit	57
	Housing	57
	Car/Vehicle Purchases	65
	Credit Management/Debt Planning	70
	Points to Remember	77
	Resources: Credit	78
	Resources: Real Estate	78
	Resources: Vehicles	80
4.	Financing Your Needs Part Two: Insurance, Employee Benefits, and College Financing	82
	Your Insurance Needs	82
	Maximizing Your Employee Benefits	93
	Financing College and Continuing Education	100
	Points to Remember	106
	Resources: Insurance	107
	Resources: Employee Benefits	109
	Resources: College Financing	110
5.	Retirement and Estate Planning	111
	The Basics of Retirement Planning	112
	The IRA Option	120
	The Basics of Estate Planning	120
	Writing and Executing a Will	121
	Funeral and Burial Arrangements	125
	Points to Remember	126
	Resources	126
6.	Basic Tax Planning	129
	Highlights of Recent Tax Changes	130
	Filing a Tax Return	132
	Tax Rates	134
	Legal Deductions	137
	Tax Credits	139
	Capital Gains and Losses	140
	Alternative Minimum Tax	140
	Strategies to Cut Your Taxes	141
	If You're Audited	142
	Points to Remember	142
	Resources	142
7.	Getting Financial Advice	144
	Who Can You Trust?	144
	Finding an Accountant and Tax Preparer	146
	The Right Banker	147
	Getting Reliable Legal Advice	148
	Financial Planners	152
	Choosing an Insurance Agent	156
	Settling on a Real Estate Advisor	157
	Finding Money Managers and Brokers	159
	Choosing a Stockbroker	162
	Points to Remember	165
	Resources	165
8.	Smart Money Strategies for Every Age and Situation	168
	Your 20s and 30s--Establishing Your Financial Foundation	168
	Your 40s and 50s--The Peak Earning Years of Middle Age	172
	Your 60s and Up--The Retirement Years	174
	When You're Single	178
	When You're Married	179
	When You're Divorced or Widowed	182
	Conclusion	187
	Resources	187
	Index	189