What They Don't Teach You In College: A Graduate's Guide To Life On Your Own Book

Contents Introduction

Section I: The Basics-Work and Money Chapter 1: Your Job -
- Employment Contracts
- Terms Used in Employment Contracts
- Checklist for Employment Contracts
- Employment Benefits
- Checklist for Employment Benefits
- Paperwork for New Employees
- Checklist for New Employees
- Sample Form W-4
- Changing Employment
- Checklist for Ending Employment

Chapter 2: Managing Finances -
- Making and Using a Budget
- Checklist for Making and Using a Budget
- Sample Monthly Budget
- Saving Money
- Checklist for Managing Your Finances
- Terms Regarding Student Loans
- Sample Letter to Bank
- Sample Letter to Credit Card Company
- How to Handle Your Checking Account
- Checklist of Dos and Don'ts for Checking Accounts
- Terms Used in Banking
- Tax-Qualified Retirement Plans
- Things to Do to Provide for Possible Death or Disability
- Checklist of Things to Do to Provide for Possible Death or Disability

Chapter 3: Your Income Taxes -
- Income Tax Basics
- Terms Used in Income Tax Matters
- FICA (Social Security and Medicare)
- W-2s and 1099s
- Sample Form W-2
- Sample Form 1099
- Filing Tax Returns
- Checklist for Preparing for Tax Time

Section II: The Necessities-Home and Car Chapter 4: Renting an Apartment -
- Finding an Apartment
- Checklist for Finding an Apartment
- Dealing with Real Estate Brokers
- Checklist for Dealing with Real Estate Brokers
- Your Lease
- Terms Used in Leases
- Checklist for Your Lease
- Complaints and Requests
- Checklist for Complaints and Requests
- Sample Complaint Letter to Landlord
- Dealing with a Roommate
- Checklist for Dealing with a Roommate
- Apartment Insurance
- Terms Used in Apartment Insurance Policies
- Checklist for Apartment Insurance
- Making a Claim under Your Apartment
- Insurance Policy
- Checklist for Making a Claim under
- Your Apartment Insurance Policy
- Sample Letter to Apartment Insurance Company

Chapter 5: Automobiles -
- Should I Buy a Car?
- Checklist for Costs of Owning a Car
- Buying a Car
- Checklist for Buying a Car
- Financing the Purchase of a Car
- Car Inspections
- Checklist for Car Inspections
- Automobile Insurance
- Checklist for Components of Automobile Insurance
- Accidents
- Checklist for Handling Accidents

Chapter 6: Buying a House -
- Buying Your First House
- Terms Used in Buying a House
- Checklist for Buying a House
- Contract to Buy a House
- Checklist for a Contract to Buy a House
- Homeowners Insurance
- Checklist for Homeowners Insurance
- Closing
- Checklist for House Closing
- Repairs and Improvements to Your House

Section III: The Essentials-Insurance and Medical Care Chapter 7: Liability Insurance -
- Obtaining Liability Insurance
- Checklist for Obtaining Liability Insurance

Chapter 8: Medical Care -
- Types of Medical Insurance
- Checklist for Types of Medical Insurance
- Selecting an HMO
- Terms Used in HMO Provider Agreements
- Checklist of Factors to Consider in Selecting an HMO
- Sample Worksheet for Comparing HMOs
- Forming a Relationship with Your HMO
- Checklist for Forming a Relationship with Your HMO
- Specialists, Testing, Drugs, and Other Medical Care
- Checklist for Obtaining Specialists, Testing, Drugs, and Other Medical Care
- Resolving Disputes
- Checklist for Resolving Disputes with Your HMO
- Sample Letter to HMO that Refuses to Provide a Specialist

Chapter 9: Life and Disability Insurance -
- Life Insurance
- Terms Used in Life Insurance Policies
- Checklist for Purchasing Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Checklist of Possible Sources of Money in the Event of Disability
- Terms Used in Disability Insurance Policies
- How to Obtain Disability Insurance
- Checklist for Obtaining a Disability Insurance Policy
- Making a Claim for Disability Benefits

Section IV: The Lessons-Resolving Problems Chapter 10: Resolving Disputes -
- Avoiding Disputes
- Checklist of Ways to Avoid Disputes
- Sample Chronology Prepared for a Lawyer
- Handling Legal Disputes
- Checklist for Writing a Legal Letter
- Sample Letter Regarding Defective Repairs
- Sample Letter to Bank Regarding Checking Account
- Sample Letter Requesting Approval to See a Specialist
- Sample Letter Regarding Lack of Trash Removal Services

Conclusion -
About the Author -
Index