Your Financial Action Plan

Your Financial Action Plan outlines twelve simple steps that will improve your level of financial literacy as well as help you forge the financial future you desire. Today, financial knowledge means financial power, and in Your Financial Action Plan, you'll be introduced to the important personal financial issues that affect your life. With this book as your guide, you'll learn how to: * Make the most of your mortgage * Maintain a good credit rating * Build your retirement savings * Negotiate with your local bank to get the best deals * Navigate the ins and outs of insurance * Create a will * Handle tax deductions and credits * And much more Filled with practical guidance and extensive expertise, Your Financial Action Plan will help you build the type of financial life you've always wanted.

Acknowledgments vii Foreword ix Introduction xi Chapter 1: Rainy Day Funds and Sunny Day Savings 1 Prepare for an Emergency Understand Asset Allocation Build a Financial Plan Chapter 2: Bills and Chills 11 Gain Control of Your Expenditures Chapter 3: Budget Bingo 15 Create a Comfortable Budget Recognize Shopping Pitfalls Chapter 4: Hanging It Up 25 Build Your Retirement Savings Understanding 401(k)s, Defined Benefit Plans, Social Security, IRAs, and Other Pension Plans Chapter 5: Bank On It 41 Check Up on Your Bank Know What Records to Keep and Where to Keep Them Chapter 6: Willing It 45 Decide Who Gets What How to Give It to Them A Look at the Deadly Business of Funerals Chapter 7: Got Insurance? 51 Disability Insurance: The Gory Details Life Insurance: How Much Do You Need? Other Insurance You Need—or Not Chapter 8: Driving Mr. Washington 63 Lease or Buy? Showroom Errors Insure Your Wheels Chapter 9: Take Credit—Carefully 73 Borrow Responsibly Understand Your Credit Report Chapter 10: Dealing with Debt 85 Borrowing Responsibly Credit Card Bill of Rights Chapter 11: April 15 Blues 93 Manage Your Withholding Better Use Tax Deductions and Credits Chapter 12: This Old House 109 Should You Buy? Create a Realistic Budget for Homeownership Make the Most of Your Mortgage Afterword: 12 Steps to Money Success 125 Appendix: Bankrate Form Letters 127 Glossary 173 About the Author 193 Index 195