Master Your Debt

Strategies and tools to live debt free The world of borrowing and debt management has changed dramatically, leaving people confused about how best to secure their financial future. This book is the only guide with detailed advice to help you become debt free or master the debt you have, based on the latest laws and new government programs and policies implemented under the Obama administration. Is the information and advice on debt management different than in years past? Definitely. In this savvy, engaging guide, bestselling financial expert Jordan Goodman will tell you how to Win the mortgage game: avoid foreclosure, obtain the best refi, and modify your mortgage even if it is "under water" Clean up your credit report and dramatically boost your credit score Negotiate new terms and payments for burdensome medical bills, student loans, and credit cards Protect yourself from the devastation of identity theft Master the new credit card rules, and avoid the rate and fee traps Learn a revolutionary strategy that will help you become mortgage free in 5 to 7 years, change the way you pay all your bills, and save hundreds of thousands of dollars Master Your Debt recommends many pioneering strategies as it lays out an innovative plan for achieving the elusive goal of financial success. The book is filled with helpful web sites, toll free numbers, associations and government agencies, and vetted companies and services to help you implement this advice. In today's volatile economy, getting out of debt is the key to surviving and thriving, and author Jordan Goodman provides you with the strategies and tools to live debt free.

Acknowledgments vii Introduction Master or Victim? You Decide ix Chapter 1 How Did We Get Here? And Where Are We? 1 Chapter 2 Find Out Where You Stand 11 Chapter 3 Other People Are Grading You, Too 25 Chapter 4 Avoiding a Modern-Day Identity Crisis 45 Chapter 5 Win the New Mortgage Game 55 Chapter 6 Mortgage Free in Five to Seven Years 73 Chapter 7 Credit Cards: Just Because It’s Called MasterCard Doesn’t Mean It’s the Boss of You 85 Chapter 8 Car Deals: Making Sure You’re in the Driver’s Seat 113 Chapter 9 An Education in College Costs 127 Chapter 10 Don’t Let Bad Luck Derail Your Finances 145 Chapter 11 Surviving Bankruptcy 169 Chapter 12 Debt Strategies for Every Age 177 Chapter 13 Permanent Mastery, Going Forward 183 Appendix Resources 189 About the Author 203 Index 205