Written by a financial advisor, this comprehensive yet concise primer is ideal for educators balancing modest salaries with skyrocketing expenses in challenging economic times.

AcknowledgmentsAbout the Author1. Why This Book Was Written and Why You Should Read It2. Your Personal Business Plan: The Master Road Map Setting Goals Creating Your Family Budget3. Managing Your Paycheck: The Source Setting Up Your Payroll Deductions Spending Less Than You Earn: Ideas for Stretching Your Dollars! What to Do With That Annual Bonus4. Family Finances: Taking Care of the Family¿s Wish List College Financial Planning Life Insurance for the Kids? Vacation Financing5. Managing Debt: When You Have Too Much of a Good Thing Debt Can Stress Your Marriage to the Breaking Point Credit Cards: Huge Differences Exist Just Beneath the Surface Getting Help Before It¿s Too Late: Debt Counseling Services6. Insurance: Just in Case Life Insurance Health Insurance: Staying Healthy Disability Insurance: In Case Something Breaks Long-Term Care Insurance: For the Later Years7. Savings Accounts for Your Cash The Value of Saving Early: The Power of Compound Interest How Much Cash Can You Save? The Rainy-Day Fund Savings Accounts Money Market Funds Certificates of Deposit8. Buying a Home: Realizing the American Dream How Much Home Can You Afford? First Mortgage, Second Mortgage, Equity Credit Lines: The Language of Real Estate Finance Balloon Payments: A Funny Name for a Not-So-Funny Event The Home Equity Line of Credit Structuring Your Payments: Taxes, Insurance, and Impounds Refinancing for Cash-Out, for Lower Rates, for Better Terms Teaser Rates, Interest Only, Negative Amortization, and Other Financial Land Mines Final Thoughts on Home Ownership9. The Stock Market: All About Bulls and Bears Risk Tolerance: Where You Are in Your Life and How Securities Fit Into It How Much Pain Will You Accept Along the Way? Investing Strategies Overview Types of Companies You Might Choose to Invest In10. Other Ways to Own Companies (Besides Starting Your Own) Other Equity Choices Bonds: The Safety of Fixed Income Buy, Sell, or Hold? How to Decide When and How Much Your Personal Investment Policy11. Buying Investment Real Estate Your Home Comes First So Many Choices, So Little Time The Nature of the Investment and the Returns You Might Expect The Power of Leverage Shared Investment Methods Your Tax Dollars at Work If You Want to Know More12. Taxes and Tax Planning: Keeping All You Legally Can Income Taxes: Federal, State, Local Tax Planning Strategies Property Tax: Real and Personal Filing Tax Returns: Don¿t Do It Yourself! Getting Help: A CPA or Tax Preparer Tips for Avoiding an IRS Audit13. Technology That Can Help You Personal Bookkeeping Software Online Banking Protecting Yourself From Identity Theft14. Retirement Planning: So You Can Live Well for 100 Years A Checklist for Those in Midcareer Assessing Your Postretirement Needs The Home Mortgage Monkey When to Sign Up for Social Security Getting Help: The Financial Planner15. Wills and Trusts Your Will: Your Last Opportunity to Have It Your Way Trusts: Making Decisions Now That Provide Long-Term Benefits16. Final ThoughtsIndex