- Subjects
- Published
-
New York :
Warner Business Books
2006.
- Language
- English
- Main Author
- Edition
- 1st ed
- Physical Description
- xvi, 254 p. ; 21 cm
- Bibliography
- Includes bibliographical references and index.
- ISBN
- 9780446695435
- Introduction
- Chapter 1. Why Do We Have So Much Debt, Anyway?
- Why and How a College Education Has Become a Must
- The Rising Costs of Education
- Internships: aka Indentured Servitude
- The Competition Choke
- Memo to Creditors: Stop Throwing Money at Us!
- The Stigma Is Gone: Why Big Debt Has Become the Norm
- Web Links
- Chapter 2. Get a Grip. Set Goals. Make a Plan
- Identifying Needs vs. Wants
- Final Round in the Battle of Expenses vs. Income
- Delayed Gratification and the B-Word
- Do Your Deal Homework
- Automate, Automate, Automate
- Creating and Sticking to a Master Plan
- Web Links
- Chapter 3. Master Your Student Loans
- Types of Education Loans, the Rules of Engagement, and Your Rights as a Borrower
- Payback Options and What to Do if You Can't Pay
- How to Consolidate, Again and Again, Pronto
- Graduate School?
- Web Links
- Chapter 4. The Potential Prison of Credit Card Debt
- What Credit Card Companies Think of You (Hint: "Sucka")
- Plastic Has Become the Norm
- Get Savvy or Get Screwed
- Caution!
- The Report Card for Grown-Ups
- "But What if I'm Drowning?"
- Invasion of the ID Snatchers
- Web Links
- Chapter 5. To Rent, Perchance to Buy
- Where Should I Live?
- Renting
- Time to Buy?
- Mortgages
- Home Shopping
- Down Payments and Piggybacks
- Closing Costs: They're a Doozy
- Homeowners Love the Tax Man
- Ready to Be a Landlord?
- Web Links
- Chapter 6. The Need for Wheels
- First the Money, Then the Car
- What Should I Buy?
- The Lowdown on Leasing
- The Advent of Pre-Owned and the Shock of Depreciation
- Buying Used and Trading In
- Dealing with Dealers
- Getting Rid of What You've Got
- Maintenance and Warranties
- Auto Insurance
- Web Links
- Chapter 7. Honor the Tax Man
- How Your Pay Gets Played
- Tax Time: Rules, Options, and Papers
- Even You Get Tax Breaks
- Time to Get an Accountant?
- Web Links
- Chapter 8. The Golden Net of Insurance
- Health Insurance: What You Need and How to Find It
- Group Health Coverage Options
- Individual Health Insurance and Health Care
- Pills, Teeth, Eyes, etc.
- Life Insurance and Disability Coverage
- Renter's and Homeowner's Insurance: Protect What You Have
- Web Links
- Chapter 9. The Magical 401 (k)
- First, Get Steady
- The Workings Behind "Growing" Money
- The Magical 401 (k) and Other Tax-Friendly Plans
- Investing Basics: Diversification and the Markets
- Web Links
- Chapter 10. A Pricey Future
- Debt for Diplomas: College Trends and Loan Reform
- Credit Card Nation: Will It Only Get Worse?
- And the Solutions Are ...?
- In Parting
- Web Links
- Index