Chapter 1
Why Do We Have So Much Debt, Anyway?:
The Costs of Trying to Make
It
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
Chapter 2
Get a Grip. Set Goals. Make a Plan:
Take Control
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
Chapter 3
Master Your Student Loans:
Tame the Beast
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?
Chapter 4
The Potential Prison of Credit Card Debt:
Born Free, Stay Free
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
Chapter 5
To Rent, Perchance to Buy:
Managing Your Casa
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?
Chapter 6
The Need For Wheels:
Car Buying, Owning,
Financing and Insuring
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
Chapter 7
Honor the Tax Man:
But Know How to Play His Game
How your pay gets played; Tax time—Rules, options and papers; Even you get tax breaks; Time to get an accountant?
Chapter 8
The Golden Net of Insurance:
Cover your Ass
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
Chapter 9
The Magical 401(k):
And Other Ways to Multiply Your Money
First, get steady; The workings behind “growing” money; The magical 401(k) and other tax-friendly plans; Investing basics—Diversification and the markets
Chapter 10
A Pricey Future:
And What Can Be Done About It
Debt for diplomas—College trends and loan reform; Credit card nation—Will it only get worse?; And the solutions are…?; In parting