Keys to Personal Financial Planning

by Crumbley, D. Larry; Smith, L. Murphy

• ISBN13: 9780764120992
• ISBN10: 0764120999
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-04-01
• Publisher: Barrons Educational Series Inc

Summary

Updated to account for current changes in the financial world and the many recent fluctuations in securities markets, this book advises on all aspects of personal money management. Readers will find advice on web site resources, financial planning, computer software, handling short-term and long-term debt, saving, investing, setting up a 401(k) or other retirement program, and much more. Barron's Business Keys are consumer-oriented financial guides that take the mystery out of business and make it understandable to everybody.

Table of Contents

Basic Financial Planning
Introduction	p. 1
Determining Net Worth: Where Are You?	p. 5
Setting Goals and Financial Objectives: Where Are You Going?	p. 9
Spending Patterns	p. 13
Your Stage in Life	p. 15
Your Financial Planning Team	p. 18
Handling Your Income
Cash Management: Budgeting	p. 22
Reconciling Your Checkbook	p. 27
Recordkeeping Suggestions	p. 31
Financial Planning Computer Software	p. 34
Financial Planning Resources on the Web	p. 37
Managing Debt: Credit	p. 43
Risk Management: Insurance	p. 48
Living on One Income	p. 53
Investing
Risk and Return	p. 57
Deflation/Inflation	p. 60
Managing Investments	p. 63
Fixed-Income Investments	p. 66
Equity Investments	p. 70
Mutual Funds	p. 77
Real Estate Investments (Your Home)	p. 82
Hard Asset Investments	p. 89
When to Sell an Investment	p. 94
Retirement and Disability
Disability Protection	p. 96
Retirement Planning	p. 99
Social Security	p. 106
Pension and Profit-Sharing Plans	p. 109
Estates
Estate Planning	p. 114
A Will Is Important	p. 117
Prenuptial Agreements	p. 122
Using Trusts	p. 125
Taxes
Tax Planning	p. 129
Property Title and Jointly Held Property	p. 133
Tax and Education Planning for Minors	p. 136
Surviving an IRS Audit	p. 146
Real Wealth
Annuity and Leveraging Concepts	p. 150
Real Estate Investing	p. 154
Internationalize Yourself	p. 161
Ethics of Financial Planning	p. 166
Keep Money in Perspective	p. 170
Questions and Answers	p. 173
Glossary	p. 184
Index	p. 195
Table of Contents provided by Syndetics. All Rights Reserved.