Personal Finance for Dummies 4TH Edition

Personal Finance for Dummies, 5^thEditionis full of detailed, action-oriented financial advice that will show you how to lower expenses and tame debts as well as invest wisely to achieve your financial goals! Now in its 5^thedition, this up-to-date guide covers all the latest trends to ensure your financial stability. Just some of the updates and revisions include:

• Reviews of the new and revised tax laws and how to take advantage of them
• The latest scoop on Medicare and Social Security and what it means for you
• Updated investment advice on mutual funds and other managed investments
• Enhanced smart spending tips
• Coverage of new bankruptcy laws and how to eliminate consumer debt
• Smart ways to use credit and improve credit scores
• Expanded coverage on educational savings options

This hands-on, straightforward guide features ways to survive life changes such as startingyour first job, getting married, having children, and retiring, as well as helpful tactics for preventing identity theft and fraud. With Personal Finance for Dummies, 5^thEdition,you’ll be able to achieve financial strength and start concentrating on the more important things in life!

"Detailed, action-oriented advice . . . A standout personal finance primer."

—Kristin Davis, Kiplinger's Personal Finance

Need help planning your financial future? You're in luck! This practical guide has been updated to cover college saving options, credit issues, and new tax and bankruptcy laws. You'll also find ways to request and review your credit report. Take control of your finances — so you can live better, spend more wisely, and survive economic downturns.

Praise for Personal Finance For Dummies

". . . provides tremendous insight and guidance into the world of investing and other money issues."

—PBS Nightly Business Report

"Tyson doesn't tell you what to do or consider doing without explaining the hows and whys — and the booby traps to avoid — in plain English."

—Chicago Tribune

"Smart advice. . . . Rewards your candor with advice and comfort."

—Newsweek

Discover how to

• Set priorities and stick to them
• Avoid identity theft and scams
• Make smart investments
• Protect what you?ve earned
• Identify the best resources

"Detailed, action-oriented advice . . . A standout personal finance primer."

—Kristin Davis, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

Do you need help managing your financial priorities? Relax! This friendly guide, now updated to include changes to the tax code, gives you just the information you need to take control of your finances, buy the right insurance coverage, and weather economic downturns.

Praise for Personal Finance For Dummies

". . . provides tremendous insight and guidance into the world of investing and other money issues."

–PBS Nightly Business Report

"Tyson doesn’t tell you what to do or consider doing without explaining the hows and whys – and the booby traps to avoid – in plain English."

–Chicago Tribune

"Smart advice . . . . Rewards your candor with advice and comfort."

–Newsweek

An accomplished personal finance writer, his "Investor's Guide" syndicated column, distributed by King Features, is read by millions nationally, and he was an award-winning columnist for the San Francisco Examiner. He is the author of five national best-selling financial books in the ...For Dummies series on personal finance, investing, mutual funds, home buying (co-author), and taxes (co-author). Personal Finance for Dummies was awarded the Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Business Book of the Year.

He is also the author of Mind Over Money: Your Path to Wealth and Happiness which takes a holistic and thought provoking view of how we deal with money and can extinguish problematic financial habits and hone the best ones.

Eric's work has been featured and quoted in hundreds of local and national publications including Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Forbes, Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, Parenting, Money, Family Money, Bottom Line/Personal, and on NBC'S Today Show, ABC, CNBC, PBS Nightly Business Report, CNN, and FOX-TV, and on CBS national radio, NPR's MarketPlace Money, Bloomberg Business Radio, and Business Radio Network.

Part I: Assessing Your Fitness and Setting Goals.

Chapter 1: Improving Your Financial Fitness.

Chapter 2: Setting and Achieving Goals.

Part II: Saving More, Spending Less.

Chapter 3: Determining Where Your Money Goes.

Chapter 4: Conquering Debt and Credit Problems.

Chapter 5: Reducing Your Spending.

Chapter 6: Taming Taxes.

Part III: Building Wealth through Investing.

Chapter 7: Important Investment Concepts.

Chapter 8: Choosing Your Investment Vehicles.

Chapter 9: Investing in Mutual Funds.

Chapter 10: Investing in Retirement Accounts.

Chapter 11: Investing Outside Retirement Accounts.

Chapter 12: Investing for Educational Expenses.

Chapter 13: Investing in Real Estate.

Part IV: Insurance: Protecting What You’ve Got.

Chapter 14: Insurance: Getting What You Need at the Best Price.

Chapter 15: Insurance on You: Life, Disability, and Health.

Chapter 16: Covering Your Assets.

Part V: Where to Go for More Help.

Chapter 17: Working with Financial Planners.

Chapter 18: Computer Money Management.

Chapter 19: On Air and in Print.

Part VI: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 20: Survival Guide for Ten Life Changes.

Chapter 21: Ten Things More Important than Money.

Glossary.

Index.