Financial Security For Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance))

Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Introduction
	About This Book
	Foolish Assumptions
	Icons Used in This Book
	Beyond the Book
	Where to Go from Here
Part 1 Understanding Financial Security
	Chapter 1 Navigating the (Bumpy) Road to Financial Independence
		Reaching for Financial Security
			Defining what you value
			Assessing where you are
			Grasping financial lingo and trends
			Trying not to avoid money
			Making use of insurance: A necessary evil
		Coping with Crises
			Everyone faces challenges, obstacles, and setbacks
			Common crisis
		Making Decisions Based on Changing Circumstances
	Chapter 2 Understanding Capitalism and Economic Downturns
		Understanding Our Economic System
			Capitalism strengths and criticism
			History of growth and downturns
		Touring Past Crises: What Happened and Why
			Why pilot training has relevance for your tour . . .
			The Panic of 1907
			The Great Depression
			World War II
			Arab oil embargo and Watergate/Nixon’s resignation
			9/11 terrorist attacks and recession
			2008 financial crisis
			2020 COVID-19 Pandemic
		Mistakes Made . . . and Lessons to Carry With You
	Chapter 3 Coping with Personal Crises
		When a Crisis Comes Calling
			Losing your job or a significant source of income
			Facing a medical crisis
			Caring for elderly parents unexpectedly
			Splitting from your spouse
			Coping with the death of a spouse
			Dealing with a natural disaster
		Success Plans for Personal Crises and Life Changes
			Keeping your big picture in mind
			Considering a comprehensive checklist
Part 2 Crisis Mode: Accessing Safety Nets and Emergency Measures
	Chapter 4 Your Safety Nets
		Taking Stock of Your Resources
			Surveying your accessible money and spending options
			Finding assistance from family
			Ensuring adequate insurance coverage
		Surveying Societal Safety Nets
			Health insurance subsidies
			Unemployment insurance benefits
			Federal refundable tax credits
			Help with housing
			For more information on safety net programs. . .
	Chapter 5 Digging Out and Forging Ahead
		Turning Your Eye toward Recovery
			Knowing how long it will take to regain stable financial footing
			Coping with frustration and moving on
		Thinking (and Researching) Before Making Financial Moves
			Wise financial actions to take
			Boneheaded financial actions to avoid
		Leaning on an Expert for Help
			Knowing how experts can help
			Being careful in a time of need
			Finding financial advisors and planners
			Being aware of budget counselors
			Investing in investment managers
			Looking into real estate agents
			Making note of tax preparers and advisors
			Dealing with insurance agents
			Tuning in to attorneys
		Minding Your Media Intake
			Example 1: The COVID-19 pandemic
			Example 2: The 2008 Financial Crisis
			Example 3: Corporations not paying income taxes
			Lessons learned and keys to remember
Part 3 undefined
	Chapter 6 So Many Numbers! Making Sense of Economic Reports
		Keeping Economic Reports in Perspective
			Reports are a (small) snapshot in time
			Beware annualized numbers
			Take a long-term view of the numbers
		Sleuthing Through Economic Reports
			Employment/jobs reports
			Gross Domestic Product
			Consumer confidence
			Corporate profits
			Consumer prices (also known as inflation)
			The reports you can mostly ignore
		Interpreting Media Coverage of Economic Data
			Understanding the short-term and provocative focus
			Keeping an eye out for biases
			Example 1: The COVID-19 pandemic
			Example 2: The 2008 financial crisis
	Chapter 7 Says Who? Weighing “Experts’” Advice
		Understanding Why Particular Pundits Get Attention
			Important things to know about the “news” media
			Getting media attention is a competitive business
			Controversial points of view often attract
			Political partisans can be hazardous to your wealth
		Uncovering Gurus’ Agendas
			Figuring out what they’re really selling
			Checking out their qualifications and track records
		Deciding Whether Hiring an Advisor Is the Right Choice
	Chapter 8 Following Financial Markets
		Understanding Stocks and Bonds
		Making Informed Investing Decisions
			Connecting corporate profits to stock prices
			Looking at financial market efficiency
			Focusing on interest rates, inflation, and the Federal Reserve
		Challenging Financial Markets During Changing Times
			What really moves financial markets (in the short term)
			Why market timing is so hard to do
Part 4 Keeping Your Personal Finance House in Order
	Chapter 9 Getting on the Right Road with Spending and Saving
		Getting a Handle on Your Spending
			Differentiating necessities from luxuries
			Reducing your expenditures
			Setting and following a budget
			Some final spending reminders . . .
		Saving: Necessary Rocket Fuel
			Understanding compounded returns
			Considering your short- and long-term personal and financial goals
			Noting the power of tax-deferred retirement accounts
		Upping Your Income
		Lowering Your Tax Bill
			Knowing your income tax rate
			Using your income tax rate
			Taxing issues regarding children
			Making quarterly tax filing requirements
		Ouch! Dealing with Major Medical Bills
			Reviewing your billing statements for accuracy
			Negotiating with providers or an insurance company
	Chapter 10 Investing Wisely and Securely
		Checking Out All the Places You Can Invest Your Money
			Noting how investment types differ from one another
			Understanding the major investments
			Building wealth with stocks
			Locating money through real estate
			Turning to small business options
			Searching for safe money investments
		Cultivating Good Investing Habits
			Understanding fees
			Managing monitoring and trading your investments
			Keeping your emotions from following market trends
			Dealing with investment setbacks
		Developing a Personal Investing Plan
			Taxing situations
			Assessing your current portfolio
			Allocating those assets
		Selecting the Best Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)
			Investing in stock and bond funds
			Minding the ABCs of ETFs
		Seizing Investment Opportunities During Tough Times
			Cashing in on reduced stock and real estate prices
			Mustering the courage to buy when more people are selling
	Chapter 11 Getting and Maintaining Proper Insurance
		Being Prepared: A Quick Lesson on Insurance
			Don’t sweat the small losses . . .
			Define a small loss . . .
			Insurance not to buy
			Insurance worth purchasing
		Protecting Your Health
			Reviewing your current health insurance
			Saving tax dollars with health savings accounts
			Maximizing your personal health
		Securing Your Income-Earning Ability
			Long-term disability insurance
			Life insurance
		Insurance on Your Assets
			Insuring your home
			Auto insurance
			Excess liability insurance
		Will, Trusts, and Estate Planning
			Starting with a will
			Preparing other useful legal documents
			Considering your preparation options
		Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft and Fraud
Part 5 Prepping for Future Armageddon
	Chapter 12 What Pundits Scare People About
		Fearmongers Have Been Scaring Folks for Generations
			Case study: Peter Schiff has been scaring investors for generations
			Understanding what pundits are trying to sell you
			Seeing why fearmongers’ predictions are often wrong
		Surveying the Leading Worries Being Pitched Today
			Excessive government debts
			High inflation and worthless currencies
			Anarchy and the breakdown of society
	Chapter 13 Preparing Yourself for Unexpected Future Crises
		What Possible Future Crises Should You Be Prepared For?
			Dangers of excessive dependence upon technology and internet
			Hazards of faster and inaccurate “news” flow
			Spreading socialism
			Climate change (also known as global warming)
			Power grid failures and resource shortages
			Solvency of Social Security
		Preparing Financially and Otherwise for New Future Crises
Part 6 The Part of Tens
	Chapter 14 Tens Ways to Improve Your Personal Safety
		Combine Your Instincts with Proven Strategies
		What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You
		Do Unto Others As You Would Have Others Do Unto You
		Err on the Side of Caution
		There’s (Some) Safety in Numbers, But There May be a Weak Link
		If It Looks Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is
		Don’t Assume “Lightning Never Strikes Twice”
		Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover
		Trust Your Instincts
		Share Your Concerns with Someone You Trust
	Chapter 15 Ten Ways to Address Over-Saving
		Understanding the Over-Saver Mindset
		Balancing Spending and Saving
		Keeping Money Accumulation in Proper Perspective
		Giving Yourself Permission to Spend More
		Doing Some Retirement Analysis
		Getting Smart about Investing Your Money
		Going On a News Diet
		Treating Yourself to Something Special
		Buying More Gifts for the People You Love
		Going Easy When It Comes to Everyday Expenses
Index
EULA