The 1-2-3 Money Plan · The Three Most Important Steps to Saving and Spending Smart by Karp, Gregory -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Introduction Telling It Straight

Getting from Here to There Simple as an iPod Easy Is Hard When Good Enough Is Good Enough Is This Book Different from Living Rich by Spending Smart? How to Use This Book The Power of Three

Chapter 1 Spending Smart Redux

What Is Spending Smart? When to Spend Your Money When to Spend Your Money, 1-2-3

1. Spend Today 2. Spend Yesterday 3. Spend Tomorrow

Why Pay Attention to Spending? Why Pay Attention to Spending? 1-2-3

1. Magnitude 2. Speed 3. Control

What to Spend Discretionary Money On What to Spend Discretionary Money On, 1-2-3

1. Things You Care About 2. Experiences 3. Things That Rise in Value

PART I SPENDING SMART TODAY Chapter 2 First Things First

Getting Started Taking Stock Taking Stock, 1-2-3

1. Take a Snapshot 2. Look Back 3. Look Ahead

Estate Planning Estate Planning, 1-2-3

1. Will 2. Durable Power of Attorney for Finances and for Health Care 3. Living Will

Do You Need a Living Trust? Identity Theft Identity Theft, 1-2-3

1. Be Guarded 2. Buy a Crosscut Shredder 3. Opt Out

What about Fraud Alerts and Credit Freezes? Banking Get the Bank Accounts You Need, 1-2-3

1. Get a No-Fee Checking Account

Rewards Checking

2. Set Up at Least One High-Interest Online Bank Account

FDIC Rules: Is My Money Safe?

3. Join a Credit Union

Bill Paying Bill Paying, 1-2-3

1. Use Direct Deposit 2. Automate Bill Paying

Automation Drawbacks

3. Prioritize in a Crisis

Endnotes

Chapter 3 Get Fit (Food, Insurance, Telecommunications)

Food at Home Food at Home, 1-2-3

1. Maintain a Price List

Is Organic Food Worth the Price?

2. Stockpile Sale Items

Freezing Times Cherry-Picking Pays

3. Match Coupons to Sales

Fun Tangent: Razor Blades Food Away from Home Food Away from Home, 1-2-3

1. Make Freezer Meals 2. Use Coupons and Discounts 3. Skimp on What You Don’t Care About

Insurance Insurance, 1-2-3

1. Say No to Extended Warranties and Other Junk Insurance 2. Refinance Your Term Life Insurance 3. Raise Deductibles on Home and Auto Insurance

Telecommunications Telecommunications, 1-2-3

1. Cancel Your Traditional Landline Phone Service

The MagicJack Phone Solution

2. Rightsize Your Wireless Phone Plan

My Prepaid Phone Story

3. Regularly Review TV and Internet Service

Fun Tangent: Don’t Overpay for Audio-Video Cables

Chapter 4 How to Buy Stuff

How to Buy Products How to Buy Products, 1-2-3

1. Read Reviews 2. Research Prices 3. Reevaluate

Price Protection How to Buy Services How to Buy Services, 1-2-3

1. Seek Reviews and References 2. Research Prices

Be Afraid of Commitment

3. Reevaluate and Review Contracts Carefully

How to Buy Online How to Buy Online, 1-2-3

1. Prefer Commodities 2. Consider Shipping Cost Versus Sales Tax 3. Use a Credit Card

Coupon Codes and Rebate Portals Fun Tangent: Eyeglasses Online How to Buy Used Stuff How to Buy Used Stuff, 1-2-3

1. Get Over the “Yuck” Factor 2. Evaluate Price and Quality 3. Keep It Simple

Refurbished Electronics How to Teach Kids about Money How to Teach Kids about Money, 1-2-3

1. Give Children an Allowance 2. Don’t Tie Allowance to Chores 3. Make Rules

Chapter 5 Green Means Green

Gasoline Gasoline, 1-2-3

1. Don’t Spill the Coffee 2. Take It Slow and Steady 3. Pump It Up

Gasoline Myths Home Heating and Cooling Home Heating and Cooling, 1-2-3

1. Make a Thermostat Plan 2. Seal Leaks 3. Avoid Big-Ticket Fixes

Little Things Mean a Lot Little Things Mean a Lot, 1-2-3

1. Replace Your Five Most-Used Bulbs with CFLs 2. Buy Rechargeable Batteries 3. Don’t Buy Bottled Water

Should You Buy Carbon Offsets?

PART II SPENDING SMART YESTERDAY Chapter 6 Credit When Credit’s Due

Your Credit Your Credit, 1-2-3

What Is a Credit Rating? Why Your Credit Matters Saving Money Identity Theft 1. Get Your Credit Reports 2. Get Your Credit Scores (Optional)

Get a CLUE: Your Insurance Report

3. Improve Your Scores

Establishing Credit How You Pay Noncredit Payment Methods Noncredit Payment Methods, 1-2-3

1. Consider Cash as King 2. Do Debit Right 3. Limit Use of Checks

Layaway and No-No-No Sales Credit Cards Credit Cards, 1-2-3

1. Never Carry a Balance 2. Know Your Perks 3. Maintain Your Card

How to Choose a Rewards Credit Card How to Choose a Rewards Credit Card, 1-2-3

1. Go Online 2. Choose Cash Back 3. Get More Than 1 Percent

How to Get Out of Debt How to Get Out of Debt, 1-2-3

1. Quit Borrowing Money 2. Quit Saving Money 3. Pay Small Debts First

PART III SPENDING SMART TOMORROW Chapter 7 How to Save Money

Short-Term Savings Short-Term Savings, 1-2-3

1. Emergency Fund 2. Car Fund 3. Seasonal Fund

Retirement Retirement, 1-2-3

1. Invest Automatically 2. Diversify

Why Index Funds?

3. Hold On

401(k) Rollovers Saving for College Saving for College, 1-2-3

1. Open a 529 College Savings Account Online 2. Select an Age-Based Plan 3. Contribute Automatically

Community College Route Choosing a Financial Adviser Choosing a Financial Adviser, 1-2-3

1. Interview Three Fee-Only Planners 2. Ask Questions and Listen to Your Gut

ABCs of Financial Certifications

3. Never Agree to an Investment You Don’t Understand

Endnotes

Chapter 8 Putting It All Together

Succeeding with Money Succeeding with Money, 1-2-3

1. Never Buy a New Car Until You’re a Millionaire 2. Buy a Home That You Can Afford 3. Care about Spending

Index

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