Three Steps to Wealth & Financial Security by Laturno, Gary -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

TABLE OF CONTENTS COPYRIGHT & LEGAL DISCLAIMER PREFACE PART 1 – THE U.S HOUSING CRISIS - LESSONS LEARNED

1. People Don’t Plan to Fail. They Fail to Plan 2. How Did We Go Astray? What Are The Lessons Learned? 3. Who Is to Blame? 4. The Good News! Money Problems Are Fixable! 5. The Bad News 6. Lessons Learned: Houses

a. Biggest Mistakes b. What Percentage of Your Income Should Go to Your House? c. Should You Ask for a Loan Modification? d. Is Renting a Smarter Financial Decision? e. Should I Pay Off My Mortgage?

7. Lessons Learned: Banks 8. Lessons Learned : FHA & VA Loans. 9. Lessons Learned: Credit Cards 10. Lessons Learned: Cars

PART 2 – STEPS 1 & 2: CREATE A WRITTEN FINANCIAL PLAN - PRACTICE SOUND MONEY MANAGEMENT

1. What is Wealth? How does One Become Wealthy? 2. The 25-50-25 Plan 3. Compare and Contrast: China vs. the United States 4. Get Ready for a Longer Retirement 5. Financial Plans That Fail 6. Sound Money Management – Get Started 7. Sound Money Management – Trim the Fat 8. Sound Money Management – Move Forward 9. Financial Planning Software vs. a Spreadsheet 10. Secrets to Saving 11. Use Credit Wisely 12. How Will You Pay for Major Milestones? 13. Insurance is an Important Part of Your Plan 14. High Income Earners – How Will You Spend Your Money? 15. Smart Move – Delay Taking Social Security Benefits 16. What Can We Learn from Social Security? 17. Do Not Sabotage Your Retirement Plans 18. How to Make More Money 19. Stay Healthy – Minimize Health Care Costs 20. Married Couple Discuss Financial Planning & Money Management

PART 3 –STEP 3: INVEST IN LOW COST INDEX FUNDS

1. Introductory Comments 2. Compare and Contrast Investment Options 3. Houses vs. the Stock Market 4. Investment Accounts 5. Tax Deferred Investment Accounts

a. 401(k) – Employer Sponsored Plans b. Individual Retirement Accounts – IRAs

6. The 529 College Savings Plan & the ROTH 7. Taxable Investment Accounts 8. Investment Advice and Strategies

a. The 2004 Google Teach-Ins b. A Look at the Best Investment Portfolios in America

9. Avoid Common Investor Mistakes

a. Do Not Trust Your Financial Instincts b. Read History to Become a Better Investor

10. Eight Guidelines to Successful Investing

a. One: Start Early; Take Advantage of Compounding b. Two: Invest Regularly and Stay Invested c. Three: Diversify Investments d. Four: Invest Frugally e. Five: Do Not Try to Time the Market f. Six: Control Risk g. Seven: Keep Your Portfolio Simple h. Eight: Stay Married

11. Financial Planners and Other Advisers

a. Do You Need a Financial Adviser? b. Is Your Adviser a Fiduciary or a Salesperson? c. Recommendations

12. Tax Efficient Investing 13. Will Your Money Last Your Lifetime?

1. Introductory Comments 2. A Negative View of Real Estate Investing 3. A Positive View of Real Estate Investing 4. Biggest Mistakes by Investors 5. Guidelines for Investors, Part I 6. Guidelines for Investors, Part II 7. Condos – A Mixed Bag 8. Tax Benefits of Investment Real Estate 9. Consider Short Sales and Foreclosures 10. Should You Buy Houses at a Trustee’s Sale? 11. Short Sale Success Factors – Tips for Buyers 12. Ideal Short Sale Buyers 13. Due Diligence in Hiring a Buyer’s Realtor

EPILOGUE APPENDICES

A. What Gary’s Parents Taught Him about Money B. What John Wesley Taught All of Us about Money C. What You Should Teach Your Kids about Money D. Couples Need More Than Love E. Bear and Bull Markets Defined F. The Dark Side of Bonds G. Recommended Reading H. Twenty Signs You Might Live to 100 I. Annuities J. Reverse Mortgages – The Loan of Last Resort K. VA Loans L. Price to Rent Rations M. Index Funds: Definition & Comments N. Index Funds vs. Exchange Traded Funds O. Index Funds vs. Hedge Funds

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ABOUT THE AUTHORS