Includes index.

Part 1 Planning Your Personal Finances 1. Personal Finance Basics and the Time Value of Money Appendix: The Time Value of Money 2. Financial Aspects of Career Planning Appendix: Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interviews 3. Money Management Strategy: Financial Statements and Budgeting 4. Planning Your Tax Strategy Part 2 Managing Your Personal Finances 5. Financial Services: Savings Plans and Payment Accounts 6. Introduction to Consumer Credit 7. Choosing a Source of Credit: The Costs of Credit Alternatives Part 3 Making Your Purchasing Decisions 8. Consumer Purchasing Strategies and Legal Protection 9. The Housing Decision: Factors and Finances Part 4 Insuring Your Resources 10. Property and Motor Vehicle Insurance 11. Health, Disability, and Long-Term Care Insurance 12. Life Insurance Part 5 Investing Your Financial Resources 13. Investing Fundamentals 14. Investing in Stocks 15. Investing in Bonds 16. Investing in Mutual Funds 17. Investing in Real Estate and Other Investment Alternatives Part 6 Controlling Your Financial Future 18. Starting Early: Retirement Planning 19. Estate Planning Appendixes Appendix A: Education Financing, Loans, and Scholarships Appendix B: Financial Planners and Other Information Sources Appendix C: Consumer Agencies and Organizations Appendix D: Daily Spending Diary

Provides practical guidance on how students can achieve peace of mind with regard to their financial situation. This book also provides many financial planning tools to help students identify and evaluate choices as well as understand the consequences of decisions in terms of opportunity costs.