Contents

Chapter 1
You Can Move from Financial Struggles to Stability
  • Identify What You Value So You Can Set Financial Goals
  • Spend Your Money on What You Value
  • Write Down Your Goals
  • The Power of Goal-Setting
Chapter 2
Develop a Spending Plan that Fits Your Needs and Goals
  • Distinguishing Between Wants and Needs
  • Your Spending Plan: Where Do You Begin?
  • Careful Shopping Helps Your Spending Plan
  • Track Your Spending
Chapter 3
Financial Tools Can Help You Manage Your Money
  • Safeguard Your Financial Information
  • Checks and Money Orders
  • Working With Banks and Credit Unions
  • Overdraft Protection is a Safety Net
  • Keeping Accurate Records
  • Protecting Your Personal Identity
Chapter 4
Using Credit Wisely Can Help You Accomplish Your Goals
  • Types of Credit
  • Loans: What Lenders Want to Know About You
  • Credit Card Interest Can Be Costly
  • Read Your Credit Card Statement Carefully
  • How the CARD Act Protects You
  • Protections for Gift Cards and Stored-Value Cards
  • How Many Credit Cards Do You Really Need?
Chapter 5
What You Need to Know About Your Credit Score
  • What's In Your Credit Report?
  • Your Credit Score – What Is It?
  • Your Credit Score – Why Does It Matter?
Chapter 6
What You Need to Know About Contracts
  • Leases
  • Contracts for Utilities
  • Contracts and Online Services
  • Furniture Contracts and Extended Warranties
  • Insurance Contracts
Chapter 7
Protect Yourself from Scams and Know Your Legal Rights
  • Disputing Problems with Goods and Services
  • Learn More About Charities Before You Give
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
  • Laws That Protect Consumers
  • Dealing With Debt Collectors
Chapter 8
What Can You Do When Things Go Wrong?
  • Advice: Think Carefully Before You Follow It
  • Credit Counseling and Debt Management Programs
  • Debt Settlement Companies and Programs
  • Bankruptcy
  • Rebuilding Your Credit