Adams Media An Imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc. 57 Littlefield Street Avon, Massachusetts 02322 Copyright © 2017 by Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Adams Media Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. First Adams Media trade paperback edition DECEMBER 2017 ADAMS MEDIA and colophon are trademarks of Simon and Schuster. For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Simon & Schuster Special Sales at 1-866-506-1949 or C H A P T E R 1 B U D G E T I N G A N D S A V I N G Your Budget by the 5 Ways to Boost Your Numbers Income This Month Calculating Your Emergency Funds Can Net Worth Save the Day 5 Steps for Creating 6 Uses for Your Tax a Budget You Can Refund to Move Your Stick To Finances Forward Banking Basics When to Reevaluate your Budget The Pros and Cons of Joint Checking 10 Ways to Protect Your Accounts Financial Info How Your Money Grows C H A P T E R 2 S P E N D I N G Better Spending 10 Tax Deductions and Habits Credits You’re Probably Forgetting When to Pay with Cash or Credit 5 Steps to Effectively Freeze Your Spending 10 Easy Ways to Spend Less at Home Hidden Costs and How to Avoid Them Which Insurance Do YOU Need? 7 Tips for Spending Less on Your Grocery Bill Complete Car Cost Guide Shopping for Car Insurance: Dos and Don’ts C H A P T E R 3 D E B T A N D C R E D I T 3 Steps to Shop for How to Repair the Perfect Credit Bad Credit Card for You Everything You Need to Strategies for Know about Your Debt— Dealing with Student to-Income Ratio Loan Debt How to Dig Out The Dos and Don’ts of of Debt Using Credit Cards What to Do If You’re When to Transfer Credit a Victim of Identity Card Balances Theft or Credit Card Fraud What’s in a Credit Score? How to Establish Credit C H A P T E R 4 I N V E S T I N G The Path to 4 Ways to Supersize Your Investing 401(k) Nest Egg How to Research How to Calculate Your Stocks Investment Returns Different Ways to 6 Ways the Economy Buy Stock Affects Your Portfolio The Path to Choosing a How to Manage Financial Adviser Your 401(k) 5 Key Benefits of Index Funds Different Kinds of Bonds and How to Buy Them C H A P T E R 5 H O U S I N G Renting vs. Buying: Moving Expenses What to Consider Should You Refinance Questions to Ask Before Your Mortgage? You Sign a Lease Selling Your House The Path to Buying Your First Home Managing Home Repairs and Evaluating Home Improvements Inspection Problems: What to Consider Understanding Your Mortgage Options