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| Introduction | |
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| Isn't Debt-Free the Way to Be? | |
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| Debt Isn't the Enemy | |
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| When "Good Debt" Isn't | |
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| Which Debts Should You Tackle First? | |
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| Why Debt Management Sounds Strange | |
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| When Debt Repayment Plans Go Awry | |
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| Addressing the Ants as Well as the Grasshoppers | |
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| Debt-Free Is the Way to Be-Eventually | |
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| Summary | |
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| Your Debt Management Plan | |
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| Get Intimate with Your Debt | |
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| Which Debts Are Deductible? | |
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| Am I Paying the Right Rate? | |
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| Assess Your Financial Situation | |
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| Retirement Savings | |
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| Financial Flexibility | |
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| Save or Pay Off Debt First? | |
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| Case Studies | |
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| Create Your Game Plan | |
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| Should You Pay Off Your Debt with More Debt? | |
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| Debt "Solutions" to Avoid | |
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| If You're Already Drowning | |
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| Find the Cash | |
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| Evaluate Your Options | |
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| Choose Your Path and Take Action | |
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| Summary | |
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| Credit Cards | |
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| Our Love Affair with Credit | |
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| The True Cost of Carrying a Balance | |
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| Floors But No Ceilings | |
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| Overnight Rate Changes | |
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| Fees and More Fees | |
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| Balance-Transfer Roulette | |
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| Gotchas for Those Who Pay Their Balances | |
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| The Right Way to Pay Off Credit Card Debt | |
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| Getting the Right Reward Card | |
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| Summary | |
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| Credit Limits | |
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| Shopping Tips | |
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| Mortgages | |
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| It's a Good (or Lousy) Time to Buy a Home | |
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| A House Is a Great Investment | |
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| Buying Is Always Better Than Renting | |
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| Homeownership Comes with Great Tax Breaks | |
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| The Right Reasons to Buy | |
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| How Much House Should I Buy? | |
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| What Kind of Mortgage Should I Get? | |
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| How Do I Get a Good Mortgage Deal? | |
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| Fix Your Credit | |
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| Understand Points and Fees | |
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| Shop Around for Rates and Terms | |
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| Check out First-Time Homebuyers' Programs | |
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| Get Preapproved for a Loan | |
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| Don't Pay Junk Fees | |
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| Plan for Closing Costs | |
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| When and How Should I Refinance? | |
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| When Should I Prepay a Mortgage? | |
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| Summary | |
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| Credit Limits | |
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| Shopping Tips | |
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| Home Equity Borrowing | |
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| The Dangers of Home Equity Lending | |
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| Home Equity Loans Versus Lines of Credit | |
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| Questions to Ask Before You Borrow | |
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| Summary | |
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| Credit Limits | |
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| Shopping Tips | |
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| Student Loans | |
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| So What's the Good News? | |
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| How Much Should I Borrow? | |
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| Where Should I Get My Loans? | |
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| What If It's Already Too Late? | |
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| What About Paying Off My Student Loans with Home Equity Debt-or Credit Cards? | |
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| Summary | |
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| Credit Limits | |
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| Shopping Tips | |
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| Auto Loans | |
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| How Cars Cost Us | |
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| Why It's Bad to Owe More on Your Car Than It's Worth | |
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| How Often You Buy Cars Matters, Too | |
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| The Proper Role of Cars in Our Spending | |
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| Ways to Keep Costs Down | |
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| Summary | |
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| Credit Limits | |
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| Shopping Tips | |
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| 401(k) and Other Retirement Plan Loans | |
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| Types of Plans That Offer Loans | |
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| The Real Cost of Retirement Plan Loans | |
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| Cracking Your Nest Egg Early | |
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| The Hidden Cost of Withdrawals | |
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| Summary | |
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| Credit Limits | |
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| Shopping Tips | |
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| Loans Yon Don't Want to Get-or Give | |
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| Three More Loans to Beware Of | |
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| Why You Don't Want to Cosign a Loan | |
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| The Right Way to Make a Personal Loan | |
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| Summary | |
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| Credit Limits | |
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| Shopping Tips | |
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| Dealing with a Debt Crisis | |
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| Dealing with Your Creditors | |
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| Dealing with Collection Agencies | |
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| What If Your Creditors Won't Budge? | |
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| Summary | |
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| Putting Your Debt Management Plan into Action | |
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| Lower Your Interest Rates | |
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| Track Your Spending | |
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| Trim Your Expenses | |
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| Look for Cash | |
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| Sell Your Surplus Stuff Online | |
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| Review Your Priorities | |
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| Stay on Track | |
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| Some Final Thoughts | |
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| Index | |