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| About the Author | |
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| Preface | |
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| Introduction to Financial Literacy | |
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| Financial Literacy Defined | |
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| What Is Financial Literacy? | |
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| The Importance of Financial Literacy at Any Age | |
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| It's Not Too Early to Start Saving | |
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| Seeking Financial Advice | |
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| Personal Values and Personal Responsibilities | |
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| Responsibilities versus Excuses | |
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| Personal Values versus Financial Goals | |
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| The Seven Levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs | |
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| Types of Needs | |
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| Distinguishing between Needs and Wants | |
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| Getting Started on Your Financial Journey and How Technology Can Help | |
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| Learning How to Budget, Save Your Money, and Insure What you have | |
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| Budgeting | |
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| Creating a Budget | |
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| Adjusting a Budget | |
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| Adhering to a Budget | |
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| Saving While in College | |
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| Saving for a Big Purchase | |
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| Saving for Emergencies | |
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| Saving for the Future | |
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| Retirement Planning | |
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| Insuring What You Have | |
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| Types of Insurance You Need | |
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| Auto Insurance | |
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| Health Insurance | |
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| Property Insurance | |
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| Life Insurance | |
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| Personal Credit Cards: Good or Bad? | |
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| Positive Financial Behaviors versus Risky Credit Behaviors | |
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| Good Debt versus Bad Debt | |
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| The Benefits and Dangers of Owning a Credit Card | |
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| Understanding Credit Card Terminology | |
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| The Meaning of Credit Reports | |
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| Credit Bureaus | |
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| Credit Scores and Creditworthiness | |
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| Why a Good Credit Score Matters | |
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| Laws Governing Credit Card Use | |
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| Getting Help If You Are in Over Your Head | |
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| Credit Card Fraud and Identity Theft | |
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| How to Prevent It | |
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| What to Do If It Happens to You | |
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| Personal Banking | |
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| Types of Banks: Which One Is Right for You? Retail Banks | |
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| Types of Accounts | |
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| Checking Accounts | |
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| Savings Accounts | |
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| Banking Services | |
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| Online Banking | |
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| Mobile Banking | |
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| Credit Unions | |
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| Online Banks | |
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| Other Types of Banks | |
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| Financial Aid Know-How | |
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| Financial Aid Defined | |
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| Options for Financial Aid | |
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| Federal Student Loans | |
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| Grants | |
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| Work-Study | |
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| Scholarships | |
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| Private Loans | |
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| How to Spot Deceptive Private Student Loan Practices | |
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| The Financial Aid Office | |
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| Applying for Financial Aid | |
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| The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) | |
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| Managing Your Student Loans | |
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| While You Are in School | |
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| When You Graduate or Leave School | |
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| Trouble Making Payments | |
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| Consequences of Defaulting on Your Loan | |
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| Understanding Taxes | |
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| Taxes: Obligations and Responsibilities for Paying Them | |
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| Tax-Reporting Components | |
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| Payroll Tax and Federal Income Tax Withholding | |
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| Wage and Tip Income | |
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| Interest Income | |
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| Filing Status | |
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| Exemptions and Dependents | |
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| Standard Deduction | |
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| Tax Credits | |
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| Differences between the Two Credits | |
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| Electronic Tax Return Preparation and Transmission | |
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| Tax Preparation | |
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| Tax Transmission | |
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| Consequences of Not Paying Taxes | |
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| Financial Literacy Web Sites | |
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| Glossary | |
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| Index | |