Foreword xvi

Preface xviii

Acknowledgments xx

About the Authors xxi

PART I: MAINTAINING A POSITIVE OUTLOOK 1

Chapter 1: The Right Stuff 3

Chapter 2: The “New” American Dream 13

Chapter 3: How We Decide 25

Chapter 4: Your Life Values Profile 33

Chapter 5: Moving to Secure Money Management 51

Chapter 6: A Word About Fear 63

PART II: BEING ACTIVE IN FINANCIAL AFFAIRS 75

Chapter 7: Who’s in Charge of Your Financial Well-Being? 77

Chapter 8: Becoming a Savvy Consumer 89

Chapter 9: Getting and Keeping Good Credit 103

Chapter 10: Staying Ahead of Scammers and Thieves 119

Chapter 11: Committing to a Savings Plan 133

PART III: BUILDING A FINANCIAL SUPPORT SYSTEM 145

Chapter 12: Communicating About Money–Count the Ways 147

Chapter 13: Tapping Into the Financial Marketplace 165

Chapter 14: Building Your Assets 181

Chapter 15: Choosing Housing Wisely 201

PART IV: COPING WELL WITH CHANGE AND LOSS 221

Chapter 16: Planning for Life Transitions 223

Chapter 17: Preparing for Disasters 239

Chapter 18: Recovering from Adversity 253

Chapter 19: Finding the Help You Need 265

Appendix: Personal Finance Education Internet Sites 277

Endnotes 293

Index 299