Planning your personal finances -- Personal financial basics and the time value of money -- Financial aspects of career planning -- Money management strategy: financial statements and budgeting -- Planning your tax strategy -- Managing your personal finances -- Financial services: savings plans and payment accounts -- Introduction to consumer credit -- Choosing a source of credit: the costs of credit alternatives -- Making your purchasing decisions -- Consumer purchasing strategies and legal protection -- The housing decision: factors and finances -- Insuring your resources -- Property and motor vehicle insurance -- Health, disability, and long-term care insurance -- Life insurance -- Investing your financial resources -- Investing fundamentals -- Investing in stocks -- Investing in bonds -- Investing in mutual funds -- Investing in real estate and other investment alternatives -- Controlling your financial future -- Starting early: retirement planning -- Estate planning -- Appendixes: Financial planners and other information sources -- Consumer agencies and organizations -- Daily spending diary.