Welcome to all those who have purchased or are considering reading “Navigating the Financial Blogosphere: How to Benefit from Free Information on the Internet.”
While many of us trust the advice of so-called "experts" when it comes to our financial well-being, the fact is that many of these professionals either aren’t objective enough or simply have an opinion that they want to push on us. This is ironic in that finance is a very subjective discipline, and many financial issues can be resolved by combining a few simple rules with a solid understanding of your own personal preferences.
I know how difficult it can be to overcome these obstacles, but I also believe that through well-rounded discussions of important financial topics, you can enhance your understanding of this field and improve your performance within it. That’s why, in 2005, I started my blog as a forum for discussing commonly asked financial questions. Within months, the blog became a widely syndicated resource for both ordinary investors and industry professionals.
Now, with this book, I will show you how to navigate the many informational outlets available online and provide you with the tools you’ll need to get the most out of them. Divided into four comprehensive parts—First Perspectives on Money, Building Wealth Requires Planning, Living in a Financial World, and Thinking Long-Term about Money Management—this one-of-a-kind guide may change the way you live your financial life.
Starting at the beginning of a typical personal financial journey, the book answers basic questions such as how to choose a bank and how to read a credit score. It then moves on to address the essential savings and investment issues that many of us will face during our working years—from figuring out IRAs and 401(k)s to picking stocks and mutual funds. Navigating the Financial Blogosphere concludes with an accessible analysis of long-term financial topics, such as retirement and Social Security, and a straightforward explanation of how to manage your portfolio through asset allocation and rebalancing strategies.
Composed of concise, yet comprehensive chapters that build in complexity as the book progresses, Navigating the Financial Blogosphere will help you connect with some of the best financial information possible and show you how to use it to boost your chances at success in today’s ever-changing financial world.
Thanks and best of luck to all!
Table of Contents
Foreword.
Preface.
Acknowledgments.
About the Author.
Introduction. Why Navigate the Blogosphere?
Part One. First Perspectives on Money.
Chapter 1. How Do I Choose a Bank? Does it Really Matter?
Chapter 2. What Are Personal Financial Statements, and Why Do I Need Them?
Chapter 3. Can a Budget Really Help Me?
Chapter 4. Are Credit Cards My Enemy?
Chapter 5. Are You Scared of Your Credit Score?
Part Two. Building Wealth Requires Planning.
Chapter 6. What Is the Role of a Financial Advisor?
Chapter 7. How Does the Financial Planning Process Work?
Chapter 8. Why is Money Emotional?
Chapter 9. Why Should I Open an IRA?
Chapter 10. What’s a 401k Rollover? Is that Something I Can Teach my Dog?
Chapter 11. What’s the Difference between a 401k and 403b Plan?
Chapter 12. How do I Pay for College? (Part I). Borrowing Money for your Future.
Chapter 13. How do I Pay for College? (Part II). Saving in Advance.
Part Three. Living in a Financial World.
Chapter 14. Are You Ready to Pick Your Own Stocks?
Chapter 15. What are Alternative Investments?
Chapter 16. How Do I Pick Mutual Funds?
Chapter 17. Exchange-Traded Funds. What are They and Should I Buy One?
Chapter 18. Can I Dabble in Real Estate Too?
Chapter 19. How Can I Unravel the Mortgage Mystery?
Chapter 20. What Are All These Different Financial Designations?
Chapter 21. Exploring the Variable Annuity. What’s all the Chatter About?
Part Four. Thinking Long-Term About Money Management.
Chapter 22. How Can I Manage My Portfolio Through Asset Allocation and Rebalancing?
Chapter 23. The Fed? Interest Rates? Inflation? Why Should I Care?
Chapter 24. Life Insurance is Boring. What do I need to Know?
Chapter 25. What Do I Need to Know About Retirement?
Chapter 26. What are my Chances of Getting Social Security?
Chapter 27. What is This Pension Crisis I Keep Hearing About, and How Will It Affect My Retirement?
Index.
Fast Disclosure
Securities offered through First Allied Securities, Inc., a registered broker/dealer. Member FINRA / SIPC. Advisery services offered through: Premier Financial Advisors is a NY Registered Investment Advisor. Form ADV part II is available upon request.
Russell Bailyn
Russell Bailyn is a thought leader in the financial planning and investment advisory space. For the past 15 years he has been helping individuals, families, and small businesses plan and invest for their futures.
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