"Provides basic consumer finance information about managing money, credit, and debt, and avoiding fraud and risk. Includes index, glossary, and related resources"--Provided by publisher.

Assessing your financial situation: How to organize your financial life -- Developing a personal financial plan -- How to avoid common money mistakes -- How to budget and save -- Developing a spending plan -- Tips for tracking expenses and getting more for your money -- Natural and man-made disasters: are you prepared financially? -- How to weather a financial storm -- Your financial information and privacy concerns -- Identity theft: take steps to protect yourself. Banking and bank services: Banking basics -- Internet banking -- Automated teller machines (ATMs) -- Checking accounts -- Debit cards vs. Credit cards -- Plastic fraud: Protect yourself. Building and using credit: Building and keeping good credit -- Questions and answers about credit reports -- Getting credit: Tips for young adults -- Personal life events and your credit -- Getting credit when you're over 62 -- Understanding your credit score -- How to get a copy of your credit report -- How to dispute credit report errors -- Credit repair: Self-help may be best -- Credit and your consumer rights. Borrowing money: Manage credit wisely -- Understanding loan contracts -- How is interest calculated? -- Has someone asked you to cosign a loan? -- Credit cards: borrowing money for every-day purchases -- Federal loans for education -- Financing a vehicle: loans and leases -- What you should know about mortgages -- Home equity loans -- Home equity lines of credit -- Reverse mortgages: facts you should know -- Beware of high-cost loans and predatory practices -- What to consider before you buy credit insurance -- Laws that protect loan recipients. When debt is a problem: When you're knee deep in debt -- Adjusting to suddenly reduced income -- How to regain financial health -- Choosing a credit counselor or debt management plan -- Fair debt collection -- Avoiding foreclosure -- Vehicle repossession -- Time-barred debts -- Personal bankruptcy -- file segregation is illegal. Additional help and information: Money Talks: A glossary -- How to file a consumer complaint about a bank -- Resources for information about budgeting and personal finances -- Resources for information about credit and debt managment.