Do you keep promising yourself that you'll organize your financial affairs, only to find that you don't know how to get started? Do most guidebooks written on the subject tend to intimidate and confuse you even more than you're already confused? Take heart. You're not alone, and this book can help! Written for the millions of men and women just like you - people who feel they know little or nothing about financial topicsthis plain-speaking guide delivers the clear and simple explanations you need to seize control of your finances and make your money work for you.The author of this book, acclaimed business teacher Joel Lerner, has had more than 30 years of experience making seemingly complex financial subjects and strategies readily understandable to virtually anyone. What's more, in this eagerly anticipated new edition, Lerner incorporates all the sweeping new tax law changes that have just been enacted by the new administration. The result is the clearest, most up-to-the-minute book available on today's investment and money management alternatives.Financial Planning for the Utterly Confused gives you the knowledge to design and implement a personal investment plan to fit virtually any lifestyle, whether you're seeking greater earning power, saving for college, or planning for retirement. You'll find simple techniques to evaluate the amount of risk you can afford, based on your own current and future financial needs. You'll be given updated information on social security ... mortgages ... IRAs ... mutual funds ... stock market volatility ... estates ... and living trusts and wills. Moreover, you'll quickly master essential terms and jargon to deal with financial advisors and closely monitor your investments.You'll also find a comprehensive, easy-to-understand, alphabetically arranged listing of today's many investment and money management options. Simply and clearly the author explains how each investment vehicle works, appraises its benefits and drawbacks, compares it to other financial products, and describes how to obtain it. Let Joel Lerner show you which investments are safest; how to invest tax-free in municipal bonds, funds, and trusts; the risks and returns of annuities; how to boost college savings with zero-coupon bonds; the pros and cons of investing in gold, silver, and diamonds; how to profit form both traditional and reverse mortgages and home equity loans; rules for investing in real estate; plus a comprehensive guide to planning for retirement, with advice on sheltering your salary from taxes with IRAs, 401(k)s, and Keogh plans ... handling lump sum pension payments ... understanding the recent changes in Social Security, with an eye to getting what's coming to you from the government ... and much more.Concise and to the point, Financial Planning for the Utterly Confused provides quick-reference charts and tables, information sources, plus a complete glossary of commonly encountered financial terms. Here finally is a practical money-management tool that helps you cut through the competing claims of bankers, brokers, and financial advisors to make informed, responsible investment decisions. Read Less