Knox, Susan

Financial Basics : Money-Management Guide for Students

Acknowledgments xiii Introduction xv 1 Seduced by Credit Cards Don't let easy access to credit cards lead to expensive debt as you pay twice as much for your purchases. 1(14) 2 Nervous Breakdown Budget How to get a handle on your financial needs by creating a realistic spending plan and begin to understand your financial nature and personal spending pattern. 15(13) 3 First in the Family Learn to think in creative ways to fund your college education and seek out experienced help. 28(9) 4 The Simple Things in Life Basic money-management facts of life that no one ever tells you. 37(15) 5 Spend, Spend, Spend The pitfalls of trying to keep up with others who have more money and how ignoring the rules for debt and student loans can change your life. 52(9) 6 How Much Did You Say I Owed? Ways to determine how much you can safely afford to borrow for your education, being smart about choosing your loan package, and the consequences of dropping out of school. 61(9) 7 But Don't I Need to Build a Credit History? Basic facts on building credit history and how to ensure that you leave college with a good credit rating. 70(9) 8 Car Crazy How to make decisions on acquiring those extra things you want to buy for college. 79(9) 9 I'll Think about It Tomorrow The dangers of ignoring financial responsibility and how to cope with the habit of procrastination. 88(7) 10 Now Where Did I Put That? What to save, how to store documents, and security issues for your sensitive financial information. 95(9) 11 What's Next? Financial planning for life after school. 104(10) 12 Develop a Personal Philosophy of Money Begin to develop your personal philosophy of money. 114(6) 13 Your Story Write about your money management experiences as a way to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses around money. 120(13) Glossary of Financial Terms 133(8) Index 141