For author and real estate owner Elaine Zimmerman and for an ever-increasing number of individuals -- especially women -- this grim reality has been all too familiar. For Elaine, left with little money and no financial plan after divorce, a comfortable retirement seemed an impossible dream. She realized, as we all do eventually, that Social Security and company retirement plans aren't sufficient to ensure financial secruity. So Elaine followed a friend's example and took the first step toward controlling her financial future. She found a bank that financed her postdivorce home at a lower interest rate and, within three years, owned three houses worth a half million dollars. Now, with Elaine's practical, detailed, step-by-step plan for financial security through real estate investing, every woman -- and man -- can do it, too. If you run a household, bargain-hunt and know how to stretch a dollar, you can start with the plan. Work on real estate investing on weekends and during the evenings, while keeping your regular job Purchase homes far below market value Buy in the best part of town for higher long-term appreciation Rent your houses for the amount of the mortgage with taxes and insurance -- or greater Assume fixed-rate mortgages for no more than 15 years in length From start to finish, How to Retire With a Million Dollars covers the important topics and questions, including determining your monthly income goals; how much cash you'll need to get started; getting bank loans; down payments and financing your first house; the major tax benefits of owning rental properties; selecting neighborhoods and real estate agents; how to utilize your shopping skills to purchase properties; why choosing a house is like choosing a husband (good foundation -- no major structural defects; repairs -- what to fix what to forget); refinancing and financing house two, three, etc.; building your real estate portfolio; foreclosures, bargain homes and other deals; tenants and leases. Complete with a glossary of mortgage-related terms, this indispensable book offers an easy-to-follow strategy to get you started in real estate investing and keep you motivated, whether you're working alone or with the help of a partner. Start building your financial future now -- one house at a time!

This latest edition features over 1,000 changes and updates, providing the latest research and studies that show physically and mentally active retirees live longer and enjoy happier lives.

You Can Baby Step Your Way to Becoming a Millionaire Most people know Dave Ramsey as the guy who did stupid with a lot of zeros on the end. He made his first million in his twenties—the wrong way—and then went bankrupt. That’s when he set out to learn God’s ways of managing money and developed the Ramsey Baby Steps. Following these steps, Dave became a millionaire again—this time the right way. After three decades of guiding millions of others through the plan, the evidence is undeniable: if you follow the Baby Steps, you will become a millionaire and get to live and give like no one else. In Baby Steps Millionaires, you will . . . *Take a deeper look at Baby Step 4 to learn how Dave invests and builds wealth *Learn how to bust through the barriers preventing them from becoming a millionaire *Hear true stories from ordinary people who dug themselves out of debt and built wealth *Discover how anyone can become a millionaire, especially you Baby Steps Millionaires isn’t a book that tells the secrets of the rich. It doesn't teach complicated financial concepts reserved only for the elite. As a matter of fact, this information is straightforward, practical, and maybe even a little boring. But the life you'll lead if you follow the Baby Steps is anything but boring! You don’t need a large inheritance or the winning lottery number to become a millionaire. Anyone can do it—even today. For those who are ready, it’s game on!

Advice and guidance on planning for retirement Retirement Planning For Dummies is a one-stop resource to get up to speed on the critical steps needed to ensure you spend your golden years living in the lap of luxury—or at least in the comfort of your own home. When attempting to plan for retirement, web searching alone can cause you more headaches than answers, leaving many to feel overwhelmed and defeated. This book takes the guesswork out of the subject and guides readers while they plan the largest financial obligation of their life. Take stock of your finances Proactively plan for your financial future Seek the help of professionals or go it alone Use online tools to make retirement planning easier Whether you're just starting out with a 401(k) or you’re a seasoned vet with retirement in your near future, this book helps younger and older generations alike how to plan their retirement.

Here at last are the hard-to-find answers to the dizzying array of financial questions plaguing those who are age fifty and older. The financial world is more complex than ever, and people are struggling to make sense of it all. If you’re like most people moving into the phase of life where protecting—as well as growing-- assets is paramount, you’re faced with a number of financial puzzles. Maybe you’re struggling to get your kids through college without drawing down your life’s savings. Perhaps you sense your nest egg is at risk and want to move into safer investments. Maybe you’re contemplating downsizing to a smaller home, but aren’t sure of the financial implications. Possibly, medical expenses have become a bigger drain than you expected and you need help assessing options. Perhaps you’ll shortly be eligible for social security but want to optimize when and how to take it. Whatever your specific financial issue, one thing is certain—your range of choices is vast. As the financial world becomes increasingly complex, what you need is deeply researched advice from professionals whose credentials are impeccable and who prize clarity and straightforwardness over financial mumbo-jumbo. Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz and the Schwab team have been helping clients tackle their toughest money issues for decades. Through Carrie’s popular “Ask Carrie” columns, her leadership of the Charles Schwab Foundation, and her work across party lines through two White House administrations and with the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability, she has become one of America’s most trusted sources for financial advice. Here, Carrie will not only answer all the questions that keep you up at night, she’ll provide answers to many questions you haven’t considered but should.

The definitive guide to financial independence at any age! Retiring early is not limited to lottery winners or the super rich. In fact, with proper planning, we can all retire at a younger age than we ever dreamed—but only with the right plan. Personal finance expert Deacon Hayes explains the practical, concrete steps you can take to start your retirement when you’re young enough to thoroughly enjoy it, including: *Developing a personalized retirement plan *Maximizing income *Understanding opportunity cost *Assessing and reducing debt *Selecting the right investment vehicles *Sticking to the plan With Hayes’s guidance, you can achieve financial independence and enjoy an active, happy, and long retirement.

"A startling new philosophy and practical guide to getting the most out of your money-and out of life-for those who value memorable experiences as much as their earnings"--