Part 1: Saving Time and Money -- Financial planning for your first job -- Building your cash reserve -- Part 2: How to think like an investor -- Measuring risk -- Building your first portfolio -- Short-term investing -- The truth about company stock -- How to open an investment account -- Your retirement roadmap -- Part 3: Insurance -- Understanding insurance -- Auto and homeowner's insurance -- Health insurance -- Disability insurance -- Life insurance -- Part 4: Managing Debt -- How to manage your debt -- Understanding student loans -- Pay off student loans or save for retirement? -- Buy or lease? -- Part 5: Surviving a Recession -- Recession-proof your financial plan -- Surviving a job loss -- Recession-proof investing -- The saver's credit -- How to hire a financial planner -- Epilogue: your next step -- Appendix A: Blank worksheets -- Appendix B: 50 words you need to know.