Personal Finance Essentials You Always Wanted to Know

1. Introduction to Personal Finance

1.1 Introduction to Finance

1.2 What is Money?

1.3 History of Money

1.4 The Value of Money

1.5 Currency/Foreign Currency

1.6 Personal Finance, Corporate Finance, and Public
Finance

1.7 Factors That Affect Personal Financial Concerns

Quiz

Chapter Summary

2. Important Financial Concepts

2.1 Income and Expense

2.2 Income and Expense Statement

2.3 Cash Flow Statement

2.4 Asset and Liability

2.5 Net Worth

2.6 Time Value of Money

2.7 Compounding

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Chapter Summary

3. Budgeting

3.1 The Importance of Planning

3.2 Introduction to a Budget

3.3 Principles of Good Budgeting

3.4 Common Budgeting Methods

3.5 Creating a Budget

3.6 Contingency Planning

Quiz

Chapter Summary

4. Banking

4.1 Introduction to Banking

4.2 Types of Banks

4.3 Types of Accounts

4.4 Lending Facilities

4.5 Other Banking Services

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Chapter Summary

5. Borrowing

5.1 Introduction to Borrowing

5.2 Credit Risk

5.3 Consumer Reporting Agencies

5.4 Credit Score

5.5 Why Should You Check Your Credit Report?

5.6 Types of Borrowing

5.7 Protection and Safeguards for Borrowers

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Chapter Summary

6. Home Ownership

6.1 The Importance of a Home

6.2 Buy or Rent

6.3 Mortgage Loans

6.4 Types of Mortgage Loans

6.5 The Mortgage Loan Process

6.6 Mortgage Calculator

6.7 Factors Affecting Interest Rate

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Chapter Summary

7. Investing

7.1 Introduction to Investing

7.2 Investing Fundamentals

7.3 Common Financial Investment Avenues

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Chapter Summary

8. Insurance

8.1 Introduction to Insurance

8.2 Principles Underlying Insurance Contracts

8.3 Types of Insurance

8.4 Pricing of Insurance

Quiz

Chapter Summary

9. Taxation

9.1 The Case for Taxation

9.2 Income Tax

9.3 Other Major Taxes

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Chapter Summary

10. Retirement Planning

10.1 Historical Perspective On Retirement

10.2 Retirement and Life Expectancy

10.3 The Sources of Retirement Security

10.4 Estate Planning and Creating a Will

10.5 Planning for Retirement

Quiz

Chapter Summary

Ankur Mithal is a widely experienced business professional. In over 15 years with Standard Chartered Bank, he worked in Sales, Project Management as well as Operations, operating out of Kolkata, Delhi, Hong Kong, Mumbai, and Singapore. He was involved in a number of improvement interventions in the BPO industry that straddled the disciplines of Organizational Development as well as Quality which created interest and enabled him to learn about them. He is also the author of Organizational Development Essentials by Vibrant Publishers.

Vibrant Publishers is focused on presenting the best texts for learning about technology and business as well as books for test preparation. Categories include programming, operating systems and other texts focused on IT. In addition, a series of books helps professionals in their own disciplines learn the business skills needed in their professional growth.

Vibrant Publishers has a standardized test preparation series covering the GMAT, GRE and SAT, providing ample study and practice material in a simple and well organized format, helping students get closer to their dream universities.

The Self-Learning Management Series is designed to help students, new managers, career switchers, and entrepreneurs learn essential management lessons and covers every aspect of business, from HR to Finance to Marketing to Operations across any and every industry. Each book includes basic fundamentals, important concepts, and standard and well-known principles as well as practical ways of application of the subject matter.

Personal Finance Essentials You Always Wanted To Know is an introductory source for those wanting to learn basic personal finance concepts. I often find that personal finance books either over-complicate or over-promise the benefits to the reader. However, this work does an effective job of bridging the gap between practice and theory by only emphasizing the essential components of both. By exposing the reader to a broad range of important concepts, this book is an appropriate starting point for those needing a framework to understand the importance and application of personal finance concepts within their own life.
-- James Meersman, Assistant Professor,  Juniata College

Ankur Mithal's Personal Finance Essentials You Always Wanted to Know provides a thorough overview of personal finance topics for the novice and others who want to backfill holes in their knowledge. 

I'm pretty savvy on many of the topics discussed in this book, but still, Mithal managed to surprise me with facts I didn't know. The book is written in layperson language, making it easy to understand and consume. I didn’t have to look up words or memorize ideas to figure out what Mithal was saying. He kept it so simple that each topic organically grew from prior ones. Each chapter includes a chapter summary and a quick quiz to review essential topics and remind readers of the important elements. I’m not a fan of quizzes but in this case, it serves the serious student well to confirm their knowledge base for the upcoming chapters.

Overall, this is recommended to those with an interest in money and personal finance who might consider these topics too complicated."
-- Jacqui M, Author and Adjunct Professor, California State University and University of California San Diego

Personal Finance Essentials is a comprehensive guide that provides readers with a solid foundation in the realm of personal finance. The book's structure is well thought out, making it accessible to individuals at various stages of their financial journey, from beginners to seasoned practitioners. 

What sets this book apart is its ability to break down the often intimidating world of taxes, helping readers understand the distinctions between different tax types and their respective responsibilities. One of the book's highlights is its treatment of retirement planning, a subject that holds immense significance for many readers. Each chapter's conclusion is marked by a well-crafted summary that elegantly ties together the key points discussed, serving as a valuable reference for readers. Additionally, the inclusion of quizzes at the end of each chapter enhances the learning experience, ensuring that readers absorb and retain the material effectively.

In sum, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to navigate the complex world of personal finance. Written by an experienced professional, it caters to a broad audience, making it equally beneficial for those taking their first steps in financial planning and those looking to refine their existing knowledge and skills.
-- Arkadiusz Mironko, Associate Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship Indiana University East

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are my own.

This is a personal finance book and ideal for beginners it tackles budgeting, saving and investments, Some of the things written in the book did not relate to me but it was quite an interesting read. The author included templates that made the book quite an interesting read.
-- Ancillar Grace
Net galley reviewer

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