Offers a lively, detailed, and insightful guide to personal finance fundamentals for those just starting out on their paths to long-term financial security. Chris Smith provides the tools and guidance readers need to get on the right track with their savings, investing, buying a house, and financial planning for the future.;Introduction -- The essential concepts -- The truly amazing power of -- Your financial health -- The big picture -- The human factor -- The ultimate acceleration strategy -- Building your foundation -- Budgeting -- Case study : billy bigshot -- Your cash bucket -- Borrowing, credit and lending -- Taxes, risk management and insurance -- Big ticket items -- cars and houses! -- Cars -- Should you buy a house? -- Buying a house : how the money works -- Case study : mortgageville -- Buying a house : let's do it! -- Long-term investing -- Long term investing : introduction -- Simple but not easy -- Your portfolio -- Protecting your investments from taxes -- Long-term investing : let's do it! -- Wrapup and summary -- Question and answer session -- Your financial future -- Bibliography -- Index -- About the author.