Bonds have long been a stalwart of investment. More than $100 billion was invested in municipal bonds alone in 2006. Now, with the economy a little less certain than it has been in recent decades, the demand for a secure place to invest money has lead to resurgence in interest in the use of bonds for many investors. Because there are many peculiarities in bond investment, you must have a basic understanding of the market, the bond issuer, how to measure rates of return and how to maximize those rates. This book provides anyone who has never invested in bonds before the ideal handbook to start investing in and earning massive returns from bonds. You will learn everything the savvy investor needs to effectively turn a high risk portfolio into a constantly growing, steadily developing source of wealth. You will learn how bonds operate on a very basic level, including the numerous different kinds of bonds and how bond funds can be a highly lucrative option. You will learn the fundamental differences between government, municipal, and corporate bonds and how much of a return you can expect from each. You will learn the basic methods of valuation and yield that bonds are measured by and how you can evaluate bonds with three basic steps. You will be guided through determining the face value, coupon rate, and sale price of a bond, as well as the ratings, insurance, maturity, callability, and taxes that might be associated with it. The importance of interest rates, inflation, and supply and demand in affecting the yield of your bonds will be detailed as well to ensure you make a careful investment. In addition to a comprehensive guide on the many options and methods of investing in bonds, dozens of interviews with financial gurus from around the nation have been conducted to provide critical, real world advice on how to successfully invest your money into bonds. You will be shown the risk free methods by which to invest in bonds, making low interest returns on U.S. government bonds, as well as the higher risk methods that will allow you to make great returns by investing in industrial and corporate bonds. You will learn how to look overseas for even more lucrative options and how to measure the risk of your bonds based on the debt in which you are investing and the callability of any one bond issuer. You will be shown how to effectively balance your portfolio to include bonds without ignoring the necessity and place for other investments. For any investor who has been agonizing over how to safely invest money for a high return, this book is for you, guiding you through the complex, but rewarding, world of bond investments....

As more and more baby boomers prepare to retire and as people seem to be retiring at an earlier age, the importance of saving for retirement has become increasingly apparent. Many people find themselves worrying that they will not be able to maintain their current life style once they retire. However, the strategies provided in this book will help you turn your IRA into a wealth-building tool. The Complete Guide to IRAs and IRA Investing will show you how to take control of your investment future and make sure your investments are performing for you. You will learn about Roth IRAs, traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, and self-directed IRAs, and you will learn how to choose the right plan for you. You will learn about the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, rules regarding distribution, rollovers, transfers, conversions between accounts, valid adjustments, adjusted gross income, annual contribution limits, the advantages and disadvantages of the various IRAs, potential penalties, tax deductible contributions, myths and truths about IRA investing, and IRS guidelines. In addition, we will show you how to open an IRA; how to choose the right financial advisor for you; how to manage vital information and deadlines; how to set up your account with a custodian or IRA administrator to deal with the day-to-day activities, such as depositing contributions and executing and settling transactions; and how to use your IRA to invest in mutual funds and stocks. You will also read about the specific rules relating to life insurance, collectibles, foreign investments, and real estate and find the answers to common questions, such as How do rate returns affect my retirement income? When should I begin saving? What IRA am I eligible for? This new book will provide you with all the information you need to know about IRAs and IRA investing. The Complete Guide to IRAs and IRA Investing combines essentials, insight, and insider secrets to help you secure financial victory after retirement....

According to a recent study by the National Center for Education Statistics, an estimated 65 percent of recent college graduates are burdened by student loans. Although the average debt is $19,000, loans can exceed $50,000 and may be much higher for those who attend graduate school, law school, or medical school. Many students, faced with the task of repaying such a large amount of money, become overwhelmed merely thinking about it. But, using this new book, you can learn how to eliminate your student loans and be debt free. In this exhaustively researched book, you will learn everything you need to know about student loans, including grace periods, deferment, forbearance, interest rates, co-signors, exit counseling, prepayment, discharges, cancellation, default, and much more. You will create a repayment schedule; understand the various repayment options, such as graduated repayment, level repayment, income-sensitive repayment, extended repayment, serialization, and income-contingent repayment; and be able to choose the appropriate plan for your unique situation. Additionally, you will learn how to save money through consolidation, how to secure the best interest rate, how consolidating can improve your credit score, how to use lender incentive programs to save money, and how to lower interest rates. Whether you are a current student looking to get a jumpstart on repayment or you are a recent graduate trying to wade through the letters you are receiving from your lenders and consolidation companies, How to Wipe Out Your Student Loans and Be Debt Free will be an indispensable companion....