Includes index.

Machine generated contents note: Acknowledgments. -- Chapter 1 Introduction. -- Who I Am. -- Chapter 2 Checking the Map. -- Santa Claus Isn't Coming to Town. -- Where Are You Trying to Go? -- Where Are You Now? -- How Much Do You Need To Save? -- How Can You Move the Numbers In Your Favor? -- Conclusion. -- Chapter 3 How Not To Invest. -- Putting Too Much Faith in Stocks. -- Putting Too Much Faith in Phony Diversification. -- Taking Too Much Risk. -- Thinking Your Mutual Funds Were Managing Your Risks. -- Chasing Performance. -- Trying to Pick the "Right" Stocks? -- Owning Shares in Your Employer. -- Keeping All Your Money in Bonds. -- Keeping All Your Money in the Bank. -- Hoarding Gold -- Investing Too Much in Real Estate -- Conclusion. -- Chapter 4 Stormproof Your Portfolio. -- Smart Funds. -- Asset Allocation Funds. -- Absolute Return Funds. -- Mavericks. -- How to Use Smart Funds. -- Inflation-Protected Government Bonds. -- Global Index Fund. -- Covered Call Funds. -- Precious Metals. -- Taxable Bond Funds. -- Municipals. -- Closed-End Funds. -- Seize the Opportunity. -- Invest Little and Often. -- Conclusion. -- Chapter 5 How to Save More. -- The New Rules of Saving. -- Ideas for Saving Money. -- Adding It All Up. -- Conclusion. -- Chapter 6 Cover Your Assets. -- Shelter Your Assets. -- Make the Most of your 401(k). -- Make the Most of Your IRA. -- Life Insurance and Variable Annuities. -- Self-Employed Shelters. -- Shelters and College Savings. -- Falling Shares: Another Shelter. -- How Not To Lose Everything. -- Conclusion. -- Chapter 7 Next Steps. -- Retirement Planning. -- Investing. -- Saving. -- Cover Your Assets. -- Finally: Staying On Track -- Appendix A Investment Spotlight. -- Appendix B For Advanced Players Only: Using Options for Financial Insurance. -- Index.

"Accessible financial guidance for turbulent economic timesWith the stock market in a tailspin, real estate market continuing to drop, and the economy in recession, it's important to understand how you can get through these difficult times. Whether you're twenty-six or sixty-two, you still need to live and provide for your future. That's why you need Survive the Slump. As the personal finance columnist for the Wall Street Journal Online, author Brett Arends has become an authority for individuals who need to know how to best position themselves and their money. Now, with his new book, Arends has crafted a financial plan that anyone can put to work immediately. From protecting what you have to rebuilding what you've lost, Survive the Slump provides just the guidance needed.Outlines effective strategies for spending smarter, saving more, and making sure that your money grows reasonablyContains straightforward advice that highlights immediate savings opportunitiesProvides a timely financial action plan from a trusted Wall Street Journal columnistWritten with every investor in mind, Survive the Slump will help you make smarter investment decisions and put you in a better position to survive and thrive under any economic condition"--Provided by publisher.