If in late 2007 you were told that over the next twelve months housing would crater to 20% below it's all-time peak, unemployment would rise from below 5% to nearly 8%, stocks would fall nearly 50%, and a gallon of gas would spike to more than $4 (and then drop below $2) you would probably have shrugged it off as just a whole lot of doomsday-scenario crankiness. But that's exactly what we all had to live through and continue to grapple with in 2009.
The lesson is that the unexpected can happen. In fact, sometimes a whole lot of unexpected happens all at once (see: 2008). No one can control external events, but you do have absolute control over the most powerful tool: your will to make the smart and right choices that will insure your financial security, no matter what happens. As I have said for years: Hope for the best, plan for the worst. If you plan for life's “what if's” there's no need to panic when the news turns bad. An emergency cash fund is your security when a recession causes rising unemployment. A long-term investment strategy that employs a mix of stocks and bonds makes it easier to get through scary bear markets; living within your means, rather than running up credit card and HELOC debt leaves you better able to weather financial storms.
My 2009 Action Plan is designed to make sure you are ready for the unexpected—this year and every year forward. I most certainly hope things get better for us all, but in the meantime I want to make sure you have a plan in place that will protect you no matter what “what ifs” lay ahead. MORE
Price: $9.99
Books--> 50% off | 60% off | 70% off | 80% off | 90% off
