Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................1 PART ONE: THE DEBT MATRIX 1 The Big Banks: An Overview.............................................11 2 Jack and Ellen: The First Meeting.....................................15 3 Financial Education.............................................................25 4 Jack and Ellen: Clarity.........................................................35 5 The "Rule of 72"and the Big Banks.................................45 6 The Truth About Automatic Savings Plans........................................... 48 7 The Truth About CDs.........................................................55 8 Fractional Reserve Banking................................................59 9 Too Big to Fail, Again?........................................................67 10 Plastic Banking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 11 The Truth About Your Credit Score..................................85 12 The Moral Deficit of the Federal Reserve.........................93 13 When Was Gasoline 99 Cents Per Gallon?......................99 14 Washington Busted........................................................... 105 15 Social Security on the Cutting Board............................. 113 PART TWO: BANKS NO MORE 16 Credit Unions: Own Your Bank..................................... 123 17 Financial Advisors.............................................................. 133 18 Saving Short, Mid, and Long-Term . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 19 Ten Step Plan for Financial Security............................... 145 20 Jack and Ellen: Peace of Mind......................................... 153 21 In Conclusion..................................................................... 165