Includes index.

Introduction -- Chapter 1. How loans work ; A brief history of debt -- Terms & conditions -- Amoritization -- Different types of debt -- Predatory lending -- Chapter 2. The right way to borrow money ; Borrowing versus debt -- Credit building comes first -- Assets versus expenses -- Making money on the deal -- Building a business -- Chapter 3. Student loans ; Minimize your college costs -- Filling out the FAFSA -- How student loans work -- Going deeper on federal loans -- Making the payments -- Consolidating and refinancing -- Chapter 4. Credit cards ; How credit cards work -- Different types of cards -- The costs of credit cards -- Use your credit card effectively -- Balance transfers -- Getting out of credit card debt -- Chapter 5. Mortgages ; Right-size your mortgage -- Save up for a substantial down payment -- Fixed versus ARM -- Thirty year versus fifteen year -- Find the best lender -- Refinancing and prepayments -- Chapter 6. Other types of debt ; Car loans -- HEL/HELOCS -- Personal loans -- Payday loans -- Medical debt -- Business loans -- Chapter 7. Paying off debt ; Prioritize your debt -- Effective paydown plans -- Get the right help -- Dealing with collections -- Understand bankruptcy -- Chapter 8. Living debt-free (doesn't mean no borrowing) ; Wealth building -- Faster retirement savings -- Maintain an excellent credit score -- Rewards cards/credit card advantages -- Investing (in properties, etc.) but not gambling (margin accounts) -- Chapter 9. The other side of debt/be the bank ; Investing in debt -- Buy bonds -- Mortgage reits -- Peer-to-peer lending -- Hard money lending (trust deed investing).