Financial Fitness

After accomplishing her own successful weight loss journey, financial planner Shannon McLay realized that while there are a number of resources available to people who want to become physically fit, there are far fewer for those looking to become financially fit. Many personal finance books tend to put the cart before the horse when it comes to financial planning, prompting McLay to ask, “How can you discuss retirement or investment options, when you don’t have any money to begin with?" Most people don’t even know what financial fitness looks like, let alone how to achieve it. We can measure and weigh ourselves to quantify physical health, but how do we evaluate our financial health? McLay, an advisor who works with individuals everyday on their financial health, has created an innovative quiz to help you learn whether you’re “financially skinny,” financially fat,” or “financially fit.” From there, she provides exercises and advice to help you achieve, or sustain, a financially fit lifestyle. As with physical health and fitness, financial fitness is a goal that anyone can achieve. The journey is very similar: you need a plan and the right tools to accomplish your goals. This book will give you the resources you need along your journey to financial fitness, all you have to do is follow it just like any other training.

"You're never too young to learn the principles of success, and nowhere is that more true than in the category of finances" -- page 4 of cover.

This publication contains the student activities for Steps to Financial Fitness.

52 Weeks to Financial Fitness is your personal financial trainer -- a friendly and authoritative expert that will guide you week by week to manage your finances and make your money grow. In the current frenzied market it's hard to know whom to turn to for solid advice. Into this void steps the calm presence of Marshall Loeb, personal finance pioneer and former editor of two of the most successful magazines in history, Fortune and Money. Personal finance and investments are a lot like doing exercise. Few of us are happy with our finances or our physiques. For many people, just getting started on a fitness program is the hardest part. But once you begin, you marvel at how easy it is and wonder how you ever did without it. Marshall Loeb's program for financial fitness, like any good exercise program, starts simply and moves gradually to heavier lifting, boosting your confidence as you move forward. Not only will you learn how to budget your accounts and get your insurance in order, but you'll also have a strong enough background to choose the investments that are right for you (stocks, bonds, or mutual funds) and the know-how to pick a financial planner and get the most out of his or her services. No matter what kind of financial shape you're in, Marshall -- week by week -- carefully brings you to the next level. 52 Weeks to Financial Fitness tells you everything you need to know to become financially fit. With its comprehensive coverage and ease of use, the book will serve as your practical financial guide. Some examples: * Week 2: Ten ways to boost your savings. * Week 7: Design a realistic family budget with Marshall's three-stage method. * Week 11: Thirteen ways to cut your taxes this year. * Weeks 18 and 19: Get your debt under control and design a sensible borrowing plan. * Week 22: Start investing profitably in stocks. * Week 23: Look into investing in bonds. * Week 33: Cut the cost of your car insurance without cutting your coverage. * Week 46: Calculate and save what you will need to retire comfortably and without worry.

William "Chip" Corley began his career as a stockbroker after graduating college, flat broke. Growing up in a middle class family in Clarksville, Tennessee, one thing was clear to him early on: he wanted to be successful and earn a lot of money. Upon becoming a stockbroker, Chip had no contacts, no money, and no experience. What he did have was a burning desire to succeed. While the investment industry offers tremendous financial opportunities for the ambitious and driven, it is also a roller coaster ride of uncertainty, full of highs and lows, and pressure to produce. Being a stockbroker and recommending investments to others is considered one of the most stressful ways to earn a living. The failure rate is 90%. To make it required long hours on the job, endless phone calls, research, and high-volume sales quotas. Chip rose to the challenge, which proved to be a great fit for his relentless work ethic. His early achievements and potential landed him a job on Wall Street in New York City. It was there he rose to the next level in his career. For 20 years, Chip continued to push.By 2004, the toil of it all caught up with him. Chip was diagnosed with hypertension and given a lifelong prescription for medication to control it. It was at that moment Chip understood that it was time to implement changes. He began to make health a top priority. In the decade to follow, Chip transformed himself from a middle-aged workaholic to a top-caliber endurance athlete. By learning to eat properly, incorporating yoga into his routine, exercising regularly, and utilizing mentors and coaches, his health flourished. Fitness became the passion that led him to the next chapter of his life.In 2005, he ran his first 5k with his 11-year old son, Chipper. From there he continued his athletic pursuits by running a 10k, half and full marathons; 70.3 and 140.6 Ironman triathlons; 50k, 50 mile, 100k, and 100 mile ultramarathons; and ultimately Badwater 135, considered the world's toughest footrace. Financial Fitness chronicles Chip's journey in the world of investing and business to his path fueled by fitness and health, and offers tons of tips en route to inspire others to find their own financial and physical well being.

This book explores the interplay between financial markets, economic systems, and society. Through introducing the concept of autopoiesis, based on the newly conceived Autopoietic Market Hypothesis, ideas of evolution are applied to financial markets to highlights the ways in which economic systems change as they are subject to social selection. By placing this perspective on financial markets, economic development and flows are seen as part of a living system that is influenced by social and political trends. Ideas of integral utility, the logical model of autopoietic financial markets, economic fitness, and the mutation of economic markets are also discussed. This book presents a new and distinctive perspective on financial markets and economic systems. It will be of interest to students, researchers, and policymakers working within financial economics.