The Bluffer's Guide to Personal Finance
By Anne Gordon
 
Extracts from the book

 
Small print
In the world of personal finance, ordinary words are used as a bluff, to make you think you understand. But look more carefully. They have new meanings: 'spread' isn't straight from the fridge and 'pups' are not small dogs. Others signal the opposite of what you'd expect: 'GUARANTEED' in big letters warns you to look carefully at the small print; 'interest' is usually dull, and 'trusts' invariably suspect.
 
Striptease
Some financial products resemble striptease clubs. The charges seem low on the doorstep, but once inside you are snared by unexpected costs. It may even be expensive and difficult to leave - many products have exit charges, while others are front-end loaded.
 
Borrowing
Loans are like affairs. Some are brief, but useful in tiding you over a difficult period. Others are endless and drain all your resources. The secret is to know one from the other, before you get involved.
 
Gambling with life
An annuity is a gamble on your own life, like Russian roulette. You give a lump sum to an insurance company, and they pay you a sum every month for the rest of your life. If you survive longer than expected, your winnings are effectively paid by those who passed away early. It's a grisly subsidy, but it works.
 
Reviews

 
Invaluable tips...excellent stocking filler.
The Daily Mail
 
Bluffer's Guides are a quick read and chock full of the basic information on any subject that's needed to pass yourself off as knowledgeable.
Toronto Globe & Mail
 
Table of Contents
 

Financial Institutions
Banks
Life Insurance Companies
Friendly Societies
Building Societies
National Savings
Offshore

Borrowing
Overdrafts
Personal Loans
Mortgages
Credit Cards

Protecting
Self Protection
Possessions Protection
Income Protection
Debt Protection

Saving
Current Accounts
Deposit Accounts
Endowments
Life Annuities
Shares
Unit Trusts
Investment Trusts
Open Ended Investment Companies
Individual Savings Accounts
TESSAs
PEPs
Bonds

The Pensions Palace
State Pensions
Occupational Pensions
Personal Pensions
Stakeholder Pensions
Retirement

Choosing Financial Advisers
Spotting a Good Agent
Best Advice
Fact Finds

How to DIY Buy
The Wrong Way
The Right Way

Charges
Cashbacks

Glossary

 
Author: Anne Gordon
Format: 64 pages, pb
Published: 01/03/99
Updated: May 2000
Price: £3.99
ISBN-10 & ISBN-13: 1-902825-55-1
   
About the author
Read the extracts
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Table of contents
   
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