The “perfect storm” of global economic disaster is now hitting every area of personal finance. Retirement accounts, retiree nest eggs, home prices, and just about everything else of value are being swept away in the chaos. You can either passively try to wait out the storm or take immediate action to protect yourself, your family, and your future. In Safe Money in Tough Times, Jonathan Pond explains how to stay afloat while the economy sinks. Employing the practical, commonsense knowledge and wisdom that has made him one of America’s most popular personal finance experts, Pond helps you both weather the storm and position yourself to profit when the economy inevitably rebounds. He tackles every area of your financial life that is or will soon be affected by the Great Recession, from investing defensively and selecting the safest investments to strategies for paying insurance and tuition bills when times are tough. You’ll find easy and practical tactics for Managing debt Reducing expenses Coping with unemployment Minimizing complications if your financial institution fails Protecting your retirement savings Making informed decisions about your home and mortgage Improving your credit standing Preparing for fi nancial emergencies Although he acknowledges the gravity of our economic situation, Pond takes you past the pessimism of today’s media commentators and presents the crisis as a means for educating yourself, changing bad habits, and eventually enjoying unexpected profits. With Safe Money in Tough Times you have what you need to bypass the so-called experts and develop your own financial strategy with confidence. Complete with checklists and worksheets, this prescient guide provides everything you need to take control of your investments, beat the recession, and develop an all-weather financial and investment plan that will last a lifetime.