Financial Mastery for the Career Teacher

Gene Siciliano, CMC, CPA, is a financial management consultant. His business is helping companies to manage their businesses more profitably. His tools of the trade include management advisory services, business planning and modeling, financial department effectiveness audits, board service, management coaching, and a series of training and workshop programs, largely focused on finance and accounting for predominantly nonfinancial clients. A longtime member of the National Speakers Association and an avid communicator, Mr. Siciliano speaks to corporate and association audiences nationwide on financial and management topics. His articles on financial management, business planning and cost control have been published internationally. He also publishes both print and electronic newsletters on financial management topics, as well as a blog. Following graduation from Penn State University's Smeal College with a business degree in accounting, Mr. Siciliano spent several years on active duty as a Naval Reserve officer. He carries the permanent rank of Commander, U.S. Navy - Retired. Returning to civilian life, he joined Alexander Grant & Company (now Grant Thornton), a large public accounting firm. Following nearly eight years as a practicing CPA he entered the corporate world, eventually holding senior financial management positions with Computer Sciences Corporation, Epson America, and several smaller companies. In 1986 he founded Western Management Associates, the consulting business that he owns and operates today. In his practice he often serves as the part-time chief financial officer for client companies, and from that grew the trademark of his business, "Your CFO for Rent. (R)" When not in the office, Mr. Siciliano has served a number of nonprofit organizations - both professional and charitable - as president, board member and treasurer, and he is most often drawn to organizations that help children. In addition to occasional gourmet cooking he enjoys tennis and the theatre in his spare time, both available in abundance near his home in Redondo Beach, California. He can be reached at 310-645-1091 or gene@CFOforRent.com, or by visiting his websites at www.CFOforRent.com or www.GeneSiciliano.com.

Acknowledgments About the Author 1. Why This Book Was Written and Why You Should Read It 2. Your Personal Business Plan: The Master Road Map Setting Goals Creating Your Family Budget 3. Managing Your Paycheck: The Source Setting Up Your Payroll Deductions Spending Less Than You Earn: Ideas for Stretching Your Dollars! What to Do With That Annual Bonus 4. Family Finances: Taking Care of the Family's Wish List College Financial Planning Life Insurance for the Kids? Vacation Financing 5. Managing Debt: When You Have Too Much of a Good Thing Debt Can Stress Your Marriage to the Breaking Point Credit Cards: Huge Differences Exist Just Beneath the Surface Getting Help Before It's Too Late: Debt Counseling Services 6. Insurance: Just in Case Life Insurance Health Insurance: Staying Healthy Disability Insurance: In Case Something Breaks Long-Term Care Insurance: For the Later Years 7. Savings Accounts for Your Cash The Value of Saving Early: The Power of Compound Interest How Much Cash Can You Save? The Rainy-Day Fund Savings Accounts Money Market Funds Certificates of Deposit 8. Buying a Home: Realizing the American Dream How Much Home Can You Afford? First Mortgage, Second Mortgage, Equity Credit Lines: The Language of Real Estate Finance Balloon Payments: A Funny Name for a Not-So-Funny Event The Home Equity Line of Credit Structuring Your Payments: Taxes, Insurance, and Impounds Refinancing for Cash-Out, for Lower Rates, for Better Terms Teaser Rates, Interest Only, Negative Amortization, and Other Financial Land Mines Final Thoughts on Home Ownership 9. The Stock Market: All About Bulls and Bears Risk Tolerance: Where You Are in Your Life and How Securities Fit Into It How Much Pain Will You Accept Along the Way? Investing Strategies Overview Types of Companies You Might Choose to Invest In 10. Other Ways to Own Companies (Besides Starting Your Own) Other Equity Choices Bonds: The Safety of Fixed Income Buy, Sell, or Hold? How to Decide When and How Much Your Personal Investment Policy 11. Buying Investment Real Estate Your Home Comes First So Many Choices, So Little Time The Nature of the Investment and the Returns You Might Expect The Power of Leverage Shared Investment Methods Your Tax Dollars at Work If You Want to Know More 12. Taxes and Tax Planning: Keeping All You Legally Can Income Taxes: Federal, State, Local Tax Planning Strategies Property Tax: Real and Personal Filing Tax Returns: Don't Do It Yourself! Getting Help: A CPA or Tax Preparer Tips for Avoiding an IRS Audit 13. Technology That Can Help You Personal Bookkeeping Software Online Banking Protecting Yourself From Identity Theft 14. Retirement Planning: So You Can Live Well for 100 Years A Checklist for Those in Midcareer Assessing Your Postretirement Needs The Home Mortgage Monkey When to Sign Up for Social Security Getting Help: The Financial Planner 15. Wills and Trusts Your Will: Your Last Opportunity to Have It Your Way Trusts: Making Decisions Now That Provide Long-Term Benefits 16. Final Thoughts Index

"I wish I'd had this book when I began my teaching career many years ago. It is written in a practical, easy-to-understand format with multiple examples and recommendations. This book should be given to every new teacher as soon as they sign their teaching contract. While it is written specifically for teachers, I think everyone could benefit from the author's knowledge." -- Cathy D. Hicks, Induction Program Director "Siciliano's gem of a book is crammed with sage financial advice on topics as far-ranging as budgets and financial goal setting, estate planning, and tips on playing the stock market. Siciliano really knows his stuff, and he writes with such calm, good-natured authority on the full range of financial topics, in a style that is so relaxed and easy going, that you can't help but feel that you are getting top-notch financial advice from a favorite uncle. He reminds us that we need to approach financial planning the way we approach teaching: clear-eyed, armed with facts, and with our eyes on the prize." -- Janet Carroll, District Principal of Human Resources