Harry N. Stout - The FinancialVerse: A Common Sense Approach For Your Money

Vertel Publishing

The FinancialVerse
Copyright 2019 by Harry N. Stout

All rights reserved
No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy,
recording, or otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without
prior permission of the author.

First Edition

Printed in the United States

ISBN-13: 978-1-64112-020-3
ISBN-10: 1-64112-020-7

The FinancialVerse has been written to present financial concepts, tax, and basic financial information and ideas in a condensed, simple-to-understand manner. This was done to educate the reader and allow the reader to obtain a general understanding of the key financial challenges and decisions they will face in their lifes journey.

The FinancialVerse, its author, or affiliated companies have not received any sponsorship or compensation from any of the organizations referenced in this book.

References to specific tax regulations, dollar limits, or regulatory restrictions were current as of the time of publication. As is the case in our fast-moving world, things change. The reader should make sure they have the most current information before they choose to take action on a particular idea presented in this book.

Before making any major financial decision or taking related financial actions, it is suggested that the reader consult a qualified financial professional who has been licensed to provide this information, needed service, or sell the requested financial products.

This informational publication is designed to provide general information on the subjects covered. Pursuant to Internal Revenue Circular 230, it is not, however, intended to provide specific legal or tax advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties or to promote, market, or recommend any tax plan or arrangement. Please note that The FinancialVerse, its affiliated companies, and their representatives and employees do not give legal or tax advice. As written in this book, the reader is encouraged to consult a tax adviser or attorney on these matters.

Thank you for purchasing The FinancialVerse and investing in your financial literacy.

The financial universeor the FinancialVerse, as I call itis made up of the knowledge, decisions, resources, risks, and tools an individual encounters in their lifes financial journey. I believe most people, regardless of background and level of education, do not fundamentally understand the financial universe such that they can successfully navigate the key financial decisions and risks they will face in life. Being armed with at least a basic knowledge of what they will encounter and how to go about making informed decisions will enable the traveler to reach a level of success well beyond what they thought possible. This book presents that knowledge and a framework to help the reader understand what a financial life looks like.

Given our rapidly changing world, the revolution impacting work, lengthening life spans, and todays major economic trends, navigating the FinancialVerse is more difficult than ever before. To be successful in whatever stage of the financial life you find yourself, you must have an understanding of what you are looking to achieve. As Stephen Covey states in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, you must begin with the end in mind. It is never too late to get started on improving your knowledge of and relationship with money. You can improve your journey and make it more successful with that success defined by you.

Do you understand how money works? Have you achieved financial security for yourself and your family? Have you reached a point where you pay bills without thinking of whether you have enough in your bank account to cover the ATM withdrawal, check, or electronic payment? Do you have an up-to-date personal cash budget? Do you have the requisite insurance coverage in place to protect your family and property? Are financial issues not a daily part of your family discussions? Do you have enough savings to live the life you want in your older age? Do you have someone you can talk to about your money concerns? If the answer to most of these questions is no, you are failing in what I call the FinancialVersejust like the majority of Americans.

Its time to become better aware of where you are in your lifes financial journey and where you are headed. You should not fear this journey. Its all about common sense. You can make it work, but you must have a basic understanding and awareness of where you are and where you are headed.

I am here to help you by providing thoughts and ideas on how to find the financial security you desire. What is the financial story of your life? What chapter are you on? Just beginning? Are you halfway through? Creating the last chapters? If you could, would you like a chance to rewrite how your story has unfolded to date? Would you like to change the plotline? Or would you like to read ahead to see how the journey ends?

I can help you make your unwritten or unfinished story a more successful and less stressful journey. In my view, the most important financial goal for most people is to find their way to financial security. I am not talking about becoming a multimillionaire or better. I am not talking about the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) approach to your financial life, although I admire a lot of what the FIRE movement espouses. I am talking about living a relatively stress- and anxiety-free financial life. I am talking about knowing the key money decisions you will need to make and where to go to get help making them. I am talking about having the financial resources to draw on when they are needed. I can help get you there.

I was driven to write The FinancialVerse for several key reasons. The first is to provide a much-needed, big-picture financial overview of what a financial life should look like for the average person. I will do this using easily understood concepts and language. The second is to help people who live in what I call the without world to better understand what their financial lives should look like and what actions they can take to improve their lifelong financial journeys. Lastly, I want to give people guidance on why they should begin lifelong financial learning that will pay benefits many times over during their lifetimes. I dont believe we adequately prepare people for the financial decisions they will face in life. This book will help significantly with what you need to know regardless of where you are in your journey.

To help you, I am drawing on over thirty years experience in the global financial services industry. I will offer you simple, proven ideas and practical advice to improve your financial life. I will make it worthwhile for you to read this book. It will help you reduce the anxiety and stress that financial matters can cause.

Despite a booming economy, record corporate profits, a healthy stock market, fifty-year low levels of unemployment, and improving wages, most people are struggling financially. They are one missed paycheck away from financial oblivion. The Center for Financial Services Innovation reported on November 1, 2018, in its inaugural