Garrett - Investing in an Uncertain Economy For Dummies

Investing in an Uncertain Economy For Dummies

by Sheryl Garrett and Garrett Planning Network

Investing in an Uncertain Economy For Dummies

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Copyright 2008 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2008935819

ISBN: 978-0-470-40116-3

Manufactured in the United States of America

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About the Author

Sheryl Garrett , CFP, founder of The Garrett Planning Network, Inc., has been dubbed The All-American Planner, possibly because of her zealous mission to help make competent, objective financial advice accessible to all people. Sheryls fresh approach as a financial advisor working with clients on an hourly, as-needed, fee-only basis has evolved into an international network of like-minded financial advisors, the Garrett Planning Network.
This book is a collaborative effort brought to you by more than 70 professional financial advisors who are members of the Garrett Planning Network (www.garrettplanningnetwork.com).

Sheryl has also been honored to work with the House Subcommittee on Financial Services regarding predatory lending regulation, financial literacy, and Social Security reform. She also works as a consultant and expert witness in lawsuits against financial advisors who rendered questionable or inappropriate financial advice.

She has authored, coauthored, or served as a technical editor on more than a dozen books and several magazine columns. These books include Garretts Guide to Financial Planning (National Underwriter), Just Give Me the Answer$ (Dearborn Trade), Money Without Matrimony (Dearborn Trade), Personal Finance Workbook For Dummies (Wiley), and A Familys Guide to the Military For Dummies (Wiley).

As a vocal advocate for financial education, Sheryl has frequently been interviewed on CNNfn, Bloomberg, ABC World News Now, and Fox-TV; NPRs All Things Considered and Marketplace ; and in Business Week, Newsweek, Time, Forbes, Kiplinger Personal Finance, Money, Smart Money, MarketWatch, U.S. News & World Report, Glamour, Parade, Better Homes and Gardens, the New York Times, USA Today , and the Wall Street Journal . For four years straight, Sheryl was recognized by Investment Advisor magazine as One of the Top 25 Most Influential People in Financial Planning. The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) honored Garrett with the prestigious Robert J. Underwood Distinguished Service Award for her contributions to the development of the financial planning profession.

Dedication

On behalf of the members of the Garrett Planning Network, I dedicate this book to you, the reader. Our goal is to help answer your questions and empower you to make smarter financial decisions so that your most cherished life goals become reality.

Authors Acknowledgments

The passion and devotion of my colleagues in the Garrett Planning Network made this book possible. We all share the mission to help make competent, objective financial advice accessible to all people. This book is an extension of that mission.

Thank you to Jeff Alderfer, David Anderson, Diane Blackwelder, Kevin Brosious, Barbara Camaglia, Kay Conheady, Peggy and Chad Creveling, Helga Cuthbert, Debbra Dillon, Paul Dolce, Jake Engle, Christine Falvello, Cynthia Freedman, Eileen Freiburger, Robert Friedland, Deidra Fulton, Gwen Gepfert, Garry Good, Angela Grillo, Kathy Hankard, Katherine Holden, Will Humphrey, Ben Jennings, Kim Jones, Jean Keener, Derek Kennedy, Michael Knight, Cheryl Krueger, Derek Lenington, Charles Levin, Jennifer Luzzatto, Roland Mariano, Warren McIntyre, Herb Montgomery, Thomas Nowak, Robert Oliver, Kevin O'Reilly, Michael Oswalt, Abigail Pons, Dylan Ross, Brooke Salvini, Martha Schilling, Corry Sheffler, Brian R. Smith, Bruce Sneed, Janice Swenor, James Taylor, Denisa Tova, Gigi Turbow Marx, Neil Vannoy, John Vyge, Liane Warcup, and Richard Weimert. Without your insight and contributions, this book would not have been possible.

My collaborative and support team, including Shawnda Hubbard, Jamie Breeden, Thomas Arconti, John Belluardo, Rick DeChaineau, William Keffer, Buz Livingston, David McPherson, Kevin Sale, Louise Schroeder, and Michael Terry, were indispensible. Thank you all for your endless energy and steadfast devotion to this project.

Id be remiss not to acknowledge the army of folks involved in this project at Wiley Publishing. Thank you for taking on this challenge and for having faith that we could deliver.