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THE PURPOSE OF SOLDIER OF FINANCE

You don't have to be a soldier to benefit from Soldier of Finance. I share my military experience primarily because the principles I learned for surviving combat and winning against an enemy on the battlefield are the same principles I needed to survive financial prob lems, enabling me to engineer a winning strategy for building stable and enduring wealth.

Most people I meet, especially those who come to me for financial counsel, struggle with finances. They exist in a kind of war zone where debt is the enemy and wealth is the goal. But they have a tough time getting a handle on their own money and they worry over their future security. Most are losing a battle they don't even consciously realize they are in. I have found that there are two basic problems common to the majority of those I talk with:

1. Lack of information

2. Lack of initiative

By approaching my own finances with the mindset I learned in the military, I found the resources and the attitude that I needed to get myself out of debt and begin a successful program of investment. Even if you've never been in the military, you will find within the pages of this book the information needed to build financial security and growth.

If you find yourself asking, as I did my first day at Reception, "What the hell am I doing here?" the answer is simple. You are training yourself to win. You are gaining the essential knowledge and discipline to be a Soldier of Finance.

This manual is organized in modular format so that you can easily identify the areas of greatest benefit to you. I recommend that you read the entire book first, in order to find the areas where you need the most help. Then use it as a reference guide for future planning. You'll find that each section deals with an essential part of your financial success.

The two chapters of Part One tell something of my own story, providing encouragement to those who believe they have no hope because they've made mistakes. I made plenty too, and I've done pretty well.

Part Two addresses the Initial Training Phase of becoming a Soldier of Finance, covering the basics of getting your financial life under control. If you are already in a mess, the goal is to stop the bleeding. You can achieve this by exploring the basics of credit: how to find your credit score, check your credit record, and learn what can be done to fix bad credit. Demonstrating how to set realistic goals and prioritize objectives, Part Two explores methods to keep yourself on track and discover ways to convert your debt into a positive cash flow.

Part Three is the Campaign Phase, designed to familiarize you with the tools available for turning your resources into long-term wealth. It covers the basics of budgeting and explains a variety of investment vehicles.

Part Four, the Consolidation Phase, discusses the last stages of accomplishing your mission, including real estate investing and the types of insurance you need to protect yourself from the unexpected.

Each chapter contains a Go/No Go test. These evaluations are designed to help you gauge your progress. Take the time to fill out each one as you come to it. It will help you identify areas that need work and give you the information you need to prepare your strategy.

The battle is not as difficult as you might think, provided you have the right information and training. In spite of recent economic troubles, opportunity is everywhere. The problem is fear of the unknown. Few people know what to expect from the enemy or what weapons are at their disposal; for lack of knowledge, they struggle and suffer. Unsure of what to do, they either do nothing or make decisions that create more problems than they solve.

As I write this, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that Americans are battling more than $2.9 trillion in consumer debt, unemployment is at record highs, millions of dollars have been lost from 401(k) accounts, and more than half of all Americans have no money saved for retirement. Absolutely none.

The solution? Prepare for the battle. Basic was not easy and there were times I questioned whether or not I could make it, but when I found myself in combat, I knew what to do and how to do it because I was well prepared. The key to success is action based on knowledge.

This is your Soldier of Finance Handbook. It covers the basics you must understand in order to evaluate the enemy, set up your plan of attack, and not only survive financial difficulties, but conquer them efficiently and effectively. No matter where you are now or how hopeless your finances might seem, you are about to turn things around. Welcome to Basic.