Outline of financial planning

The following outline is provided as a topical overview of financial planning:

Financial planning is the long-term process of managing your finances so you can achieve your goals and dreams, while at the same time negotiating the financial barriers that inevitably arise in every stage of life.

A financial plan covers day-to-day finances, insurance, education, taxes, estate planning, investments, and retirement planning. Each of these topics is described in detail below. (Investing is covered elsewhere, such as Getting started.)

Financial planning overview

 * Financial planning
 * Life-cycle finance

Basics

 * Living below your means
 * Household budgeting
 * Net worth
 * Record retention
 * Emergency fund
 * Roth IRA as an emergency fund

Credit and debt

 * Credit cards
 * Credit score
 * Paying down loans versus investing

Estate planning

 * Estate planning
 * Estate and inheritance tax
 * Probate
 * Asset protection

Insurance

 * Insurance
 * Life insurance
 * Disability insurance
 * Homeowner's insurance
 * Flexible spending arrangement
 * Health savings account
 * High deductible health plan
 * Long-term care insurance
 * Medicare

Special situations

 * Managing a windfall
 * Military finances

Professionals

 * Financial planner
 * Investment adviser
 * Broker