How many self-styled ``financial planners''--formerly bankers, stockbrokers, and insurance agents--actually have your best interests at heart? This text argues that the person truly suited to taking command of your financial affairs is you--because you are the only one you can really trust. And it shows you how to do it, effectively and systemtically within a day-by-day program of self-instruction. Using worksheets, case-studies and numerous examples, the book shows how to create a financial plan, establish goals for saving, develop a lifetime strategy to build wealth, lower your taxes, reduce insurance costs, maximize investment returns, and plan your estate. In addition, a final section takes you through a step-by-step inventory of your assets and helps you maintain a schedule for charting your progress.