Ready to get your “financial act” together? Refine your investment strategy? Plan for retirement? Whatever reason you have, First Independent’s Financial Tools are ready when you are.

Each book in our Tools Section links directly to our partner, Powells Books, the local bookseller.  When you access Powells Books through the First Independent web site, we will donate 7.5% of your total purchase to reading and education programs for children in the communities we serve.

The Basics

Seven Stages of Money Maturity  by George Kinder – Understanding the spirit and value of money in your life.

Smart & Simple Financial Strategies for Busy People , Jane Bryant Quinn
Smart, simple to read and understand, with ideas you can start implementing today!

Personal Financial Planning,  Seventh Edition, G. Victor Hallman & Jerry S. Rosenbloom
The primer on financial planning. Looks like a textbook, reads like a textbook, but contains great information for individuals and professionals.

The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom , Suze Orman
Advice on finances and life from the PBS financial expert.

Your Money or Your Life: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence , by Joe Dominguez & Vicki Robin
A roadmap to personal fulfillment and financial independence.

Wealth – Grow it. Protect it. Spend it. Share it . – Stuart E Lucas
An excellent resource with sage advice for individuals and families of significant wealth.

Your Credit Score, by Liz Pulliam Weston
Understand what your score is and why it is important to your financial future.

Identity Theft: It Can Happen to You (pdf) , article by Stacey Graham, First Independent
Identity theft, what it is, prevention tips, and what to do if it happens to you.

To view pdf files, download Adobe Reader 

Kids

The Financially Intelligent Parent by Eileen Gallo, PhD and Jon Gallo, J.D. – 8 Steps to raising successful, generous, responsible children.

The Everything Kids’ Money Book,  Diane Mayr
From Saving to spending to investing, learn all about money.

Retirement

The Wall Street Journal Guide to Planning Your Financial Future  – The Easy-To-Read Guide To Planning for Retirement, Kenneth M. Morris & Virginia B. Morris

The New Rules of Retirement: Strategies for a Secure Future , Robert C. Carlson
So far this has been my favorite retirement book. It offers practical information about a number of important issues. It is best suited to those nearing or in retirement as much of the information is not relevant for younger people.

Yes, You Can Still Retire Comfortably , Ben Stein and Phil DeMuth
"I liked this book because it discussed how much income could be safely withdrawn from investments without running out of money before you die. This will be of increasing concern for those who retire with no employer pension. Books are just starting to address this issue."

Investing

Investing Basics , Marc Robinson
Make smart decisions without being an expert.

The Only Investment Guide You’ll Ever Need: How to Manage your Money in Today’s Economy , Andrew Tobias
"This is a very readable very basic investment book that covers a lot of ground. Originally written in 1978 it seems to be extremely popular as an updated version comes out every few years."

The Four Pillars of Investing: Lessons for Building a Winning Portfolio , William J. Bernstein
"I enjoyed reading this book and periodically reread parts of it."

The Millionaire Next Door , Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko
Seven rules for building wealth based on interviews with those who are millionaires, starting with “live below your means.”
Recommended by: Monte, Business Banking Estate Planning.

J.K. Lasser’s New Rules for Estate and Tax Planning , Harold Apolinsky and Stewart Welch III

Baby Boomer’s Guide to Estate & Medicaid Planning , Jon A. Iverson, JD

Wills & Estate Planning: Oregon Handbook , Rees C. Johnson

Radio

860 AM - KPAM

The Clark Howard Show
9-12 am Monday-Friday
Consumer and Investment Information

Clark Howard Encore
3-7 pm Saturday-Sunday
Repeats from the daily shows

Forbes on Radio
7-10 pm Saturday

1410 AM – KBNP

Ray on the Money (Ray Lucia)
9-12 am Monday-Friday
Investment Information

750 AM - KXL

Money Talk with Bob Brinker
9-12 midnight Saturday and Sunday
Investment and Economic Information.

Magazines

Money – Chockfull of tips and hints on investing, retirement, good deals, reducing debt, saving money, best places to live, work, cars and more.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/

Consumer Reports – ratings and recommendations on thousands of products and services.
http://www.consumerreports.org

Links

www.fdic.gov
First Independent is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and many types of deposits we accept are insured. This link takes you to the FDIC website and specifically to two downloadable/printable brochures that answer your questions about insured deposits: Your Insured Deposits and Insuring Your Deposits.

www.turbotax.com
Tax calculating made easier

www.annualcreditreport.com or call 877-322-8228.
Get a free copy of your credit report every year.

www.savingforcollege.com
This is considered the definitive site for information about College Savings Plans.

www.clarkhoward.com
This site is good for consumer information. Clark’s focus is to provide information to help people avoid getting “ripped off” and/or being victims of fraud.

www.morningstar.com
This is considered the definitive site for information about mutual funds.