Are you like me? I don't want things any more complicated than they need to be. Keep it simple. That's the way. Simple saves time, energy, and frustration.

Well, the approach this book uses is not designed to complicate the issue. The objective is to tell a story that rings true with you about yourself, or about somebody you know who may be making mistakes with their money - with investments, or with other important money issues. This book offers advice on everyday situations, from planning to reduce the money the government gets when we die, to controlling the use of credit cards, mortgages, home equity loans, or any other type of borrowing people do. It looks at how you will take care of your mom or dad when they get older, how you might pay for your children's college education, and several other personal situations that may hit home. We'll also take a look at some small business owners and how best to deal with some of the issues facing them.

Please don't expect to get the answers to all of your financial questions; that isn't going to happen here. But you will get answers to some questions, and the stories in this book may make you think about what you are doing in your financial life. You may find you're just drifting along, not paying proper attention to your investments or to the people you expect to do that for you.

I had a friend who took his family away for a one-week vacation to Disney World. He planned it very well. It was important that everything be done just the right way. He wanted to buy the airline tickets, the hotel, and the passes for unlimited access to the park well in advance. He spent three weeks planning. Sometimes, at work, he took a few minutes to check things on the Internet; other times, at home, he found the best experience possible and the optimal way to get the best prices for everything.

The vacation was a memorable one. Everything went as planned. Although his wife seldom gave him compliments, she turned to him on the way home on the plane and remarked, "You know, honey, that was the most fantastic vacation I've ever had. Perfect. Thank you, sweetheart; I love you. And I know our kids will never forget it."

The week after he came back from this perfect, well-planned vacation, he learned his company was changing its 401(k) retirement plan to a different company with new investment choices. When the new provider had an enrollment meeting, he got there a few minutes late. By the end of the meeting, he enrolled after fifteen minutes spent figuring out how much he would put away, how he would invest his money, and who his beneficiaries would be. He then went out to lunch with one of his buddies from the office, and told him all about the perfect vacation he'd put together for his family, and how his wife had complimented him for a job well done.

He spent three weeks planning his family's one-week vacation, and fifteen minutes planning his thirty years in retirement. If that sounds like you, maybe it's time to take another look at how you're managing your finances and investing your money.