• Each chapter begins with a discussion of how the chapter topic fits within the integrated financial planning process.  The 5 Steps of the Financial Planning Process are highlighted. 

• The text develops the financial planning topics in a logical progression with reference to material in earlier chapters.

• 3 families are introduced in continuing case examples.  These families are followed throughout the book.  Students are presented with  elements of a financial plan for these representative households and are asked to evaluate the  changes  of the financial plan over a family’s life cycle.

• The text encourages students to apply concepts to the development of their own comprehensive personal financial plan.