Most individuals dream of financial independence, the ability to live the lifestyle of their choice. Personal financial planning is a critical step to efficiently obtaining that goal. The new second edition of Personal Finance: An Interactive Applications Approach provides an easy to understand explanation of the key concepts, with examples for applying those concepts to financial decisions. Personal Finance makes it personal through activities designed to help students create their own financial plan by answering thought provoking questions. These questions allow students to incorporate their own personal, moral, spiritual, and political values into their financial plan. Completely updated to reflect the latest statistics and research, Personal Finance: Provides budgeting tips for readers to stretch their dollars or increase their earnings. Includes case studies on how individuals deal with finances. Case studies depict a new college student and new college graduate through major life events such as purchasing a home, financial planning, and more. An entire chapter dedicated to housing and decision-making.Readers must help a new college student and new college graduate to qualify for and select an appropriate mortgage; then select a home to purchase that fits both their budget and lifestyle. Includes access to Stock-Trak, a virtual a stock market simulator. Features an Enhanced Online Learning Package designed for students and instructors. Seamlessly integrated within the book's pedagogy, it includes videos, PowerPoint presentations, interactive exercises, test questions, solutions, and more.