The genesis of FQ: Financial Intelligence dates back a few years. As the father of three young men, I noticed a lack of financial savvy among their peer group. Granted, I didn’t conduct exhaustive research. I studied and asked probing questions of any youngin’ who would tolerate me. The results were eye-opening and supported my suspicions.

In this book, the reader will journey through every stage of life from birth to death, exploring the many touchpoints that affect their financial well-being. My goals are multifaceted — to create not merely an instruction manual but a collection of best practices for managing personal finances. I share my own experiences from nearly six decades on planet Earth, hoping that my trials and tribulations offer deeper insights. And perhaps a good laugh. It’s somewhat like a money memoir if such a thing exists.

The book is divided into three 'acts', each six modules (or chapters). By the end of Act I, you should have a firm grasp on the steps involved in determining your risk tolerance, how to build a balance sheet and income statement, how to analyze discretionary expenses, and otherwise take stock of your current financial situation. Then you create a plan.

Act II is all about economics, financial instruments, markets, trading, and places where you can put your hard-earned capital. I also discuss various financial intelligence headwinds and bear traps that will help you prepare for inevitable economic and market upheaval.

Act III explores subjects like retirement accounts, insurance, buying large tickets items, avoiding financial pitfalls, potentially starting a business, death and dying, and everything else that didn’t fit neatly into the first two acts. If I did my job, you should be much more conversant in a variety of financial elements, than you were when you started. Heck, you should even have a plan for a new, brighter financial future. If not, well, then I apologize for wasting your time.

My primary goal throughout, however, is to make the process of acheiving financial intelligence enjoyable, enlightening, painless, and most importantly, useful.