Financial Self Defense Program: Integrated Financial Education Series

By Steve Kanney

The author has been a student of martial arts for nearly 40 years and engaged in financial management for over 30 years. He was responsible for the management of billions of dollars and holds a CFA. This short book distills these years of experience so the reader can approach their financial management and education with the discipline of the martial arts. Martial arts teach one to engage in an activity with calm, efficiency and integrate the process with one’s life mission of finding happiness. The purpose of the Integrated Financial Education Series is to provide individuals with a system to manage their finances with a minimum cost both in terms of time and money.

Recent surveys suggest many people feel overwhelmed by the complexity of managing their personal finances. Yet without the ability to rely upon a pension for retirement, they must take more responsibility for their lifetime spending needs. Recognizing that our financial system is broken, they do not know where to turn to find advice. Many people do not want to manage their own finances, but are not completely comfortable with the alternatives.

Whether one only wants to find a trustworthy adviser or become self-directed, this book and supporting links simplifies the process. First the book helps the reader identify the areas of finance that will produce for them the greatest economic benefit. By limiting the areas of finance studied, the overwhelming task becomes manageable. Then unlike some rules of thumb common in the financial media, real depth in thought is needed to be certain that one’s efforts are genuinely directed towards achieving their goals. Once a framework is developed for financial decisions, it can be applied quickly and easily to any decision that may arise over time. If one wishes to continue their financial education, cost effective resources are suggested.

The reader is also challenged to question how their approach will lead to happiness. Ultimately, the approach to study and the resulting decision processes are rooted in martial arts discipline to promote efficiency as well as happiness in life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steve Kanney
• Release date: Mar 13, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301805365

Steve Kanney

In order to achieve both financial health and happiness, we need to seek advice from someone trained in both. Martial arts training is an optimal way to learn how to engage in an activity in the most effective manner while still enjoying life to its fullest. According to the martial approach, one needs philosophical understanding as well as technical abilities. Steve Kanney, CFA began the study of martial arts in 1972 and Aikido in 1978. He further studied the philosophical aspects of the martial arts through meditation training, particularly Zen, beginning in 1996. The connection between Zen and Japanese martial traditions is quite extensive. He opened Scarsdale Aikido in 2003 for the purpose of teaching both the philosophy and the art and currently continues as the chief instructor. Many problems/concerns in the financial arena have been well-resolved in the institutional marketplace, but not addressed with individuals. Steve Kanney, CFA simultaneously pursued a career in the institutional financial markets beginning with a Bachelors Degree in Finance from Emory University in 1983. He completed a CFA in 1993. He worked in institutional fixed income sales based upon asset/liability matching analysis from 1984 up until 2000, 11 years of which was at the infamous Lehman Brothers. Recognizing the long trend of decline in the ethical conduct in the brokerage segment of the financial industry, he left Lehman and began work at a hedge fund as a risk manager in 2001. He also developed some statistically-based trading strategies for the interest rate markets during that period. In late 2003 he began a martial arts school, Scarsdale Aikido. He left his formal occupation in finance at the end of that year. He managed assets privately (without fees) for individual investors from 2004 onwards. He has a unique background for bridging the gap between the strategy of martial arts and the incremental analysis of finance. As the chief instructor of a Scarsdale Aikido he teaches the philosophy both through physical movements and discussion on a daily basis. He also worked extensively with the complex nature of the financial decision-making matrix advising multi billion dollar banks, investment advisors and to a lesser degree insurance companies for many years. As the skills and discipline of institutional finance continue to trickle down to the individual investors through improved technology, his skills are particularly cogent. Combining the philosophy of martial arts with the technical knowledge of finance can help anyone, regardless of their financial status, find a greater sense of purpose in life and express it with a more precise financial acumen. from http://www.integratedfinancialny.com/About-Us.html

Book preview

Financial Self Defense Program

Applying the Principles of Martial Arts Training to Financial Management

Integrated Financial Education Series

Empowering you to Manage your Money and your Happiness

by Steve Kanney, CFA

Financial Self Defense Program

First Edition

The Links are an important addition to the educational experience. If you are using a device that does not have internet access, you can download a free copy of the ebook at www.integratedfinancialny.com/financial-advice.html. Also, note that in the interests of saving time some of the links download PDF files from sites such as the Social Security Administration, the IRS, the SIPC (Securities Investor Protection Corp) and Morningstar – all automatic downloads are identified in advance in the text for the link.

The purpose of this ebook and all services offered are educational in nature and not to provide any investment advice, planning or recommendations of any securities. The purpose is to educate you to make your own financial decisions, or prepare you to evaluate your financial advisers with confidence so you can gain trust in the services they provide. Steve Kanney is not affiliated with any web site linked in this document nor does it receive any compensation from any site other than www.integratedfinancialny.com . The views presented in each linked site do not necessarily represent his point of view. The links are provided for educational purposes. All efforts have been made to insure the accuracy of the information in this ebook as of the date published. The author and publisher expressly disclaim responsibility for any adverse effects arising from the use or application of the information contained herein.

Copyright © 2013 by Steve Kanney; all rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Smashwords Edition.

Program Prerequisites –