Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................. 1
Foolish Assumptions ....................................................................................... 2
How This Book Is Organized .......................................................................... 2
Icons Used in This Book ................................................................................. 6
Where to Go from Here ................................................................................... 6
Book I: Taking Charge of Your Finances ......................... 7
Chapter 1: Assessing Where You Are Financially . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Some Preliminary Questions ........................................................................ 10
Your Relationship with Money .................................................................... 10
Checking Out Your Credit Reports .............................................................. 11
Finding Out Your FICO Score ....................................................................... 13
Comparing Spending and Income ................................................................ 14
Assessing Your Spending Habits ................................................................. 19
Cataloging What You Own ............................................................................ 21
Adding Up What You Owe ............................................................................ 23
Chapter 2: Improving Your Relationship with Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Working with Your Partner to Achieve Financial Goals ........................... 28
Believing in Yourself ..................................................................................... 34
Handling Setbacks ......................................................................................... 36
Asking for Help ............................................................................................... 38
Digging Out of Debt ....................................................................................... 39
Budgeting for the Future ............................................................................... 41
Chapter 3: Building and Sticking to a Budget. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Comparing Monthly Spending and Income ................................................ 46
Tackling a Budget Defi cit .............................................................................. 50
Paying the Important Stuff If You Can't Pay Everything ........................... 53
Examining a Budget Surplus ......................................................................... 55
Finalizing and Sticking to Your Budget ....................................................... 56
Chapter 4: Cutting Spending and Boosting Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Finding Ways to Spend Less ......................................................................... 61
Bringing in More Bucks ................................................................................. 73
