Budgeting for dummies / Athena Valentine Lent

Includes index.

Part 1 : All about budgeting. -- Chapter 1 : Beginning with budgeting basics. -- Chapter 2 : Breaking down the parts of a budget. -- Part 2 : Finding a budget that works for you. Chapter 3 : Zero-based budgeting. -- Chapter 4 : The 50/30/20 budget. -- Chapter 5 : The envelope budget. -- Chapter 6 : The pay-yourself-first budget. -- Chapter 7 : Tips for creating a new budget. -- Part 3 :
Taking care of your priorities. -- Chapter 8 : Establishing an emergency fund. -- Chapter 9 : Saving for your retirement. -- Chapter 10 : Eliminating debt. -- Part 4 : Budgeting in action. -- Chapter 11 : Budgeting in a tough economy. -- Chapter 12 : Budgeting during different life stages. -- Chapter 13 : Budgeting for a major purchase or life event. -- Part 5 : Using your budget for money management. -- Chapter 14 : Budgeting for major life changes. -- Chapter 15 : Keeping tabs on credit card spending. -- Chapter 16 : Using a budget to plan for the future. -- Part 6 : The part of tens. Ten creative ways to budget. -- Ten ways to stay motivated when following a budget. --

Build a budget that puts you on solid financial footing. Ask any financially successful person how they achieved their goals, and chances are they'll tell you it all started with a budget. And that's exactly where you should start. Budgeting For Dummies shows you how to create a plan that fits your lifestyle, manages everyday needs, and builds your savings. Author Athena Valentine, founder of the Money Smart Latina blog, offers step-by-step details for creating and following a budget without feeling like you're depriving yourself and your family of all the things that make life worth living. This book shows you how to figure out where your money comes from and where it goes so you can live the life you want and work toward your financial goals. Find out how to establish an emergency fund, eliminate debt, improve your credit score, and stick to your budget through economic ups and downs. Discover budgeting methods that work so you can live within your means Create a budget for your unique situation to get a handle on your income and expenses Deal with common budgeting challenges without taking on more debt Increase your credit score and save toward a major purchase You don't need to make six figures to achieve your financial goals. Valentine, who also writes for Slate.com, knows the struggle of trying to make ends meet and is enthusiastic about sharing her knowledge with anyone who wants to improve their financial literacy. If you're not sure where to start when it comes to managing your money, you can depend on Valentine's tried-and-true advice in Budgeting For Dummies to set you on the right path.