This section will help you create — and then evaluate the potential problems with — your first budget. You'll find out what elements are required for living a budgeted life, and then you'll work on your own budget with a detailed worksheet.
Budgeting Sections
- What Is Budgeting -- and Why Do I Need to Do It?
- Prioritizing Your Spending
- Assessing Your Current Financial Situation
- Creating a Livable Budget
- Freezing Your Spending for the Short Term
- Saving Money on Groceries
- Cutting Your Expenses at Home
- Reducing Your Biggest Expenses
- Restructuring a Heavy Debt Burden
- Refinancing Your Home and Tapping Your Equity
- Adding Income
- Surviving Unemployment
- Sticking to Your Budget in an Emergency
- Getting Government Help -- There Actually Is a Free Lunch!
- Marriage or Moving In: Budgeting for Two
- Changing Your Budget for a New Baby
- Changing Your Budget to Include a New House
- Saving Money for College
- Budgeting Through a Separation or Divorce
- Changing Your Budget After Age 50
- Saving for Retirement
- Staying Motivated
- Debt-Restructuring Resources
- Budgeting Websites and Online Tools