Description
Book SynopsisA proven survival guide for these economically rocky, debt-ridden times Millions of people suffer financial hardship due to job loss and a variety of other factors.
Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION ix
Chapter ONE The Path That Led You Here 1
Who the Heck Are the Joneses, and Why Are You Trying to Keep Up with Them? 4
Adding to the Cart 7
Emotional Buying 10
Buying What You Can’t Maintain 12
The Influence of Advertising 14
Chapter TWO Start to Become Empowered 23
Crafting a Budget 26
Examples of Budget Sheets 27
Worksheets for Expenses 28
Fixed Expenses 28
Flexible Expenses 32
Discretionary Expenses 34
Time to Calculate 37
The Frugal Philosophy 39
Chapter THREE Discovering a New Outlook on Life and Money 47
Identify Your Values: Work, Friends, and Family 50
The Value of Money 61
The Value of Living for Tomorrow 64
Chapter FOUR Staying on the Right Path 67
Find a Hobby 70
A Life without Credit Cards 78
Differentiating Needs from Wants 82
Chapter FIVE Teach Your Children Well 109
Talk to Your Kids about Money 112
Kids and Values 118
Prepare Your Teenagers 121
Chapter SIX Introduction to Banking 129
Choosing a Bank 133
Credit Unions 135
Types of Accounts 136
What Is a Check? 137
How to Open an Account 139
Electronic Banking 139
Types of Loans 141
Investing Your Money 144
Mutual Funds 146
Chapter SEVEN Continuing on Your Financial Freedom Quest 149
Find Your Green 153
It’s Time to Step Out on Your Own 160
GLOSSARY 163
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 173
INDEX 176
