When it comes to money management, most of us take a hands-off approach because we're just not confident that we have the know-how needed. But personal finance is actually more personal than it is finance. Tim Maurer has made a career out of distilling complex financial concepts into understandable, doable actions. In this eminently practical book, he shows readers how to - better understand their values and goals in order to simplify their money decisions - budget major expenses intelligently - reduce and eliminate debt - make vital decisions on home, auto, and life insurance - establish a world-class investment portfolio - craft a workable retirement plan - and more Readers will be relieved to see that managing their money is actually not as complicated as they thought--and that they can take control of their financial future starting today.

A hope-filled money guide to increase savings, earnings, and giving and actually enjoy it all while designing a life of freedom and eternal impact, from the founder of SeedTime Money. Broken down and stranded 1,000 miles from home with only $7 left in his bank account, Bob Lotich had reached his breaking point. He was stuck in a dead-end job, living paycheck-to-paycheck, and overwhelmed by debt. Bob had been following the world's advice with money and this was the fruit of it. In desperation, he cried out to God for wisdom, for a different way. The answer was a simple four-part formula, one based on timeless biblical principles, and, most important, it worked. After applying this simple formula, Bob discovered that his financial stress melted away and he finally felt fully in control of his money. As he continued to follow the four steps, he paid off over $400,000 in debt, reached a personal goal of giving $1 million by age 40, and achieved a level of financial freedom he never dreamed possible. In his casual and approachable style, Bob (along with his fun-loving wife, Linda) shares everything he learned about achieving true financial freedom, including: • How to create a money system so you can spend less time and get better results • The One-Category Budget: get 80% of the results with 20% of the work • The four keys to earning more in the digital era • How to automate your way to financial success in less than 10 minutes • The secrets of a six-figure giver • Three credit card rules that banks don’t want you to know • How to save $100s each month while still buying what you love • And much more! Whether you are doing “fine” or are in a financial crisis, the included 21-day kick-start will leave you with specific action items to guide you to success. You can have financial security, peace, significance, and eternal impact. Let Bob show you how to reimagine money as it was meant to be: simple.

The popular personal finance commentator for NPR presents consumer-friendly money advice and strategies to help readers take charge of their credit, negotiate mortgages and lower home costs, maximize a paycheck, save money on taxes, and more.

"A gem from one of the most brilliant minds in personal finance." — Ben Stein, author, actor, TV personality, and New York Times columnist In a financial world gone mad, you still need to manage your money, put your kids through college, and save for retirement. To the rescue comes Jonathan Clements with 21 easy-to-follow rules to help you secure your financial future. Clements has spent a quarter century demystifying Wall Street for ordinary, real people on Main Street, including more than thirteen years as the Wall Street Journal's hugely popular personal-finance columnist. In The Little Book of Main Street Money, Clements brings us back to basics, with commonsense suggestions for intelligent money management. Chock-full of financial guidance that will stand up in any market, the book also reflects a financial philosophy that Clements has developed over a lifetime of watching Wall Street and writing about money—and that is even more important in the current volatile market. From the big picture (home, retirement, financial happiness) to the micro (taxes, inflation, investment costs), he offers clear-cut advice for taking control of your financial life, detailing the strategies needed to thrive in today's tough economic times. The 21 truths outlined throughout this book are a guiding light for everyone, young and old, whether starting out or soon retiring. Each chapter reads like a Clements column—clear, pithy, and feisty. From the obvious to the counterintuitive, the truths will bolster your returns, cut your costs, and give you financial peace of mind. Collectively, the 21 truths show you how to think about your entire financial life—not just stocks and bonds, but your home, your debts, your financial promises to your children, your income-earning ability, and so much more. They will help you not only survive today's treacherous financial terrain, but also prepare you for success tomorrow. Renowned for his spirited writing and shrewd investment guidance, Clements is the sane voice investors need to stay grounded in the midst of so much financial insanity.

Shows how permanently improved financial circumstances arise naturally from changing how people treat themselves and others and from acquiring practical money skills. This takes new muscles that must be developed gradually, just as getting in shape physically requires steady body conditioning. To assist, each of the book's nine exercises concludes with a series of actions to help readers build the stamina necessary for achieving lasting wealth. Among them are hands-on instructions for keeping close track of spending, recording progress in a prosperity journal, and examining entrenched behaviors established in childhood. Success, while not immediate, is almost guaranteed.

Outlines simple steps for saving, investing, increasing, and protecting income in order to achieve financial stability.

Fiddling with family finances can be time-consuming, frustrating, or even frightening . . . especially when you feel like you're not qualified to make those big money decisions. But here's an expert who says that you can learn everything you need to know to effortlessly manage money in just a few hoursand then stay on top of it all in only minutes a year. InLife or Debt, Stacy Johnson gave you a one-week plan for freeing yourself from the tyranny of debt. Now the creator and host of the nationally syndicated news seriesMoney Talkstakes it a step further with a complete system to manage every facet of your financial life that's remarkably quick and easy. Get your finances organized once and for all Learn to set goals, then achieve them Discover the only three investments you need, whether you have $50 or $50 million A logical way to invest that really works An asset allocation system so simple, all you need to know is your age Quick, effective, and inexpensive ways to plan your estate, income taxes, and retirement Understand every type of insurance and learn how to shop for it How, why, when, and where to buy real estate Why spend your hard-earned paycheck on so-called experts when you can manage your money yourselfand save and invest every penny? Here is everything you need to know to get on top of your family's finances and stay there. The clock is ticking: It's time to take control. From the Trade Paperback edition.