How to Get What You Want in Life with the Money You Already Have

All my life I've been intimidated by money, finances, budgeting... I don't even balance my checkbook. I was so worried about not doing it right that I didn't do it at all. Another thing I've been afraid to do was to develop goals and go for them. What if I made the wrong choices? Somehow this little book drove it home for me that no one was going to make my decisions for me, and no one was going to finance them, either, if I didn't. I love this book. Because of it, I am taking control of my money, and making decisions about my future. It doesn't have to be drudgery - it can be fun! If you've always been "bad with money" get this book!

I know a lot of people are wary of the advice to pay only the minimum on their bills, but it worked for me. I bought this book shortly after it was published, and so far I have paid off four credit cards and saved enough to buy a house. I bought a digital camera with coins I saved in a jar. Why does this method work? Because it enables you to have enough cash and savings so that you are not tempted to use credit to buy "fun" things, or to use plastic to get through the month.I didn't keep a lot of separate savings accounts, just one at the bank and a jar for coins at home. The key is to pay only the minimum on your cards, and save any extra money that you can. And avoid "stealing" from your savings to pay for trivial things. Keep your goals in mind. Do I still have debt? Yes. But it's half what I used to have and it's not growing. I can handle the bills without stress, and I do less impulse-buying because I have my goals in mind. Try this book if you have trouble making it through the month without using credit.P.S. Occasionally I will set a savings goal to pay off the last bit of a credit account at once. If you are not comfortable paying the minimum only, you might consider having a "credit payoff" savings account--just don't deprive yourself of "fun" savings goals at the same time.

I haven't quite finished the book yet, but was gratified to learn that I already use a few of Ms. Keeffe's techniques, specifically paying the minimum on cards (harder than it sounds), letting money pile up in a couple of seldom-accessed accounts, and keeping a jar, being amazed at how fast it adds up. Ms. Keeffe's book added structure and purpose to these activities, that is, label the jar with a specific goal, and label individual accounts likewise. (I still only use envelopes, but that works too.) These may seem simple and wrong-headed depending on your background, but they ARE a practical way to keep one's dreams in view while systematically attaining them. It's kind of hard to remember to change my thinking and behavior, but the reward will definitely be worth it for me. My thanks to Ms. Keeffe for the boost.

Seriously, I've been sounding like an informercial to all my friends since I read this book. I have a whole new attitude about money--I'm not a victim anymore. Unlike most books about personal finance, this is a book for those of us who don't make much money to begin with. In a matter of a couple of months I have over a month's pay in the bank--this has never happened before. Now I know I don't have to rely on the EVIL credit card. I figure budgets are like diets--what works for some people may not work for others, but this plan WORKS FOR ME. Listen, I don't know the author, I don't work for the author...but I love her. Read this book!

I'm a CPA and was too embarassed to admit that I had great difficulty keeping my own spending in check. Carol's book presents insight and experience that any spendaholic can understand. It goes against the grain of traditional financial planning, but the logic is sound nonetheless. What good is the "right" way if it hasn't worked for you? If your the type of person who still owns the first nickel you ever made, this book is not for you. But if you're the kind of person who rarely has a nickel left in your savings account, READ THIS BOOK! She has a creative way of helping you find the fun in saving. I can't believe I said that. All my debts are gone and I now have substantial savings. Every time I get off track, I go back to her basics. Carol's ideas changed the way I look at money.