How to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck (2nd Edition): A proven path to money mastery in only 15 minutes a week! (Smart Money Blueprint) Kindle Edition

This is the rarest of all rarities - a really good ebook on personal finance. The author makes two arguments. First, that you must put some effort into taking control of your finances. Second, that the effort is not as monumental as you think and the rewards are much greater than you imagine.

She's right! You cannot "compartmentalize" finances. How you manage your money (however much or little it may be) affects every aspect of your life - your physical and emotional well-being, your relationships, what hobbies you can pursue and where you can live. Saying that it's not worth while to make the effort to get control of your finances is saying that your life doesn't matter. It's giving up on yourself.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that you can avoid taking control of your spending by simply getting a job that pays more. You'll find that the job application asks for permission to check your credit rating. If it's lousy, you won't even be considered for that high-paying job that would put you on Easy Street. And you can blow through a big income just as easily as a small one.

This author walks you through the process in clear, easy-to-understand language. It's a wonderfully readable combination of advice, fascinating examples, and moral support. Best of all, she instructs you gently and without a hint of condescension or blame. It's like sitting down with that favorite aunt or uncle (or grandparent) who understands that people make mistakes and who believes in your ability to turn things around. Getting started is the hard part. Take a deep breath and just do it. You'll be glad you did.

This is one of my three favorite books on personal finance. The other two are LIFE AFTER DEBT by Rob Kosberg and HOW TO MANAGE YOUR MONEY WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE ANY by Erik Wecks. With the wisdom of these authors behind you, you can't fail to see change for the better. Good luck.

Avery Breyer just could be a godsend to most of us who are living paycheck to paycheck while the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Finally someone has come up with some practical, easy, quick, and workable suggestions to get out of debt and stay there.

Avery's solid introduction shows us that our problems are not only understood but are manageable. `Maybe credit card debt is the only way you are able to keep afloat right now, although you know that's not a long-term solution. Maybe you feel ashamed that you're not doing a better job of managing your money -- you feel frustrated that you can't get ahead. And maybe you've tried budgeting, but it just didn't work for you.... I promise you that if you read this book and follow the advice in here, you'll be set on a path to a world where you control your money, you have a plan that will ensure you don't run out of money, and you are no longer a slave to your bills.' (Big sigh of relief is in order right now)

What to learn in this book: `put together a budget that will: Help you pay down bad debt, and avoid getting more, Help you reach your financial goals with greater ease, Provide for your daily monetary needs, both now, and in the future, Lower or eliminate your worries about money, Take an hour per month or less to keep tabs on, Actually work.'

So, some techniques: to take control of your money: Track your spending, Track you Income, Always have a backup plan (work overtime, work a second job, start a side business....), Get real about Needs versus Wants, Relationships and Money: Talk about it!, and Have an emergency fund. The benefits of having a budget: Improves your credit rating, lowers stress, keeps you honest, helps you achieve your goals, and helps you secure your basic needs now and in the future.
Avery is so level headed about all of this that the ideas and style of presenting them are infectious. The tips on how to get the right mindset for success is a particularly helpful chapter - one imbued with psychology and realism. And in creating a budgeted life there are budget traps to avoid (self-defeating attitudes plus). And the other areas cover are The Easiest Way to Have More Money, Without Earning More, How to Trim Your Expenses With (Almost) No Effort, Budgeting 101: How to Make a Budget, Month 1: Find Out Where You Stand, Month 2: This is the Part Where You Take Control of Your Money, and Month 3 and Beyond - How to Stay on Track.

Summarizing this book is in many ways unfair. You really need to start form the beginning with Avery and let the benefits of seeping in this knowledge mount. 15 minutes a week......Gotta go. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, March 15