OT – Budget/Personal Finance book

[seattle-relo]

I was wondering if you guys could recommend a book on how to complete and follow a household budget – not an investment book, but just a simple “Don’t Spend More Than You Earn for Dummies” kind of book. I have a good friend who seems to keep getting herself and hubby in terrible credit card debt and frankly I am tired of hearing her complain about it. The c.c debt isn’t due to unforeseen events like job loss or medical, it’s due to all the expensive stuff they some how rationalize they should buy. A stranger walking into their amazing dream home would look around at all their stuff and think they were just loaded, the hubby makes 90 grand a year and they think they should live like they are millionaires, it’s so sad. I was talking to her yesterday about the fact that they plan to refi again (they do this annually to pay off their c.c debt – it’s usually about 20 – 30 grand a year). As we were talking I asked her about her monthly cash flow, and she wasn’t really sure what I was talking about. She didn’t seem to understand the concept of creating a budget and analyzing their monthly and annual cash flow.

I have made my own financial mistakes in the past and understand how stressful it is when you get yourself into trouble. I want to be supportive without getting sucked in, so I thought that if I could recommend a book(s) that could lead them in the right direction I would feel like I was being helpful while staying out of it. This couple is in their late 30’s – mid 40’s (they aren’t dumb kids starting out). I have some beliefs as to why they overspend and I just won’t go there with her (I’m not her therapist) but if one of you can recommend a book on the basics that I could give her I would feel like I was being a good friend while still maintaining some boundaries.

Thanks.

[pbnative]

When I was a teenager my Mom gave me “The Only Investment Guide You’ll Ever Need.” It has good info about budgeting, spending wisely, saving, etc. Of course it also has info about investing, but the basics are there, and easy to follow.

[pbnative]

When I was a teenager my Mom gave me “The Only Investment Guide You’ll Ever Need.” It has good info about budgeting, spending wisely, saving, etc. Of course it also has info about investing, but the basics are there, and easy to follow.

[pbnative]

When I was a teenager my Mom gave me “The Only Investment Guide You’ll Ever Need.” It has good info about budgeting, spending wisely, saving, etc. Of course it also has info about investing, but the basics are there, and easy to follow.

[pbnative]

When I was a teenager my Mom gave me “The Only Investment Guide You’ll Ever Need.” It has good info about budgeting, spending wisely, saving, etc. Of course it also has info about investing, but the basics are there, and easy to follow.

[pbnative]

When I was a teenager my Mom gave me “The Only Investment Guide You’ll Ever Need.” It has good info about budgeting, spending wisely, saving, etc. Of course it also has info about investing, but the basics are there, and easy to follow.

[(former)FormerSanDiegan]

My all-time favorite:

“Downsize Your Debt” – by Andrew Feinberg
I read this in college and the light bulb turned on.

Also, for general, basic understanding:
“Straight Talk on Money Ken and Daria Dolan’s Guide to Family Money Management”
Ken and Daria Dolan.

[(former)FormerSanDiegan]

My all-time favorite:

“Downsize Your Debt” – by Andrew Feinberg
I read this in college and the light bulb turned on.

Also, for general, basic understanding:
“Straight Talk on Money Ken and Daria Dolan’s Guide to Family Money Management”
Ken and Daria Dolan.

[(former)FormerSanDiegan]

My all-time favorite:

“Downsize Your Debt” – by Andrew Feinberg
I read this in college and the light bulb turned on.

Also, for general, basic understanding:
“Straight Talk on Money Ken and Daria Dolan’s Guide to Family Money Management”
Ken and Daria Dolan.

[(former)FormerSanDiegan]

My all-time favorite:

“Downsize Your Debt” – by Andrew Feinberg
I read this in college and the light bulb turned on.

Also, for general, basic understanding:
“Straight Talk on Money Ken and Daria Dolan’s Guide to Family Money Management”
Ken and Daria Dolan.

[(former)FormerSanDiegan]

My all-time favorite:

“Downsize Your Debt” – by Andrew Feinberg
I read this in college and the light bulb turned on.

Also, for general, basic understanding:
“Straight Talk on Money Ken and Daria Dolan’s Guide to Family Money Management”
Ken and Daria Dolan.

[nostradamus]

My favorite is this oft-posted budgetary infomercial.

For me, spending money on a book about saving money is like, well…

[img_assist|nid=8171|title=|desc=|link=node|align=left|width=78|height=100]

You’ll find tons of free, online info to help you budget.

Better yet, spend the money on a nice piece of home budget software. Then use it!

[nostradamus]

My favorite is this oft-posted budgetary infomercial.

For me, spending money on a book about saving money is like, well…

[img_assist|nid=8171|title=|desc=|link=node|align=left|width=78|height=100]

You’ll find tons of free, online info to help you budget.

Better yet, spend the money on a nice piece of home budget software. Then use it!

[nostradamus]

My favorite is this oft-posted budgetary infomercial.

For me, spending money on a book about saving money is like, well…

[img_assist|nid=8171|title=|desc=|link=node|align=left|width=78|height=100]

You’ll find tons of free, online info to help you budget.

Better yet, spend the money on a nice piece of home budget software. Then use it!

[nostradamus]

My favorite is this oft-posted budgetary infomercial.

For me, spending money on a book about saving money is like, well…

[img_assist|nid=8171|title=|desc=|link=node|align=left|width=78|height=100]

You’ll find tons of free, online info to help you budget.

Better yet, spend the money on a nice piece of home budget software. Then use it!

[Author]

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