Establishing a budget can help you improve your overall state of financial readiness, and it does not need to be difficult or complicated.  This page connects you to tools and resources that make it easier to save for a brighter financial future.

I want to read general articles on Budgeting Advice.

• “How Real People Grow Their Wealth” – Bankrate
• “The Six Best Budgeting Sites” – Kiplinger’s
• “Beating The Budget Crunch” – SmartMoney
• “Back To Basics: How To Save Intelligently” – Townhall.com

I want to read general articles on Tips on Spending and Cost-Cutting.

• “Cutting Tv, Internet And Phone Bills” – MarketWatch
• “Should You Refinance?” - MarketWatch
• “In Lean Times, Online Coupons Catching On” – New York Times
• “Smart Ways To Trim Big-Ticket Expenses” – Bankrate
• “Cutting Monthly Bills?  Turn To The Web” – MarketWatch

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I want to find helpful Non-Profit organizations.

• 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy is a national volunteer effort of the nation’s Certified Public Accountants to help Americans understand their personal finances and develop money management skills.  It focuses on financial education as a lifelong endeavor—from children learning about the value of money to adults reaching a secure retirement. It features a Web site, offering free tools and resources to help Americans manage their finances through every stage of life.
• America Saves is a nationwide campaign in which a broad coalition of nonprofit, corporate, and government groups helps individuals and families save and build wealth. Through information, advice, and encouragement, we assist those who wish to pay down debt, build an emergency fund, save for a home, save for an education, or save for retirement.
• American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization offering confidential credit counseling and financial education services to consumers nationwide. ACCC is dedicated to helping people regain control of their finances and plan for a debt-free future.
• The Beehive is part of the One Economy Corporation, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. The Beehive was created to be the place to go for information and resources around the things that matter in our lives: money, health, jobs, school and family.
• Consolidated Credit Counseling Services, Inc., is an industry leader in providing credit counseling and debt management programs throughout the United States.  Its mission is to help families end financial crisis and solve money management problems through education and professional counseling.
• Feed the Pig™ is a new national public service campaign from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and The Advertising Council to encourage the 40 million Americans age 25 to 34 to take control of their personal finances.
• InCharge® Debt Solutions, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization specializing in personal finance education and credit counseling.
• Mind Your Finances™ is offered by the InCharge® Education Foundation, Inc., as a resource to enhance the financial wellness of the American public.  Mind Your Finances™ provides an extensive array of educational programs and products focused on guiding major sectors of the American public toward financial health.
• Myvesta Foundation is a global social enterprise that helps groups and organizations around the world to better assist people who are struggling with debt related issues. They provide solutions for consumer financial problems and partner with local organizations to create and manage kind and compassionate services and information. Our goal is to provide the consumer with the best possible assistance in the face of financial trouble or worry.
• Springboard is a non-profit agency with our more than 30 years of experience formed by business leaders and credit grantors. Its mission is simple, yet vital: To offer education on the wise use of credit.

I want to find helpful For-Profit organizations.

• Bankrate is the Web's leading aggregator of financial rate information and provides original and objective personal finance stories to help consumers make informed financial decisions.
• CNN Money is an online service of CNN Money, Fortune and Money magazines that offers business, finance and personal financial news.
• The Dollar Stretcher is a website that provides you with useful ways to make the most of your money and time including practical ideas that you can put to use right away.
• The Frugal Shopper offers bargains, freebies, coupons, frugal living tips and hints, and much more.
• Kiplinger's Personal Finance offers bargains, freebies, coupons, frugal living tips and hints, and much more.
• Lower My Bills is part of Experian InteractiveSM and a premier, free online service for consumers to compare low rates on monthly bills and reduce the cost of living. It offers savings through relationships with more than 500 service providers across multiple categories, including home loans, credit cards, auto and health insurance, and long-distance and wireless services.
• Practical Money Skills for Life is Visa's financial literacy program.  To help today's youths and consumers of all ages become financially savvy, Visa has partnered with leading consumer advocates, educators and financial institutions to launch a national program to improve the nation's financial skills.  The website designed to help educators, parents and students practice better money management for life.

I want to find helpful Government organizations.

• Federal Citizens Information Center (FCIC) is focused on answering citizens’ questions about the Federal government and everyday consumer issues. FCIC watches emerging consumer issues and topics and regularly reviews new information coming from Federal agencies and consumer organizations.
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Money Smart program is a training program to help adults outside the financial mainstream enhance their money skills and create positive banking relationships.
• Federal Reserve System personal financial education website is dedicated to idea that there is a lot to learn about money.  All of the Fed websites, curriculum, newsletters, booklets and other resources are free.

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I want to understand Why I Need a Budget.

• ConsolidatedCredit.org – Budget basics
• Incharge.org – Preparing a budget
• 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy –  Establishing a budget
• Bankrate.com – 10 reasons to budget
• SayGoodCredit.com – Why budget

I want to understand how to Create a Budget.

• ConsolidatedCredit.org – Creating a budget
• About.com – How to create a budget
• MindYourFinances.com – Preparing a budget
• PracticalMoneySkills.com – Building a budget

I want to learn how to Monitor my Budget.

• MindYourFinances.com – Monitor your spending
• TheBeehive.org – Maintaining your budget

I want to find ways to Lower my Spending.

• Myvesta.org – How to save money
• FeedThePig.org – Resources
• MindYourFinances.com – Cutting expenses
• MoneyManagement.org – Budgeting tools
• Kiplinger.com – Cutting your spending video
• SayGoodCredit.com – Resources
• LowerMyBills.com – Resources
• TheFrugalShopper.com – Resources
• Stretcher.com – Resources

I want to find ways to Reduce Energy Costs.

• EnergyGuide.com – Energy choices
• ConservingElectricity.com – Saving energy
• WeEnergies.com – 101 money-saving tips
• OtterTailPower.com – Save energy and money

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I need to find helpful Budgeting Calculators.

• American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) spreadsheet calculator helps you create a budget plan that shows you the flow of money in your everyday life.  It is available to download into an Excel spreadsheet or print from a PDF file.
• AOL Money & Finance budgeting calculators can help you get on track with your finances. Whether you're trying to balance debt or gauge the cost of raising a child, try one of these budgeting calculators.
• CNN Money helps you look at your ideal budget to make sure you’re spending your money in the right places by comparing your actual expenses by category to an ideal budget allocation.
• Consumer Credit Counseling Services budget checklist allows you to compare you actual monthly expenses to suggested guideline expense amounts proportional to your income level.
• Kiplinger calculator projects expenditures in various categories, and then comparing those projections to what you actually spend.
• Myvesta calculator shows how reducing your spending can be worth more than you might think. Use this calculator to see just how much your budget reductions may be worth if you were to invest them. View the value of this new potential nest egg both with and without taxes factored in.

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There are countless personal finance self-help “gurus” trying to convince you they alone offer the most insightful, sincere and helpful solutions. They hope you will buy their latest self-help book, workbook, newsletter, or whatever else it is they are offering.

However, a handful have written books or offer guidance on BUDGET PLANNING in a manner that may be more beneficial, more affordable, or less annoying than their peers.  Following are gurus and books you may enjoy.*

• Amy Dacyczyn, The Complete Tightwad Gazette: Promoting Thrift as a Viable Alternative Lifestyle
• Jeff Yeager, The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches: A Practical (and Fun) Guide to Enjoying Life More by Spending Less
• Larry Burkett, The Family Budget Workbook: Gaining Control of Your Personal Finances
• Steve & Annette Economides, America’s Cheapest Family™ Gets You Right on the Money
• Thomas Stanley & William Danko, The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy

* Note: The Site Creator has not been compensated in any way for referencing any “gurus” or books on this site.

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