Finance and budgeting don’t have to be ugly words. Rather, they can signify ‘control’ and stability in the face of challenging circumstances. How can individuals and families best support themselves by gaining a clearer understanding of their core costs, commitments, and inner resources.

The first step is identification: What are the sources of my financial stress? Explore common problem areas, including spending more than saving, reliance on costly credit, and the consequences of both large and small financial decisions.

The next step is management: How do I handle my current financial situation? Recognizing that debt is often an important part of building personal equity, we will review techniques for ‘living with debt’, including how much is too much, the importance of establishing or repairing a credit rating, and responding to emergencies.

The third step is about thinking forward: How do I continue living within my means? Budgeting is a critical life skill that helps us respond to life’s fluctuations. The steps include developing a personal budget, and exploring simple ways to replace outside costs and strengthen one’s financial situation.