Personal Finance 101

Are you just getting started with improving your finances?  Don’t know where to begin?  In this post, I’ll organize some of my existing blog posts into a Personal Finance 101 crash course.

1. What’s a budget?
   • Budgeting 101
   • Track Your Expenses
   • Managing Pay
2. How do I pay off my debt?
   • Paying off Debt
   • Credit Cards
   • Student Loans
   • Is Your Credit Score Just a Number?
3. Will I ever be able to retire?
   • Retirement 101
   • What to Do With Your 401k When You Leave a Job
4. What else should I save for?
   • Emergency Fund:
     • Rainy Day Fund
     • Should You Invest Your Emergency Fund?
   • Auto:
     • Buying a car
     • We Bought a Minivan!
   • College:
     • College Savings Q&A
     • What I Learned from Estimating a FAFSA for my Toddler
     • 10 Ways to Get a Cost-Effective College Education
   • Home:  Are You Ready to Own a Home?
5. How can I cut expenses and be more frugal?
   • My Couponing Journey, Part 1
   • My Couponing Journey, Part 2
6. Should I be investing in the stock market?
   • Investing Demystified
   • Investing Lesson Learned:  Buy & Hold
   • My Current Investment Strategy
7. Extra Credit:  I want to learn about building wealth!
   • Synopsis & Review: Your Money or Your Life
   • Synopsis & Review: How to Be Rich
   • Synopsis & Review:  The Millionaire Next Door
   • Synopsis & Review: Rich Dad Poor Dad
8. I need some inspiration!
   • The First Post
   • How To Get Your Partner Onboard
   • Delayed Gratification
   • Establish a Game Plan