Common Sense Financial Planning for the Everyday American

After years of watching hardworking Americans struggle with confusing financial advice that seems designed for the already-wealthy, I wrote the book I wish I'd had when I was drowning in student loans and credit card debt.

Common Sense Financial Planning for the Everyday American strips away the jargon and gets real about money. This isn't about complex investment strategies or get-rich-quick schemes. It's about building a financial foundation that works in real life-whether you're living paycheck to paycheck, finally catching your breath financially, or ready to think about building wealth.

Inside, you'll find:

• A judgment-free approach to figuring out where you stand right now (because we've all made money mistakes)
• Different budgeting methods to try-because the "perfect budget" is the one you'll actually stick with
• Straightforward steps to build your emergency fund, even if you can only save a few dollars at a time
• Ways to make good financial habits automatic, so you don't have to rely on willpower alone
• Simple explanations of credit scores, insurance, and investing that won't make your eyes glaze over

I've included specific advice for different income levels throughout the book because I know financial advice looks different when you're making $30,000 versus $80,000 or $150,000.

This book won't promise to make you a millionaire overnight. What it will do is give you the tools to stop feeling stressed about money and start building the security you deserve-one step at a time, with plain language and practical strategies that actually work in the real world.

Whether you're trying to dig out of debt, save for a home, put kids through college, or make sure you can retire someday, Common Sense Financial Planning for the Everyday American is your straightforward guide to making smart money decisions that fit your life.