1-2-3 money plan: the three most important steps to saving and spending smart

Description

100% Practical, 100% Specific Financial Advice Everyone Can Use: Exactly What to Do and Exactly How to Do It"Greg Karp makes managing your money as easy as 1-2-3. He offers sensible, time-tested advice to help you make smart decisions and get your finances on track." --Liz Pulliam Weston, "The most-read personal finance columnist on the Internet" (Nielsen//NetRatings), author ofEasy Money,Your Credit Score, andDeal with Your Debt"I love this book. Greg's simple strategies push you to be smart with your dough and act right away." --Clark Howard,The Clark Howard Show"Within one hour of picking upThe 1-2-3 Money Plan, I already had a list of easy next steps to save on several of our household expenses." --Stephanie Nelson, founder of CouponMom.com "Greg Karp really knows his stuff, and he lays it out in plain language that will help anyone save money and get financially fit." --Jeff Yeager, author ofThe Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches"The money you spend on this book should easily be recouped by the time you're only several pages into it!" --Russell Wild, financial advisor, author ofExchange-Traded Funds for Dummies,Bond Investing for Dummies, andIndex Investing for Dummies"Greg Karp is a lifesaver for people worried about stretching their dollars in a tough economy. He's no Scrooge. Rather, he nudges you into sound decisions and smart spending." --Gail MarksJarvis,Chicago Tribunepersonal finance columnist, author ofSaving for Retirement Without Living Like a Pauper or Winning the Lottery"Today everyone is looking for a quick answer to their financial problems. InThe 1-2-3 Money Plan, Greg Karp has created an excellent resource. It's well organized and full of great ideas. But, most importantly, it's written in a language that the average consumer can understand and apply. Many people will thank Greg for helping them survive financially tough times." --Gary Foreman, editorThe DollarStretcherWeb site, stretcher.com "Greg Karp tells it like it is, with the specificity and candor busy people need. I am saving money already." --Jean Chatzky, author ofThe Difference: How Anyone Can Prosper in Even the Toughest Times, blogging at jeanchatzky.com Today, frugal is the name of the game. But you don't have to take a vow of poverty: You just have to be smarter about how you spend, save, and invest. Sound hard? Not anymore. InThe 1-2-3 Money Plan, top personal finance columnist Greg Karp offers 100% practical, 100% specific financial advice everyone can use...organized into simple three-step plans that tell you exactly what to do and how and where to do it! Discover how to save money by putting your bills on autopilot...which specific brand names to buy in everything from index funds to cellphones...how to improve your credit rating...how to get the right insurance, without wasting money on unnecessary coverage...easier ways to save for college and plan for retirement...and a whole lot more. Finally: simple, reliable financial advice you can act on, from an award-winning expert you can trust! Don't be paralyzed by perfection: Be good enough Better a good decision now than a perfect decision somedayJust set it and forget it Make the financial decisions you only need to make once and can then ignore for yearsStop wasting money on things you don't care about Plug wasteful spending leaks, so you can redirect cash to things you truly care aboutEasy step-by-step techniques and specific recommendations What to buy, in everything from mutual funds to cellphone service