One-Income Household: How to Do a Lot with a Little

Layoffs, health problems, divorce, staying home with the kids—there are many reasons why families may find themselves living on only one income. For some, going from two incomes to one is a matter of tightening their belts; for others, it can mean complete financial hardship. Either way, there are ways to minimize the impact. Unlike other books of its kind, this book addresses families who plan for economic change as well as those who are forced into a new income bracket.

Practical and easy to apply, this book offers families advice they can tailor to their personal situation, including how to:

• Budget for essential costs
• Sell, rent, or take a loan out on your house
• Commute and get around town affordably
• Secure health insurance
• Pay down debt

Layoffs, health problems, divorce, staying home with the kids-there are many reasons why families may find themselves living on only one income. For some, going from two incomes to one is a matter of tightening their belts; for others, it can mean complete financial hardship. Either way, there are ways to minimize the impact. Unlike other books of its kind, this book addresses families who plan for economic change as well as those who are forced into a new income bracket. Practical and easy to apply, this book offers families advice they can tailor to their personal situation, including how to:

• Budget for essentials costs
• Sell, rent, or take a loan out on your house
• Commute and get around town affordably
• Secure health insurance
• Pay down debt

Susan Reynolds (Pembroke, MA) is a freelance editor and author. She authored The Everything Guide to Personal Finance for Single Mothers, as well as three other nonfiction books, and is currently editing Adams Media's Hero series. After her divorce, Ms. Reynolds was dropkicked into management of a one-income household. Learn more about her on www.literarycottage.com.

Lauren Bakken, CPA (Plymouth, MA), has been a public accounting and tax specialist for more than twelve years. In 2002, Lauren established her own business, Lauren Bakken CPA Inc., in Plymouth, MA. She provides personalized financial consultation and tax preparation services to individuals and small corporate businesses. She was also divorced and supported herself and her son working full-time as an accountant, while concurrently studying and passing the CPA exam.