This is a concise, practical manual that covers all of the points and concepts that you need to get out of, avoid and manage debt by using budgeting as the basis for mastering your household finances. This is the first of a projected "Household Finance Mastery" series of three books relating debt, credit and wealth building. The second book will be available in February, 2010. The author, Alice Bitamba, CIM, is an experienced financial planner and consultant. This book will show you how to leave your fears and anxieties behind as you learn to take control of your financial well-being. The well-planned and followed household budget is at the core of that control! The author identifies the main benefits that come from household budgeting along with the reasons why many households falter in using a workable budget. She shows why the budget is the basis for getting a positive attitude and gaining control over spending, savings, debt and credit, assets and wealth building. Here are some key issues she covers: Common factors why budgets don't work. What to consider and look for with spending patterns. How the household budget affects credit, savings and debt management Why it’s important to be clear about financial goals. How you can stay motivated to stick with the budget. Numerous tips on how to increase savings. This guide will help anyone to create organization out of a financial mess and can help with credit card consolidation, mortgage refinancing and debt management in general, and also asset management. Anyone who has ever had to face paying a bill when there wasn't enough money to do so, knows what financial stability and piece of mind is worth. That make this guide a great bargain for its modest price. If you want yourself, your family and household to be truly empowered in dealing with finances, then pick up this book, read it and use it as the excellent tool it is.