UPDATED! If you are looking for a common-sense approach to personal finance and money management, then Personal Finance For Beginners In 30 Minutes, Vol. 1 is for you! In just a half-hour, you'll pick up practical tips and even a few tricks that will help you control spending, reduce debt, and take a smarter approach to managing your financial resources.

Personal Finance For Beginners In 30 Minutes, Vol. 1 does not feature heavy-duty financial jargon or gimmicky "easy money" schemes. Instead, the guide uses common sense, easy-to-understand language, and lots of examples that show you how to cut expenses and save more money for the things that really matter in life. Examples from three colleagues (Frank, Jordan, and Stephanie) are used to illustrate various spending scenarios in every chapter of the book. Even though they have the same salaries, their financial situations are vastly different owing to the choices they make.

Topics include:

• Aligning spending with priorities
• Income, assets, and equity
• Flexible vs. fixed expenses
• Limiting luxury spending and online shopping
• How to shave thousands off of telecommunications and utility bills
• Cutting car costs
• Refinancing explained
• Dealing with credit card debt
• Online banking and alternative payment systems
• Using software to track expenses and budgets

The ultimate goals of Personal Finance For Beginners In 30 Minutes, Vol. 1 are to help you understand your finances, cut costs, and make sensible decisions about spending which are aligned with your life priorities. Some of the tips can help you start saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars on everything from cable TV to credit cards.

What real readers are saying about this guide:

R. Smith: "The biggest takeaway that I used was setting financial priorities. I found that my wife and I have similar priorities that was a load off my mind. It appears as I am right on track wit h budget as it pertains to this book. I'm ordering book two to see if there are more things I can use in that volume."

J.W. Martin: "I had my 11 year old read after I read so we could discuss. This presented ideas for him to start to explore as we teach both our sons the reality of personal economics."

T. Allen: "Very helpful. I really enjoyed the three examples and how they were used over and over. Lots of clear, easy-to-understand advice."

'Spongy' "Few other personal finance publications mention life priorities but as Franklin Covey said, 'Begin with the end in mind.' It has examples and charts and hyperlinks to help the beginner dig further. Anyone can benefit from the flexible expenses chapter. The fixed expense is an eye opener. The chapter on credit card debt is painful in its honesty."

The second book in this personal finance series covers retirement, investments, insurance, and other financial planning issues. For more information, see Personal Finance For Beginners In 30 Minutes, Vol. 2 (ISBN: 9781939924414).

Personal Finance For Beginners In 30 Minutes, Vol. 1 is authored by Ian Lamont, an award-winning business and technology journalist and digital media entrepreneur.

Disclaimer Personal Finance For Beginners In 30 Minutes, Vol. 1 is not a substitute for professional financial advice. This guide will not rescue people who are deep in debt, or are facing major life events, such as heavy-duty medical expenses or bankruptcy. If you have a complicated financial situation, or need advice on how to handle a financial crisis, you should contact an accountant, certified financial planner, or lawyer who specializes in tax or financial issues. IN 30 MINUTES Guides are not affiliated with "For Dummies" books or any other publication or series.