About.com Financial Planning: Most Popular Articles
These articles are the most popular over the last month.

• Basic Budget Worksheet for Setting Up Your Personal Budget
  Budget worksheet form for setting up your personal budget
• How To Create a Budget
  Creating a budget may not sound like the most exciting thing in the world to do but it is vital in keeping your financial house in order. Before you begin to create your budget it is important to realize that in order to be successful you have to provide as much detailed information as possible. Ultimately the end result will be able to show where your money is coming from, how much is there and where it is all going.
• US Savings Bonds
  US Savings Bonds: Good Investment or Boring Underperformer?
• All About Personal Budgets
  A One-stop Guide to Budgeting Advice and Budget Worksheets
• How to Establish Credit
  When you don’t have a credit history, it can be difficult and frustrating when trying to obtain a credit card or other type of loan. Establishing your initial credit history can be a Catch-22. If you don’t have credit, not many places are willing to give you credit, yet how can you ever establish credit if nobody is willing to give you any?
• Buying Diamond Engagement Ring
  What You Need to Know When Buying a Diamond Engagement Ring
• The Child Tax Credit
  The Child Tax Credit - what you need to know to claim it properly.
• Top Personal Finance Software
  Top picks for personal finance software programs
• Your FICO Credit Score
  Your FICO credit score determines your ability to borrow money and affects you in other ways that may surprise you
• Personal Finance 101
  Personal finance covers a wide variety of money topics including budgeting, expenses, debt, saving, retirement and insurance among others. Understanding how each of these topics work together and affect each other is important for laying the groundwork for a solid financial foundation for you and your family.
• Stay Away From Payday Loans
  Quick and easy cash? There's nothing easy about payday loans.
• Improve Your FICO Credit Score
  Nine Ways to Improve Your FICO Credit Score and Four Reasons Why You Want To - A Poor Score Costs You More
• You Can Get Out of Debt
  You Can Get Out of Debt, But Not by Paying the Minimum Balance on Your Credit Cards
• Warning Signs of Too Much Debt
  Do You Know the Warning Signs of Too Much Debt? How to Know If You're In Over Your Head
• Top Picks: Personal Finance Books
  Top picks for personal finance books
• Secret to Budgeting
  The secret to budgeting successfully
• Budgeting
  Budgeting - The First Step to Financial Success
• Plan an Affordable Wedding
  Plan an affordable, memorable wedding without going into debt or breaking the bank
• Make Saving Automatic
  Do you have a savings account yet find it difficult to find money to deposit into it? This isn’t an uncommon problem and most people find it hard to save.
• Maximize Your Benefits
  Maximize Your Employment Benefits: Flexible Spending Accounts
• Eliminate Credit Card Debt
  The Fastest Way To Eliminate Credit Card Debt - How to eliminate credit card debt before it threatens your financial health
• Financing a College Education
  Financing Your Child's College Education. How to Prepare for the $100,000 Price Tag
• EE Savings Bond Changes
  The federal government has changed Series EE savings bonds, and it's not for the better. Find out about the changes and alternatives to Series EE bonds.
• Retirement Savings Late Start
  Ten Tips for Late Starters To Boost Their Retirement Savings
• Shop Safely Online
  Nine Tips to Shop Safely Online
• Net Worth Statements
  Calculate your net worth to get a snapshot of your financial health
• You Can Afford to Stay Home
  You Can Afford to Stay Home With Your Kids. How to Calculate What That Second Income is Really Costing You and What It's Really Worth.
• Ways for Teens to Make Money
  Jobs for Teens and Other Ways to Make Money
• Wedding Budget Worksheet
  Click here for a printer-friendly version WEDDING BUDGET WORKSHEET Item Budgeted Cost Actual Cost PRINTING:
• Save Money on Heating Costs
  Save money by reducing heating costs
• Your Debt To Income Ratio
  Do you have too much debt? Calculate your debt to income ratio to find out.
• Guilt-free Budgeting
  How to Achieve Guilt-free Budgeting and Take Control of Your Finances
• Credit & Debt Basics
  Credit cards and other forms of debt can be an essential part of your financial toolbox, but you must exercise care when using credit and taking on debt. Find out the difference between good debt and bad debt, and learn how to establish credit and maintain a good credit score.
• 529 Plans
  Section 529 plans are a relatively new college savings vehicle that can make saving for college even easier.
• Budget Worksheet for College Students
  BUDGET WORKSHEET FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS Click here for a printer-friendly version of the College Budget
• Estate Planning
  You don't have to be wealthy to need some aspects of estate planning. Most couples and many singles should have some of these documents in place to protect their loved ones.
• How To Balance Your Checkbook
  Balancing Your Checkbook: Step-by-Step Instructions
• Seeking Credit Counseling
  Consumer Credit Counseling Services: Should You Use Them?
• Top Ten Financial Tips
  Top Ten Financial Tips: Keys to Financial Success
• Itemize Deductions
  Reduce Your Income Taxes by Itemizing Deductions
• Save $ on Home Expenses
  Tips on how to save money on your home expenses, including your mortgage and utilities.
• Guide Picks for Tax Software
  To