Designed as an at-home course to help users develop a realistic budget plan and set up a workable record-keeping system, these course materials provide practical tips, ideas, and suggestions for budgeting. The course begins with a nine-step budgeting process which emphasizes communicating among family members, considering personal or family situation, setting goals, estimating income, estimating expenses, balancing the expenses with income, putting a budget plan into action, adjusting a budget plan as necessary, and future planning. Course materials include (1) situation sheets showing how life situations affect money management; (2) examples of money management tools such as a net worth sheet, income statement, account book, budget form, cash flow statement, budget control sheet, and cash flow planning form; (3) a financial action planning sheet; (4) special sections for single people, two-income families, and those with irregular incomes; and (5) additional information on using credit wisely, tax planning, and recordkeeping systems. (LH)