STAGE ONE: THE FORMATIVE YEARS: FINANCIAL FUNDAMENTALS.

Chapter 1. Budgets are Like Diets—Everyone Cheats: Developing a Spending Plan.

Chapter 2. Are We What We Owe? Controlling Debt.

Chapter 3. Small Change is Real Money: Managing Your Spending.

Chapter 4. Emergency Savings: Preparing for the Unexpected Costs of Life.

STAGE TWO: THE EARLY YEARS: BUILDING A LIFE TOGETHER.

Chapter 5. Speak Now or...Forever You'll Regret It: Gauging Financial Compatibility.

Chapter 6. The Perils of His and Hers Accounts: Merging Finances.

Chapter 7. Money Laundering: Curtailing Surreptitious Spending.

Chapter 8. Does Money Equal Power in a Marriage? Balancing the Salary Equation.

STAGE THREE: THE KIDDIE YEARS: BIG DOLLARS FOR LITTLE PEOPLE.

Chapter 9. Having Children: Evaluating the Financial Implications. 

Chapter 10. "All My Friends Have One!" Ma naging Kids and Their Material Wants.

Chapter 11. From Allowance to Summer Jobs: Teaching Kids About Earning Dollars. 

Chapter 12. Speaking in Code: Understanding Your Messages About Money.

STAGE FOUR: THE MIDDLE YEARS: REEVALUATING YOUR LIFE.

Chapter 13. On e Income or Two? Making a Choice About Lifestyle.

Chapter 14. The Trials of Being the Trailing Spouse: Following Your Dreams.

Chapter 15. You Take Paris … I’ll Take Vietnam: When Vacation Desires Diverge.

Chapter 16. When Financial Incompatibilities Arise: The Art of the Compromise.

STAGE FIVE: THE LATER YEARS: PLANNING THE FUTURE.

Chapter 17. Retirement, Part I: Obsessing About Your Future.

Chapter 18. Retirement, Part II: Making Sure Your Dreams are in Sync.

Chapter 19. College Savings 101: Pass or Fail.

Chapter 20. When Parents Need Money: Deciding When You Can You Say No.

Conclusion.

Notes.

Index.