Written by a veteran financial writer who is also a single parent, this practical guide addresses the multiple financial priorities faced by single-parent families. Now there is specific, practical help for anyone trying to get a handle on their finances while heading a family on their own. Kara Stefan's Head of Household: Money Management for Single Parents explores a variety of basic financial topics with information and advice geared specifically to the priorities of single-parent households. Head of Household provides in-depth coverage of 11 issues of primary concern to today's single parent, including budgeting, childcare, health care, and housing. As a veteran financial writer, Stefan knows how to translate the field's intricacies into a language we all can understand. As a long-time single parent, she is acutely aware of the difficulties others face in trying to manage money on their own. Combining her two areas of expertise, Stefan has created a resourceful, level-headed, often hilarious guide, filled with stories of real families and a wealth of solid, creative solutions for the financial situations single parents most often face. 13 alphabetically arranged chapters on basic financial topics, such as budgeting, childcare, credit, housing, investing, etc., written with the single head-of-household in mind Six sample budget worksheets to help readers develop their own workable plan Six charts and tables with helpful information for dealing with financial questions A complete index of important terms