Control your spending, save money, regain peace of mind, and make your life happier and healthier with Kakebo-the traditional Japanese method of money management that is still widely used today. Having enough money to live is one of the most important factors affecting our health. Trying to balance expenses-utility bills, housing, healthcare, food, and for many, the costs of raising children (not to mention paying for college!)-leaves us worried and stressed. But there is a solution: Kakebo, a practical, proven method that helps you keep track of every penny, manage spending, and save up to thirty percent more! With this invaluable guide you'll interact with your spending every day for two years, and learn how to manage your personal budget. Designed like a diary, it allows you to record all your daily expenses week by week so you can see exactly where your money goes. Each day is divided into four categories: 1. primary needs-food, personal hygiene, children; 2. optional needs-shopping, cosmetics, gifts; 3. culture and free time-restaurants, books, entertainment; and 4. extras/foreseeable expenses-such as travel, repairs, tuition, and taxes. Kakebo begins with setting a monthly budget. At the beginning of each month, enter your fixed incoming funds and outgoing expenses, and set a savings target. Then, each day, record your various expenses. By keeping close tabs on what you're spending, you'll be able to identify the waste and see the most significant areas where adjustments can be made. Kakebo also offers practical and motivating tips that teach you how to save more successfully. Kakebo isn't just about money-it helps to develop self-awareness, self-discipline, and self-esteem, and promotes peace of mind. Best of all, you can begin any time of year-individually marking the months and days without wasting any pages. Plus, its simple yet inviting for-color graphics help you break down each expense and easily identify see where adjustments need to be made.

This exquisitely written novel asks a simple question: how well do we know our parents? One half of the story begins after the death of Luigi Bonocchio, an Italian immigrant whose daughter Olivia discovers a mysterious deed among his possessions. The deed is to a house in Urbino, Italy---the hometown he barely spoke of. Intrigued, Olivia travels there. At first she is charmed by the historic city, the relatives she's not met before, and the young lawyer she's hired to help her investigate the claim. But when Olivia tries to sort out the deed, she is met with a puzzling silence. Everyone in the town remembers her father, but they are not eager to tell his story. However, Luigi tells his part of the tale directly to the reader as the chapters alternate between Olivia's search for the truth and Luigi's account of his history. By the end of this skillfully constructed book, the reader understands both sides of a heartbreaking, yet ultimately satisfying love story.

From Simon & Schuster, Scribner's Best of the Fiction Workshops 1998 showcases the most exciting and innovative invoice in North American fiction from 1998. Gathered from 100 different workshops, these remarkably diverse stories possess the quality of works by more established authors, while offering the pleasure of discovering the unpredictable and irresistible voices of an up-and-coming generation .

From Simon & Schuster, Scribner's Best of the Fiction Workshops 1997 showcases the most exciting and innovative invoice in North American fiction from 1997. This collection presents an appealing array of outstanding short stories by talented newcomers selected from submissions from a wide range of writing workshops around the United States and Canada.

Critically acclaimed novelist and short story writer Richard Bausch continues the tradition of identifying the best young writers on the cusp of their careers in this year's volume of "Best New American Voices". Here are stories culled from hundreds of writing programs such as the lowa Writers' Workshop and Johns Hopkins and from summer conferences such as Sewanee and Bread Loaf - as well as a complete list of contact information for these programs. This collection showcases tomorrow's literary stars: Julie Orringer, Adam Johnson, William Gay, David Benioff, Rattawut Lapcharoensap, Maile Meloy, Amanda Davis, Jennifer Vanderbes, and John Murray are just some of the acclaimed authors whose early work has appeared in this series since its launch in 2000. The best new American voices are heard here first.

Julie Orringer, Adam Johnson, William Gay, David Benioff, Ana Menendez, Maile Meloy, Amanda Davis, Jennifer Vanderbes, Alix Ohlin, and John Murray: These are just some of the acclaimed writers whose early work has appeared in Best New American Voices since its launch in 2000. The 2005 edition features a new crop of promising stories selected by novelist Francine Prose, who continues the tradition of identifying the best young writers on the cusp of their careers. With pieces culled from hundreds of prestigious writing programs, such as the Iowa Writers' Workshop and Johns Hopkins, and from summer conferences including Sewanee and Bread Loaf-and with a complete list of contact information for these programs-this rich collection showcases tomorrow's literary stars. A Harvest Original