SPECIAL REPORT
Add it up:
Budget ideas that work for you now

Don't think of it as a budget -- it's a ticket to making sure your finances get you where you want to go. It's kind of like a diet, which can be a futile exercise in deprivation or a prescription for healthy living. Same with a budget: It can be list of pennies to mercilessly pinch, or a way to free up a stash of cash for your goals.

Instead of some simplistic, one-size-fits-all formula, we'll look at how your biggest spending decisions change during your life and how they reflect your financial priorities. We'll highlight the Danger Zones -- were you can make a misstep that might cost you for years -- and the Payoff Plays -- the moves to make now that will bring the biggest dividends.

Just like December's series, we'll take it one step at a time. By the end of the week, you'll be ready to roll.