Book excerpt: This practical guide for general readers uses plain language and a sense of humor to explain 11 basic financial topics of concern to today's single parent, including budgeting, credit, childcare, health care, and housing, and offers advice tailored specifically for the priorities of single-parent households. Principles are demonstrated with stories of real families who found creative solutions for the financial situations faced most often by single parents. Six sample budget worksheets help readers develop their own workable plan. A glossary of terms and an extensive list of web sites are included.