It doesn't take a rocket scientist to convince you that the economies of the world are struggling, and even in America, it appears as if there is no hope in sight. The rather appropriate term "Great Recession" is frequently used in the home to describe the turn in financial mood that began in 2008. Recent college grads, senior members of the workforce, and even those self-employed all blame their loss of income on the Great Recession. What is a person to do to establish a firm financial basis in these uncertain times? Is it possible? Does one have to change his entire lifestyle? I will attempt to tackle these questions in the next hour and even provide some practical methods available to all to get the financial ship back in order. This is not a get-rich-quick scheme or a self-motivation guide but rather a text that encourages hard work and discipline to achieve a desired lifestyle. We have all heard the fundamentals of finance, but we often choose to quietly ignore them, and as a result, we suffer the consequences. I will present these fundamentals in a manner that doesn't seem out of touch with reality, and if embraced will allow you to achieve your financial goals.