The One-Number Budget: Why Traditional Budgets Fail and What to Do About It

In theory, traditional budgeting is an ideal solution for household financial management. It buys you control, peace of mind, and a retirement you can depend on.

Except when it doesn’t.

When the numbers don’t add up at the end of the month, you can feel like you’re back at square one with nothing except shame and frustration to show for your effort.

It’s a problem that’s easy to ignore—until ignoring it becomes impossible. No matter where you are in the savings journey, there’s a way to simplify both your budget and your life to achieve your financial goals. In The One-Number Budget, retirement income planner John W. Crane reveals a new approach to budgeting that will forever impact how you look at retirement and financial management. He describes the current state of financial services, discusses the psychological aspect of spending, and explains why—and how—one number is all you need to help ensure that you’re meeting your goals. With professional insight and customizable exercises, The One-Number Budget is a philosophy you can grow with and a plan you can stick to for clarity and confidence in all the financial aspects of your life.

Author, financial advisor, and retirement income planner John W. Crane has spent two decades providing personalized financial guidance to business professionals, corporate executives, and medical specialists, utilizing a comprehensive planning process to identify each client's unique goals. He's a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and has received top honors from the premier association of financial professionals, MDRT. A lifelong learner himself, John shares his experience with students at hospitals and high schools throughout Washington, D.C.