Young adults are encouraged to be the main characters in these five short stories about teen parents trying to live independently. Each story features a different living situation—single parenting without working; a couple with one partner working full-time; two mothers living together and both working part-time; two young parents living with one of their parents, but struggling for financial independence; and a young entrepreneur. Recording the deposits and withdrawals in each character’s checkbook makes it clear without preaching or lecturing just how difficult it really is to support even a very small family. This new edition is updated to reflect current welfare guidelines and living costs.