We've all read the articles about individuals or couples on their way to becoming millionaires. Those people that make great money and manage to invest tens of thousands of dollars every year. Yes, they need financial advice, too, but their concerns are a little different than most people. For many Americans, it's a constant struggle to balance the budget and keep from going further in debt while trying to feed the family and keep the cars running, all the while fearing that emergency that's going to take what little savings they have.

Whether you are in debt, not saving enough for retirement, haven't started those college savings plans, or are just in need of a sound financial plan, it's important to know that most of America is just like you. You are not alone, in fact, you are quite normal. The links below present stories about people with issues similar to yours, who need realistic advice and guidance, and detailed financial plans, just like you!

• Even paying customers are seeing credit card rate increases
• Paying off debt without going broke
• See how these Americans got into debt trouble, and what they are doing to get out of it
• Debt-squeezed Gen X saves little
• Lots of people are tapping their home-equity lines just in case
• 40 American's tell their stories of hard economic times
• This couple took small steps and ended the year with a greater net worth
• The middle class now considers some luxuries as basic needs
• Money lessons from our online village
• Women in Red talk about tracking their expenses to determine where all the money goes
• Three couples who thought they knew how their neighbors were doing financially
• Successful and broke message board (all about budgets and debt) - Women in Red
• Handful of solid, middle-class Americans who are buried in debt - but starting to dig out
• See how many are spending way too much on their home mortgage
• A single mother of two with a ton of debt, and finally a plan
• Readers talk about debt, going back in debt, and finally getting out of debt
• 38-year-old single mom needs emergency fund and other help
• High earners can still struggle
• Young woman planning to get married, but will be starting out with poor credit and lots of debt
• Couple with kids, wants to marry and move, but have no savings, and plenty of credit card debt
• Financial Literacy profile - single mom with mortage, home equity loan, and credit card debt (the plan)
• Couple learn the high price of easy credit
• Single mom, $29,000 in debt
• Women (in Red) who made their money work (they have the stamina it takes to reach financial success)
• Money makeover: Reach your goals with less risk - couple with a great start still make mistakes, have room for improvement
• Young couple struggling with an option ARM (mortgage) - profiled in the Financial Literacy series
• Drowning in credit card debt - one couple profiled in the Financial Literacy series
• Four people who learned how to slowly, steadily build wealth
• The fast track to kicking back - this couple hopes to retire early - now they need a plan
• Donna Friedman - Living 'poor' and loving it
• Live your dreams - these 5 boomers have grand ideas for their Next Big Act (learn how)
• How a single mom transforms way she thinks of money, future
• One couple decides to use their home equity to pay off other debt
• Even retirees are having trouble with debt - a lesson for those of you much younger
• Five examples of people in various financial situations, just like you, in Invest to Win 2007
• Former credit card connoisseur triumphs
• Five twentysomethings are profiled in this six-week series - young & in debt
• Women in Red (a special series) acknowledge the need for accountability