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Problems with the Budget

Dave Ramsey - Dear Dave, We started doing a budget a couple of months ago, and already it's springing leaks. It's just a little bit out of balance in a few different places, but combined, it makes a big dent in our finances. How can we plug the leaks? Joy Dear Joy, First, don't worry about it. This kind of thing happens a lot in household budgeting, especially when folks are new to the process. Here are some ideas to help stretch your dollars and plug those leaks. Use the cash-only method when shopping for groceries. Take cash only for the amount you've budgeted...

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Extra Good

Kate Ensign-Lewis - A typical mother in a typical family, with two young children each in three extracurricular activities, will spend roughly six hours driving per week and, on a busy day, will not return home until 5:00 P.M. After that, it's dinner, homework, and bedtime. If the kids are lucky, they'll get some unstructured time to release their creative juices. Scheduling everything is no easy task for the typical family; in fact, typical parents should probably have a naval degree for the tight ship they have to run. With all this time being stolen from homework, free time, and--most importantly--family, one has to...

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FHE: Optimism

Shauna Gibby - *Conference Talk:* For more information on this topic read "'Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time'," by Quentin L. Cook, Ensign, Nov 2008, 102-6. *Thought:* Regardless of our trials, with the abundance we have today, we would be ungrateful if we did not appreciate our blessings. (Quentin L. Cook, "'Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time'," _Ensign_, Nov 2008, 102-6.) *Song:* "If You're Happy," _Children's Songbook_, p. 266. *Scripture:* And now, verily I say unto you, and what I say unto one I say unto all, be of good cheer, little children; for I am in your midst, and...

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Consolidation the Answer?

Dave Ramsey - Dear Dave, We have about $20,000 in debt, and my husband and I have made a resolution this year to pay it off. I think we should live on a really tight budget and save like crazy, but my husband is really fired up about using a debt consolidation service. What can I say to make him change his mind about this? Brandy Dear Brandy, Debt consolidation services aren't evil, but there are huge problems involved in using them. For one thing, it will trash your credit for the purposes of buying a house. According to the underwriting guidelines of both...

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Buying Early

Dave Ramsey - Dear Dave, I'm a sophomore in college, and I earn about $1,500 a month at my job. My rent is $500 a month. I don't really have a credit history, but I've saved $20,000, and I'm thinking about using it as a down payment on a $140,000 home. Would this be a good idea? Gil Dear Gil, I wouldn't do it. I love the fact that you're working while you're in school. Saving that much money is fabulous, especially for someone who's not even 20 years old! I almost did the same kind of thing when I was in college. I...

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Young Men Lesson 3: Administering the Sacrament

LDS Living - I had the opportunity a year or two ago of visiting the Logan Utah Institute of Religion. The building where the institute meets was recently remodeled. I was told that as the workers removed the old pulpit from the chapel, they discovered some shelves that had been sealed off for some time. In removing the cover, they found a sacrament tray. It apparently dates back many years because the sacrament cups were made of glass. One of those glass cups, as you see here, was mounted and presented to me--probably because I was the only one old enough to remember the...

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D&C Lesson 3: "I Had Seen a Vision"

Ted L. Gibbons - *INTRODUCTION:* We have almost always viewed the preparation for the restoration from the point of view of men and events here on earth. We have studied the lives of Joseph and his family and have considered the spiritual preparation of others who became the leading lights of the reestablishment of the true church. *1. AFTER THE APOSTASY, GOD PREPARED THE WAY FOR THE RESTORATION.* But what of events beyond the veil? Think of the joy of those who had waited for centuries in the Spirit World for the restoration of work for the dead. Consider the rapture of spirits awaiting birth,...

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FHE: Simplicity

Shauna Gibby - *Conference Talk:* For more information on this topic read "Let Him Do It with Simplicity," by L. Tom Perry, _Ensign_, Nov 2008, 7-10. *Thought:* In our search to obtain relief from the stresses of life, may we earnestly seek ways to simplify our lives. (L. Tom Perry, "Let Him Do It with Simplicity," _Ensign_, Nov 2008, 7-10) *Song:* "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam," _Children's Songbook_, p. 60 *Scripture:* And for this cause, that men might be made partakers of the glories which were to be revealed, the Lord sent forth the fulness of his gospel, his everlasting covenant, reasoning in...

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Soup's On

LDS Living Staff - Soup is a fairly straight-forward food. You take a base, you add meat and vegetables, and you heat it up. However, there are some hints and tricks to this seemingly foolproof food that you might find useful: * Adding herbs to a soup near the end of the cooking time will make the herbs much stronger. If you prefer mild soup, make sure to add spices in the beginning. * As a side, one quart of soup can serve six people. If soup is the main course, plan on two servings per quart. * If you're serving a cold soup, etiquette...

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Young Men Lesson 2: The Calling of a Deacon

LDS Living - My dear brethren, it is wonderful and humbling to be with you in this worldwide assembly of priesthood holders. I love and admire you. I feel honored to be counted as one of you. I salute you who have the authority to act in the name of God and to perform ordinances which are a vital source of eternal strength and energy for the well-being of mankind. I will speak today to you wonderful young men who are preparing to make a difference in the world--you who have entered the ranks of the Aaronic Priesthood and you who have already received...