October Newsletter Finance Tip

In his April 2004 Conference talk entitled Earthly Debts, Heavenly Debts Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin outlines five key steps to financial freedom. This month we’ll look at:

· First, pay your tithing.

· Second, spend less than you earn.

· Third, learn to save.

· Fourth, honor your financial obligations.

· Fifth, teach your children to follow your example.

Spending less than you earn may sound like a no brainer, but in order to do that you have to have a budget. Knowing what comes in and goes out is crucial. Throw in the fact that almost anything can be bought on credit and things get a little tricky. When you buy anything on credit, you are spending money that is not there. Some people think they can keep spending as long as they can make the payments. This is disaster in the making. Taking advantage of “introductory offers” or “no interest until 20xx” may sound like good deals at the time, but you never know what the future holds. Church leaders have pleaded with us to stay out of debt for good reason. Many honest people have found themselves in financial trouble because of unforeseen shortfalls, medical emergencies, and a myriad of other variables. Debt puts us into bondage and can be an unforgiving taskmaster. Whenever possible the wisest move is this: if the money isn’t there, don’t spend it!

October Newsletter Scripture

Conference

What a blessing to have both General Conference and Regional Conference this month. We have a wonderful opportunity to hear what the Lord wants us to learn, directly from his chosen servants. Let’s make it a month of spiritual feasting as we prayerfully prepare for and listen to the Lord’s council.

“What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken . . . whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.” -- D&C 1:38

September Newsletter Updates

Relief Society Message –

The new word for the month of September is “MEEK” to go along with our S.M.A.L.L. & S.I.M.P.L.E theme. Meek= “humbly patient”. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5

Pres. Uchtdorf said in April 2010 Conference, “When I think of the Savior, I often picture Him with hands outstretched, reaching out to comfort, heal, bless, and love. And He always talked with, never down to, people. He loved the humble and the meek and walked among them, ministering to them and offering hope and salvation. That is what He did during His mortal life; it is what He would be doing if He were living among us today; and it is what we should be doing as His disciples and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” May we be humble and meek followers of Jesus Christ.

--“Share the Harvest”—please bring to church any vegetables or fruit that you would like to share with others. Put it in a basket in the Relief Society room. We will share starts and seeds in the Fall.

--We had a grand time at Sis. Gartin’s backyard for our annual potluck dinner. Thank you to all who helped with it. It was fun to get to know each other better. Find out who has had five different hair colors and has never dyed her hair!

--We are looking forward to more babies being born! Our ward has been growing with new ones lately--what a blessing!

Primary News – The Primary Sacrament Program is next month! Please help your kids practice their songs & parts so they’ll be ready!

Young Women News – Leanna is volunteering at an animal shelter to complete her Knowledge project. The YW had fun visiting Wheeler Farm, eating cow pies, and learning about "Don't be a Stupid Cow." (See Mervyn Arnold's talk from Oct 2010 Conference) Good luck to all of our YW starting a new school year!

Young Men News - It has been an eventful month in the Young Mens organization. On August 10th-13^th, The 14-15 year old Varsity Scouts attended the Varsity Big Event at East Fork of the Bear, near the Wyoming Border. There the Young Men experienced an array of events. Each night at our campsite, we had our own little campfire program where we issued each young man their own journal notebook and gave them the challenge to write something in it daily that would promote faith and good works to those who read. We also had each present read or tell a story of one of their ancestors that was a faith promoting experience and to remind us all that we are creating our own scriptures for others to learn by.

September Newsletter Finance Tip

In his April 2004 Conference talk entitled Earthly Debts, Heavenly Debts Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin outlines five key steps to financial freedom. This month we’ll look at:

· First, pay your tithing.

· Second, spend less than you earn.

· Third, learn to save.

· Fourth, honor your financial obligations.

· Fifth, teach your children to follow your example.

Tithing can be one of the hardest commandments to obey, but has so many rewards. Besides the skills of organization and self control, the Lord has promised blessings to those who pay their tithing. Most of us know we should pay our tithing, but don’t always stop to think why. In Earl C. Tingey’s April 2002 Conf. talk “The Law of Tithing” he states: In this dispensation, the Lord has established the law of tithing as the law of revenue of His Church. Without it, we could not carry out the eternal purposes of the Lord. It is also a law by which we show our loyalty to the Lord and prove ourselves worthy for privileges, ordinances, and blessings. In D&C 104:14-15 we are reminded that all we have has been given to us from God. When we pay an honest tithe we are giving back a tenth of what we have already been blessed with. When we pay an accurate tithe we are aware of our assets and can plan our finances accordingly. This is undoubtedly an important first step toward financial freedom!

August Newsletter Scripture

"Consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual."

—Mosiah 2:41

August Newsletter Updates

Relief Society Message –

The new word for the month is "IMPROVE" to go along with our Small and Simple Things theme (Alma 37:6).

Simplify, Miracles, Atonement, Laugh, Love & Service, Improve

There are many areas to improve in: communication, relationships, teaching, marriage, finances, health, self-image, etc. Pick an area that you would like to improve and take the steps to do so.

"If we remember the Savior and all he has done and will do for us, we will improve our actions and thus come closer to him, which keeps us on the road to eternal life." Elder John H. Groberg

"Having high expectations for yourself can be good. They can lead you to improve. But they are not good if they lead you to get down on yourself. While you should do your very best to live gospel standards and repent when you fall short, you shouldn’t feel guilty about making mistakes that aren’t sins. Mistakes are just a part of growth and learning.

Improving is different from feeling like you have to be perfect all the time. No one will achieve perfection in this life. Even the Savior, who was the only sinless person, had to learn and grow during His mortal childhood. Pray for help as you strive to keep the commandments." Sep. 2007 New Era

Congratulations to the Lampers! Baby boy born July 25th, 7 lb. 6 oz, 19" long. And a big thank you to those who helped with our service project in July. We appreciate all of your services to each other!

Primary News – Exciting Birthdays - Andi turns 12. And Leila turns 8 this month! Leila will be baptized on Sep 3rd.

Young Women News – Congratulations to Jennie and Kylee who will be doing color guard this year. Brianna received her ribbon for completing the Divine Nature value. Andi will be joining YW!

Dates

August 17 (Wed) RS Potluck Dinner – 6:30pm at Sis Gartin’s home. Food and activity "Daughters of God". All sisters invited to come and get to know each other better. Nursery will be provided.

August 20 (Sat) Stake 30 Year Reunion – Meet at the new stake pavilion at 8am for the 5K Run or at 8:30am for breakfast. Look forward to a delicious breakfast, bounce house and booths with ward & stake histories. Please invite former stake members to join us.

August 26, 27 (Fri-Sat) Ward Campout – Jordan Pines in Big Cottonwood Canyon - Come for whatever amount of time you can. Potluck dinner will be at 6:30pm and breakfast the next morning at 8am. Call the Sanders for more info.

August Newsletter Finance Tip

In his April 2004 Conference talk entitled Earthly Debts, Heavenly Debts Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin outlines five key steps to financial freedom. Over the next several months we’ll be taking a look at each of these steps in turn and exploring some helpful information to help us conquer our earthly debts. The five steps are these:

· First, pay your tithing.

· Second, spend less than you earn.

· Third, learn to save.

· Fourth, honor your financial obligations.

· Fifth, teach your children to follow your example.

Each of these steps offers great counsel, but I also love that Elder Wirthlin remembered heavenly debts in his talk because our heavenly debts cannot be forgotten. In his closing remarks he stated,

“We have earthly debts and heavenly debts. Let us be wise in dealing with each of them and ever keep in mind the words of the Savior. The scriptures tell us, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” The riches of this world are as dust compared to the riches that await the faithful in the mansions of our Heavenly Father. How foolish is he who spends his days in the pursuit of things that rust and fade away. How wise is he who spends his days in the pursuit of eternal life.”

Upcoming Activities

Next Saturday, July 30th is a Christmas in July event at the District. Many stores will be giving away 'free' stuff if you bring in a can of food. I'm excited about Chick-Fil-A, Marble Slab, and Red Robin! Check out the website with the above link to see all participating merchants.

Also, August brings the Two Buck Tuesdays at Thanksgiving Point. Farm Country, Museum of Ancient Life and Thanksgiving Point gardens - all $2/person. Now, which one do we choose this year???

Chalk Art Festival

Sorry I'm so slow about posting this. Chalk Art Festival at the Gateway.

It starts today, but it's best to go on Saturday - more artwork to see and more free stuff!

Children's Book Review

I just came across a book at the local library titled "Cash, Credit Cards or Checks: A Book About Payment Methods" by Nancy Loewen. The ideal age for this book is probably 8 or older. It's a story of two kids and their dad on a shopping trip to prepare for school. It very clearly explains about the many different ways you can use to purchase items and how they work. It also has a few tips about saving and making wise purchases.



There are other books in the same series that I will be checking out in the future.

Free April Fun

Utah Fit Family program - free activities on Saturdays - check out the website. Last week was golf lessons at Junior Golf Academy in Draper. Next week is making a planter at Whole Foods in Cottonwood Heights and the end of the month is Reach for Fitness at the Momentum Indoor Climbing Gym.

Baskin Robbins 31cent scoop night - April 27th from 5-10pm

Learn and Earn from Scholastic Books - earn five free books (per household) for having your children fill out activity sheets.

Sunday School and Priesthood/ Relief Society Lesson Schedules

For your convenience, the Sunday School and Priesthood/ Relief Society lesson schedules are posted on a page that you can link to found above (at the top of the blog page). Now, we have no excuse for not reading our lessons!

Be Diligent, That thou Mayest be a Wise Steward

Be diligent . . . that thou mayest be a wise steward
D&C 136:27

The beginning of a new year is a time to start over, a time to set new goals and re-evaluate some old ones. Most of us still have some resolutions on our minds. Maybe you’ve even stuck to a few of them so far. If so, great!

As I was thinking about what I needed to rededicate myself to this year, scripture study was on the top of my list. While serving in the primary the past couple of years I’ve found that I have become less and less diligent in reading the lesson materials for Sunday school. I eventually found myself wondering, “What are we even studying this year, anyway?” That was my wakeup call.

I decided that even though I don’t attend the adult classes on Sunday, I was missing out if I didn’t follow along with the lesson material. I didn’t realize how much I needed that extra nourishment from the Spirit! It has helped me add structure to my personal scripture study, and been a stimulating addition to my usual primary material.

If you haven’t done so already, it’s not too late to make it a goal to keep up with the Sunday school & Priesthood/RS lesson materials. If you are able to attend class, read the lesson ahead of time so you can participate in the discussions. Be diligent in learning the doctrines of the church. Re-dedicate yourself to home and visiting teaching. Now is a great time to start if you’ve never done it. The monthly messages in the Ensign contain still more modern day revelation for us to feast upon.

The Sunday School and Priesthood/RS classes are there to help us all learn, line upon line, and precept upon precept. As we dedicate a portion of our time to studying the teachings of the Lord, he will bless us with the knowledge that we need to be wise stewards in our lives and homes.

Additional Reading from the Ensign

Looking for inspiration and additional encouragement?

Check out the finance related articles in the February 2011 issue of The Ensign. There are real life experiences from members of the church that are dealing with the same challenges that you might be experiencing.

Learning to Be Content, pg. 62
How We Broke the Chains of Debt, pg. 63
My Tithing Couldn’t Wait, pg. 69
Growing Testimonies – and Mission Funds, pg. 73

'Quotable' from the Quorum of the Twelve . . .

“We control the disposition of our means and resources, but we account to God for this stewardship over earthly things. It is gratifying to witness your generosity as you contribute to fast offerings and humanitarian projects. Over the years, the suffering of millions has been alleviated, and countless others have been enabled to help themselves through the generosity of the Saints. Nevertheless, as we pursue the cause of Zion, each of us should prayerfully consider whether we are doing what we should and all that we should in the Lord’s eyes with respect to the poor and the needy.”

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Care for the Poor, Ensign, Feb 2011, 71.

You Have the Choice: Your Path to Financial Freedom

In General Conference of October 2010, President Monson spoke to the brethren about The Three R’s of Choice. Wise council from a prophet can be applied to all areas of our lives and to all who are willing to listen. President Monson referred to Alice in Wonderland where Alice asks the Cheshire cat, “Which path shall I follow?” The cat answers, “That depends where you want to go. If you do not know where you want to go, it doesn’t matter which path you take.” President Monson comments, “Unlike Alice, we all know where we want to go, and it does matter which way we go, for by choosing our path, we choose our destination. Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage is needed – the courage to say no, the courage to say yes.”

We all want to reach a destination of financial freedom where we no longer have to worry about money and where money, or the lack of, is not the dominating force in all of our decisions. In order to do that we have to set realistic goals and have the courage to say no, or yes, to those important decisions in how we manage our resources. President Monson reminds us that “Each of us has come to this earth with all the tools necessary to make correct choices. The prophet Mormon tells us, ‘The Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil.’ ” We have all the resources we need to be able to make correct choices. We have access to the Spirit. As we are righteous, obedient and prayerful,the Lord will guide us in the paths that we should take – and that includes the path to financial freedom.

With that in mind, and the beginning of the New Year, it’s a good time to assess your financial health and set or re-evaluate your financial goals. Remember how important it is to make specific and realistic goals, both short term and long term. One of your goals may be to have the funds for a family vacation, but if you don’t have an emergency fund or are struggling to pay the monthly bills, a more realistic goal may be to build up your $1000 emergency fund. So, here’s a brief summary of some steps that you can take on your path to financial freedom.

• Pay Your Tithing
• Create a Budget: Stick to it and Review it
• $1000 Emergency Fund
• Get out of Debt!
• Expand Your Emergency Fund (3-6 months living expenses)
• Fund Your Retirement
• Prepare for Upcoming Events (car, mission, college)
• Save for Your Dreams

Also keep in mind that financial goals should be set as couples and as a family. Everyone that contributes to the decision making can also contribute to the decision keeping, so involve all members of the family that are mature enough to contribute. Having the support of our families and the Lord by involving them in our decisions will help us on our path to financial freedom.

Supplemental Income

In these tough economic times, we might just need a little extra income to pay the bills and to get or stay out of debt. Or you might need extra income to build up your emergency fund or pay for upcoming Christmas expenditures. No matter your reason, a small supplemental income can really make a difference.

Every family and individual is different; everyone has different needs, talents and abilities. The key to finding a supplemental income that works for you is to start by listing your needs and your strengths. What amount of income do you need? What kind of time commitment and hours can you allocate? Do you have to work out of your home or do you have flexibility to work at a business?

In listing your strengths and talents, consider what interests you. What are your hobbies? Do you have any unique skills that you can market? You will be more successful in earning a supplemental income if it is something you enjoy as well as something that you are good at. Get creative and involve the whole family!

Be cautious in considering work from home jobs. Do your research to make sure that what you decide on is legitimate and will work for the needs of your family. The Better Business Bureau and online forums can be of assistance. Any job that requires you to pay money to start is most likely not legitimate (with the exception of some home sales businesses that require you to purchase product or demonstration supplies).

Some ideas include:
• Sales – home shows, [Tupperware, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, etc]
• Seasonal jobs – many retail stores and restaurants are hiring for the Christmas season and sometimes seasonal jobs can become more permanent
• Deliver newspapers or phonebooks
• Write freelance articles for local papers or online forums
• Keep a blog or website (earn income from advertising on the website)
• Create unique items to sell at farmers markets, craft fairs or online stores like ebay or etsy (Use those awesome crafting skills!)
• Sell your skills - music lessons, tutor, photography, handyman, electrician, face painting, balloon tying, catering, sewing/alterations, etc
• Sell plasma
• Substitute teach
• Clean homes or small businesses
• Be a companion for the elderly – cook, clean, etc
• Sell your stuff – your junk is someone else’s treasure
• Start a childcare or preschool from your home

Gratitude for What We Have

In speaking of the miracle of the loaves and fishes, President Thomas S. Monson said in October’s General Conference: “Notice that the Savior gave thanks for what they had—and a miracle followed: ‘And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.’ (Matthew 15:32-38) We have all experienced times when our focus is on what we lack rather than on our blessings. Said the Greek philosopher Epictetus, ‘He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.’”
(The Divine Gift of Gratitude, October 2010 General Conference)

Let us be grateful for what we have been blessed with, instead of focusing on what we lack. We will be blessed as we acknowledge and express that gratitude to our Heavenly Father.

72-hour Kit Reminder

REMINDER:
Don’t forget to check your 72-hour kits and rotate out the perishable supplies. Update any clothing items as your family grows and make sure that all important medications are included and haven’t expired. Also, verify that all important information is current (insurance, credit card, etc).

October is also a great month to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and change batteries.



Let’s be prepared!

’Tis Almost the Season!

The holidays are now upon us. What a fun and exciting time of year. Above all, there is the lingering question: How do we keep the true spirit of Christmas front and center in our families amidst all the hustle and bustle? For many, the pressure of finances can get in the way of feeling the spirit of Christmas. Here are a few tips that might help in your efforts to be a wise steward during the holidays:

#1 Agree on a budget. If you haven’t already, decide now how much you are going to spend on gifts, decorations, food, etc. Now for the hard part: STICK TO IT! If it’s not in the budget, do without. If you feel like it’s important, write it down so you can budget for it next year.

#2 Don’t go into debt. We’ve been counseled again and again not to go into debt for things we don’t need. A wise steward plans ahead. Saving money beforehand gives you freedom and peace of mind. If you didn’t save up this year, make it a priority for next year.

#3 Get the family involved. Especially in lean years it’s important to keep the whole family appropriately involved. Young members of the family can learn valuable lessons about service and frugality. They also might surprise you with innovative ideas to save money. Above all, it’s a great way to bring a family closer together when you are all working toward a common goal.

#4 Start Now! Now is the time to put plans into action. If cutting back on what you spend on gifts is in your plan, start now to prepare for creative ways to get into the spirit of giving. Homemade gifts, gifts of service, even letters of kind thoughts, these can be more memorable and meaningful than a toy or a sweater.

The following is a quote by Pres. Thomas S. Monson from his Christmas devotional message from December 2003: “There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ. It is the time to love the Lord our God with all our heart and our neighbors as ourselves. It is well to remember that he who gives money gives much, he who gives time gives more, but he who gives of himself gives all.”

If you have money to give, Great! If you have time to give, Even Better! To give of ourselves is our goal and the surest way to keep the principles Christ taught in our homes during this wonderful time of year.