Human Interest

Dear Dave,

My wife and I are trying to improve our finances by living on a budget and following your plan. We’re in the middle of Baby Step 2, so we’re working to pay off everything but our house using the debt snowball. We only bring home about $40,000 a year combined right now, so how should we handle Christmas budgeting in the middle of working our debt snowball?

Scot

Dear Scot,

Dear Dave,

I just accepted a new job that will pay me $30,000 a year more than my old position. I’ve got about $55,000 in debt I’ve been working hard to pay off, and I know now I need to adjust my budget. Do you have any advice?

Mitch

Dear Mitch,

The first thing I’d say is don’t go crazy on any big-ticket items while you’re paying off debt. Keep it simple, and go out to celebrate with a nice dinner after you get your first paycheck. Remember, the more you put toward debt, the faster it goes away.

A Substitute for Christmas

I have been substitute teaching in the Logan City and Cache County school districts for a couple of years now.  But it all started a long time ago, in a place far, far away. 

Wool Clothing is Amazing

In a world of less expensive synthetic fibers, the once popular wool clothing is often forgotten, but pure wool is still superior in so many ways. There are reasons that the grandparents wore so much wool. Pure wool has special characteristics that can’t be beaten.

Alcohol-Impaired Driving Is on the Rise; Here’s What We Can Do About It

by James Eberspacher, Division Director, National Center for DWI Courts

Confusion Shouldn't Stop Patients from Buying Health Insurance
By Janet Trautwein

This year's Affordable Care Act open enrollment period started November 1. Millions of Americans will soon visit HealthCare.gov or the online insurance exchange run by their state to shop for 2018 health plans. Many will be confused by what they find.

Premiums have increased significantly. The most popular "silver" exchange plans cost 34 percent more, on average, than they did in 2017. Skimpier bronze plans cost 18 percent more. Generous gold plan premiums have risen 16 percent.

Get Your Kids on the Ice, and Have Some Fun

Ice fishing is a fun activity for the whole family

If you’re looking for something fun to do with your family this winter, the nearest ice-covered water might be the answer. Ice fishing is easy to learn, it doesn’t take much equipment, and anyone—including kids—can catch lots of fish.

Many local waters were heavily stocked with fish this fall. Once the ice forms, the fish will be looking for an easy meal.