"We have been counseled again and again concerning self-reliance, concerning debt, concerning thrift. So many of our people are heavily in debt for things that are not entirely necessary. . . . I urge you as members of this Church to get free of debt where possible and to have a little laid aside against a rainy day" (Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Times in Which We Live," Ensign, Nov. 2001, 73).
With careful planning and the guidance of the Spirit, you and your family will be able to enjoy a more secure financial future.
A number of calculators are available to help you make wise financial decisions. Consider the questions below and use the calculators provided to help you in your financial planning:
How soon could I pay off all my debts?
How much should I save for emergencies?
Where is my money going?
Would spending a little less and saving a little more make a difference?
How long will it take to pay off my credit card?
When will my loan be paid off?
What if I pay a little extra each month on my loan?
What would my payment be if I borrowed?
Should I refinance my home mortgage?
What would be my monthly payment on a new home?
How much should I save for retirement?
Are my current retirement savings adequate?
How much retirement income will I have if I save regularly?
How much should I save to reach my goal?
How much could I have if I saved regularly?
To learn more: Financial Calculators
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Tithing + Fast Offerings = Successful Family Finances
How can paying tithing and fast offerings help me manage my finances?
Successful family finances begin with the payment of an honest tithe and the giving of a generous fast offering. The Lord has promised to open the windows of heaven and pour out great blessings upon those who pay tithes and offerings faithfully (see Isaiah 58:6-12; Malachi 3:10).
If our tithing and offerings are the first obligations met, our commitment to this important gospel principle will be strengthened and the likelihood of financial mismanagement will be reduced.
To learn more: Family Finances
Successful family finances begin with the payment of an honest tithe and the giving of a generous fast offering. The Lord has promised to open the windows of heaven and pour out great blessings upon those who pay tithes and offerings faithfully (see Isaiah 58:6-12; Malachi 3:10).
If our tithing and offerings are the first obligations met, our commitment to this important gospel principle will be strengthened and the likelihood of financial mismanagement will be reduced.
To learn more: Family Finances
Thursday, September 24, 2015
The Earthquake Lady
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| Maralin Hoff - The Earthquake Lady Thank you for your support of the Earthquake Workshop. Lots of valuable information was shared to help prepare for any type of emergencies. To learn more: Be Ready Utah |
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| What about your pets? |
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| Sample of an emergency backpack |
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| Tools for surviving an earthquake |
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| Some of the suggestions to carry in a car |
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
General Women's Session of General Conference
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Don't Forget! Earthquake Workshop Friday Night
Come and learn what to expect and how to
keep your family safe when an earthquake hits.
Maralin Hoff, "The Earthquake Lady,"
is a community Outreach Specialist with Be Ready Utah.
She is highly sought after and has expert,
practical advice on earthquake preparedness.
Her presentation is on Friday, September 18th at 7:00 p.m.
in the Stake Center cultural hall. Everyone is welcome.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Be Prepared - Not Scared!
Come and learn what to expect and how to
keep your family safe when an earthquake hits.
Maralin Hoff, "The Earthquake Lady,"
is a community Outreach Specialist with Be Ready Utah.
She is highly sought after and has expert,
practical advice on earthquake preparedness.
Her presentation is on Friday, September 18th at 7:00 p.m.
in the Stake Center cultural hall. Everyone is welcome.
Photo from howdoesshe.com
Friday, September 11, 2015
Avoid Debt - Step Two of the Lord's Financial Plan
Spending less money than you make is essential to financial security. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles that consumer debt is a form of bondage that affects individuals both temporally and spiritually. He said, “We think we own things, but the reality is, our things own us.” For this reason, the First Presidency encourages members to avoid debt with the exception of buying a modest home or paying for education.
The Kloosterman family has enjoyed the blessings of being free from the bondage of debt. When Kevin Kloosterman was called as the bishop of his ward in Illinois, USA, his family had some consumer debt. His stake president reminded him of the First Presidency’s counsel, and Bishop Kloosterman left the interview determined to pay off the debt. “We had always … tried to put the Lord first,” he recalls. “In this one case, we hadn’t.”
The Kloosterman family studied the scriptures and modern-day counsel related to finance and debt and took the steps necessary to achieve their goal. It became clear that they were being blessed by the Lord for heeding the counsel of His servants. “There is no affliction in mortality which the Savior cannot heal,” Bishop Kloosterman says. “If He can deliver us from the captivity of sin and death, He can certainly deliver us out of financial bondage.”
If Church members are in debt, they should pay the debt off as quickly as possible. A debt-elimination calendar is a great tool to help individuals create a specific plan to become debt-free. After creating a plan, members can make it a priority by making their necessary payments immediately after paying tithes and offerings. Above all, members should be patient with the time it may take to become debt-free by relying on the Lord for help and striving to follow His commandments.
To learn more: The Lord's Financial Plan
The Kloosterman family has enjoyed the blessings of being free from the bondage of debt. When Kevin Kloosterman was called as the bishop of his ward in Illinois, USA, his family had some consumer debt. His stake president reminded him of the First Presidency’s counsel, and Bishop Kloosterman left the interview determined to pay off the debt. “We had always … tried to put the Lord first,” he recalls. “In this one case, we hadn’t.”
The Kloosterman family studied the scriptures and modern-day counsel related to finance and debt and took the steps necessary to achieve their goal. It became clear that they were being blessed by the Lord for heeding the counsel of His servants. “There is no affliction in mortality which the Savior cannot heal,” Bishop Kloosterman says. “If He can deliver us from the captivity of sin and death, He can certainly deliver us out of financial bondage.”
If Church members are in debt, they should pay the debt off as quickly as possible. A debt-elimination calendar is a great tool to help individuals create a specific plan to become debt-free. After creating a plan, members can make it a priority by making their necessary payments immediately after paying tithes and offerings. Above all, members should be patient with the time it may take to become debt-free by relying on the Lord for help and striving to follow His commandments.
To learn more: The Lord's Financial Plan
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
The Lord's Financial Plan
In The message of financial preparedness is not new. In this dispensation, Church leaders have encouraged members to prepare themselves by wisely managing their finances and have promised blessings to those who follow this counsel. The First Presidency said: “Latter-day Saints have been counseled for many years to prepare for adversity by having some money set aside. Doing so adds immeasurably to security and well-being.”
Families and individuals, both past and present, have witnessed the blessings of peace that result from their obedience to this counsel. As Church members follow the specific guidelines in All Is Safely Gathered In and utilize the other financial counseling the Church offers, they too will experience these blessings in their lives.
In the pamphlet, All is Safely Gathered In, the First Presidency asks all Church members to consider their finances and strive to become more spiritually and temporally self-reliant: “We encourage you wherever you may live in the world to prepare for adversity by looking to the condition of your finances. … If you have paid your debts and have a financial reserve … , you and your family will feel more secure and enjoy greater peace in your hearts.”
The pamphlet outlines five basic principles: pay tithes and offerings, avoid debt, use a budget, build a reserve, and teach family members. While living these principles requires patience, temperance, and sacrifice, obedience to the Lord’s financial plan will bring greater peace and joy than individuals and families could ever experience by living the way of the world.
To learn more: All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Finances
Families and individuals, both past and present, have witnessed the blessings of peace that result from their obedience to this counsel. As Church members follow the specific guidelines in All Is Safely Gathered In and utilize the other financial counseling the Church offers, they too will experience these blessings in their lives.
In the pamphlet, All is Safely Gathered In, the First Presidency asks all Church members to consider their finances and strive to become more spiritually and temporally self-reliant: “We encourage you wherever you may live in the world to prepare for adversity by looking to the condition of your finances. … If you have paid your debts and have a financial reserve … , you and your family will feel more secure and enjoy greater peace in your hearts.”
The pamphlet outlines five basic principles: pay tithes and offerings, avoid debt, use a budget, build a reserve, and teach family members. While living these principles requires patience, temperance, and sacrifice, obedience to the Lord’s financial plan will bring greater peace and joy than individuals and families could ever experience by living the way of the world.
To learn more: All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Finances
Friday, September 4, 2015
Becoming Provident Providers
Elder Robert D. Hales encourages us to stay out of debt and live frugally as he recounts a story from the early days of his marriage, when his wife exemplified the principles of provident living.
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Be Prepared - Not Scared!
Come and learn what to expect and how to
keep your family safe when an earthquake hits.
Maralin Hoff, known as the "Earthquake Lady",
is a community Outreach Specialist with Be Ready Utah.
She is highly sought after and has expert,
practical advice on earthquake preparedness.
Her presentation is Friday, September 18 at 7:00 p.m.
in the Stake Center Cultural Hall.
Everyone is welcome to attend!
Photo by: activerain.com