If you've read any of my articles or followed my blog, you're probably thinking, "Great, another lecture on budgeting!" I apologize. But it seriously is important.

The reason I have a tendency to continue writing about this topic is because it is the key to winning financially and the foundation to everything personal finance. But mostly I have to write about it to remind myself to keep doing it and to do it better.

I cannot stress how important it is to get yourself - or your family - on a budget and have a plan. The budget is a very powerful tool and the key to getting you and your family out of debt or avoiding debt all together. Budgeting isn't easy, but you have to do it if you want to win.

I hear a lot from people that there is no way they can get out of debt, because their current circumstances just don't allow any extra money in their budgets to do it. Getting out of debt does feel like a daunting task. It's easy to look at the hill you have to climb and talk yourself out of ever getting there.

I used to think the same thing too at one point. However, getting on a budget helped me control my expenses and eliminate nearly $22,000 of debt in the first year I began my debt-free journey. Since then I have paid off more than $50,000 of debt. There is absolutely no way I could have done it without budgeting. The budget is our friend.

Have you ever gotten to the end of the month and wondered what happened to all your money? Of course you have. We all have. If you are asking yourself this question at the end of each month then you're likely not budgeting. If you are budgeting and still asking yourself this question, then you can do better. If you don't tell your money where to go, then at the end of the month you will end up wondering where it went. The budget tells your money exactly where to go.

The budget is the foundation upon which debt freedom is built. It causes you to gain control of your finances and live on less than you make - eliminating the need for credit cards and borrowing money. So now that you're going to be on a budget, go ahead and cut up those cards. You'll thank me later.

I still remember the day I said goodbye to my credit cards. It wasn't easy, but it was the first step in learning to live below my income.

The budget is a specific, written game plan in which you tell your money exactly how to behave. It's important that a new budget is created regularly (weekly, bi-weekly or monthly). Every single dollar (your total monthly take-home pay) must be spent on paper before the month begins. In order for the budget to work, those who make the budget have to work as well - do not deviate from your written game plan. It requires discipline and accountability. Be intentional about your spending. You'll be surprised by how much you will get out of your income when you begin to budget. You'll feel like you got a raise.

If you are married, it is essential that you and your spouse sit down together regularly and work out the budget until you both agree on how the money will be spent. You both get a voice and your opinions matter.

Dave Ramsey, a renowned financial expert, author and talk-radio host, and someone I consider a mentor of sorts, refers to this sit-down as the "Budget Committee Meeting."

If there is an issue regarding the budget that comes up later during the month and requires a budget adjustment, sit down again and make the appropriate changes together. When both spouses are on the same page and understand the household finances equally, your ability to control spending and your get-out-of-debt power will be amplified.

We need to care for our own households first, meaning the first things accounted for in the budget and the first bills paid should be food, shelter (rent, mortgage, utilities), transportation (car payment, gas), and necessary clothing. After the necessities are covered, use the remaining money to pay the other expenses (credit cards, medical bills, entertainment, etc.).

Getting out of debt requires sacrifice. You might have to cut the cable and other non-essential expenses temporarily until you have the money in your budget to afford them. You might also have to avoid eating out - which can be pretty expensive and cause additional strain on the family budget. You'll be amazed at the amount of extra money you can find in your budget by avoiding restaurants and eating in. Be creative in finding ways you can free up some room in your budget in order to gain control of your money and life.

As a Christian, I practice the law of tithing by giving 10 percent of my income to my local church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If you are also a tithe payer, this should be added to the top of your budget. If you are not a tithe payer, I would still highly recommend adding some form of giving to your budget and making it a priority. Giving to others is a wonderful thing and you'll be amazed at how it can change your financial situation for the better. I don't know exactly how it works, I just know it does.

When setting your budget there are a few guidelines that can help push you in the right direction. Check out the recommended percentages and guidelines for a successful budget. These percentages will help you know where you are overspending and where cuts need to be made.

I also recommend the mint.com mobile app. It is a wonderful tool that will help you track your expenses and stay in line with your budget. Give it a try.

But you don't need fancy software or special forms to make a budget. All you need is a blank piece of paper and a pencil. The important thing is that your budget is put in writing. If goals aren't written down, they are far less likely to be achieved. Put the amount of your monthly income (your take-home pay) at the top of the page and spend it accordingly; line-upon-line until you spend it all. Until you hit $0.

For fixed-expenses utilize automatic checking account withdrawal options or employ an envelope system. This will help you track your spending and stay within written budget.

Mastering the budget takes time and practice. Be patient and stick with it. Be willing to make adjustments as your financial situation continues to change. The more you do it the better at it you will become.

The post Budgeting is a B word appeared first on FamilyToday.

Are you sick and tired of being in debt? Yeah, me too. I hate debt. That's why I decided to eliminate it and avoid it for the rest of my life.

So how exactly does one go about eliminating debt?

It can be a daunting task. Especially if you're in a situation like I was - at one point having over $50,000 of debt - but it is possible to get out of debt. And you can do it.

Here are 7 things you can do that will help you dump your debt.

1. Decide you're done with debt

If you aren't fully committed to stop using debt, it is going to be very difficult to get yourself out of debt. You have to change your mindset and completely overhaul the way you operate your personal finances. You cannot dig yourself out of a hole if you continue to dig out the bottom. Stop using debt, cut up your credit cards and start filling in that hole.

2. Get an emergency fund

Begin by setting aside a small emergency fund of about $1000 dollars. This will give you a little bit of cushion as you wean yourself off the credit cards. Having some money available for unexpected and unplanned events in your life will help keep you from running back to the plastic. It's not only an emergency fund, it's a security fund. It will help secure your personal financial life and give you the foundation you need to begin making some serious get-out-of-debt progress.

3. Use the budget

Budgeting is always going to be part of anything personal finance. It is the key to achieving all of your personal financial goals. Without budgeting, you won't get very far. Use the budget to minimize spending and track expenses. Squeeze every extra dollar possible out of your income. You might want to consider cutting your cable, reducing your internet or cell-phone plan, or avoiding restaurants until your debts are paid off. A good, detailed budget is the catapult to debt elimination.

4. Focus on one thing at a time

Doing too many things at once can dilute your get-out-of-debt progress. If you are trying to save, invest, give and eliminate debt all at the same time, you're going to struggle. Instead of doing a bunch of things all at once, focus on being excellent at one thing at a time. I would recommend not contributing to retirement while you are getting out of debt. I'm not saying to unplug your investments forever, but just for the interim while you get out of debt. If you're serious about eliminating debt, on average it should take about 24-48 months.

Think about it... What is the best way to get an 18 percent return on your money? Get rid of that 18 percent interest credit card. As soon as your debts are gone, you can restart your retirement, and you'll have a bunch more money to contribute.

5. Use the debt-snowball method

Snowballing your debt is the fastest way to get out of debt. If you're a math person, you might argue that it isn't always the best way, or it doesn't always offer the biggest savings in the end. But you're math equation is missing one important factor - momentum. You cannot underestimate the power momentum has in getting you out of debt.

To snowball your debt, list all of your debts from smallest balances to largest balances. Pay the minimum payment on all your debts except for the smallest debt and put every extra dollar you have on your smallest debt. Once that debt is paid off, roll the minimum payment into the next debt. Your new minimum payment would be the sum of those two debts. For example, if you're smallest debt had a minimum payment of $25, and your second smallest debt had a minimum payment of $50, once the first debt is paid off, you've freed up that $25 and your new minimum payment on the second debt would be $75. And so it goes, your minimum payment gets bigger and bigger as you pay off your debts. The snowball creates momentum.

6. Adjust your tax withholdings

A lot of people look forward to getting that big tax refund when tax season rolls around. Many people even use that refund to pay down debts, which is great. However, I think more debt reduction could be done on a monthly basis if more of that income was coming home rather than withheld by the government without interest. Getting a tax refund typically means you overpaid, and the government is refunding you the difference. You should adjust your allowances on your W-4 so when April comes around you don't owe anything, but you don't get a refund, either.

What could you do with an extra $200 or $300 a month? I think it could definitely boost your debt elimination plan. Plus, the sooner you pay off your debts, the less interest you will pay.

7. Find extra income

OK, I know it isn't easy to find extra income. And I'm not saying you need to take on another full-time job or put your wife to work. But find some quick, simple ways to get a little extra cash you could dump on some of your debts to speed up the process. Every extra couple hundred bucks helps and gets you there that much quicker.

Maybe you have some things around the house you can sell. Are there extra shifts you could take on at work, or is there overtime available? What about delivering pizza on the weekends or a couple nights a week? Starting a small business on the side is also a great way to make some extra income. Nowadays you can even make a couple hundred dollars a month donating plasma - I know, because I've done it. Get creative in finding a little extra money you can put towards the debt. Faster is better.

I can tell you from experience that getting out of debt is not easy. I've paid off over $50,000 of debt, and I'm still working through it. It takes a lot of work and even more sacrifice. It takes paying attention. Learning to tell yourself "no" is hard. But in the end it will all be worth it. Just think of what you will be able to do if you free up that $400 car payment or that $275 payment you send religiously to Mastercard. What if instead you paid yourself $400 per month?

Without debt, you have complete control of your greatest wealth building tool - your income. Now go and eliminate your debt and enjoy all of that money you earn. You deserve it.

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As a financial counselor, I've had the opportunity to discuss personal finances with a variety of different people. The budget is almost always one of the first things we address. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of having a monthly budget. It is the key to achieving all of your personal financial goals. It will change your personal financial world, if you do it right.

In my conversations with people I have noticed a few things:

1. Almost everyone believes they have a budget.

2. Almost everyone doesn't really have a budget.

3. They can do better.

We all can do better. Just like in all other aspects of life, there is always room for improvement.

Here are seven ways you can better master your budgeting skills.

1. Have a written budget

If it isn't written down, it doesn't exist. Having the budget "in your head" doesn't really count for having a budget. I don't care where you write it down - it can be on a piece of paper, a yellow pad or on an excel spreadsheet. Just make sure you write it down.

2. Track it

You have to have a method of tracking. What's the point of making a budget and establishing guidelines, if you have no way of knowing whether or not you are actually staying within those guidelines? Track your expenses.

A great way to track your expenses is with the Mint.com mobile app. It easily and securely links your bank accounts, categorizes your spending and uses little line graphs to help you track how much money you have spent in any specific category. It will also send you alerts when you are reaching your spending limits. However, a simple piece of paper, envelopes or an excel spreadsheet works just as well. Find which method works best for you and do it.

3. Budget the priorities first

Before doing anything else, cover the household necessities first. Food, shelter, transportation and utilities are the first things you should include in your budget. If you are a tithe payer, then tithing should be included in this list. Additionally, make it a priority to budget for savings - you should at least have a decent emergency fund if nothing else. And never pay on a credit card or debt before paying your rent, mortgage or utilities. That's just dumb.

4. Prioritize your debts

After you have covered the basic household expenses, you can begin allocating money to cover any debts you might owe. This includes credit cards, student loans, medical bills or any other debt obligation in which you are making monthly payments. Prioritize them. I recommend listing them in order of smallest balance to largest balance, paying the minimums on everything but the smallest debt, and paying off the smallest debt as fast as possible with any extra money you can squeeze from your budget.

If there is a debt that is past due or a looming judgment, put resolving those debts at the top of this list.

5. Give yourself some spending money

Too often we are turned off to the idea of budgeting because it feels restrictive. It is not restrictive. It is actually the opposite. It gives you more freedom and control of your money. But you need to be reasonable when making a budget. You are going to spend some money on personal stuff, so plan for it. Give yourself some "pocket change."

6. Give every dollar a name

Make sure every dollar of your income is allocated toward something specific. Your income minus your expenses should equal zero. Every dollar should be accounted for. Using a budget sheet can be helpful when planning your spending. It can help remind you of a spending category you might have looked over. One of the biggest mistakes I see in budgeting is people leaving something out of the budget. Do you have a gym membership? Do you have a subscription to Netflix? What about haircuts and pedicures? It's easy to overlook some things in your budget. Make sure there is money allocated to cover whatever it is that you will be spending money on.

7. Cut things out

Depending on your income and debt situation, you might or might not have enough money to cover everything. If you are running on no surplus or very little surplus, you might have to cut out some of the waste. You might have to cut the cable or downgrade your service. Maybe you can only afford to go out to the movies one night this month rather than every weekend. Ladies, maybe you can't afford that weekly manicure. And guys, you might just have to pass on golfing a few times this month.

I don't know what you need to cut out of your budget, but if you don't have enough money to cover everything, then something needs to go. You can make that call. What I do know is that you cannot afford to continue to spend more than you make. That just doesn't work.

When you budget properly, you will be amazed at how much money you are actually wasting and how much more money you can actually save. There is room for all of us to improve when it comes to managing our money. The budget is where we can make it happen.

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Do you wish your personal financial life had a check engine light? Wouldn't it be nice if when things weren't going right in your financial life that something would light up on your dashboard and tell you that you needed to get it fixed?

While there is no literal warning light for when you are in financial distress, there are warning signs that your financial life needs some immediate service.

Here are 12 signs your personal finances should be serviced soon.

1. You are living paycheck to paycheck

Running out of money before the next month begins or barely making it to the end of each month with little to no money remaining can be a stressful way to live. Having to hold your breath and hang on for dear life until your next paycheck is deposited into your checking account so you can pay your next bill is a sign of a possible money problem. Maybe your income is very low and you are doing your best to work with what you have in your current situation. But it's also possible your expenses are too high or you're just spending too much money and not paying enough attention. A detailed budget will help you pinpoint the problem area.

2. You do not have an emergency fund

Not having emergency savings is a sign you are not fully prepared for the unexpected events that will occur in your life. A good financial plan needs a specific fund separate from your regular checking and saving accounts that is designated. Having emergency savings will prevent you from having to borrow money or put the expenses on a credit card, which can lead to even more problems in your personal finances.

3. You use credit cards to supplement your income

If you continually run out of money before you get to the end of the month and you use credit cards to supplement the difference, this is a sign of a serious money problem. It is impossible to spend more money than you make and win financially. If you cannot satisfy your monthly expenses on your household income alone, something is wrong. Using credit cards to pay your bills and cover the costs of the things you don't have the money for will eventually catch up to you. The balances will increase, minimum payments will go up, and interest rates will rise, causing your monthly budget to become even tighter.

4. Debt is part of your everyday life

If you rely on debt to pay your bills, buy your groceries, fill up your gas tank, and to pretty much finance everything in your life, it is only a matter of time before it will catch up to you and tackle you from behind. Making debt payments ties up too much of your cash flow. And the further in debt you go, the larger the debt payments become. Your income is your best resource for building savings and creating wealth. If your monthly household income is divided into monthly payments, it is going to be difficult for you to reach your financial goals and save and invest for the future. Stop using debt and learn to live on your income.

5. You are behind on your bills

Falling behind on your bills and debt obligations is a sign of not paying enough attention or not budgeting properly. When your accounts begin to be hit with late fees this is a sign that something needs to be addressed and fixed immediately. Debt payments should be a high priority in your budget and enough money should be allocated monthly to keep these payments current. You need to know the due date of each payment and payments should be sent a few days before the actual due date to ensure the money is received on time. Paying unnecessary late fees and additional interest will cause more strain on your monthly budget and lead to further financial distress.

6. Your utilities are being disconnected

A giant pink tag on your door knob is as close to a check engine light as you're going to find when it comes to your personal finances. Getting your utilities disconnected should never happen. Utility payments should be high enough on the priority list that it is one of the first things you pay each month. Utilities are part of what I call the four walls of budgeting, or the basic necessities that should be covered before everything else in your budget. Similar to my last point, this is a sign of poor budgeting and not paying attention. Having your utilities disconnected is a major inconvenience and will usually require a large deposit for re-connection, only exacerbating the problem.

7. You're afraid to open your bills

Maybe you don't even know how far behind you are on your bills because you are afraid to open the envelope and look at the statement. Do you just throw the bills in a drawer or in a box next to your desk thinking you'll get to it later? The bills will just keep piling up. Denial is a major sign of a financial problem. This can happen because you don't know how much money you have, how much you have to spend, or what your expenses are. This is a direct result of not budgeting your money and not having a solid cash flow plan. The bills aren't going away. The stack is just going to get taller if you don't make a quick change and start taking action. Otherwise, it won't be long before you'll get a pink tag on your door or you'll receive a call from a collector demanding the money.

8. You avoid looking at your bank accounts

Are you too scared to look at your bank account? Do you not want to know how much money isn't there? This is a sign your spending plan is out of control, or better, non-existent. You need to know how much money you make and how much money is remaining in your bank account at all times. It is too stressful to write checks to pay your bills or swipe your debit card at the gas pump and have to wonder if there is even enough money in your account to cover the charges. If your checking account balance scares you, that's a definite sign you need to start managing your money better.

9. Your debit card or credit card is being declined

Have you recently swiped your credit card at the grocery store and had the cashier tell you it was declined? Did you then try your other card and it was also declined? Did you try to withdraw money from the ATM and get a receipt with a big NSF on it? These are loud warning signs that whatever you are doing isn't working. You need a new plan. If your credit cards are maxed out, then you are relying too much on your credit cards and not budgeting your income properly or your spending is out of control. An NSF receipt is a pretty clear indication that you didn't know how much was in your account to begin with. You need to know where your money is going and not always be wondering where it went.

10. You need a payday loan

If you find yourself in need of a payday advance loan or if you've already gotten one, your financial warning light is blinking brightly. Needing a payday loan is the equivalent of having the check engine light on, the car overheating, and two flat tires. Payday loans are a disaster and getting out of them is nearly impossible. The interest rates on payday loans are astronomical - I've seen them as high as 750 percent APR. The fees and late charges are also absurd. If you are at this point, your personal finances need some immediate service and possibly a complete overhaul.

11. You regularly pay overdraft fees

Paying overdraft fees can get expensive and annoying. If you are regularly having to go into the negative in order to cover your expenses, something is going wrong in your financial life. You cannot spend more money than you earn and make progress financially. Overdraft fees can vary, but they are typically around $25 for every transaction your bank or credit union has to cover. These fees can add up quickly and become a problem the next time you deposit a paycheck into your account - your next paycheck just became that much less. This is a result of poor budgeting and not knowing where your money is going. You cannot afford overdraft fees. They will kill your cash flow.

12. You do not have a written budget

The budget is the key to preventing most money problems. If you are not budgeting monthly and planning how you will spend your income, that is a major warning sign for future money management problems. The budget is your gauge. It will tell you exactly where you stand financially. It is like getting a regular oil change and tire rotation. It will help you get the most out of your monthly income and keep you aligned with your financial goals. The budget tells you how much money you make, how much money you have to spend, what to spend it on, and when to spend it. Without a written budget you are just guessing. It is impossible to win financially if you do not have a clear plan and clear goals. Having a budget will help you live within your income, pay your bills on time, get out of debt, create savings, and avoid having to borrow more money.

These are all warning signs and indicators that some type of adjustment needs to be made in your financial plan. I'm hopeful you can recognize some of the problems in your personal finances in time to make some positive changes and course correction and avoid serious financial problems down the road.

Money can be a blessing. With money you can do so much; you can provide for your family, give, save, travel, enjoy your life, live your dreams, retire with dignity, or whatever it is that you value most. If you need help with your finances, consider talking with a financial counselor or someone you know and trust that could give you some guidance.

There has never been a better time to start managing your money well than right now.

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In honor of the recent Mother's Day, I wanted to take some time and show my appreciation for one of the greatest influences in my life, my mom.

I come from a large family, I am one of eight children. I have been blessed to have been born into a loving home and to a wonderful mother. My mother has given her life to serving others, raising her children, and caring for her family. She is one of the most selfless people I know. She now has 20 grandchildren and continues to be a loving, nurturing grandmother to each one of them. She has taught me the importance of being good, working hard, and being grateful for what I have. She is the perfect example of selflessness and how to serve and love others. I love my mom.

Here are four things I learned from my mom about money and more importantly, life.

1. She taught me to pay my tithing and give

My mom is a giver by nature - as I believe are most moms. She is the ultimate doer. She is a selfless, service oriented woman and has shown me through her example the importance of giving of oneself to others. My mom is constantly thinking about what she can do for other people. If she has ever thought only about herself, it would be well deserved and warranted, I just haven't seen it. I'm grateful to have been raised and loved by someone with such a giving heart. Because of my mom I too am a giver.

My mom has always taught me and my siblings the importance of paying tithing - both by her example and her words. As long as I can remember I have watched my mother faithfully pay her fast offerings and tithes to the church. Anytime one of my siblings or I earned even one dollar, she reminded us to pay our tithing - I can still hear my mom saying, "make sure you pay your tithing!" My mother has taught me the importance of being faithful to the law of tithing and has shown me the wonderful blessings that come from being selfless and willing to give.

My mother has given years of her life serving others, including helping and supporting a variety of different humanitarian efforts. It seems like she is always making another quilt. I still have a quilt she made and gave me for my high school graduation. I love it. She has made hundreds of quilts for other people and for numerous humanitarian efforts, such as for the children at Primary Children's Hospital. She has spent many nights knitting beanies and hats for the homeless and painting little wood dolls to send to the children in Africa. Every Christmas since I can remember she has made an effort to help other families in need, whether it be a Sub-for-Santa program or giving a box of food to a family in need. My mother has always taught us to think about others and to help others. Giving is one of the greatest things a human being can do and my mother is one of the greatest givers I know. So that makes my mom one of the greatest human beings!

2. She taught me the difference between wants and needs

This is something I am still learning. I will admit, sometimes I still buy stuff I don't really need. But because of my mom I do know what is really important. I don't know if my mother has ever just bought something or did something for herself just because she wanted to. My mom has continually made sacrifices in order to ensure that her family and children have had the things they need. I don't remember my mom ever going on a major shopping spree and buying new things for herself. Sure, she would buy clothes and other things when she needed them. But as far as I know, she has never had a ton of purses and shoes, or lots of fancy jewelry - not that there is anything wrong with having those things. I just don't think my mom felt like she needed them. She had eight kids to worry about and their needs were far more important than anything my mom might have wanted for herself.

Truthfully, what my mom wants more than anything is for her children to feel loved and be happy and have the things that they want and need. So I suppose if you look at it that way, my mom ended up with exactly what she wanted. I am happy and I have always had what I needed. Now I wish my mom would go on a shopping spree and buy a bunch of new clothes, a purse, and some fancy jewelry. She deserves it as much as anyone. But it's just not her personality. She would probably tell me she has a purse, has nice clothes, and doesn't need any jewelry. If she doesn't absolutely need it, she doesn't have it.

3. She taught me how to be frugal

My mom is the epitome of frugal. She isn't motivated by acquiring stuff or having all the newest, finest things in life. She is about getting what she needs for the lowest price possible and making it last as long as possible - which works pretty well with a family of 10. If you ask my dad I'm sure he would tell you my mom gets all the credit for keeping the household finances together. As a stay-at-home-mom, her frugality and thriftiness helped stretch every dollar my dad brought home as far as it would go. My mom is the reason we have enjoyed so many wonderful things and been able to do so much together as a family. It isn't easy to feed and care for a family of eight. I now better understand the financial burden that a large family creates. We didn't always have the nicest things or the new top name brand clothes, but we never went without.

If it wasn't on sale we didn't buy it. If it was a name brand we didn't wear it (Marshalls and Ross would have been nice when I was a kid). Every once in a while, my mom would allow us to splurge and buy Nike shoes for the new school year - of course if we bought more expensive shoes, that would mean we would get less of everything else. She ran a tight budget when it came to buying new school clothes. We had a certain amount of money we could spend and that was the end of the story.

There was a time that shopping for new school clothes consisted of walking down the material aisle and picking out the pattern we wanted for the new shorts mom was about to make for us at home. I didn't know it at the time, but I really hated having to wear homemade shorts to third grade. I even remember one of my friends telling me how he dressed in style. I responded, "So do I!" His reply was, "No you don't!" I'm not mad at my mom about that though. She did her best to give us the things we needed. Sure I wanted to dress in style, but we made do with what we had - mostly hand-me-downs and homemade flower patterned shorts. Fortunately, as we got older, we had a little more money and the budget became less tight and we were able to buy already made shorts at the mall.

When it comes to cooking and grocery shopping it is Sam's Club and family style casseroles. I'm not sure how she did it, but she always managed to have enough food in the house to feed eight kids and all our friends. Coupons and case lot sales are phrases I remember. The cupboards were always full and dinner was always served. There are probably only a handful of nights - I say that just based on the law of averages, not from memory - that mom didn't make the family dinner. No offense to my mother, but it wasn't always the best meal, but it was the biggest, cheapest - not always healthiest - meal she come up with that would satisfy such a large family. I am grateful for her selflessness, hard work, sacrifice and her thrifty ways that kept us well fed, clothed and healthy.

4. She taught me the importance of quality time

One of the things that matters most to me - especially as I get older - is spending quality time with the people I care about. I learned this from my mom. My mother has always made the sacrifices necessary to make it possible for us to spend quality time together as a family. We had a lot of fun growing up, did a lot of awesome things and visited some amazing places.

When I was younger we had a 10 passenger van - my grandma named it "the blue goose." We went a lot of places together in that van - Yellowstone, Disneyland, San Diego, Mesa Verde, Mt. Rushmore, Seattle just to name a few. These are some of my favorite memories as a child. I am so happy my mom gave us the opportunity to do so many wonderful things together as a family. Looking back now, I question the quality of 18 hours spent in a big blue van with a bunch of loud, annoying kids - I really don't know how my mom and dad did it, but I'm glad they did.

My mom wanted us to have the opportunity to learn and appreciate the history of our state and country. In elementary school, I had to do my county report on Emery County, so as a family we packed up our 4-wheelers and camping gear and spent a week in Emery County. As a family we have traveled back east and visited the cities of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.. We have been to Disneyworld in Orlando, visited the beaches in Hawaii and traveled to Wrigley Field in Chicago to watch baseball games. Before one of my older brothers left for two years on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, we all took a trip to Detroit to attend a Monday Night Football game - the Lions were hosting the Bears, mine and my brother's favorite NFL teams.

My mom created a warm, welcoming home for our family and friends to enjoy. She built us a swimming pool and put a full size basketball court in the backyard. She also expanded the kitchen. Sure she wanted a nice kitchen for herself - and she deserved it - but she didn't do all these things because she wanted them or for self-gratification, but she wanted a place for our family to be able to have parties, bring our friends, and spend time together. My mom has spent countless hours planning parties, preparing food, and cleaning up after everyone just so we can all spend time together. I am very grateful for the home I was able to grow up in. Today, my favorite thing to do is go home.

We weren't poor growing up, but I'm sure it wasn't easy to afford taking us so many places and allowing us to experience so many wonderful things together as a family. Spending time together and creating memories together was important to my mom and I am very grateful for the experiences and memories she has created in my life. She taught me the importance and value of spending quality time with the people I love.

The people we love and the experiences we share together are the things we will never forget. Thank you mom for helping me understand that. I love you.

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God also wants us to be good stewards of the things he gives us and to use these blessings and privileges to care for others, namely our families and those in need.

We have been given so many opportunities in this life to further our education, to learn, to work and obtain high-paying jobs and have wonderful careers. I don't buy into the old adage, "Money is the root of all evil."� Money is not evil. In fact, money has no morals. What money becomes is determined by the person holding it.

With these wonderful blessings that our Heavenly Father has given to us also comes the responsibility of being good managers. We are called to be good stewards of these blessings. We are to use these blessings to help others, care for our families, and enrich our own lives.

So how can you be a good financial steward? Here are six ways to be better stewards of your money:

1. Know how much money you make

I could have easily used the word budget - which is pretty much a fundamental part of all things personal finance - but I wanted to approach it a little differently. Before you can actually make a budget, you should know what you have to work with.

If you do not know exactly how much money is coming in each month, it's going to be nearly impossible for you to discipline yourself to spend less than that amount.

Know how much money is coming in each month and build a budget based on that amount. Make sure you allocate every single dollar of your income and know exactly where it is going.

2. Keep track of your expenses

Being a good steward of your money requires paying attention to detail at all times.

It's one thing to write it all out and create a good spending plan before the month begins, but you can't just stop there. You need to track your expenses as you go to ensure you are staying within the guidelines you created. If you don't know how much money you have spent and exactly what it has been spent on, how are you supposed to know how much more is available to spend?

Keep a detailed record of what you are spending your money on. This will prevent you from overshooting your budget and spending more than you make.

3. Pay off your debts

Being in debt is slavery - you are a slave to your creditors. Get out of debt as fast as you can.

Nothing says mismanagement quite like large debt payments, 24 percent interest rates, late fees, $600 car payments, repossessions and wage garnishments. These are all things that can happen when you have debt.

Get out of debt so you can build savings, have an emergency fund, save for your children's college and your retirement, and pay off your home mortgage early. It will be much easier to accomplish these goals if you have control of all of your income. Your income is your greatest wealth building tool.

By eliminating your debts, you will remove a great burden and be relieved of the accompanying stress. The obligations of being in debt and being a financial slave to others will weigh you down and drain so much of your creative energy. Becoming debt free will open the door to more opportunities in your career, in your relationships, and in helping others.

4. Always look for opportunities to learn

The best investment you can make is in yourself. You get paid for what you know.

Get an education. When considering a college degree, find something you are interested in and passionate about and get a degree in that field. Get a degree in something that is directly applicable in the market place and that you can monetize immediately upon graduation.

There are so many opportunities out there to enhance your knowledge about whatever particular job or career you have. Always look for ways to improve yourself and add value to your customers, clients, and even your employer. These improvements will lead to higher salaries, better jobs and more opportunities.

Continue to look for ways to better your circumstances. If you are in a position where you feel your growth is being limited, or you are not able to utilize all your talents and abilities, or you do not love what you are doing, don't hesitate to search for something different. Always be putting yourself in a position that promotes growth, learning and greater opportunities. Do not settle for less than you are capable. Find something you love and desire to be excellent. Always be learning.

5. Use your wealth to bless your family and others

One of God's great commandments is to love others. Loving others is one of the greatest things we can do as human beings.

We shouldn't just help others because it is a commandment, but because it is the right thing to do and it makes us feel good. Put yourself in a position financially that will allow you to be a giver. Having a selfless, giving spirit will open the doors to more opportunities for prosperity.

Part of loving and caring for your family is being a good manager of your money. By properly budgeting, saving and being financially prepared your family will enjoy greater blessings and find greater peace in their lives. There are so many wonderful things you can do as a family when you have an abundance of financial resources available.

6. Enrich your own lives

This is very important. Sometimes you have to be selfish and do things for yourself. Whatever it is that makes you happy, do more of it.

You cannot overlook the importance of enjoying your life. This world is a gift from God. There is so much this world has to offer. Get your finances in order so you can fully benefit from this blessing.

One day when we look back on our lives, we will remember the people we loved, the places we visited, the things we learned, the experiences we had and the people we had them with. These are the things that matter - the things that truly enrich our lives.

The blessings we enjoy in this life come from a loving Heavenly Father. He wants us to be happy. He desires for us to prosper. Being a good steward of these blessings and opportunities will only cause greater blessings and opportunities to be given to us.

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