Sudoku

Sudoku is one of the most popular puzzle games of all time. The goal of Sudoku is to fill a 9×9 grid with numbers so that each row, column and 3×3 section contain all of the digits between 1 and 9. As a logic puzzle, Sudoku is also an excellent brain game.

Dave Says -By Dave Ramsey

Dear Dave, I’m an anesthesiologist, and I make between $260,000 and $270,000 a year. My wife is a stayat-home mom who takes care of our preschoolage kids. We have about $50,000 in a retirement fund, $50,000 in consumer debt, $220,000 in student loan debt, and we owe $280,000 on our house, which is worth around $500,000. We’re thinking about using our retirement fund to pay off credit cards and such, then selling the house and using the money to pay off the student loans. After that, we’d live in an apartment for a while, save up 20% or more for a down payment on the next home, and do things right financially moving forward. What do you think about this game plan?

-Jake

Dear Jake, Wow, I really appreciate your motivation, man. You’re willing to do whatever it takes, and that’s pretty cool. Not many people have the determination to do the kinds of things you’re talking about.

I almost never tell people to sell their homes. If you actually can’t afford it, that’s one thing—and in that case, we’d sell the house. If it’s the only way to avoid bankruptcy, we’d get rid of it in a heartbeat. But in your case, things are a little different. You’re in a pretty deep hole, but your income as an anesthesiologist gives you a really big shovel you can use to carve out some steps, get up out of that hole, and fill it in so you never fall in again.

Now, this is going to mean some real lifestyle changes for a few years. I’m talking about beans and rice, and no vacations. There’s no more living like a rich doctor, because you’re not a rich doctor—you’re a broke doctor. We’re going to temporarily stop adding to your retirement fund, not cash it out, and we’re going to start living on a written, monthly budget where every single dollar is given a name and a purpose.

Cleaning up $270,000 of debt sounds scary. But with a $260,000 income and the other changes we talked about, you could put $90,000 a year toward all this and have it completely cleaned up in just three years. That’s what I’d do if I woke up in your shoes. It will set you free for the rest of your lives to invest and save.

Get on it, doc. You can do this!

Ask The Motor Medics®

From the Hosts of the Under The Hood radio show.

-Dave

* Dave Ramsey is a seven-time #1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.

Albany Senior Dining

Mon., Feb. 27: N/A

Tues., Feb. 28: N/A

Wed., Mar. 1: Chicken breast, whipped potatoes, gravy, green beans, bun, pie.

Thurs., Mar. 2: Breakfast frittata on croissant, sausage patty, fruit.

Fri., Mar. 3: Tuna noodle hot dish, lettuce salad, peas, roll.

Pre-registration requested to dine daily. For more info. call 320-845-4070.

Upsala - All Ages

BREAKFAST: Mon.-Fri. 7-10 a.m.: Walk in & dine. Take out available, call ahead.

Mon., Feb. 27: BBQ ribs, potato, vegetable, dessert.

Tues., Feb. 28: Tater tot hot dish, salad, garlic bread, dessert.

Wed., Mar. 1: Cook's choice.

Thurs., Mar. 2: BBQ chicken breast, potato, vegetable, dessert.

Fri., Mar. 3: Breaded cod, potatoes, vegetable, dessert. Pick up or eat in by 11:30 a.m.

For meals, call a day before: 320-573-4435.

Dear Motor Medics, Please help me out with Cabin Air Filters. I have a 2009 Honda Accord with one and I have to replace it about every six months when the air starts to blow slowly because it gets so clogged with dirt from my gravel road and being parked outside. Do I really need one? None of my cars over the past 30 years had one and they were just fine.

-Gale in Ozarks, Missouri

Dear Gale, Yes, if your vehicle was equipped with one when it was made. Sure, we have seen some people come into our repair shop with a missing filter and their air is working just fine but we have also had some in for repairs that cost as much as $1000.00 because they decided to run without one. When a system is designed it's either made for one or not. If it's not designed for one, then the sensitive components like air temp sensors and even the moving air doors are made differently so they can handle the dirt load. Adding a bunch of dirt to the system by not having a filter in place just invites trouble so make sure you keep a filter that's clean in place. It's cheap insurance for an expensive system. For others that don't know if they have a filter make sure to find out. A good indication you have one and it's dirty is a foul smell or reduced air flow.

-Take care, the Motor Medics

Dear Motor Medics, I have a 2020 Chevy and a 2018 Honda, and both have recalls on them. Both cars are running just fine, and I have not experienced any of the issues in the recall that they want to fix because they're crash related, and I've never had a wreck. I did Google one of the recalls and only 2 people have had a problem out of thousands of vehicles so do I really need to get them done or can I just wait and do them if I ever get the time to go to the dealership?

-Mark in Iowa City Dear Mark,

Go make that appointment right now and get the recalls done! The manufacturer would not take the time and spend the money (sometimes millions) to get the vehicle back in to perform a safety recall unless they felt strongly that something could cause you harm. Many recalls for safety are for things that can happen in a crash situation such as air bag recalls and seat belts but even if you are a great driver the other person not always is, and we don't want to see you injured by something you don't have repaired. All safety recalls we have ever seen are done at no cost to you and must be done at the dealership. They do a pretty good job at making the public aware of the recall but getting it in is your part.

-Take care, the Motor Medics For entertainment only. Always consult your local shop and follow all safety procedures before repairs. Come visit the Motor Medics® online at Underthehoodshow.com.