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 live in Dallas, Texas, and I’m wondering if I should sell my condo in order to pay off debt. I owe $120,000 on it, and it’s worth around $260,000. Plus, the homeowners association fee used to be $450 a month and has gone up $100 each year for the last two years, so now we’re paying $650. No one has ever told us why the fee went up so much. There haven’t been any major improvements to the complex in the last five years, so I don’t know what to think. Can you give me some advice?

-Daniella a $650 HOA fee every month, especially when the fee has gone up that much for no apparent reason.

There’s always the possibility the company is building up a war chest for improvements in the next year or so. But you have a right to know exactly where the money you pay in HOA fees is going. Ask to see a copy of their financials, and if they won’t do that—or explain why the fee is so high and where the money’s going—you need to sell the place because it’s being poorly managed. You’ve got to get an explanation. You’re owed one. And, if you try to sell the place, you’re going to have to tell prospective buyers why the HOA fee is so high. Maybe there’s a good reason for it buried somewhere. But without knowing more, as a buyer, there’s no way I’d take this thing off your hands.

Ask The Motor Medics®

From the Hosts of the Under The Hood radio show.

Dear Motor Medics,

There's smoke coming from near my steering wheel at times right out of the column. It's not a lot of smoke but I can see it and smell it and it scares me. All my vehicle systems seem to be working fine now but a few months ago my turn signals were acting up. The car is a 2001 Buick Regal. Is this something I should be concerned about or can I let it go?

-Robert in Sheldon, Iowa you guys have some of the most useful car advice I have ever found, and it's free which is the best kind in my book. I read your column each week too and a while back you had talked about a reader's car that had a fueling issue. When the car was being filled with gasoline it would not fill quickly, it would fill for a few seconds then click off the pump and it would do this over and over again. My 2008 Impala is doing this now. What was it and could it be the same thing with my car?

-Doug in Branson, Missouri Dear Doug,

Dear Daniella,

As a homeowner, I’d want some answers by the end of day as to why the HOA fees are so high. I mean, for a $260,000 condo, the fee you mentioned is ridiculous unless the building owners are doing a major renovation, like replacing the parking lot or updating the community’s clubhouse. Even then, it’s crazy! On top of all that, it devalues your condo. Nobody wants to buy a $260,000 condo with

RJ's Country Store

Sudoku Answers from May 18

There are a lot of red flags fluttering around the situation, Daniella. Even in a place like Dallas, this HOA fee is about double what it should be for a $260,000 condo. I’m not saying this just because I don’t like HOAs, which I don’t. And that’s mainly because I don’t like paying money for something, and then being told by someone else what I can or can’t do with it. But you need some answers for your own information, peace of mind and to give potential buyers an honest answer when they ask why the fees are insanely high. Lose the headache. Sell it.

-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., May 29: Closed.

Tues., May 30: Shepherds pie w/whipped potatoes, mixed vegetables, garden salad, pears.

Wed., May 31: Pork chow mein, rice, Asian vegetables, chow mein noodles, mandarin oranges.

Pre-registration requested to dine daily.

For more info. call 320-845-4070.

Dear Robert, Your car is smoking... There is no way we would let that go without a thorough check out for safety. Without seeing the car handson it's hard to say but we have seen smoke generated in this way due to failing turn signal switches. The switch can fail simply because it is old or it can be stressed by things like shorted wiring, failed bulbs or adding an extra load to the system such as a trailer which has an added load of extra lighting that has to be carried by the cars wiring. The first step will be verifying where the smoke is coming from. That will require someone experienced with the system to open it up and inspect the parts. If any parts are found to be burnt they will need to be repaired then the rest of the effected system will need to be diagnosed to make sure that what caused the first failure does not happen again.

-Take care, the Motor Medics

Dear Motor Medics,

I listen to your Under The Hood radio show here in Branson almost every week and

Upsala - All Ages

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

Mon., May 29: Ravioli/meat sauce, vegetable, garlic bread, dessert.

Tues., May 30: Chicken strips, gravy, potato wedges, vegetable, dessert.

Wed., May 31: Beef & broccoli, rice, egg roll, dessert. Pick up or eat in by 11:30 a.m. For meals, call a day before: 320-573-4435.

It is common on many cars especially GM cars and trucks to have this happen and it is often caused by a failure in what is called the evaporative emissions system. The fuel system is a closed system which prevents fuel from evaporating into the atmosphere which would cause pollution and also be a waste of your money as your fuel would simply disappear over time. The system does need to vent at times for things like filling the tank and also when fuel is being consumed by the engine or it would back up like yours does. Also, in the case of the engine using fuel the tank would eventually collapse. This is just one possible problem.

-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.

Todays Thought

A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to The United States of America for an amount up to and including their life.

A Call Funny

A woman meant to call a music store but dialed the wrong number and got a private home instead. "Do you have 'Eyes of Blue' and 'A Love Supreme'?" she asked.

"Well, no," answered the puzzled homeowner. "But I have a wife and eleven children."

"Is that a record?" she inquired.

"I don't think so," replied the man, "but it's as close as I want to get."