Human Interest

Take the Renewable Fuel Standard Down to Zero
By Wayne Winegarden

The Environmental Protection Agency recently issued new rules dictating that 18 billion gallons of biofuels must be blended into America's 2016 transportation fuel supply. This mandate, known as the Renewable Fuel Standard, has been a disaster for the country. The only sensible minimum renewable fuel mandate is zero.

The RFS was created in 2005 to curtail greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the use of fossil fuels. However, the RFS is not defensible based on its impact on greenhouse gas emissions.

Seven Big Rules to Follow When Firing a Client
By Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey, Coauthors of
The Entrepreneurial Culture: 23 Ways to Engage and Empower Your People (Footnotes
Press, 2014, ISBN: 978-0-990-79370-0, $9.95, www.TheBarefootSpirit.com) and the

Nine Types of Clients You Should Cut Loose in 2016
Every great gardener knows the benefits that winter pruning will have come springtime. Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey explain how that basic gardening principle can have a huge impact on your business when you use it to cut unruly clients loose.

Dear Dave,

We’ve always just assumed that we would use credit cards for Christmas, and accepted the fact that there would be a mountain of debt to pay off in January and February. Can you tell us how to make it through the Christmas season next year without accumulating debt?

Carol

Dear Carol,

Dear Dave,

I work in IT, and I recently learned that I’ll be losing my $88,000 a year job at the end of February. We’re debt-free, except for our home, and we have a full emergency fund in place. The problem is we just cash-flowed one daughter’s wedding, and we’ll be paying for another daughter’s college soon. I’ll receive a severance package of around $30,000 to $40,000, but we’re wondering if I should stop contributing to my 401(k) and stockpile cash until another job comes along.

Steve

Dear Steve,

Dear Dave,

I work as a software developer, and recently a co-worker approached me about starting a side business together. We would create apps for the legal community with advice from my wife, who is a lawyer. The only problem is that we’re in the middle of Baby Step 2 of your plan, and we still have some debt to pay off. Do you think starting a business would be too risky at this point?

Jeremy

Dear Jeremy,

Dear Dave,

I haven’t spoken to my mom and sister in more than six months. Over time, I realized we have a real clash of moral values that has led to arguments and hard feelings. Lately, with it being Christmas season and a new year just around the corner, I’ve found myself wanting to navigate things a little better and stop avoiding them. It’s been mostly just between myself and them, so my wife and kids are pretty insulated from the ugliness. Do you have any advice for handling situations such as these?

Dave

Dear Dave,

Top 11 Security Threats of 2016

By Alex Cherones, Director of Threat Security Solutions, AT&T

No one can know for sure what the next big cyberattack will be, but experts have some predictions about the biggest potential cyberthreats of 2016.

MormonNewsroom.org Updates in Your Inbox!

Tis the Season to Sweeten Holiday Gatherings

(StatePoint) Hosting holiday celebrations can mean a lot of preparation and pressure to impress.

To help, See’s Candies has partnered with entertaining expert, Alexandra Hedin, to develop some easy-to-execute ideas that are sure to make this year’s festivities memorably sweet and delicious.

Prepare Before Guests Arrive

Plan seating arrangements ahead of time to ensure friends and family mix and mingle. You never know who will become new best friends!