Work + Money

By Sandy M. Ferna

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If you've ever been in debt, you know how stressful it is: fielding calls from creditors, paying more interest than principal and feeling as if you're running on a treadmill that is accelerating faster than you can keep pace. According to the credit report company Experian, the clients they track owe an average of about $25,000, made up of credit card, auto loan and other non-mortgage red ink. The people that follow found themselves facing some of the most common causes of debt. Straight-talking debt guru Dave Ramsey, nationally syndicated radio host and author of The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness, mapped out an action plan for them. What they've learned will help you get back in the black.

Hit With a Medical Crisis

Kellye, 29, and David Smith, 33 Corryton, TN
Income: $45,000
Credit card debt: $5,600
Medical debt: $4,113
Other debt: $807
Total debt $10,520

In July 2010, Kellye, a medical tech, and D

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Move over, Hello Kitty, there's a new destination for the cutest and coolest customers in town. The Barbie Cafe, which opened in one of the busiest shopping districts in Taipei on Wednesday, is filled with classic and modern Barbie memorabilia, features a delicious-looking menu, and takes people where the prim-and-proper "American Girl" franchise fears to tread. "We picked Taiwan because theme restaurants are very popular and successful here," Iggy Yip, a senior manager at Mattel's Greater China division, told the Telegraph. "We are very confident that the Barbie Cafe can promote our brand image."

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Aries (March 21 - April 19) It's hard to be fair when money is involved today. You'll want more than your share, and you can hardly help but grab it. Restrain yourself because the bigger pay off is really down the road rather than immediate. Today's Aries Reading: Free Sample Numerology Portrait

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) Looks matter today, so be sure to look like you're worth every buck you hope to earn. Polish yourself up, from your wardrobe to your attitude -- if you're not sure you can make it, you definitely won't. Today's Taurus Reading: Free Sample Chinese Luck Prosperity and Longevity Reading

Gemini (May 21 - June 21) Change is the theme of the day; if your motto is, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' then it's time to come up with a new one. You can tweak even the bes

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Residents of Vassar, Michigan, welcomed home two of their own on Sunday, when Army Reserve soldiers Master Sargeant (Msg.) Tim Larrison and Specialist (Spc.) Katelyn Larrison ended their yearlong deployment in Afghanistan. The father-daughter team was  surprised by a crowd of well-wishers who had spent most of the morning awaiting their arrival.

Soldier Adjusts to Life at Home After Afghanistan

"I was so excited to see her [Katelyn's] reaction," Shannon Larrison—Katelyn's mom and Tim's wife—told WNEM-TV. "She immediately started shaking and tears came down her eyes, it was the best."

Related: What Does the Military's New Women-in-Combat Policy Mean?

"Oh man, a lot of people, it was very exciting, it's nice to be welcomed home," Spc. Katelyn Larrison, 19, told a local news crew.

"Just seeing the support and the flags, it was bigger than I imagined," her dad said.

This wasn't the first time he's returned home from war; Msg. Tim Larrison finished a year in Afghanistan in September 201

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Aries (March 21 - April 19) The flash of lightening is a thing of beauty to you, but it's a drenching for someone off in the distance! It's not your day to be soaked, thank goodness, but you should try to learn and prepare by watching nature's wrath taken out on others. Today's Aries Reading: Free Sample Priority Shuffle Tarot Reading

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) You've had a greedy stretch lately and it's been as unpleasant for you as it's been for those around you. It will take a good, long while before this ugliness is forgotten or forgiven. Consider it a lesson learned. Today's Taurus Reading: Free Sample Past Life Reading

Gemini (May 21 - June 21) You've got too much good energy to waste it on anything frivolous. You are wrapping up the loose ends of any projects you've eve

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