INPUT ARTICLE: Article: By this point in your life, you probably have an idea of which parent is more likely to give you a few bucks. On the other hand, if you need a substantial amount of money, approach both of them together. Let them talk it over before you even make your case. You also might ask both parents together if they tend to be more indulgent as a couple than as individuals. Don't: mention this to your friends, especially if they know your parents.Do: talk to your siblings if your parents end up giving you money. If you keep it secret and they find out, it could cause resentment. As much as you might like to think that your budget is no longer your parents' business, asking them for money makes it their business. They probably won't expect you to present them with a printed out spreadsheet of your projected and actual monthly expenses. However, giving them a rough estimate will go a long way in demonstrating that you have a mature relationship with money. Allowing your parents to see a basic breakdown of where your money goes may help them feel more confident in giving you money (as long as your expenditures aren't frivolous in their eyes). Include a list of activities you participate in to earn money, whether it be a job, a freelance writing gig, classes to further your education, etc. Your parents will want to see that you're making an effort, not just "mooching." Don't: lecture your parents about how to budget their money.Do: make sure they can afford what you're asking for without affecting their safety net. Show them how you are doing well in school. To make it even more enticing, show them how you even plan to improve. This makes your financial situation seem like a temporary problem, not permanent. It also makes you seem grateful for the support they have already shown you in your academic or early work career. Your parents may not deem it necessary for you to pay them back. They may instead see this as an investment on their part. However, telling them you are prepared to work hard to pay them back will further demonstrate your financial maturity. On the other hand, actually agreeing to pay them back for money will teach you valuable lessons in money management. You and your parents can negotiate the repayment plan as necessary: they may want the money sooner; they may want to charge interest, etc. Be willing to work with them to set up a repayment plan you're all comfortable with.

SUMMARY: Consider whom you will ask. Prepare to talk about your budget and spending. Demonstrate your interest in school or work. Ask for a loan.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Pressing flowers is done best with small, flat flowers, such as pansies and lilacs. Stay away from flowers with fleshy stems or extra-thin petals, which can end up damaged. After the first week, remove the flowers and replace the paper with fresh, dry sheets. Then put the flowers back under the weights to continue pressing them.

SUMMARY: Choose your flowers. Wait for 13 weeks.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Whether there is a family spot, you've heard legends about a certain stream, or you just have a hunch, there is generally some truth behind the wives tales and family stories. While you may think that because a spot has already been panned there won't be any gold left, this isn't the case. Streams and rivers carry small flakes and nuggets from upstream deposits. Every winter, storms unearth more gold, and that gold could be yours. The spot you pick should have water that is a minimum of six inches deep. If it is any shallower than that, the water might be too muddy or filled with leaves and other debris to get a good look at your pan when it is under the water. The water should be moving fast enough to carry away the silt and debris you sift out of your pan, but slow enough the water will not upset your panning motions when your pan is submerged. This is optional but a large rock that you can sit on while prospecting will make your day much easier (and your legs and back will thank you). Standard pans are either metal or plastic. Plastic pans are better for beginners because they are rust-proof, lighter in weight than metal pans, black (which allows the gold to be seen better) and they can be textured with ribs to catch gold. If you do use a steel pan like the 49ers of yore, make sure to remove any oil from its surface. (If you are using a newly bought pan, you shouldn't have to worry about oil.) Remove oil by holding the pan over a campfire with a pair of tongs or fireproof gloves. Heat the pan to a dull red glow and then dunk it in water. This process removes the oil and leaves the pan with a dark blue color that makes seeing the gold easier. Sieves can be set over a pan and will separate the large items from smaller ones. It is not necessary to use a sieve but they can be helpful, when sifting the gold from black sand and concentrates.

SUMMARY: Go to a stream or river where you have heard gold has been found. Pick a spot along the side of the stream or river. Pick a spot with a slow current. Pick a spot that has large rocks or a fallen tree along the water's edge. Pick your pan. Understand the panning sieve.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Melt 1/4 cup (55 g) unsalted butter in a small bowl and stir in 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. You can set the mixture aside while you roll the knots. Open one 16-ounce (462 g) tube of refrigerated buttermilk biscuits. Cut each of the 8 biscuits in half, so you get 16 pieces of dough. Roll each piece of dough into a rope that's 5-inches (13 cm) long. Tie the rope into a simple knot and tuck the ends under. Repeat this for each piece of dough. Don't worry if the knots don't look perfect. As long as they're formed into a rough knot-shape, they'll bake up well. Set the knots of dough on the prepared baking sheet. Dip a pastry brush into the garlic butter mixture and spread it over each knot. You won't use all of the garlic butter mixture. Save the rest for brushing on the knots after they've baked. Put the baking sheet in the oven and bake the garlic knots for 8 to 10 minutes. Once the knots are golden brown, carefully remove them from the oven and brush them with the rest of the garlic butter mixture. Serve the garlic knots right away or cool them on a wire rack. Store the cooled knots in an airtight container for several days.

SUMMARY:
Combine the garlic butter mixture. Roll and tie the biscuits into knots. Brush the knots with the garlic butter. Bake the garlic knots.