2 Broadcaster Press July 19, 2016 www.broadcasteronline.com Dave Says Snowball Switch? Dear Dave, We’re working the debt snowball, and together my husband and I make $93,000 a year. The amounts of our remaining three debts are so close we wonder if we should take interest rates into account. Two are student loans for $2,970 and $6,700, while the other is credit card debt in the amount of $4,750. I also got a recent bonus of $3,600. Should we put that toward our debt snowball? Robin Dear Robin, In a strictly mathematical sense, my advice of paying off debt smallest to largest may be wrong, but it’s still the correct advice. Besides, if people were so good at math they wouldn’t have debt in the first place, would they? If I’m in your shoes, I’d have that lowest student loan paid off in a heartbeat with the bonus you mentioned. I’d throw the remainder, along with your regular snowball payments, at the credit card and keep the debt snowball rolling just like I normally advise. When you’re pushing to get out of debt fast, interest rates don’t really matter much when you add up actual dollars on interest spent. If you were going to keep debt around for six or seven years, then we’d have something to talk about. But when you knock out the little debt and immediately plow through the others with a vengeance, it gives a real sense of accomplishment and confidence. Remember, personal finance is 80 percent behavior Dave RAMSEY —Dave It’s not discrimination Dear Dave, I’m in the middle of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. I’ve worked for years in the automotive industry, but lately I’ve been thinking about a different line of work. The problem is I’m afraid I will be discriminated against when applying for jobs because of the bankruptcy filing. I think the government has given businesses the permission to look at my financial history. Do you have any suggestions? Joe Dear Joe, The government doesn’t give businesses permission to look at your history. They had that right anyway. And it wouldn’t be discrimination, because it’s a part of their analysis as to whether or not Game Over For Drivers Playing Pokemon Go AAA is urging drivers not to use Pokemon Go behind the wheel because it could lead to potentially deadly consequences. This week’s crashes involving the game should serve as a wake-up call to focus on the task of driving and not to be distracted. “Driving is among the most dangerous activities that people do on a daily basis, and the last thing we need is to increase the number of distractions in the vehicle,” said Marilyn Buskohl, spokeswoman for AAA South Dakota. “One would think playing Pokemon Go while driving is so blatantly dangerous, a warning to drivers wouldn’t be necessary. Apparently, that’s not the case.” Distracted driving is risky driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that at least 3,000 deaths per year involve distracted driving, though the true number is likely far higher. The following statistics help put the dangers of distracted driving into context: • Taking your eyes off the road for more than two seconds doubles your risk of a and only 20 percent head knowledge. So, mathematically speaking, the advice I’m giving you might be a few dollars wrong, but you’ll benefit in other bigger, long-lasting ways by gaining a sense of closure on your debts, learning how to delay pleasure and staying on a plan! crash. • When driving 55 miles per hour, five seconds with eyes off the road is equivalent to driving the length of a football field blindfolded. • Distraction is a factor in nearly six out of 10 moderateto-severe teen crashes. Not only should Pokemon Go not be played while driving but motorists also need to be aware that others playing the game might enter an intersection or cross a street at an inopportune time. “Driving requires your full attention, and putting away your phone until you reach your destination could save your life,” said Buskohl. “Pedestrians playing the game also need to stay alert so they do not cross busy intersections while distracted.” Crashes are not the only risks affecting drivers. Drivers playing Pokemon Go also could face jail time and fines. Most states, including South Dakota, have laws against distracted driving and every state has laws to prevent reckless driving. Motorists are likely to be pulled over by law enforcement if they are a threat on the road. they want you working for them. That kind of thing is perfectly reasonable. It’s not discrimination. A lot of this, however, depends on the job and how seriously the employer is considering you. If you’d be doing something where you have to be bonded, then you’ll have trouble because the bankruptcy can prevent you from being bonded. If you would be handling large sums of money or be given access to large sums of money, the Chapter 13 bankruptcy would reflect poorly on you and make you a higher risk. Just be honest and disclose it, Joe. If they ask questions, explain things truthfully and the reasons behind why it happened. Also, don’t carry around a chip on your shoulder about the bankruptcy. We all make mistakes, and the smart ones among us learn from them. I wouldn’t necessarily have an issue with someone just because they had filed bankruptcy in the past, but it would create problems if they tried to hide it from me. —Dave * Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business, and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven best-selling books. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 11 million listeners each week on more than 550 radio stations and digital outlets. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com. Gov. Daugaard Issues Emergency Fire Declaration PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard has issued an emergency fire declaration for 13 central and western South Dakota counties that have been impacted by drought conditions. The counties are: Butte, Custer, Fall River, Haakon, Harding, Hughes, Jackson, Jones, Lawrence, Meade, Pennington, Perkins and Stanley. Gov. Daugaard said the declaration allows state government services to be used as necessary to help the counties that are part of the declaration. The declaration was recommended by the state Drought Task Force which was activated by the Governor this week. “Widespread drought, low humidity and high temperatures have led to a serious fire hazard in those 13 counties,” said Gov. Daugaard. “Persistent prairie fires could diminish the feed and water supplies needed for livestock; or create hardships for individuals, businesses and governments by destroying public, private and agricultural property.” The declaration allows one single engine air tanker (SEAT) plane to be stationed in Pierre and be managed by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Division of Wildland Fire. The plane will respond as needed to fires in the declared counties. If used, the state would cover 90 percent of the cost while the counties would pay the other 10 percent. Additionally, the SEAT will be available to use on prairie fires affecting federal and tribal lands through existing agreements. “It has been a dry year in parts of South Dakota. Sixty percent of the land in our state is abnormally dry and counties primarily west of the river are experiencing moderate to extreme drought,” Gov. Daugaard said. “By declaring an emergency the state will be prepared to assist counties when and if fires break out.” The Black Hills Forest Fire Protection District is not included in the declaration. The declaration period begins Friday, July 16, 2016 and will last no longer than Dec. 31, 2016. www.broadcasteronline.com S Sale All Styles Reduced ale Several styles 1/2 price Sal Boston Shoes to Boots e 312 W. 3rd Yankton • 665-9092 ale S Mint Syrup Amy Schweinle The deadline for nominations for the 2016 Spirit of Dakota Award is August 1. This award will be presented on October 1 in Huron to an outstanding South Dakota woman who has demonstrated vision, courage, and strength in character and who has made a significant contribution to the quality of life in her community and state. The award winner will be chosen by a state-wide Selection Commission. This marks the 30th anniversary of the award. Nomination forms are available by contacting the Huron Area Chamber of Commerce, 1725 Dakota Ave S., by calling 1-800-487-6673 or online at www.spiritofdakota.org. Questions To Help Answer If You’re A ‘Pub Or A ‘Crat By Bob Mercer, State Capitol Bureau PIERRE – Republican or Democrat? South Dakota’s two major political parties held their state conventions recently and the national gatherings come the next two weeks. Here are some questions to help you determine your party affiliation. They are based on the positions the two parties’ delegates took in their state platforms and their resolutions. Oh yes, there are plenty of differences. Do you oppose legal abortion? A Republican does. Do you support every woman having the right to make her medical decisions? A Democrat does. Do you support the right to bear arms subject to reasonable restrictions? A Democrat does. Do you oppose further attempts to restrict private firearm, ammunition or firearm accessory ownership? A Republican does. Do you favor repealing “right to work” laws that unions oppose? A Democrat does. Do you support the “right to work” provision in the state constitution? A Republican does. Do you believe human-caused climate change negatively affects South Dakota? A Democrat does. Do you support the federal government’s new emission standards for coal-fired power plants? A Democrat does. Do you support English as the official language for South Dakota? A Republican does. Do you support preserving Lakota and other protected languages? A Democrat does. Do you believe the free exercise of religion includes the right to refrain from activities of daily life that violate a person’s faith? A Republican does. Do you believe all persons have the right to feel secure in the use of bathroom and locker room facilities? A Republican does. Do you support a vigorous political party system as the best way to engage voters about important public issues? A Republican does. Do you oppose the youth minimum wage in referred law 22 on South Dakota’s ballot this November? A Democrat does. Do you support passage of initiated measure 23 that would allow certain organizations such as labor unions to charge fees? A Democrat does. Do you support reducing the minimum age to serve in the Legislature to 18 from the current 21? A Democrat does. Do you support making marijuana legal similar to alcohol? A Democrat does. Do you oppose the expansion of Medicaid? A Republican does. Do you support putting government in charge of all healthcare finances? A Democrat does. Do you support separation of church and state? A Democrat does. Do you support display of the Ten Commandments in all schools? A Republican does. Do you oppose use of multi-state educational standards or assessments unless adopted by the Legislature? A Republican does. Do you support sexual abstinence instruction in schools? A Republican does. Do you believe marriage is the union of one man and one woman? A Republican does. Do you affirm the sanctity of all human life? A Republican does. Do you support a right to die? A Democrat does. If you want to read each of the major party state platforms and resolutions, here are some Internet links: The Republican state resolutions from the 2016 convention are at http://bit.ly/29xqpz7; The Republican state platform from the 2016 convention is at http://bit.ly/29I2fW8; The Democratic state resolutions from the 2016 convention are at http://bit.ly/29yXLgq; and the Democratic state platform from the 2016 convention is at http://bit.ly/29Ymjoe. Do you need assistance with affording telephone service? Save in the refrigerator in an air-tight container. Use over ice cream, to flavor drinks, in dessert recipes to add a mint flavor. One large bunch mint, washed, stems removed 1 cup water 1 cup sugar Aug. 1 Deadline For Spirit Of Dakota Nominations callin g... Sp 266- rint 8899 bp Since 1934 Broadcaster Press 201 W. 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