2 Broadcaster Press October 4, 2016 www.broadcasteronline.com Dave Says The Dating Coach Get Yourself Out of It By Daris Howard Why Save Before Paying Off The Mortgage? Dear Dave, I make $2,100 a month after taxes, and I have accumulated $46,000 in credit card debt. My husband makes more than I do, but he won’t help me. Dear Dave, He says I got myself into this mess, so I just read The Total Money Makeover, but I’m still unclear as it’s my job to stop being irresponsible to why you recommend saving for an emergency fund and retireand fix it on my own. Do you have any ment before paying off your home. Shouldn’t a house be paid off as quickly as possible, since it’s a liability? advice? Mark Peggy Dear Peggy, You’ve got a load of debt hanging over your head right now, but I think Dave you’ve got bigger problems than that. You told me you’re married, yet it sounds to me like you two are living entirely different and separate lives. This seems more like a roommate situation than a healthy, loving marriage. I don’t like your husband’s attitude, but he does have a valid point in one respect. You were irresponsible with money, and now you’ve got a pile of debt on your hands. My big question is this: Where was he while all this was going on? Were you hiding it from him? And where was the communication and decision making, financial and otherwise, couples should engage in? Married people can’t live this way and win in their relationship or with money. The two of you desperately need to seek marriage counseling together. This relationship is on the rocks. You and your husband obviously have no trust or respect for each other, and there’s a definite lack of communication, unity and shared goals. I don’t know what happened to bring things to this point, but the preacher didn’t pronounce you guys a joint venture when you got married; he said you were now one. A little maturity, extra work, and living on a simple budget will go a long way toward fixing most personal finance issues. But your marriage is in big trouble, Peggy. Please seek help! — Dave Ramsey Dear Mark, I appreciate the fact that you’re asking questions and thinking things through. But please don’t fall into the trap of thinking of your home as a liability. That mindset is way off base, in my opinion. Your house is definitely an asset; it’s the mortgage that’s a liability. Some folks may try to position a house as a liability simply because it costs you money. But the truth is your home will make you more money than it will cost you over time. Therefore, it is an asset. Some of the saddest situations I’ve seen in all my years of teaching are seniors who have paid-for homes and nothing saved or invested. Money isn’t the most important thing on earth, but it is a fact of life. That’s why I encourage people to build an emergency fund of three to six months of expenses and begin saving for retirement before they tackle paying off their homes. Then, after all that is addressed, take every dollar you can scrape together and put it toward paying off your mortgage as fast as possible. Good question, Mark! — Dave * Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business, and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven bestselling books, including The Total Money Makeover. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 12 million listeners each week on 575 radio stations and multiple digital platforms. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com. The ‘Dignity’ Of All Peoples By Gov. Dennis Daugaard: National headlines tell us America is divided, and that we are becoming an increasingly polarized nation. We’re told that our diverse cultural, political and religious views make for irreconcilable differences. That’s the impression one gets from the news these days. An event I attended in South Dakota just a few weeks ago, though, left me with quite a different impression. On Sept. 17, hundreds of South Dakotans met to celebrate the completion of a new landmark in our state called “Dignity.” Located near Chamberlain at the Lewis and Clark Rest Area on I-90, Dignity is a 45-foot tall stainless steel sculpture of a Native American woman receiving a star quilt. It was created by South Dakota Artist Laureate Dale Lamphere and donated to the state of South Dakota by Norm and Eunabel McKie of Rapid City. It was December of 2014 when Norm and Eunabel first announced their plans to commission the Dignity sculpture. That year was South Dakota’s 125th anniversary of statehood. Norm and Eunabel wanted to honor the heritage of our Native people by donating this major piece of art as an anniversary gift to all South Dakotans. This is a very meaningful gift to our state. South Dakota, the state of Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, will also now be known as the state of the Dignity sculpture. Residents, tourists and all who travel across the state on I-90 will have the chance to see this reminder of the dignity of all peoples. It’s a fitting gift coming from the McKies, whose family history is so tied to South Dakota. Norm’s ancestors came to South Dakota by covered wagon in the 1890s and since their arrival, generations of McKies have experienced the ups and downs in our state. They’ve faced droughts and depressions, and they’ve lost farms and businesses. Still, by persevering through those trials they’ve also experienced many successes, and they have generously chosen to share their success with all of us. On that day in September a diverse group of people assembled to celebrate Dignity – Natives and non-Natives, Republicans and Democrats, and individuals with different religious beliefs. To this diverse group, Norm McKie spoke these words: “Who is ‘Dignity’ and where can we find her? We all need more dignity. The secret to find dignity lies in our work, inside and outside of the home. Work gives us an opportunity to discover and express who we are as individuals and who we want to be. The beauty of being human and living in the USA means we can tune up to make the right choices. To find dignity, right choices must be acted upon.” Regardless of background or beliefs, this is true for all of us. I imagine those of us assembled there on Sept. 17 might disagree on many things, including many issues found in the headlines that describe our nation’s polarization. Still, there’s one point upon which I believe most of us would agree. The important thing, even as we may differ, is that we treat each other with dignity. James Heating & Cooling Carpentry, Install Doors, Windows & Siding, Refinishing, Drywall, Ceramic Tile & Decks “Quality Service with Reasonable Prices.” “Serving the Vermillion Area Since 1993” Vermillion, SD 57069 • 605-624-9140 Our Services Include: • Furnace and A/C Replacement/Repair • Hot Water Boiler Replace and Repair • Air Duct Cleaning • Window Replacements • In Floor Heating Systems Licensed & Insured • Call for a FREE Estimate Stories you missed this week because you’re not a Plain Talk subscriber A story about special efforts by Vermillion citizens at the recent Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to honor Colette Abbott. Stories and photos from last weekend’s second annual Oktoberfest held in downtown Vermillion. A preview of “She Said Yes to the Dress,” a bridal fashion show that will be held in Vermillion Oct. 15 to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. The latest in USD Coyotes and Vermillion Tanagers sports news – the Coyotes football team traveled to Youngstown State Saturday, and also that day, Tanagers girls soccer team faces Tea Area in Class A State semi-final action. Pick up this Friday’s Plain Talk! Local news since 1884! Here for you yesterday, today and tomorrow. 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion, SD 57069 605-624-2695 PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota vaccinated 56.6 percent of its residents during the 2015-2016 season, the highest overall flu vaccination rate in the nation for the third straight year. The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data show the national rate was 45.7 percent, well below South Dakota’s rate. “The number one ranking is a well-earned pat on the back for the doctors, nurses and other providers who promote vaccination. It’s also a credit to South Dakotans, who are taking the flu seriously,” said Gov. Dennis Daugaard. “I’m proud we are number one and I hope this year we can surpass 57 percent.” The CDC recommends yearly flu vaccination for everyone over the age of six months. Vaccination is especially important for those who are at higher risk for flu complications – pregnant women, people over age 50, people with chronic medical conditions like heart disease and health care workers. Infants under six months are too young to receive the vaccine so the CDC recommends vaccination for their parents, guardians, grandparents and any others who may have contact with them. South Dakota has a history of high flu vaccination rates, having led the nation for five of the last six flu seasons. While overall rate remained above national rates, we are seeing some decline in the numbers of adults who are getting vaccinated. “Linda and I get vaccinated every year and I encourage all South Dakotans to do the same,” said the Governor. “Don’t make the mistake of thinking the flu isn’t a serious illness – every year the flu puts some South Dakotans in the hospital and, in extreme cases, lives are lost because of complications. Take the time to get vaccinated.” Open House A report about a new endeavor at the Washington Streets Arts Center – an artist in residence. And if you want to see: South Dakota Flu Vaccination Rate Tops Nation Vermillion Fire & EMS Details of the Clay County Commission’s continuing efforts to amend the county’s concentrated animal feeding operation zoning ordinance. The first in a series of stories about the 10 ballot issues that South Dakota voters will decide in November. The guys I hung out with were all gathered around the cafeteria table eating lunch when the topic of girls came up. That, of course, was not an unusual topic for a group of high school boys, but on this particular day, Rod was bragging about how great he was at picking up girls. He went on and on, talking about how he was so smooth that there wasn’t a girl that could withstand his charm. “I don’t know,” Lenny said. “I think a girl would have to be desperate to go out with you.” “Very funny,” Rod said. “The thing is, I know that girls think differently than we do.” “Thank you, Einstein,” Lenny said sarcastically. “The last time I took a girl out I asked her what she wanted to do, and she said, ‘surprise me.’ I guess she truly didn’t like surprises because she never went out with me again.” “What did you take her to?” Rod asked. “A tractor pulling contest,” Lenny replied. Rod rolled his eyes as if he thought that was stupid, while I found myself thinking about how much I liked tractor pulling contests and wondered what the problem was. “If a girl is going to go out with you,” Rod said, “she is expecting something romantic; something that focuses on her.” Dennis, the only other boy in our group besides me who had never been on a date, was listening intently. Dennis had big glasses and was one of the school nerds. “But how can you even do something a girl would like to do if you can’t get one to go out with you?” he asked. Rod looked at Dennis with a look of pity, and then his expression changed to one of excitement. “Hey, Dennis,” he said. “I’ve got an idea. Why don’t I become your dating coach? We’ll prove to everyone how great I am.” “This should be good,” Lenny smirked. Rod ignored Lenny and focused on Dennis. “Let’s start right after lunch. The first thing we need to do is get you built up a bit. We’ll go lift weights.” I lifted weights during lunch hour, so I was in there when Rod and Dennis came in later. “I’ve never lifted weights before,” Dennis said. “There’s nothing to it,” Rod replied as he set up the bench press at about a quarter of the weight stack. Dennis couldn’t budge it, so Rod kept taking weight off until it was at fifty pounds. Sweating and grunting, Dennis raised it about an inch. A little less weight and Dennis finally made the ten repetitions that Rod wanted. When he finished, Dennis looked like he was only a few steps away from death. Rod pushed Dennis hard and got him through most of the different stations before the bell rang. As they walked out the door, Dennis spoke with great disgust. “I am sweaty, and I smell terrible.” “That’s attractive to girls,” Rod said. “Remember, I told you they think differently.” “Wow!” Dennis said with surprise. “That’s really weird.” “Yeah,” Lenny replied. “Girls are weird. Almost as weird as Rod.” The next day Dennis waddled into first-hour class groaning all the way to his seat. Lenny grinned and slapped Dennis on the back. “How’s it going?” Dennis yelped in pain. He then turned to Rod. “Are you sure this will work?” “Of course,” Rod said. “Don’t worry; we’ve only begun.” I grinned when I heard Dennis sigh and mumble, “Maybe it would be better if I just remained single.” Wednesday, October 12th 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Hot Dogs, Refreshments & Door Prizes Vermillion Fire & EMS Station 820 N Dakota St. Vermillion Flu Shot Clinics Available to persons 6 months & older. Monday, October 10 4pm–7pm Wednesday, October 19 10am–1pm Wednesday, October 26 4pm–7pm Flu Shot Clinic at Vermillion Medical Clinic. No appointment necessary. The cost will be $40. We accept Medicare assignment. We will also file to private insurance. 101 South Plum Street, Vermillion, SD 57069 www.vermillionmedicalclinic.com 605-624-8643 So much care, so close to home. ®