2 Broadcaster Press February 27, 2018 www.broadcasteronline.com Wrestling Dilemma Dave Says By Daris Howard Debt and Income Crisis Dave Dear Dave, I received a call the other day from a company saying it could negotiate the balance on my credit cards to a lesser amount. The caller also said they could get me a zero-percent interest rate until the debts were paid off, and then the accounts would be closed. I’m kind of starting over again financially, because I sold a company I had run for almost 15 years, then got into real estate and lost almost everything. I’m making just enough to squeeze by, and my credit card debt totals $40,000. Would this be a good RAMSEY idea? Bill Dear Bill, No, this is not a good idea. You’re looking at two major problems with a company such as this one. One, they will absolutely destroy whatever credit you may have. Their plan is to take your cash, and spend some time beating down the credit card companies until they agree to accept a lesser amount. Then, they use your cash to settle loans you will have — by that time —defaulted on. This will put you in a situation very similar to if you had filed Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Stay away from these people. You have an income crisis, in addition to a debt crisis, at this point. For starters, I want you to start living on a tight, written, monthly budget. I’m talking rice and beans, no vacations, and no eating out until you pay off this debt. Where your income is concerned, maybe you should consider getting back into the kind of business you ran previously for a while. Look for a managerial or supervisory position in that area, at least until you’re able to get back on your feet and save some cash. Finally, cut up the credit cards, close the accounts, and put as much money as you can spare toward paying off that debt using the debt snowball system. Never go back into debt again! — Dave If Pay Off House First? Dear Dave, My husband and I are in our forties. We have no children, and we bring home $95,000 a year combined. We’re also debt-free except for our home. We owe just $10,000 on the house, and can take care of that in a few months. Would it be okay to rearrange the Baby Steps a bit, and pay off our home before getting serious about saving for retirement? Nan Dear Nan, I don’t usually give folks any wiggle room when it comes to sticking with the proper order of the Baby Steps. But if you’re that close to being completely debt-free, I don’t see anything wrong with paying off the house first. Most people I talk to still have anywhere from $100,000 to $300,000 left on their mortgages. This is a little bit different story, however, and you two are obviously managing your money well. Knock out that mortgage, and start pouring at least 15 percent of your income into retirement. You’re going to love the feeling — and the freedom — that comes with being completely debt-free! — 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. Broad casteronline .com February always reminds me of wrestling. That was the month for district and state tournaments when I was young. I remember one wrestling experience well. In the fall of my senior year, wrestling had just started when the girl I had dated for a little while came to talk to me. Sheila was a junior, and her love was journalism. She was one of the main reporters on the school newspaper. What made her stand out from most other students working on the school paper was that there was little she wouldn’t do to get a good story. “Daris,” she said, “Can I talk to you?” “Sure,” I replied. “What do you want to talk about?” “I think I want to join the wrestling team.” There were no girls on the wrestling team. So if this had been anyone else, I might have been surprised. But I had learned long ago that Sheila was anything but predictable. “Why would you want to do that?” I asked. “I want to do a story about what it’s like to be a girl on the wrestling team. What do you think of that?” “Personally, I think that’s a crazy reason to go out for wrestling, or any sport. A person should do it only because they want to compete.” “Well, maybe I think I can compete. Maybe I could even beat you.” I thought she was joking, and I smiled. But she apparently wasn’t, because she became agitated with me. “You think it’s funny?” she asked, hotly. “Maybe I could even beat you. I used to wrestle against my brother, and he was a varsity wrestler.” “Okay,” I said. “Do it if you want to.” “What would you do if I wrestled you?” she asked. “You wouldn’t,” I replied. “I outweigh you by almost double, so we wouldn’t even be close to the same weight class.” 2x1 “But what if I did wrestle you? Would you treat me differently, than another opponent or go easy on me?” “No,” I said. “If you wrestled me, you had better plan to compete hard.” I don’t know what she thought of my answer, because she strode away. But word quickly got around about her plan, and my teammates teased me. At lunch, Sheila informed me she would be at wrestling practice with another girl she had convinced to come with 3x1 her. The more I tried to talk Sheila out of it, the more determined she became. Finally, I said, “Okay. It’s your choice.” “Would you hurt either of us if we wrestled you?” she asked. I was offended by the question. “Of course not. At least not on purpose. I have never hurt an opponent on purpose. I have accidentally hurt some who were not prepared for the intensity of the sport. You just better be prepared to compete.” When I got to wrestling practice, the girls weren’t there, but all talk was of them. The coach was not pleased about the situation, afraid the girls would get hurt. But due to Title IX, they could join if they desired. It was during our first break that Sheila and her friend 4x1 showed up carrying gym bags. The sweat was pouring off us wrestlers as we came from the wrestling room, heading for the water fountain. The two girls looked at us, and Sheila’s friend asked her, “Will we be touching them? They are so sweaty and gross.” I looked at the girl with her perfect hair and clothes, and I laughed. “You’ll get used to it. You’ll be just as sweaty and gross.” Sheila’s friend turned and walked out the door. Sheila poked me in the chest. “Okay, so I’m not wrestling. But not because I’m scared to try. It’s just because you’re so . . . so . . . sweaty and disgusting!” And with that, she left to join her friend. I already knew that I was sweaty and disgusting, but at least I wouldn’t have to worry about dating a girl who was a teammate. Toby Keith Should’ve Been A Cowboy Tour Coming To TheBroadcasteronline.com SD State Fair off the concert line up.” and shot the charts to HURON, S.D. –The Pre-sale on tickets will become his first No. 1, South Dakota State Fair begin June 4 for backrest the engine driving everyand Legend Seeds are You Read This... holders, followed by thing else has been the proud to announce that You Know Friends of the Fair ticket the Toby Keith Should’ve music. He writes it. He Advertising Pays! Been A Cowboy Tour arranges and produces it. sales on June 7. General public ticket sales will And he releases it on his XXV presented by Ford begin June 11. F-Series will be coming to record label, Show Dog Call the The 2018 South Nashville. the SD State Fair grandBroadcaster at Dakota State Fair will With hits like “Red stand on Friday, Aug. 31, 605-624-4429 run from Thursday, Aug. Solo Cup,” “Beer for My 2018. 30, through Monday, Horses,” and “Courtesy The familiar maxim or stop by to Sept. 3. Preview night Of The Red, White And of triple threat – singer, place your ad will be Wednesday, Aug. Blue (The Angry Amerisongwriter, musician – today! 29. This year’s theme is can),” Keith’s albums doesn’t begin to cover “Experience the Magic.” have sold more than 40 it for Toby Keith, one of For more information million copies. His tours the modern era’s most on State Fair events, have drawn more than complete self-directed 201 West Cherry St contact the Fair office at a million fans each year hit makers. From the Vermillion, SD 800.529.0900, visit www. for more than a decade moment his debut single straight. The Summer “Should’ve Been A Cow- Save $30 on aawards are AC sdstatefair.com or find Tune-Up! 624-4429 them on Facebook or boy” was released in 1993 too numerous to count Twitter. and include Artist of Agriculture is a major the Decade nods from Just give us a call and we’ll contributor to South DaBillboard and the AmeriAnnual Meeting kota’s economy, generatcan Country Awards, as Township of Garfield send out a qualified Career ing $25.6 billion in annual well as the ACM’s ServiceAchievementlike Technician honor. economic activity and will be held employing over 115,000 “Toby Keith is a th Tyler, to make sure your Tuesday, March 6 , 2018 1:30pm South Dakotans. The country superstar and is huge for those at the Dalesburg Lutheran Church forAC unithasready drawing power. South Dakota Department the purpose of electing one supervisor, summer South Dakotais hot of Agriculture's mission is Our excitement level Tyler Reiser treasurer and one clerk and for any other through$30!* the roof,” said SD to promote, protect, and days and save Service Technician Dakota preserve South State Fairgrounds manbusiness that comes before the board. ager, Peggy Besch. “The 13agriculture for today and years experience Nick Oyen, Clerk grandstand celebrates its tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or 100th birthday this year, find us on Facebook, Insso we are honored and tagram and Twitter. thrilled to have him kick Broadcasteronline.c om Stories you missed this week because you’re not a Plain Talk subscriber We’re all ears. Your opinion is something we always want to hear. Questions? Call, write us or contact Comments? us via e-mail and let us Story Ideas? know how we are doing. 201 W. Cherry •Vermillion, SD 57069 605-624-4429 • classifieds@plaintalk.net When You Want Comfort...You Want Kalins Vermillion: 605-624-5618 Classified Ads: Friday at Noon *Rebate offer only available to Vermillion Light & Power customers. Call A report from the District 17 Legislative Cracker Barrel for full details. meeting, held Saturday, Feb. 17 in the city council meeting chambers of Vermillion City Hall. Coverage of an inservice at Jolley Elementary School that taught local teachers how to introduce high- tech additions to their classroom curriculums. 69 years as a Premier Lennox® Dealer 96 years in the Business 400 years of Heating and Cooling Experience = Your #1 Choice in Vermillion! Display Ads: Friday at 11AM Yankton Vermillion Sioux City 605.665.4348 605.624.5618 712.252.2000 kalinsindoor.com BRULE TOWNSHIP ANNUAL MEETING A story highlighting how an art created by education students at USD helped raise funds for the local VFW post. Brule Township in Union County, SD will hold the annual township meeting And if you want to see: Tuesday, March 6th, 2018 5:30pm in the Union Co. Shop, Spink, SD for the election of officers and any other business proper to be done when convened. Alternate date if bad weather: Coverage of the fifth annual Fun Run held in the DakotaDome. March 13th at 5:30pm. Photos and a story from the Polar Plunge planned Saturday to raise funds for South Dakota Special Olympics. Reports detailing the outcomes of the USD women’s and men’s basketball games against rival SDSU. Pick up this Friday’s Plain Talk! Local news since 1884! Here for you yesterday, today and tomorrow. Gregg Hanson, Clerk Every Friday during Lent Ensembles Wednesday, February 28th 7:30 P.M. Muenster University Center 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion, SD 57069 605-624-2695 ' 3 HDGOLQHV When You Want Comfort… You Want Kalins! MUC Pit Lounge Free Admission Catfish or Walleye Dinner Small $7 Large $9 Mini Butterfly Shrimp $8.50 All served with Au Gratin Potatoes, Slaw and Dinner Roll Starts at 5 pm till gone ’ Leos Sports Bar & Grill 11 Market St. • Vermillion • 624-9991