Broadcaster Press 5 September 24, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com Retirement Sale! Brunick l p Large Grouies, r Of Accesso Tables nd Lamps & E 50% OFF Fina ns rkdow Ma FURNITURE & FLOORING Huge Discounts On All In Stock Flooring! Carpet • Wo od • L 1100 W. Cherry, Vermillion 605-624-8688 brunickfurniture.com aminate • LV P When Will We Ever Use This? Dave Says First Things First By Daris Howard Dear Dave, My husband and I are in our thirties. We have $15,000 in debt spread across student loans, credit cards, and a car payment. We make decent money, and we’ve each got around $50,000 in our 401(k) plans. What steps can we take toward becoming good investors? Heather of other problems down the road. What I’m recommending makes up the beginning Baby Steps in my plan. The very first Baby Step is to get a starter emergency fund of $1,000 in the bank. Baby Step 2 is paying off all debt, except for your home, using the debt snowball method. And Baby Step 3 is to finish growing your emergency fund until you have three to six months of expenses saved. Investing is Baby Step 4, and that means 15 percent of your household income going toward retirement. In your situation, debt isn’t really the problem. It’s a symptom of you two buying things you couldn’t afford. Start living on a written, monthly budget. Give every dollar a name before the month begins, and break that debt cycle by developing a permanent financial game plan. Once you do that, I’ll bet both of you will end up feeling like you got a raise. Even better, you’ll have started down the path to freeing up your largest wealth-building tool—your income! —Dave We were only in the first week of class when Evan asked something that would become the norm for him through much of the semester. We had just finished looking at some ideas on using math to make decisions in life when he asked, “When will we ever use this?” I explained that the goal of this class, Math in the Real World, was to give the students lots of tools which would help them make the best decisions possible. I told him the first lessons were just laying down the steps that would be the framework for making those decisions. Dear Heather, From then on, there was hardly a class period when Evan didn’t When you’re building wealth, ask the same question. I feel it is essential for students to underDave everything will fall apart unless stand the value of what they are learning, but with Evan, it almost you have a rock-solid foundation. If seemed like he would ask without thinking for himself. It was more someone has an eye toward investof a habit. ing, I always recommend they first He asked the question when we talked about making a budget become debt-free. Another thing I advise ahead of investand using it to make decisions about how to best utilize resources. ing is saving up an emergency fund of three to six months He asked it when we went over Excel functions and how they could be of expenses. This is money you never touch, except in the used in different monetary issues. He even asked the question when case of a real emergency. we looked at the growth of investments in a retirement plan. Once these two elements are in place, you’ve constructOne day I was sure the discussion I had prepared would finally be ed that solid financial foundation from which you can * Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and such that even Evan wouldn’t have to ask where he would use what begin building wealth. Most people skip these two steps, business, and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored he had learned. We started off the day by playing a game of The Price and jump right into funding things like 401(k)s, mutual seven best-selling books, including The Total Money MakeoIs Right. The groups of students had to guess from gut feeling what funds, and Roth IRAs. These are all great investment tools, ver. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 12 million they thought the total of a loan (interest plus principal) would be. but when you do it this way it’s like building a house by listeners each week on 575 radio stations and multiple digital The winning group got candy. starting the framing before you’ve laid the foundation. platforms. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on The loan was for one hundred and twenty thousand dollars, the This kind of approach is likely cause setbacks and all kinds the web at daveramsey.com. interest rate was eight percent, and the length of the loan was thirty years. Most of the student groups guessed under two hundred thousand and were surprised to find out that the total would be around three hundred-seventeen thousand dollars. We then discussed ways the students had heard for reducing the amount of interest paid. One student said she had heard that if a person paid extra on each loan PIERRE, S.D. – Over the past decleading cause of death among all able to help individuals experiencpayment it would reduce the interest. ade, South Dakota’s suicide rates rose South Dakotans. In 2018, 168 South ing suicidal thoughts and support “But most people can’t pay enough to make it worth it,” a boy by nearly 40 percent. State agencies Dakotans died by suicide. In addition, for those who have lost a loved said. along with the Great Plains Tribal suicide is the second leading cause of one to suicide. If you need help call “How much would you have to pay to make it worth it?” I asked. Chairmen’s Health board are working death for people ages 15-34. the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at He shrugged. “Probably about half of the normal payment,” he to develop a comprehensive plan to Suicide is rarely caused by any 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Services are replied. prevent suicide in South Dakota and single factor. According to a recent available 24/7. You can also contact We had found that the payment was around eight hundred and are seeking public input during the Vital Signs report from the Centers any medical provider such as a family eighty dollars per month, so he suggested that to make any differmonth of September. A draft of the for Disease Control Prevention (CDC), physician, psychiatrist or hospital ence, a person would probably have to add about four hundred dollars plan is available for review at sdsuici- more than half of people who die by emergency room, as well as a Comon each payment. deprevention.org. suicide are not known to have a diag- munity Mental Health Center or tribal “How much do you think most people could afford?” I asked. “Suicide is impacting too many nosed mental health condition at the mental health provider. Additional The students couldn’t seem to agree on a value, so I said, “How families, communities, and schools time of death. Other problems often information, resources, and support about fifty dollars? A married couple could go out for ice-cream on in our state,” said Governor Kristi contribute to suicide, such as those are available at sdsuicideprevention. their dates instead of a full dinner and save that much a month.” related to relationships, substance org. If you believe someone is at risk I joked that I wasn’t suggesting the husband not take his wife Noem. “As we work together to use, physical health and job, money, for suicide, get help immediately. out, or the women would hate me. But I felt everyone could do fifty develop a comprehensive plan for suicide prevention, it’s vital that we legal or housing stress. Don’t wait to call. dollars. The students all agreed. South Dakota has resources availWe plugged the numbers into the computer, and the students hear from community members, edugasped at what it showed. It would save around forty-two thousand cators, faith leaders, and dollars in interest and cut off five years. The students then, as groups, community-based organizatried some sample ideas with student loans, house loans, and car tions.” loans. We came back together as a full class to finalize the discussion Suicide is the tenth and were just ending when Evan raised his hand. When I called on him, he asked, “When will we ever use this?” I stood there so stunned Dennis & Mary Jo have finished the barn! I couldn’t speak. And before I could, Savannah, the girl next to Erlan & JoAnn have made it 50 years together! him did. WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR VOLUNTEERS “Are you stupid or someAND SPONSORS FOR A GREAT 2019 FAIR! thing?” she said to him. “The • Pioneer • Eagles Auxiliary • 4-H Leaders Association th answer to your question is obviSaturday, September 28 • POET Biorefining • Equalizer/PrintSource • AM Lawn Care ous.” She then scooted her chair 6-10 p.m. • Polaris • Farm Credit Services of America • AMS Building Systems away from him. “Don’t sit too • Farmers Insurance-Sara Bye Agency • Pressing Matters • Bank of the West Food will be provided close. I don’t want it to rub off on • Quality Motors • First Bank and Trust • Biotest Plasma Center me. And don’t even consider ask• Ribs, Rods, Rock N Roll • First Dakota National Bank • Blaine’s Body Shop Live Music by the ing me out.” • Sage Project Consultants • First Premier Bank • Blue Monarch Warning Shots • Sanford Health • Gary’s Tree Service • Broadcaster Press & Plain Talk I figured she answered him 8-10 p.m. • Seeds Plus LLC • Gregoire Excavating • Brunick Furniture & Flooring 3.5” x 2.5” | Maximum Font Size: 30 pt betterpt I could, so I didn’t try. than ” | Maximum Font Size: 30 • Somsen Agency • H&R Block • Bunyans 31443 Saginaw Ave., And from then on, before he • Southeast Farmers Coop • Hawley Farms Trucking • Butch’s Propane Vermillion asked, Evan thought a little more • Steiner’s Locker Service • Heine Farms • Butterhead and Crew for himself about how what he No gifts please • Stewart Oil and Tire • Herren-Schempp Building Supply • Campbell Supply learned could be used. • The Bluffs Golf Course • Hot Country 93.1 • Casey’s General Store RAMSEY Input Sought For Statewide Suicide Prevention Plan Let’s Celebrate With the Olson’s! Clay County Fair Board BARN DANCE Have 403(b) ave 403(b) Financial strategies. Hydro • Charcoal Lounge nancial strategies. Let’s 101.5/AM 1570 Hy-Vee talk. • Classic Hits uestions?College ortalk. Let’s retirement? Find out how questions? County 106.3/ESPN Title Company ••• Hub International Insurance to afford both. • Clay Abstract and ne-on-one advice. Curt Robinson Financial Curt Robinson Advisor . Financial 23 Market Street Advisor Patrick Higgins Patrick M Higgins Financial Advisor Financial Advisor Tom Overby Financial Advisor 23 Market Street 605-624-2028 Vermillion, SD 57069 www.edwardjones.com 605-624-2028 www.edwardjones.com 77 W. CherryStreet W. Cherry Street Vermillion, SD 57069 Vermillion, SD 57069 605-658-0205 605-658-0205 www.edwardjones.com One-on-one advice. Curt Robinson 23 Market Street Vermillion, SD 57069 605-624-2028 Vermillion, SD 57069 MKT-58941-A Member SIPC • Jill’s Hair Company • Clay County Conservation District • John Conkling Distributing • Clay Rural Water System Financial Curt Robinson Advisor Union ElectricPatrick M HigginsJohnson Feed Inc • Curt Robinson • Clay . Financial Advisor Street Financial 23 Market • Clay-Union Farm Mutual Advisor Financial Advisor • Kelly O’Connor Construction Vermillion, SD 57069 • Knutson Family Dentistry Insurance CompanyW. Cherry Street 23 Market Street 23 Market Street 7 605-624-2028 • Koletzky Implement • Coffee Cup Vermillion, SDSD 57069 Vermillion, 57069 Vermillion, SD 57069 www.edwardjones.com 605-624-2028 • M & S Irrigation and Trenching • Community Chiropractic 605-624-2028 605-658-0205 • Marks Machinery • CorTrust Bank www.edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.com • Mart Bros Construction • Coyote Chemical Company • Mart Marine • Craig Thompson • Meat Barn • Dakota Realty • Dakota Realty/Kris O’Connor Member SIPC • Midwest Ready Mix MEMBER SIPC • Moore Welding • DEKALB • Olson Sod Farms LLC • Eagles Aerie Gapp Counseling Services Quietly Serving Vermillion Since 2009 Debra Gapp • Licensed Professional Counselor – Mental Health • Licensed Addictions Counselor • Qualified Mental Health Professional 605.677.9052 gappcounseling.com Insurance accepted • Think 605 • Todd’s Electric Service • Tractor Supply Company • Valley Ag • Vermillion Ace Hardware • Vermillion Area Chamber of Commerce • Vermillion Area Farmers Market • Vermillion Federal Credit Union • Vermillion Ford • Vermillion Medical Clinic • Walker Construction • Wildfire Ceramics • Willson Florist • WNAX/104.1 The Wolf • Wyffels Hybrid-Ryan Haver Thank you to all the volunteers that helped during the week of the fair with set up, exhibit entry, hosting events, supervising buildings/events, and clean up. A Special Thank You to the following: • Vermillion Fire Department, Vermillion EMT, Vermillion Police Department, and Clay County Sheriffs Office for all their help during the fair. • Vermillion Street Department, Vermillion Light and Power, and Vermillion Parks and Recreation for everything they do to help us get ready for the fair. • Chuck and Cory Donnelly for allowing us to use their facility for the Clay, Union, and Yankton County Horse Shows. A Big Thank You to everyone that attended the 2019 Clay County Fair!