2 Broadcaster Press November 8, 2016 www.broadcasteronline.com Dave Says You Can’t Just Cruise Dave Dear Dave, I work for a small company that just won a cruise trip for all the employees. The prize covers just the cruise tickets, and we have to pay for everything else. The problem is that my wife and I currently have more than $50,000 in debt, not counting our home, and about $10,000 of that is in collections. We’re trying to fix our finances and start saving money, but we just don’t feel like we should take a trip right now. How do I tell my boss? Ricky RAMSEY Dear Dave, I’m a senior in high school, and I have a job after classes and on weekends. I made a down payment of $2,500 on a $7,500 motorcycle last week, because I always wanted to have one before I got out in the real world and had bills and other responsibilities to think about. I asked my dad if that was a smart move, and he said I should ask you. So, what do you think? Should I go ahead with the purchase? Tad Dear Tad, I’m glad you’re working and learning the value of money and having a job. But I think your dad set you up on this one. I’ve got a feeling he knew what I’d say, and he wanted you to hear it from me. I teach people how to stay out of debt and build wealth. And there’s always one thing I remind folks of when it comes to buying anything — if you can’t afford to pay cash for the whole thing, then you can’t afford it. The only thing I back off on is when it comes to buying a house. I love shiny things that go fast, and so do a lot of people who work here at my office. Right now, there are about six or seven motorcycles sitting in our parking lot, and they’re owned by folks who make good money. And the bikes sitting out there probably range in value from about $1,000 to $10,000. But you know what? Whoever rode in on the $1,000 bike had just as much fun as the one who owns the $10,000 bike. A motorcycle is a toy, and you should always pay cash for toys if you want to be wealthy one day. Having lots of payments and handing your paychecks over to the bank is not the way to build wealth. I would advise talking to the guy at the bike shop to see if you can rework this deal for a ride you can actually afford! — Dave Dear Ricky, First, let me say how proud I am of you and your wife. Most people would be really irresponsible in a position like this and simply borrow more money to take the trip. The fact that you’re behaving like mature adults tells me you’re on your way to getting out of debt and solving your financial problems. I’ve got to wonder, is there a lot of pressure from your company to go on this trip? I understand the benefits of team building and socializing with colleagues, but when you have no savings and are that deep in debt — and a chunk of that includes some in collections — it’s no lie to say you can’t afford to go. A decent company will understand. Just sit down with your boss or owner, and explain why you can’t make it happen right now. You don’t have to unload all the details, but let them know that you can’t do something like this in good conscience when you’re trying to get your finances under control and already owe a lot of money. That’s one heck of a temptation you’re standing up to, Ricky. I * Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and busilove that you and your wife are on the same page and have made ness, and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven bestthe decision to take control of your finances together! selling books, including The Total Money Makeover. The Dave — Dave Ramsey ShowTell them you saw it in the listeners each is heard by more than 12 million He Set You Up BroadcasterOnline.com “Get Connected!” week on 575 radio stations and multiple digital platforms. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com. Broadcaster! 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You can’t find this anywhere else. www.vermillionfarmersmarket.org 605-659-3399 Directions: 10 miles n from Hwy. 50 on University road or 1.5 miles s of Hub city on University to marshaltown st. then e 1 mile. Thanking Our Veterans By Senator Mike Rounds Each year on Nov. 11, we recognize the service made by our country’s veterans. The date is meaningful, as November 11, 1918 is the day World War I finally came to an end and November 11 became a holiday called Armistice Day. In 1954, the 11th day of November became a legal holiday, reminding Americans to honor all veterans. This year, we commemorate the day by thanking the generations of South Dakotans who have answered the call to serve. South Dakota has one of the highest rates of military membership per capita in the nation, and we are home to more than 72,000 veterans. It is a privilege for me to serve on two Senate committees tasked with improving service for current military members and veterans: the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. I have introduced and cosponsored a number of bills specifically designed to help veterans. The Veterans First Act, which I cosponsored, takes meaningful steps to hold the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) accountable and, in turn, improve care for our nation’s veterans. This bill truly puts the needs of our veterans first by addressing the lack of accountability at the VA. The Veterans First Act includes a number of provisions I offered to improve care for our veterans, including the Veterans Choice Equal Cost for Care Act, which amends the Choice Act by eliminating the “secondary payer clause” to make certain veterans do not pay more for private care under the Choice Act than they would if they were seen at a VA facility. It also includes my Veterans Health Administration Spending and Transparency Oversight Act. This legislation requires the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to produce an annual report to Congress detailing the cost of the health care it provides. Having accurate cost accounting by the VHA will help Congress identify legislative options aimed at better health care for our nation’s veterans. I’m hopeful that Congress will pass the Veterans First Act before the end of the year. We have four offices throughout South Dakota staffed with specially-trained individuals who can help veterans navigate the often confusing bureaucracy at the VA. We understand that it can be frustrating to have an issue with the VA and not know the best way to resolve it. That’s why we are here to help in any way we can. My website, www. rounds.senate.gov, has a list of our office locations and phone numbers. Please let us know if we can help you with any problems you’re having with the VA. Making sure our veterans get the best possible care in the timeliest manner is one of my top priorities working as your senator. Earlier this year, I held a tele-town hall with South Dakota veterans and their families, representatives from the VA and the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. It was a great opportunity for veterans to get their questions answered by experts in the field. We hope to continue doing these tele-town halls in the future. Our nation’s veterans committed to selflessly defend our freedoms. Now they deserve a commitment from the country for which they so bravely fought. This Veterans Day, we say ‘thank you’ to our veterans and their families, we remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, and we continue doing what we can to improve the lives of the men and women who donned the uniform of the United States of America. Planning For The Future: SD’s Rest Area Revitalization Plan By Gov. Dennis Daugaard: In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act, creating the interstate highway system. Along with 41,000 miles of roadway came construction of interstate rest areas, which served a dual purpose: to provide basic services for motorists and give travelers a place to get out, stretch their legs and rest. South Dakota currently has 21 rest areas, some of which were constructed as long ago as 1969. Due to age, several of these facilities are in dire need of major maintenance, renovation or complete reconstruction. Additionally, the availability of information over mobile devices is changing the way that visitors plan their travels and access information about our state. To address these challenges, I asked staff from the departments of Tourism and Transportation to develop a revitalization plan for our rest areas. After nearly a year of review, analysis, research and discussion, this work group developed a plan which addresses the needs and expectations of today’s motorists. Over the next few years, this plan will bring our rest areas into the modern era of travel and help us prepare for the future. Upon completion, South Dakota will offer five staffed welcome centers at our state’s borders and at Chamberlain, along with 12 additional rest areas along interstates 29 and 90. The plan includes construction of two new welcome centers near Vermillion and on the Minnesota border, as well as an expanded and remodeled welcome center at Wilmot. These centers will be staffed during the summer months and, in addition to providing a safe place for travelers to stop, serve as South Dakota’s “front door” for vacationers seeking tourism information. The welcome centers will be more extensive than our current rest areas. They will contain enhanced displays and exhibits as well as modern stations for travel-related information, such as road closures, weather conditions and construction. The welcome centers will provide a great first impression for our visitors, and I know South Dakotans will be proud of how well they represent our Great Faces and Great Places. For more information go to sd.gov and type “interstate” or “rest area” into the search engine. Challenges very often lead to great opportunities. Through the changes outlined in the rest area revitalization plan, we will continue to meet the needs of our travelers and we will make South Dakota even more enticing to visitors. It’s a plan that will benefit our state well into the future.