Why settle for ust a lice … hen 100% of your retail market eceives The roadcaster. Broadcaster is the imary medium successful businesses used to reach their omers for over 50 . Your Broadcaster s more advertising l other local media Broadcaster Press 3 February 5, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com The Snow Challenge Dave Says Let Her Take Care Of The Payments By Daris Howard Eight fourteen-your-old boys, two leaders, and six snowmobiles—what could possibly go wrong? I was one of the fourteen-year-olds, and it was to be our January scout camping trip. We would snowmobile in to a big, open meadow and set up camp Friday evening. We would spend the next day snowmobiling in the meadow. Then, an hour before dark, we would head for home. All went as planned the first night. We set up camp and ate dinner. We went to bed early so we could get up at first light and have a full day riding the machines. The next morning there was only a glimmer of light in the east when we woke. By the time there was enough sunlight to ride without the machines’ lights on, we were off racing across the meadow. After lots of riding, we moved to another fun event. We tied ropes fifty feet long onto the snow machines and tied the other ends to inner tubes. “Howard,” Rod said, “I bet you can’t stay on that inner tube with me driving the snow machine.” I accepted his challenge and climbed on the inner tube like a cowboy climbing into a chute on the back of a bull. I grasped the rope securely with both of my glove-covered hands and laid down. Rod sat down on the snowmobile and gunned it forward. Rod would bring the machine up to the fastest speed he could, about fifty miles per hour, then he would turn as sharply as he could without rolling the snow machine. This whipped me at about twice that speed in an arc across the snow. The snow crystals bit into the exposed areas of my face. I even rolled over a couple of times on the inner tube. But even while being dragged through the snow, I held on, determined to win the challenge. The day was spent with everyone challenging each other to see if they could throw them off of the inner tubes. When it was almost time to leave, only Rod and I had not been thrown off. Before heading back to where the snowmobile trailers were waiting, the other boys egged us on to see if one of us would be the ultimate champion. Rod said he’d try to throw me first. For about twenty minutes, he rode at full throttle, crossing rough trails, turning at high speeds. The ice crystals cut into me to the point I felt they were surely drawing blood. But I held on, and finally, it was my turn to drive. As he grabbed the rope, he grinned. “All right, Howard. Give me your best shot.” I, too, did the same as Rod had done. I pushed the machine to the limit across some of the roughest tracks and spun the machine in as fast and tight of circles as I could. But Rod held on no matter how hard I tried. I could see the sun sinking in the sky, and knowing my time was running out, I got a brilliant idea. On the far side of the meadow was a ridge where the snow had drifted especially deep and thick. It had formed a wall of snow about eight feet high and around ten feet in depth. It was also nearly vertical. I opened the throttle and headed for this wall of snow. I estimated the distance of the rope and the speed, and not far from the snow wall, I started the turn. The rope whipped Rod toward the wall. I knew if I had estimated it right, he would hit the wall at peak speed, just as the rope went tight. It was almost perfect, and when the inner tube hit the wall, the g-force and the crash combined ripped Rod from the rope. But my fourteen-year-old brain didn’t consider what would happen after that. The inertia shot Rod directly into the wall of snow like a human rocket. He disappeared right up to his boots. Suddenly, the thought went through my head that I had killed him. The leaders and other boys must have thought so, too, because they came flying toward us on the snowmobiles. We dug around Rod’s legs, then got a few of us on each leg and pulled him out. He was sputtering and spitting snow, but he was mostly fine. So much snow was rammed down his coveralls that he couldn’t move, and we had to help pull them off of him and unpack the snow. When we were sure he was okay, our leaders just sighed and looked at me, shaking their heads. Finally, the oldest one spoke. Dear Dave, My daughter is in college, and I’ve always warned her to stay away from credit cards. Recently, I learned she got a department store credit card despite my advice. She has stayed within her credit limit, but she has never made any of the payments. At this point, she owes about $3,500. She’s a good student, and I want to look at this as a young person’s mistake. Should I pay it off for her this one time? Joseph You probably know the answer to this question immediately, right? Would you rather spend your time shopping at the mall or updating your budget in Excel? The spender and the saver are total opposites, but it’s true what they say—opposites attract. Often in marriage, one person is a spender and one is a saver. And that’s okay! Just because one likes to spend and one the other likes to save doesn’t mean your marriage is doomed. You balance each other out. The problems start when you go through life without understanding each other’s natural tendencies. You have to start by embracing one another’s differences. There is no right or wrong here. The key is to communicate and make a plan for your money together. Spenders shouldn’t let all of the budgeting fall to the saver and vice versa. You are one now! Dave 3. Do I understand how a budget works? Dear Joseph, If you don’t know how to make a budget, stop what you’re You’re right, this is a typical young doing and learn how to create one. I know what you may be person’s mistake. Like a lot of mistakes our kids make, it’s one thinking… “Budgets are the worst!” or “You can’t have fun that’s bad and wonderful at the same time. It’s bad because, if when you’re on a budget!” Budgeting might seem restrictive she had just listened to dear old dad, she would’ve avoided a but telling your money where to go instead of wondering where mess. It’s wonderful, though, because it gives you the opportu- it went actually gives you permission to spend! It’s also a great nity to provide her with a real world, teachable moment. way to deepen communication with your spouse because I understand you wanting to help her out “this one time.” you’re planning for your future together. It means you have a good heart, and that you care about your Your budget is your game plan. With a zero-based budget, daughter and love her. There’s a reality here, though, I hope you list your monthly income at the top of the page. Then list you won’t overlook. It’s her debt, not yours. She knew what she all your monthly expenses—gas, food, rent, debt payments and was doing when she signed up for that credit card. She knew so on—below that. The income minus the outgo should equal what it meant, what was expected, and she is the one who zero. Every dollar should have a “name.” Give yourself grace. It should have to make good on the repayment. The entire deal is will take a few months to get used to budgeting, but you’ll get legal and fair. there! At this point, my advice is to put your arm around her, talk 4. What are your financial fears? to her, and lovingly explain where she went wrong and why it This might not be a fun question, but it’s an important one. was a bad idea. You can even help her find a part-time job if she Fear can make us do crazy things, especially when it comes doesn’t have one right now, so she can pay off her debt and get to your money. Fear is what leads to people hiding purchases out of this mess. But leave the payments to her. My guess is by from their spouse or getting a secret credit card. Both of which the time she finishes working her tail off to pay this debt she are bad ideas, by the way! will have learned a lesson she’ll remember for the rest of her Maybe you’re afraid because you don’t have the security life! that comes with savings or maybe you’re scared because — Dave you’re living paycheck to paycheck, like most Americans. Whatever they are, share them with your fiancé. Getting your fears out on the table will help you to get on the same page when it * Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business, and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven comes to your values and money. 5. What are your dreams? best-selling books, including The Total Money Makeover. The Where do you picture yourself (and your spouse) years Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 12 million listeners each week on 575 radio stations and multiple digital platforms. from now? What type of lifestyle are living? You probably already know the answer, and these are things you should be Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at sharing with each other, too. daveramsey.com. Talking about money with your partner binds you on an intimate level unlike anything else. You wind up sharing your hopes and dreams together, and who doesn’t want that? The honeymoon doesn’t have to end when your wedding is over. Dream together, and make a plan for your money together. By Rachel Cruze I promise, you’ll add a sense of peace in your marriage that Marriage is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make, so could not exist with debt! the last thing you want to do is go in unprepared. Money is the number one issue couples fight about. In fact, *As a #1 New York Times best-selling author, host of The RaRamsey Solutions released a study that shows money fights are chel Cruze Show, and The Rachel Cruze Show podcast, Rachel the second leading cause of divorce, behind infidelity. So, mak- helps people learn the proper ways to handle money and stay ing sure you’re on the same page about your finances with your out of debt. She’s authored three best-selling books, including future spouse is extremely important. When you sit down and Love Your Life, Not Theirs and Smart Money Smart Kids, which talk with your partner about your finances, it builds a different she co-wrote with her father, Dave Ramsey. You can follow level of trust in your relationship. You’ll wind up growing closer Cruze on Twitter and Instagram at @RachelCruze and online at to each other as a result. rachelcruze.com, youtube.com/rachelcruze or facebook.com/ Talking about money can be uncomfortable at first, but it’s rachelramseycruze. so worth it! Before you say “I do,” here are a few questions you should ask yourself as you get ready to have the money talk with your future spouse. 1. Where are you currently with your finances? Both of you should answer this question and get it out on the table. How much debt do you have—including student Support the Clay County 4-H Program by loans, car loans, mortgages, credit cards and even personal purchasing delicious, high-quality fruit. loans? What’s your annual income? How much do you have in savings? Contact Colleen at the Clay County Once you both have that information, you can make a plan Extension Office at 605-677-7111 to attack your debt. That leads us to a very important question—do you want debt to be a part of your marriage? I hope or clay.county@sdstate.edu the answer is no, but you need to have this discussion. If you’re to request an order form or place an order. determined to get out of debt and your spouse continues to pile up credit card debt, then you’re headed toward a lot of Fruit orders will be taken until February 18 marital stress. with fruit delivery around March 14. Debt is a thief. It steals your money and your joy. The last thing you want to do is delay all of those dreams you have with your future spouse. Being debt free will allow you to turn your dreams into a reality. So, make a plan to get out of debt together, and don’t let it be an option ever again. You should feel loved, 2. Am I a spender or a saver? safe and respected Ramsey 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Marriage 019 4-H FRUIT SALE 2 LOVE IS MANY THINGS, BUT... NEVER ABUSIVE. Athlete Spotlight Why settle for just a slice … Why settle for just a slice … When 100% of your retail market receives The Broadcaster. The Broadcaster is the primary medium successful businesses have used to reach their customers for over 50 years. Your Broadcaster carries more advertising than all other local media combined. And, like our customers, we continue to grow. Broadcaster 201 W. Cherry St. 624-4429 When 100% of your retail market receives The Broadcaster. Why settle for just a slice When 100% of your retail market receives The Broadcaster. 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