February 1, 2011 • Page 8 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com DAVE SAYS: Dating on a dime in college Dear Dave, I’m a recent college graduate, and I’m determined to follow your plan and get out of debt. My biggest problem is when it comes to dating. Things aren’t cheap today, so aside from not dating, how do you handle this area of your life when you’re trying to get your finances in order? Roland Dear Roland, First of all, you definitely need to date people. I couldn’t have gone without dating, especially at your age. So, I’m not going to tell you to do something I couldn’t do. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with dating inexpensively if you’re thoughtful. Just don’t be so cheap that you’re freakish about things. There are plenty of nice, stylish places that don’t cost an arm and a leg. A picnic and a Frisbee will go a long way on a pretty day! Your efforts to be a gentleman and make things happen in creative ways will be a lot more charming to any lady worth dating than throwing down an extra $100 at a Call Us for All Your Auction Needs! EAST RIVER AUCTIONEERS D.W. Duhachek, #365 605-660-7777 Leo Harts , #278 605-660-2460 Nancy Duhachek, #366 605-665-2222 • Mission Hill, SD snooty restaurant you can’t afford. The other thing is to make dating part of your monthly budget. In your situation, it’s a legitimate expense, and you need to make it part of your financial game plan. Then, if you’re seeing someone on a regular basis, and the money in the “dating” envelope is getting low, you can explain to her that you’re working hard to manage your money properly so you’ll be wealthy one day. This will make you even more attractive to the right kind of person, because it shows that you’re mature enough and responsible enough to be thinking toward and planning for the future! —Dave Nix the lawn service? Dear Dave, We currently pay to have our lawn mowed each week. This expense is figured into our monthly budget, but we’re not quite out of debt yet. My wife says this is a luxury at this point, and I should cut the grass myself until we’re out of debt. What do you think? Ty Park 50 & River Heights Apartments • 1, 2, 3 BR Units • Heat/Cable Paid • Super Location • Off Street Parking • Laundry • On Site Manager For your private showing – 665-1243 Sorry – No Pets Dear Ty, I think it depends a lot on your income. If you’re a surgeon making $350,000 a year, then making lawn care part of your monthly budget is probably pretty reasonable. Now, if you’re only making $26,000 a year, you probably need to get behind the mower and start pushing it yourself! Is this a snobbish attitude? I don’t think so. It’s a simple matter of mathematics. What is your personal time worth in the marketplace, and should you be plying your trade out in the world rather than mowing the lawn? Let’s say you’re an attorney who charges $400 an hour. In that case, you’re probably going to be better off out there lawyering—especially if you’re trying to get out of debt—than you would pushing a mower. But if you make $12 an hour, it’s a good idea for you to be cutting your own grass, isn’t it? Whether or not something is a “luxury” depends on your own personal income and financial situation. That’s how I look at it. —Dave * For more financial help, please visit daveramsey.com. Large 2-Day Farm Toy Auction Friday Feb 4th 5:00 p.m. & Saturday Feb 5th, 10:00 a.m. Located: Wakonda Legion Hall, Wakonda, SD Over 1,500 Toys will be offered in this 2-day auction featuring one Estate from Nebraska along with other collections from throughout the Midwest. Lots of GOOD, OLD Toys including Cast Iron & More! See web for full listing or call for free, full color brochure. Bid live online at http://www.GirardBid.com ! Girard Auction & Land Brokers, Inc. (605) 267-2421 www.GirardAuction.com Toll Free: 1-866-531-6186 QUALITY ANTIQUE AUCTION Sunday, February 6, 2011 9:30 am City Auditorium, Osmond, Nebraska Estate Diamonds and Gold Jewelry, Fabulous Oak Furniture, Sterling Silver, Depression and Carnival Glass, Art Pottery, Stoneware, Unique and Unusual Items! We are pleased to present a large offering of high value furniture from one Norfolk home. China cabinets in a variety of styles, fabulous oak three leaded door bookcase, oak Alaska ice chest, super double curved glass oak buffet/server, occasional tables, fancy chairs, table top and floor model phonographs, petite S curve oak roll top desk and many more quality pieces! Be prepared to haul! Other offerings will include a fabulous selection of glassware. Depression, Carnival, Victorian Glass including several nice Bride’s Baskets, Burmese Glass, Fenton, stoneware, art pottery. Large salt and pepper shaker collection, Watt Pottery, Shawnee, Roseville and Hull Pottery. Extensive collection of Aladdin Lamps in a variety of colors and styles including some Aladdin parts, Red Wing crocks and Red Wing Mason jars, advertising items and hundreds of quality items! Quality Sterling Silver flatware sets sells around 12:00 noon! Selling at 12:00 NOON ... FABULOUS ESTATE JEWELRY. DIAMONDS, GOLD, STERLING FLATWARE & MORE! We will have around 20 pieces of high end Estate Jewelry including large Diamonds and exceptional Gold pieces. Many of the Diamond items have large center Diamonds and Gold settings. Exceptional very early large Black Hills Gold Bracelet, Pocket Watches include a wonderful example from a Sioux Falls, DAKOTA TERRITORY Jeweler. Also included will be a nice selection of Sterling Silver flatware. Check the web site for additional photos of this superb offering! Photos at www.northeastauctioneers.com NORTHEAST AUCTIONEERS Quality Antique Auctioneers 410 N. State Street Osmond, Nebraska 68765 Phone 402-748-3985