Dcemeber 27, 2016 • Page 2 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Museum Update Dave Says Dave’s Take on Layaway Dear Dave, How do you feel about using layaway programs? Jay Dear Jay, I’m not a huge fan of layaway plans, because they’re not really the solution to a problem. What’s wrong with just saving up and buying stuff when you have the cash? I mean, Christmas comes at the same time every year, you know? It’s not like it snuck up on you. Dave I know there are rare instances when particular items are on sale, and you can take advantage of it through layaway if you don’t have the cash at the moment. I don’t really have a problem with that kind of thing in rare instances. But I would not, under any circumstances, use a layaway plan that has fees attached. You might as well borrow the money if you’re going that route. Here’s a good rule of thumb: if you don’t have the money, you can’t afford it. And make sure you don’t get into the habit of lusting after things you don’t own, because that lack of contentment is always tied to people being broke. Just don’t make plans like this a way of life, Jay. If you do, you’re liable to stay chained to layaway programs just like you’d be chained to debt! — Dave RAMSEY Credit Cards Are Not an Emergency Fund Dear Dave, My husband and I are trying to follow your plan. We’ve paid off all of our credit cards, but he still doesn’t want to close the accounts and cut up the cards. Instead, he wants to keep them in a drawer and use them as an emergency fund. He grew up really poor, and I think he’s afraid of being poor again. We both know that’s not what you recommend, so what can I do to convince him to follow your advice? Lynn It began the way most miracles do: by accident or the hand of God, take your pick. It might have been the weather, at least partly. For December, the day had been almost balmy and warm. You know, sweaters instead of heavy coats. No mittens in sight. Then there were Christmas lights on the stores, and that little bunch of Girl Scouts out raising money in front of the Read Me Now bookstore. Jasper Blankenship was inside going through the books to fortify his cabin’s library for winter and sat, listening with a smile to the girls as they laughed and waited for customers that weren’t really coming along too briskly. “It’s a shame there aren’t more people out today for those girls,” said Sarah McKinley, behind the counter. Jasper nodded and paid for his books, then walked out to the truck. He stopped and thought for a while, then brought out his violin, rosined the bow, and walked over to the sidewalk next to the girls. “You girls like fiddle music?” he asked. “Sure do.” And Jasper began playing fiddle tunes. Carla Martinez was driving down the street, headed for the Soup ‘R Market when she saw the Girl Scouts dancing with each other in front of their table to Jasper’s music. Before he’d had time to finish that tune, she’d returned with her guitar and joined the fun. Jim Albertson, the elementary school principal, showed up with a harmonica, and he wasn’t bad at it. Dud got out his accordion and was able to at least do the bass buttons as accompaniment. By this time, it was getting dark in the street, and several people turned headlights on the area in front of the bookstore. Older people had joined the Girl Scouts dancing in the streets, and Delbert Chin from the Chinese restaurant across the street sent one of his girls out with a huge pot of coffee and paper cups. The party was on. It lasted until the cars headlights began to wear down the batteries, but during its brief lifetime, the street dance and mid-winter party cast a blessing on us all. Please Recycle It must have been the weather. Dear Lynn, I think rather than trying to convince him, it might be a better idea to gently ask questions and talk things through. You said he grew up in poverty. What I’m hearing is that the cards represent a kind of security blanket for him. I can understand that. But if you had $10,000 set aside for emergencies, you’d have the security of knowing that a transmission repair on the car or a new water heater for the house would only be a minor inconvenience — and you wouldn’t have to go back into debt to make things right again. Explain to him that what you’d like to do is replace the credit cards with your own money. You’d also be replacing what they do with a debit card. Ask him if there’s a reasonable amount you two could have in the bank that would take away his worry and stress. Talk it out, agree on the amount, and then agree that when you’ve saved up and hit that number, the cards get cut up and the accounts are closed. Just be patient and understanding. Above all, make sure you work together. If he’s recognized the wisdom of getting out of debt and taking control of your finances, he’s moving in the right direc- By tion! Daris Howard — Dave Please Recycle ? Smile. Please Recycle The Spirit of Christmas Please Recycle * 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. Buy • Sell • Trade Quality... USED Cars, Trucks, Campers, Boats & Consignments 2007 Chevy Monte Carlo NOW $6,500 Was $6,995 665-1596 Bridge City Auto www.bridgecityautoyankton.com 802 Broadway, Yankton Happy Holidays What better time to thank all our friends and customers for their valued business during the past year. We look forward to serving you in 2017. Please Recycle Playing Santa each Christmas helps remind me what this season is all about. People ask me how much I charge, and my answer is always the same. “I don’t.” Please busy I am Because of howRecycle in December, I can’t do very many, but what I do, I like to do for free. I enjoy the wonder and joy in the faces of the children, and that is my Please Recycle pay. Usually, I visit big groups, but now and then, if there is a child that needs a special visit, I try to make time for them. One particular Christmas, a mother called Please Recycle and talked to my wife, Donna. The lady said she had a little boy named David who had extreme autism. He was almost five years old and had hardly said a word. He lived in his own world and seldom let anyone else into it. She told my wife that David desperately wanted Santa to come visit. She also said that that wish was one of the few things he had ever communicated to anyone. When I arrived home, Donna told me about her visit. I looked at my schedule and didn’t think I could possibly squeeze in one more thing. But as I continued to think about this little boy, I knew I needed Authorized Retailer Jurrens Electronics Commercial, Residential & Farm Wiring Harry Lane • Electricial Contractor 114 Main St. Avon, SD (605) 286-3630 1-888-873-7382 665-6612 Honda Em 7000 IS Generator Just Like $ New! 2,700 We Now Stock Honda & Kohler Generators – All Sizes! 2016 Hustler Super Z 72” Rear Discharge Deck Front Suspension & Air Seat Demo SPECIAL PRICING of Tyndall on Hwy. 50 Corner of Hwys. 50 and 5 miles West www.schuurmansfarmsupply.com 37 Ph. (605) 5 89-3909 or Cell (605) 464-1113 to take the time, so I requested more information. The COURTESY PHOTO: DAKOTA TERRITORIAL MUSEUM On Thursday, Dec. 15, the Yankton County Historical Society welcomed three new members to the Board of Directors and thanked the three members who are leaving the board due to term expiration. Those leaving after years of faithful service are Joan Neubauer, Stan Hoffart and Tom Steinbach, seen in the above photograph. New members are Gloria Becker, Jerry Webber and Gwen Gevens. New officers were also installed. The 2017 Board of Directors will consist of: Carol Hamvas, President, Steve Pietilla, Vice President, Lola Harens, Treasurer, Jane Bobzin, Secretary, Gloria Becker, Gwen Gevens, Amy Long, Bill Nelson, Jim Nyberg, Chris Sonne, Bob Thue, Mike Villanueva and Jerry Webber. This group will continue the important work of moving the Dakota Territorial Museum to the Mead Cultural Education Center. If you have questions about the project or events, please contact us at the Dakota Territorial Museum at 610 Summit Street (in Westside Park), on Facebook, visit our website at www. dakotaterritorialmuseum.org or www.meadbuilding. org, or call us at 605-665-3898. We are open seven days a week from noon-4 p.m. derful experience in the world if Santa would bring him some toy cars and also play with him. Donna wrote the information down, and I spent some time memorizing it. The mother promised that she would have toy cars sitting in the living room. She also said she would have presents for each of the children in the mailbox. When I arrived, I went to the mailbox and collected the gifts. I then started jingling the bells I was carrying and knocked on the door. When a girl opened it, I thought of the descriptions of the children and decided she must be the ten-year-old. I hoped I was right. “Hello, Mary, how are you?” She gasped and ran to the other room. I heard her say to her older sister, “Santa’s here.” “Santa doesn’t exist,” the older sister said. “Well, he knew my name.” “Big deal,” the older girl said. “I know your name, and I’m not Santa.” They came to the door, with the older girl in the lead, and I said, “Hello, Susan.” She rolled her eyes, so I said, “I hope you still want that stage makeup for your part in the school Christmas play.” Susan gasped and covered her mouth. I then mentioned something personal to each of the other children, including the baby sister. I handed out the presents, and the mother, who stood by grinning, told the children they could open them. Susan’s had stage makeup, and each child, likewise, unwrapped an item I had dropped a hint about. Finally, it was David’s turn. He opened his present and found toy cars. “You know what?” I said. “I love toy cars. I see you have a roadway, a garage, and everything. Can I play cars with you?” David nodded and handed me a couple. I sat on the floor, and we raced them around the roadway and in and out of the garage. Meanwhile, the other children, especially Susan, stared at me. After a brief time, I finally stood. “Well, I guess I better go visit some other children.” David ran to me and hugged my waist. I patted his head and said, “You be good, and we’ll have something more for you in a couple of weeks.” He nodded and hugged me again. I went on my way, feeling like I had once again been the one who was truly rewarded. A few days later, I saw a posting on Facebook by the mother. She said that after I left, David had called his grandparents. He told them all about his experience. And even though most of what he said no one understood, they did understand when he said, “Santa come play cars me.” And I smiled as I once more remembered that all of us carry a little of the spirit of Christmas when we give of ourselves.