January 24, 2017 • Page 2 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Dave Says Quick Wit To be Unclear is to be Unkind Dear Dave, My friend and I are roommates, and we’ve always had an agreement that we split each of the bills fifty-fifty. We both work and have decent jobs, but for the last couple of months she’s been really late in paying her half of the bills. She says she’s broke. I don’t want to be mean, but how can I approach her about this situation? Alice Dear Alice, I understand that you don’t want to be mean to a friend, but situations like this should be addressed quickly and directly. No matter whether you’re talking about friendships or business dealings, to be unclear is to be unkind. Turn off the television, sit down with her, and have a kind but firm conversation. Let her know that the roommate agreement is no longer working because she isn’t paying her bills on time. Make sure she understands that the two of you are not going to be able to stay there together anymore unless she starts paying on time. You might also ask if she needs help budgeting her money. I mean, if she’s got a good job her money has to be going somewhere, right? The problem is that it’s not going to the proper places. I know you think that by being subtle or avoiding the situation you’re being nice, but you’re not. You’re being passive-aggressive. You just have to smile and say, “This isn’t going to happen anymore. You’re going to get your act together, and I’ll help you all I can, but you need to start paying on time or the roommate situation is over.” Is that tough love? No, it’s just love. — Dave Dave RAMSEY have the house paid off in just over four years. She likes the idea of having lots of money saved up, but I would love to be completely debt-free. Should we pay off the house or hang on to the savings? Jason Dear Jason, Let’s pretend your house is already paid for in full. Would you borrow on your home so that you had enough cash that your wife liked it? You say you wouldn’t, so what’s the difference? If you had a paid-for house and you wouldn’t borrow on it to have cash laying around to feel better, why wouldn’t you use the cash laying around to pay off the house? It’s the same thing. The first thing you want to consider is having an emergency fund of three to six months of expenses. You also need to make sure you’re putting aside 15 percent of your income for retirement. Other than that, if you have enough cash laying around to pay off your home and you don’t, it’s the same thing as having borrowed on your home in order to have cash laying around. If I’m in your shoes, as soon as the emergency fund is in place — six months of expenses since your wife likes the security factor — and 15 percent is being put away for retirement, I’d take the other money and throw it at the house. Get that thing paid off as fast as you can! — Dave * 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. Savings vs Pay Off Dear Dave, My wife and I owe $90,000 on our mortgage, and we have no other debt. We are able to save about $20,000 a year, so we could MV Shopper MV Shopper M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y In Print and Online! • 665-5884 M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y There are times when we can tell what’s going on without even seeing it or smelling it. Just take the other morning at the Mule Barn truck stop. Most of the charter members of the world dilemma think tank were already gathered at the philosophy counter and had had two cups of coffee and solved most of the world’s problems that occurred on page one of the Valley Weekly Miracle. Then there was a silence, as they contemplated, silently, who would bring up the next topic, as everyone knew once the world dilemmas were sorted out, it came down to more local stuff and they wondered who would kick off the subject du jour. It was Steve, the cowboy of the outfit, and he kinda sidled up to it. “Had the ax out this morning,” he said. “Ice on the water troughs, Steve?” Doc asked. Steve just nodded. “Dulls the blade you know.” Nods all around. Dud then picked it up. “Did you know they got tours to Guatemala this time of year that just go to see monkeys?” “Just monkeys?” “Well, I guess you can look at other stuff, like jungle and beaches and all that, too, but mostly monkeys.” “What kinda monkeys, Dud?” “Guatemala monkeys? Heck, I don’t know what kinds they got down there. Must be a bunch if they’re gonna base a whole trip on ‘em.” “I want to .,..” said Doc, then shook his head, sadly. “What Doc?” “Well … I always wanted to go catch a tarpon. They’ve got a mess of ‘em down there in Guatemala, I think. Big boogers, too.” “Wonder what kinda bait you should use, Doc.” “Flies of course, Herb,” Doc said. “They got special flies for these things. Got long noses on them.” “The fish?” “The flies.” I think someone from Mars could make a fairly accurate guess as to just how cold it was outside this morning. By Daris Howard I went to the funeral of my Uncle Delos this last week. He was a very good man who loved and served other people his whole life. His wife, Betty, was his greatest love, and when she died about ten years ago, his life was lonely and empty. Delos kept himself busy to keep from thinking about the void he felt in his life without Betty. He raised a big garden, including a large raspberry patch. He didn’t need most of the food he raised, and gave almost all of it away to others. He spent even more time doing service. If anyone was sick, needed a visit, or could just use a friend, Delos was there. But then his life took another downward turn. His health started to deteriorate. His mind was still alert, but he physically couldn’t do all the things he had been doing. He had to give up growing his big garden, and he couldn’t visit others anymore without someone to take him. It was at this point that he went to live with his son, Brent. Delos loved to read and learn, and he still spent time doing that, but he missed being out doing the type of work he loved and visiting people, but even worse, he missed Betty more than ever. One day, another one of his sons, David, called. “Dad,” David said. “There is an Agriculture show up in Idaho. Would you like to go?” If Delos was anything, he was a farmer. Once a person is a farmer their heart never leaves it behind. The thought of seeing the newest tractors, combines, and other types of modern equipment was exciting. He happily accepted the invitation. On the appointed day, Delos was awake early, even earlier than he used to get up to milk cows. He was dressed and waiting for a couple of hours before David arrived. Once Delos was in the car, they started the three-hour drive to Idaho. There were two things that Delos liked to do as he traveled. He liked to read road signs and comment on them, and he liked to tell stories. “Oh look at that. Welcome to Carterville, population 315. By the looks of things I’m sure that they must have also counted the cows to get that number. Hidden road. Ha ha. We found it, so it’s not too hidden. Oh, hey! Look at that. Dave’s Burger Barn. I remember when Betty and I were first married. I took her with me to go fishing and we stopped there to eat. It was a lot newer place back then. Burgers cost fifteen cents. I bet a person couldn’t find a burger for that price anymore.” As they traveled along, David listened to his father read signs and tell stories. Most of the stories in one way or another brought back memories of Betty and the times they had spent together. When they arrived at the agriculture show, David pulled the wheelchair out of his car and helped his dad into it. David wheeled his father to every exhibit. Delos was like a child in a candy shop looking at all of the new equipment. He wanted his picture taken next to a tractor so everyone could see the size of it compared to his wheelchair. As the day was coming to a close, Delos, even though he was tired, was reluctant to leave. As they traveled along back to Brent’s house, Delos didn’t read signs or tell stories. He was just quietly thinking. After some time traveling in silence, Delos spoke quietly. “You know, David, I can’t wait until the time I can be with your mother again.” David had a sense of humor that he had inherited from his father. He chuckled slightly and said, “Dad, what if Mom makes it to heaven and you don’t?” Delos might have been old and slightly infirmed, but his mind was still sharp. He simply laughed and said, “That’s okay David. If I don’t make it to heaven, I’ll just come and live with you.” Want your business to be seen? Get your display ad here! Call 605-665-5884 Or Drop By At 319 Walnut St. Entertainment Dakota Territory Gun Collectors GUN SHOW Southeast South Dakota Experiment Farm Annual Meeting 1:00 pm – 3:15 pm • Tuesday, July 31, 2017 Bridges of Beresford, 601 S 7th Street Beresford, South Dakota Afternoon Program Welcome & Introduction Al, Novak, Chairman, Southeast Farm Board of Directors Soil Health & Productivity Shannon Osborne, Research Agronomist, USDA-ARS No-Till in High Moisture Soils Nick Vinje, Red River Valley Producer Open To Public Everyone Welcome. For more information Call 605-563-2989 • Visit http://igrow.org Soybean Seed Treatments & Cover Crops Adam Varenhorst, SDSU Extension Specialist – Entomologist Multi-Hybrid Planter & More Peter Sexton, SDSU Southeast Farm Supervisor Easton Archery Center, E. Hwy. 50, Yankton Sat., Jan. 28th 9am - 5pm Sun., Jan. 29th 9am - 3pm Volin Fire & Rescue Volin Town Hall January 29th 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Serving Pancakes, Eggs, and Sausage BUY • SELL• TRADE Admission $ Looking for the best deal in town? Check the PANCAKE BREAKFAST 5.00 Freewill Donation CLASSIFIEDS! MV Shopper 319 Walnut St. Yankton, SD 57078 MV Shopper M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y TV RafflE Concessions Available 50% PayouT Pinochle Tournament Registration at 12:30 p.m. Starting at 1 p.m. $20 per 2 person team M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y 605-665-5884 Saturday, January 28th Special! HEAR WHAT YOUR MOUTH IS ENJOYING KFC’s Extra Crispy $20 Fill Up has 8 pieces of crunchy Extra CrispyTM chicken, a large cole slaw, 4 biscuits and 2 large mashed potatoes and gravy to keep those friends feeling satisfied. Feeds four people TM OPEN 11AM–10PM 2504 Fox Fun Pkwy. Yankton, SD Surf & Turf 18.95 $ OR Ribeye 18.95 $ Served With Potato, Vegetable, Soup, Salad Bar & Dessert Serving 5-10pm – Reservations Appreciated Sign Up Early For Our Dart Tourney! Saturday, February 4th • 11AM Start 4 Person Team • 501 Team • Round Robin Format $40 Entry Per Team Deadline Jan. 30th • Entry Fee Must Be Paid Ron’s Service Tripp, SD 605-935-6076/605-770-7881