May 8, 2018 • Page 2 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Election Time Dave Says First, Lay a Solid Foundation By Daris Howard Dear Dave, When is it okay to have a little fun, and buy things you want, when you’re following the Baby Steps plan? Kaitlin er emergency fund of $1,000 for Baby Step 1 in place. What It’s almost primary election time. In our rural community, should I do? one of the most important local offices is the school board. Brandy It can be a thankless job. Anyone who has a child in school has definite opinions on how the school should be run and Dear Brandy, the most important uses of the money. And those with no I love that you’re excited about using your refund to start children in school feel that bonds and levies are a waste of the Baby Steps, and begin gaining control of your finances. money, and the school board needs to cut spending and be Dear Kaitlin, But we call the beginner’s emergency fund Baby Step 1 for more efficient. The time for a little fun is after a reason. In a previous election year, no one was running for the you’ve completed the first three Bad things can happen while you’re working to get out of school board position in the district where I live. Everyone Baby Steps. Baby Step 1 is saving debt. That’s why I want people to get a little money set aside was encouraging someone else to do it. I even had people $1,000 for a beginner emergency before they start Baby Step 2, which is the debt snowball. talk to me about it. fund. Baby Step 2 is paying off all What if the alternator on your car goes out, or your refrigeraDave “You really ought to run,” Old Evan said. “You’re one of debt, except for your home. And Baby tor dies? Life happens, and things go wrong. When this kind the most-looked-up-to people in the community. Everyone Step 3 means you go back and add to of stuff pops up, and you don’t have any money set aside, would vote for you.” your emergency fund until you have you’re likely to quit the plan and wind up going even deeper “That’s exactly why I don’t plan to run,” I replied. three to six months of expenses set aside. into debt. “Why? Because you’re one of the most-looked-up-to peoOnce you’re debt-free except for your home — and you have I know you want to get out of debt. I want you to get out of ple in the community and it might lower people’s opinion of your emergency fund completed — you’ve laid a solid, finan- debt, too. But I want you to stick with the plan, and actually you?” cial foundation for your life. That’s when you can have a little get out of debt, instead of falling off the wagon the first time “No,” I replied. “Because everyone might vote for me.” fun and spend some money on a vacation, new furniture, or you hit a bump in the road! Eventually, my neighbor, Bart, decided to run. Bart is something like that. well-known, and everyone respects him. He does have strong Children think about their immediate wants and do what — Dave opinions on issues, but he always tries to do what he feels feels good. Adults, on the other hand, devise smart, logical is right. plans, and stick to them. I want you to have a great life, but He won unopposed, and that year there were some mayou have to put in some hard work and say “no” to yourself * Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and busi- jor challenges for the school board. The state cut back fundsometimes in order to attain that great life! ness, and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven ing, and the school board had to make decisions on where best-selling books, including The Total Money Makeover. The to cut expenses. The biggest possible budget that could be — Dave Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 12 million listeners decreased was the sports programs. But the parents of the each week on 575 radio stations and multiple digital platforms. athletes are the most outspoken, and that didn’t go over well. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at The programs for the arts was the second consideration. daveramsey.com. That includes music, art, and theatre. But more than 50% of Dear Dave, the students are in those programs. The parents whose chilI’ll be receiving my income tax refund soon. It will be enough dren were involved in the arts pointed out that the amount of to completely pay off my two smallest debts, or get my startmoney spent there was already the lowest when calculated on a per child basis. The school board proposed having a supplemental levy. But farm commodity prices were down, and since the levy would be a property tax, farmers came to the school board meeting in droves to complain. Those who had large summer cabins complained as well. Their children didn’t go to school here, and they didn’t feel they should pay increased taxes. The school board worked hard to balance all of the issues, and no one was happy. By the time the next election PIERRE, S.D. – At the encouragement of the South Dayear rolled around, Bart had had enough. He told me he kota Department of Veterans Affairs and the South Dakota didn’t plan to ever run again. Department of the Military, Gov. Dennis Daugaard has “Lived on through another May Day!” But no one else was running, and an incumbent would proclaimed May as “National Military Appreciation Month,” look like a quitter if he didn’t run when he was unopposed. So The guys at the philosophy counter turned to see who a time for all to honor, remember, recognize and appreciate Bart finally, reluctantly registered to run. And then, just beit was. Windy Wilson, of course. He meandered into their those who have served in the past, those now serving, as midst and sat and flipped over a cup to the upright and fillfore the filing deadline, Melanie registered, too. But she had well as their families. able position. less than a month to get the word out. “The vigilance of the members of the Armed Forces has “We sure did, Windy,” said Doc, smiling, “but I hadn’t As I was driving home on the week of the election, I saw been instrumental to the preservation of freedom, security thought we were in much danger.” Bart out putting up signs along the roads. I laughed, thinking and prosperity enjoyed by the people of this great nation,” “That there’s what they want you to think, Doc,” Windy that his competitive spirit must have gotten the best of him. the Governor’s proclamation states. “The success of the said. “I’m sure you know about how that May Day stuff got I waved and continued on my way. A few minutes later, he Armed Forces depends on the dedicated service of its mem- came around the neighborhood passing out campaign flyers. started. Oh, they used to say it was a fertilizer rite and all bers and their families.” that …” “Don’t forget to vote,” he said. National Military Appreciation Month includes: Loyalty “You mean fertility?” asked Steve. I smiled as he left. Then I looked at the flier. It was a Day on May 1, Victory in Europe Day on May 8, Military “That too … but you boys know better’n that. It was a campaign ad for Melanie. Curiosity got the best of me, and Spouse Appreciation Day on May 11, Armed Forces Day on communism plot ‘way back in them Dark Ages. Jest ‘bout I climbed into my car and drove to look at one of the signs May 19 and Memorial Day on May 28. the time them Crusader guys’d get horseback, here come Bart had been putting in along the road. Sure enough, it was "Every American citizen is indebted to the women and them radicality guys to try to turn Constipationopolis into for Melanie. men who have served this nation in uniform; earning and downtown Moscow, and they’d have to whip them guys At a community gathering the day after the election, Bart preserving the rights we take for granted every day," said first. Used up most of their Crusadin’ energy doin’ that was all smiles. instead of goin’ over and takin’ the Holy Land away from the Maj. Gen. Tim Reisch, Adjutant General of the South Dakota “Well, it was close, but we did it,” he said. National Guard. "We also owe a debt of gratitude to our folks who lived there, like they teach in church. “You won?” Evan asked. “So when a plane is gonna crash land today, you kin still military family members, without whom that service would Bart shook his head. “No. Melanie did by forty-two votes. be impossible." hear that pilot yellin’ “May Day! May Day!” into his microThank heaven.” The days provide an opportunity to honor, remember, phone. That ain’t accidentally, neither. He’s lettin’ all them I laughed. I have never seen someone so happy about losing. recognize, and appreciate those who serve and have served. passengers know that they’re gonna die, and tellin’ ‘em These men and women continue to play a major role in the whoever’s to blame for it so’s they can write letters to the development of our country; documented through a history editorials when they get home.” of uncompromising honor, dedication to duty and genuine “Good to see you again, Windy,” Loretta said, filling his love of country. cup. “Life is all about timing,” said Larry Zimmerman, Secre“Why thank you, Hon,” he said. “You’re lookin’ right tary of the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs. perty there. Right perty.” Windy doesn’t even charge for these history lessons you “The month of May is our time to recognize our military, veterans and their families. They are serving, have served, know. Book 65 Easy Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad or stood beside those service members everyday of their career. 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