May 28, 2019 • Page 2 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Dave Says Long Distance Landlord? The Red Rose By Daris Howard Lewis had fought through World War II in the Pacific. He had seen many of his friends die, and he had himself Dear Dave, been wounded. So when he was assigned as a guard at the Should my husband and I combine our finances? war crimes trials in Japan, hatred burned in his heart for Jenny those he felt had been the cause of this destructive war. In his work at the trial, he did not associate too much Dear Jenny, with the Japanese people, and Lewis was happy about If you want a quality marriage, the answer is yes. If that. He wanted nothing to do with them. And as he did you want a high probably of building wealth, the answer his guard duty day after day, he had lots of time to think is yes. about the war, and his hatred increased. I read an article the other day about how you But one little Japanese lady bothered him the most. shouldn’t rely on joint bank accounts in marriage, beWhenever she saw Americans, she would offer them a cause half of all marriages end in divorce, and the woman solitary red rose. She especially took notice of Lewis and needs to be independent of her husband financially, so would single him out for her simple offering. He would reshe won’t get messed over if the marriage doesn’t last. ject her gift, as did all other Americans. She seemed hurt That’s an absolute load of crap, and here’s why. by this, but still, each day, she bowed and offered it again. How and where you spend your money is always a When the trials ended, and Lewis was released from direct result of your value systems. Jesus said it this way, the military, the hatred still burned in him. He went to his “For where your treasure is, your heart will be, also.” ecclesiastical leader, the bishop, and asked if there was When you plan your finances together, and you’re sharanything he could do to get the hatred out of his heart. ing your hopes and dreams, you’re sharing your goals for The bishop suggested that Lewis serve God in some way, the future. You’re reaching for those together. You each perhaps as a missionary. have a voice, you each have a vote, and no one loses “Serving other people tends to remove hatred from their personal identity in this. So yes, married couples your heart,” the bishop said. should combine their finances. They should combine “But where should I serve?” Lewis asked. Dear Carrie, their checking accounts and their decision making on “Why don’t you fill out the necessary papers and make Wow! I am so proud of you guys. You’re at the point finances. You’ll make better, smarter decisions that way, yourself available to go anywhere, then leave it in the where you’re living—and giving—like no one else. You and it instills communication in a marriage. Lord’s hands? Those who issue the calls pray diligently have achieved financial peace! You know, when I first started teaching this stuff I for direction.” Now, I love real estate. But it’s always a good idea to didn’t realize that. I told couples to combine their fiLewis thought a long time about it, and he eventually have your rental property near you. I wouldn’t buy a nances, not from a relational standpoint, but because it’s decided to do as the bishop recommended. He filled out place in Florida if I lived in Washington, D.C., and there impractical to run two sets of books in a household. But the papers and waited for the envelope carrying his aswas a chance I could be re-assigned pretty much anyit’s very hard to hit the same goals and make good things signment. where in the world. I’d just scrape the lot where the happen together when you’re living separate financial He was excited the day it came. His family gathered rental house was, sell it, and invest that cash along with lives. Since then, I’ve become convinced this approach around, and when he opened the envelope and read the the insurance money. builds stronger finances and stronger marriages. paper inside, the shock he felt was overwhelming. Tokyo, Long distance landlording is really tough. It’s stressful, Marriage is grand, divorce is fifty-grand, and when you Japan was where he was called to serve. He would be helpand it adds an even bigger element of risk to the rental live separately you’re going to end up living…separately. ing the Japanese people recover from the devastation of property equation. It’s not something I generally recomCombine your finances. the war. mend. If it’s something you guys want to take a chance —Dave Lewis felt the anger and hatred well up in him. He alon, though, you’re certainly in the financial position to most refused the call. But when the bishop said, “Perhaps do it. Just remember to pay cash for the whole thing, and * Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and the Lord knows you need to confront the anger in your if possible, try to get a location where you’d both like to business, and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored heart,” Lewis decided to go. end up when your military careers are over. seven best-selling books, including The Total Money MakeoThere was some basic language training, and then Congratulations, you two! And thank you for your ver. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 12 million Lewis was off to Japan. He was partnered with a much service to our country. listeners each week on 575 radio stations and multiple digital more experienced young man who knew how to speak —Dave platforms. Follow Dave on TwitterInterested in at @DaveRamsey and on Japanese. The two men worked inSPOT? INTERESTED IN THIS a little rural commuthe web at daveramsey.com. nity, helping people who had lost ad here. Call to place your almost everything. thisS S Ospot? people665-5884 of their goods and food taken for The had much the MI U R I VA L L E Y war effort. Many had lost sons and husbands. Lewis began to see these people no longer as the enemy and the cause Call 665-5884 to www.missourivalleyshopper.com of the war, but as a people who were reluctantly forced In Print and Online! • 665-5884 place your ad here. to bear the atrocities of it, just as he and his friends had. M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y As Lewis’s two years of service were coming to a close, he realized his heart had been changing. He loved these Interested people www.missourivalleyshopper.comdifferent and realized that most of them were no than he was. They did not want war. They wanted to live in their lives and raise their families in peace. this Lewis’s final assignment was in Tokyo. He had only spot? been there a short time when he ran into the lady from years earlier who had offered him the rose. She recogwww.missourivalleyshopper.com nized him and brought him the rose. It was now dry and in a small envelope. She offered it to him, and this time he Call 665-5884 to place your ad here. accepted it. She told him she was a widow, and her only child, her son, had come up missing in the war. But when 21 H.P Kawasaki . 22 H.P Kawasaki . the war ended, she learned 48” Cutting Deck 52” Cutting Deck her son was a U.S. prisoner COUPON Visit our Webwar. at Interested in of site “They this spot? www.missourivalleyshopper.com when DC Lynch Shows him,” she took good care of said. “And the war ended, they let him Call 665-5884 to place your ad here. come home to me. I had nothing to offer in gratitude Spring but this rose. Yet, no one YOU NEED IT TODAY? NO PROBLEM! it.” would accept 1 Ticket Per Ride Lewis met the woman’s except Zipper (2) May 23–29 26 H.P Kawasaki EFI . Additional coupons available son, a young Japanese man Missouri Valley from mall merchants 216 W. 4th St. who was his own age. The • YANKTON,SD 61” Velocity Deck 31 H.P Kawasaki . Shopper 605-665-5884man was missing young 61” Velocity Deck both an arm and a leg. He Liquid Cool struggled to do the most Interested in this spot? menial things. When the Digital Fuel young man learned that Call 665-5884 to place your ad here. Injected Lewis had also fought in the war, the young man said, “It ndall on Hwy. 50 Corner of Hwys. 50 an of Ty INTERESTED IN THIS SPOT? d 37 5 miles West www.schuurmansfarmsupply.com Yankton routes now is usually those who do not CALL 665-5884 TO suffer the consequences of Ph. (605) 5 13 PLACE YOURavailable. (Enjoy short AD HERE. 89-3909 or Cell (605) 464-11 war who start it, while they early morning hours who want it the least bear the greatest burdens of it.” Monday–Saturday) Lewis knew that was www.missourivalleyshopper.com true, and that understanding, along with love and a rose, changed his heart forever. Dear Dave, My husband and I are active duty military stationed outside Washington, D.C. We’re completely debt-free and have finished your entire Baby Steps plan, but last month our paid-for rental house in Florida burned down. It was empty at the time, so no one was hurt, and we got a check from the insurance company for $165,000. We both plan to serve another nine years, Dave and we know we could be moved around during that time. We love that area in Florida, though, and want to go back there one day. Do you think we should use the money to buy another place and rent it out until we’re ready to retire from the military? Carrie Combine Finances In Marriage? RAMSEY MV Shopper MV Shopper Large Selection of New & Pre-Owned Zero Turns! 0% for 48 MONTHS 8 Rides for $ 10 FAX IT 605-665-5882 You deliver. We deliver. EARN EXTRA CASH! 319 Walnut Street, Yankton, SD • www.yankton.net Call Steve at 605-665-7811 finding the right job is easier than you think when you’ve got the right direction Stop searching. The Help Wanted section of the Missouri Valley Shopper lists many possible new job opportunities. Find a career that’s right for you. MV Shopper M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y www.missourivalleyshopp Visit our Web site a www.missourivalleyshopp Visit our Web site at www.missourivalleyshopp Visit our Web site at www.missourivalleyshopp