September 17, 2019 • Page 2 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Dave Says The Partnership, Not The Family, Is The Problem The Cello By Daris Howard It was only the third day of the school year, and Stephen came in late to math, the last class of the day. He was huffing and puffing as he lugged in a cello in a case that Renter’s Insurance? was heavier than the cello itself. Dear Dave, “Do you play the cello?” Mr. Davidson, the teacher, We just helped move our son into a cheap, off-campus asked. apartment a few blocks from where he is attending “Yes,” Stephen replied. “I’m sorry I’m late. I hope you college. We signed the agreement, and are paying the won’t mark me tardy. It’s a long way from the orchestra rent, because he makes very good grades. Do you think room, and it’s impossible to hurry with something this renter’s insurance is a smart buy? It’s less than $12 a big.” month, but the minimum coverage I can get is $15,000, “Couldn’t you just leave it in the orchestra room and and he probably has less than $1,000 worth of belongings get it after school?” a girl asked. there. Stephen shook his head. “I normally would, but I have Kevin a cello lesson right after school, and I don’t have time to Dave get back to the orchestra room and make it to the lesson Dear Kevin, on time. So I had to run get it and bring it here so I can I’d get renter’s insurance. My guess is it also comes leave immediately after class is over.” with five or six figures in personal liability coverage, as “Why did you choose to play the cello?” a boy asked well. That’s in case he’s out on the patio with his budDear Dan, “I love the sound of the cello the most of all instrudies, someone slips and falls, and they decide to sue Going into business with family isn’t my big concern ments,” Stephen replied. because daddy’s on the lease. here. I’ve said many times that partnerships are the “It would have been easier to choose something like In a case like this, because there’s so little to start only ships that won’t sail, and I’m a firm believer in that with, it’s not theft or fire taking the contents of the apart- a flute,” the boy said. “You could haul a flute around with philosophy. I would encourage you guys to set up a situano trouble.” tion where one of you is the owner, then figure out a plan ment that you’re worried about. It’s the liability portion The students started teasing Stephen about his choice of the coverage that makes it worth every penny of what where the other guys get paid off the bottom line—as if in instruments and how big it was. Stephen just smiled they were owners. Trust me, anything with three heads is you’d be paying. That alone makes it worth $10 to $12 a month just to make sure a slip-and-fall doesn’t mess with and took the good-natured ribbing. But it seemed to annoy going to end up being a monster at some point. Mr. Davidson. your life! Here’s the thing about family businesses. When eve“All right, everyone,” Mr. Davidson said. “I, too, think —Dave ryone understands their role and has the best interest that the cello is one of the best sounding instruments. In of the company in mind, family businesses can be a lot fact, I like it enough that I am not only going to forgo Stemore fun and more successful than non-family business* Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and phen’s tardy, but I am going to give him five extra bonus es. Statistics show the average family business lasts 60 business, and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored points for the day for his good taste and for his diligence years, while the average publicly-traded company lasts seven best-selling books, including The Total Money Makeoin practicing and taking lessons.” about 15 years. ver. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 12 million A girl pulled a clarinet from her backpack. “How about So, there’s nothing inherently wrong with the family listeners each week on 575 radio stations and multiple digital bonus points for a clarinet? I practice diligently and take part of the equation. It’s the partnership aspect I’d stay platforms. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on lessons, too.” away from. the web at daveramsey.com. “I might consider a few points, but hauling around a —Dave clarinet does not compare in dedication to a cello,” Mr. Davidson said. “I used to play the cello,” Sally said. “Can I get an extra five points, too?” “You used to play it?” Mr. Davidson said. “Why did you stop?” “I quit,” Sally replied. “It was too hard to haul around and practice.” “Quitting just because it was hard should be a negative PIERRE, S.D. — South Grant. and Forestry (SDDA RC&F) five points, not a bonus,” Mr. Davidson said. VACANT LOTS Dakota communities, Applications by October 14, 2019. “Did you ever play an instrument, Mr. Davidson?” one AVAILABLE NOW!! non-profit organizations, and accompanying The Challenge Grant We have lots available for of the students asked. and Native American documentation must be can be used to help mobile homes ready today. Mr. Davidson nodded. “It just so happens that I love tribes are encouraged to submitted to the South communities solve specific Contact Krista or Serena the cello, as well. When I was your age, I practiced it for an apply for a 2019 Urban Dakota Department of community forestry about moving your home to Suburban MHP Vermillion, SD and Community Forestry Agriculture, Division of problems or demonstrate hour every night.” “Do you still play?” Stephen asked excitedly. 605-635-4200 Comprehensive Challenge Resource Conservation the importance of trees *restrictions apply* “No,” Mr. Davidson replied. “I must admit that I wasn’t and urban forests in our the most talented musician, and my family begged me to communities. Projects stop practicing.” or tree Save 10¢ Off A Gallon Of Gas When You Use Your Sinclair Card must be for treespublic “So you quit, too?” Sally asked with a snicker. management on Mr. Davidson turned to her. “I didn’t quit. It is true, like land or in public right of I said, that my family begged me to stop, but I didn’t quit.” ways. Funds can be used “So what happened that you don’t play anymore?” Jameson Irish Whisky ............... $ for professional services, Sally asked. 750 ML tree inventories and “When I continued to practice, despite my family’s assessments, existing tree Absolute Juice Vodka .................. $ pleas, my cello disappeared, and I never saw it again.” care and maintenance, 750 ML Strawberry & Apple And then Mr. Davidson said in final, “That’s why, lucky training and education, for you, I teach math and not music.” and new tree planting. Ne RAMSEY Dear Dave, My two brothers-in-law and I have been thinking about going into business together as a side project in the real estate world. One of them is an architect and licensed general contractor, one has a successful painting business, and I’m a chief financial officer with a CPA background. Plus, I had a lot of construction experience as a young man. 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