March 31, 2020 • Page 2 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Dave Says Bridging The Gap Dear Dave, In light of recent events in our country, do you have suggestions for things people should think about and plan for if they get laid off from their jobs? Sam Dear Sam, It’s no secret that things are shutting down all across the world. If your workplace has closed its doors and isn’t offering pay, then it’s time Dave to regroup and get some things in order. The thought of being without a paycheck can be overwhelming, but a little thought and planning can help you get though times like these. Start living on a budget, if you aren’t doing so already. Making a monthly budget will show you exactly where your money is going. Without it, you can’t use every dollar to its fullest potential, because you don’t even know how much money you have to work with. Plus, your budget will show places where you can cut back and save money. If you don’t have any income right now, make a budget based on the amount of money on hand. If you have $600 left to your name, budget out exactly where each of those dollars will go. It’s time to squeeze every last penny out of what you’ve got. If you still have cash coming in from a spouse’s job or some other source, then adjust your budget to reflect that. Maybe the two of you usually bring in a combined $5,000 a month. Adjust your budget to live off that one income for the time being. When the going gets tough, you need to focus on the things you really need to survive—food, utilities, shelter, and transportation. I call these the Four Walls. If there’s any money left over after you take care of the Four Walls, make a list of what else you need to pay, and tackle RAMSEY “So how about this?” Dud said, grinning. “We get somebody to pretend to be an oil tycoon’s executive director or something, and we have him talk to Delbert about where to build the refinery.” The other members of the Mule Barn truck stop’s world dilemma think tank looked at Dud and sipped coffee and silently shook their heads. “Okay, Dud said,” and why not?” “Won’t work,” said Steve, brush- those in order of importance. Reach out to anyone you can’t pay, and explain the situation. They might be able to work something out, but they can’t help if they don’t know. Be up front with them, and pray for the best. When you’re just trying to make it to another day, you don’t need to pay extra on debt. Instead, focus on piling up cash. Once life gets back to normal and everything is okay, you can pick up where you left off with your debt snowball. If it’s within your budget to keep making minimum payments on your debt, go for it. But the Four Walls come first. This is also the time to sell anything and everything you don’t need to make some extra cash. With so much being shut down right now, there might not be as many traditional ways to make extra money. So, look into driving for Amazon, delivering takeout food, or dropping off grocery orders. Even if one of those doesn’t work out, you can still take up odd jobs around your neighborhood. Be on the lookout for opportunities that will add a few extra bucks to your pocket. Don’t forget to cut back on unnecessary expenses, either. Stop or pause your subscriptions. Call your cable, internet, and cellular providers to see if there’s anything they’ll do to work with you. Finally, in times of real need, don’t be too proud to ask for a helping hand. Many churches and community groups in your area exist for situations just like this. God bless you all! —Dave * Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business, and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven best-selling 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. ing sweet roll crumbs off his walrus moustache. “Dud, the nearest oil to this valley is sold in cans down at the Gas Station Gun Shop.” “Yeah, I see what you mean.” Doc said, “I realize we have to come up with some super April Fools Day hoax. Stands to reason. We only have this excuse once each year to act completely stupid and still be socially acceptable.” “We’re socially acceptable?” “Well … I was accused of it once,” Doc said. After the laughing and Loretta topping off the coffee cups, Herb leaned over and whispered something in Dud’s ear. Dud nodded. “You fellas just leave this to Dud and I,” said Herb. “We’ll take care of it and you won’t have to do a thing.” “Well … what is it?” “Doc,” Herb said, “that would spoil the surprise.” MV Shopper 665-5884 MV Shopper M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y In Print and Online! M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y COVID-19 UPDATE Ewe Knit It is open by appointment only. Please call 605-689-3999 to set up an appointment to come in and shop. We will be sanitizing all surfaces after each appointment. If you prefer not to come in, I will offer curbside pickup (just contact me and I’ll shop for you via messaging or email with pictures) or delivery within Yankton city limits, outside city limits will be shipped free. Please note if you are not feeling good please do not come to the store and please refrain from bringing your children in with you. Reluctance to Technology By Daris Howard With the Coronavirus in full swing, the university where I work has shut down face-to-face classes and moved everything online. We now teach our students from the enclosure of our offices. Last summer, I finished a doctorate in online education with an emphasis on technology, so this situation provides an opportunity to use the training I received. As the university decided to shut down our face-toface classes, I quickly realized my computer camera was mediocre at best. My department committed to purchasing new equipment, including better webcams and document readers. But that ran into an immediate snag, as many other schools did the same thing. Most items were put on backorder and will not arrive until after the semester is over. I spent hours testing for the best camera angle and the best lighting for illuminating my whiteboard. I created guidelines, documents, and software for my students who would need them. I sent out emails with step-by-step instructions for the students to join me for our first class together. There were a few snags I had to iron out, but by the time I taught my first set of online classes, things went well. I made mistakes, but I had set a second computer in the background and logged it in as a student. With this computer I could see what the students saw and quickly knew if something was wrong. Some students struggled with the change, but most accepted it quite well. While I was working through this, I thought of my mother and her reluctance to accept new technology. It was her ninety-fourth birthday just a couple of weeks ago. For Christmas two years ago, my sister gave Mom an Alexa so Mom wouldn’t feel so alone in her apartment. The first time Alexa talked to Mom, she was frightened and thought there was an intruder in her apartment. It took her a while to calm down and get used to Alexa, but she finally did. Back when Mom lived by us, she would come over for dinner, and my teenage daughter would tell Mom the newest jokes she had heard. One day Mom called, and I had the phone on speaker. When she found out that my daughter could hear her, she said, “Elli, check out this Alexa.” Mom then asked Alexa to tell her a joke. When Alexa finished, Mom laughed and laughed. But Alexa was clear across the room, so the only words I could make out from the joke were “the Beatles.” I asked Mom what the joke was, and she said, “I don’t know. I didn’t get it.” It was just a machine talking to her that she found funny. Last fall, I picked Mom up, and we drove four hours to a wedding. I was not familiar with the address, so when we got to the city where the wedding was, I turned on Google Maps. Mom shook her head in disgust. “I don’t know why you use that foolish thing. I’m sure I can tell you directions better than that phone lady can.” As we drove, the maps program said, “In 100 feet, turn right.” “No, no, no!” Mom said. “That’s wrong. I used to come up here all the time.” “But, Mom,” I said. “That was decades ago, and things change. The computer has it all programmed in.” “Well, I don’t trust her,” Mom said. “I’m sure she’s taking us the wrong way.” About that point, Mom remembered that she had wanted to stop and get a wedding card. “No problem,” I said. “I will just have my phone tell us where the nearest drug store is.” The phone said there was one just fifty feet ahead on the left. Mom let out a disgusted grunt. “Now you’ll see how stupid your phone lady is. There’s no drug store within ten miles of here.” Mom was just finishing saying that as I turned the car into the parking lot of the drug store. Mom looked up and saw where we were, and as she turned and scowled at me, I didn’t even dare smile. Mom glared at me and said, “And just for your information, I still don’t trust her.” Unemployment Insurance Initial Weekly Claims Rise 605-689-3999 www.eweknitit.com We’re Here For You It is important to continue addressing your ongoing health care needs. Continue PIERRE, S.D. – During the week of March 15-21, a total of 1,703 initial weekly claims for unemployment benefits were filed with the Department of Labor and Regulation. This is an increase of 1,513 claims over the prior week’s total of 190. “A large number of employers are announcing COVID-19 related layoffs, so we anticipate the number of new unemployment claims will continue to rise,” said state Labor and Regulation Secretary Marcia Hultman. Many variables can affect a worker’s eligibility and an employer’s liability for benefits. Each case is examined on a case-by-case basis. View a list of scenario interpretations about eligibility. 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