April 26, 2011 • Page 2 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com DAVE SAYS: Are unemployment bene?ts immoral? Dear Dave, I recently lost my job due to layoffs. I’m luckier than most, because I’m debt-free except for my house, and I have three months of expenses saved. I’ll also receive a severance package from my former employer, and my wife still has her job. I’m struggling with whether or not to file for unemployment compensation. Do you think it’s morally okay to do this? Brent Dear Brent, I don’t have a problem, morally or otherwise, with accepting something I’ve already paid for. The Social Security system in this country is a complete and abysmal mathematical failure. It’s proof that socialism doesn’t work. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to take my money out. The government took it from me in the first place! Now, if accepting unemployment benefits causes you to get the idea you can sit on your butt at home and not do anything, then I’d question your character. I’m not hearing that kind of mentality from you, though. You sound like a hardworking EHRESMANN ENGINEERING For All Your Steel Needs! STEEL SPECIALS • Flat Bars • Solid Bars • Angle Iron •Channel Iron • Round, Square & Retangle Tubing • Many More types of steel to choose from We Want to be Your Steel Supplier Call us at 605-665-7532 4400 W. 31st St., Yankton, SD 57078 guy, and you two have obviously been pretty smart and responsible with your finances. Make sure you look at your severance package as “survival money.” You’ll know exactly how much you’ll get, so make a budget and make it stick. Cut all excess spending, and that means no more eating out, vacations, and all that stuff until you’re working again and everything’s back on solid ground. Then, you can ease back into saving and resuming a normal lifestyle. Right now really is the time for you guys to live like no one 1101 else! —Dave How About Pet Insurance? Dear Dave, What’s your take on having pet insurance while building wealth in order to avoid being sidetracked by petrelated emergencies? Anonymous Dear Anonymous, We have three dogs in the Ramsey household, and my wife and I love those guys a lot. They’re almost like little hairy children to us both. However, we do not have pet insur- Announcements - 1101 Events ance on any of them. You might be thinking that we’ve got plenty of money and don’t have to worry about that kind of thing. But even if we weren’t financially blessed it’s just not something we would do. Instead, we’d figure a reasonable amount for pet care into our budget. Now, don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. Reasonable expenditures to fix a sick or injured pet are absolutely fine. It’s the kind of thing anyone with a heart should want to do for a pet. But ridiculous amounts of money spent on an animal— Announcements - 1101 Events Business Hours of The Missouri Valley Shopper are as follows: Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm. 319 Walnut St. (605)665-5884. Thank you for your continued business! THE MISSOURI VALLEY Shopper cannot verify the validity of any advertisements placed by anyone. Readers are advised to approach any advertisement with reasonable caution. PLEASE NOTE: This publication does not knowingly accept fraudulent or deceptive advertising. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all ads, especially those asking for money in advance or ads that sound too good to be true. 100% Guaranteed Omaha Steaks- SAVE 64% on the Family Value Collection. NOW ONLY $49.99 Plus 3 FREE GIFTS & right-to-the-door delivery in a reusable cooler, ORDER Today. 1-866-505-1380 mention code 45069SVH or www.OmahaSteaks.com/family27 (MCN) many times spent selfishly on the part of the human because they’re so emotionally attached to the animal—can be cruel, inhumane, and financially disastrous. I’m not going to be mad at you if you have $2 million sitting in the bank and you decide to spend $10,000 to keep your dog alive. But pet insurance? Really? I don’t think so. —Dave * For more financial help, please visit daveramsey.com. Announcements - 1101 Events MINNESOTA'S BEST FISHING located on Lake Osakis. Choose from 8 Family Friendly Resorts. Over 6,200 acres of water enjoyment. Free broc h u r e www.PlayAtOsakisMN.com 1-800-422-0785, "Explore Minnesota" (MCN) Over-stock Inventory Clearance & Store Fixture Sale. Sweeping out the Old bringing in the New! LilyCrest downtown Yankton. 10am-6pm daily. Pass the GED, ASVAB, ATB, College Entrance Tests GUARANTEED-Prepare 100% Online. As Low as $19! Study guide, practice tests, online classes! Your future starts NOW! www.testprep247.com 800-736-9313. nani Announcements Events Profiling Beauty is pleased to announce the launch of a brand new Direct Sales company. The founder is performing income opportunity events in the Midwest region through September before going national with a DVD release. Join our team, be one of the first to learn the latest techniques in skin care and make up using our proprietary precise scientific technology. An event in your area is scheduled for May 4th at the Holiday Inn Express in Vermillion; two classes: Noon and 7:00 PM, call 800-731-9092 to reserve our training space. Limited class sizes are available. Call Classifieds 665-5884 Join us on Friday, May 13, 2011, and KAMP FOR FREE on Saturday, May 14. Donations will be accepted during the weekend to benefit KOA Care Camps, a network of 43 independent specialized camps for children under treatment or in recovery from cancer. Call 1-800-562-7218 for reservations. For online reservations go to www.koa.com. Yankton/Missouri River KOA 807 Bill Baggs Road, Yankton, SD (605) 260-1010 manager@yanktonkoa.com