December 20, 2011 • Page 6 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com DAVE SAYS: Where Does The Donation Go? Dear Dave, Our ?nancial situation is pretty good now, and my husband and I feel it is time to start giving something back. There are several organizations we’re interested in helping, but how can we know if they’re legitimate and will use our money wisely? Laura Dear Laura, I really appreciate your giving spirit, but the truth is you can never be 100 percent certain about this kind of thing. About the best you can do is put in some serious time researching and digging beneath the surface of various organizations to ?nd some that are a comfortable ?t for you. My wife and I give the majority of our donations to Christian ministries. It’s not unusual for us to take a tour of the place to see what kind of feel we get while we’re there. If they’re secretive or not forthcoming with what we consider to be basic information about how they operate, or if we see signs of opulence or super-luxury, you can bet we’ll be asking lots of questions. Talk to the leaders and administrators about what they plan to do with the money from your donation. You have a right to know this. I mean, if they’re going to give the money to hurricane victims, responsible with their donations. Take a look at their administrative costs - what percentage of donations goes directly to the cause and anything else you feel would help you make the right decision. Giving is like anything else. It takes time and work to do it responsibly and with excellence! —Dave Dave RAMSEY you want the victims to get the money, right? People who work for a charitable organization need to make a decent living just like everyone else. But if they’re ultra-rich, it could be a sign that they’re not being Where Does Debt Go When Filing Bankruptcy? Dear Dave, What happens to the money that is owed when someone ?les bankruptcy? Do creditors just have to write it off, or do other people Holiday Early Deadlines 2901 Broadway Yankton, SD 57078 Phone: 605-665-7680 From Todd & Lori Heckenlaible DAKOTA STEEL INC. January 3rd Edition Deadline is Thursday, Dec. 29th at 5 p.m. Happy Holidays from all of us at the... FACTO R DIRECT Y Call for Prices. “We Roll Our Own Steel For You We’ll Roll You a Deal” Bottom Dollar • Factory Direct • Wholesale Prices Post Frame Building Packages or Steel Sheeting 605-987-9080 • 605-987-4306 fax Dear Grace, In most cases the creditor just loses the money. That’s one of the risks businesses face. Of course, any bankruptcy is also a seriously bad mark against the ?ler’s credit record. Chapter 13 ?lings may be considered a little less severe than Chapter 7 because you’re showing an interest in retiring the debts. They often allow – if you have a regular income and limited debt – to keep some of the property you might otherwise lose. Also, some debt balances may be partially dis- charged, with the ?ler agreeing to make monthly payments to the trustee for distribution among remaining creditors. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy is lots tougher on the one who ?les. It involves liquidating all assets that aren’t exempt. Some of the ?ler’s property may be sold by a court-appointed of?cial – a trustee – or just turned over to creditors. It’s really a lose-lose situation, Grace. The business loses money, and the ?ler suffers the emotional pain of participating in a shameful process. —Dave * For more ?nancial help, please visit daveramsey.com. Visit our Web site at www.missourivalleyshopper.com SHOPPER MISSOURI VALLEY River City Tool & Pawn Need a Stocking Stuffer? ONLY 21st & Broadway • Yankton 665-3588 ¢ 75 Canton, SD ! ! ! STEEL FACTORY ! ! ! • 29 Guage Steel • High Quality 100,000 P.S.I. Tensile Strength • Cut to length from 1”- 60 ft. • .0155 mill thickness before paint • .017 mill nominal thickness after paint • 40-year paint warranty pay the price through taxes or higher interest rates? Grace each LIMITED QUANTITIES! Reader Submitted 2012 Photo Calendar Stop by and pick up yours today! PRESS&DAKOTAN Y A N K T O N D A I LY 319 Walnut, Yankton, SD • 605-665-7811 YOUR GLASS SUPER HEROES REPAIR FIRST REPLACE IF NECESSARY! Serving Yankton and surrounding counties • Windshield repair/replacement • Aquapel • Silicone wipers • Mini car detail • Windshield Performance Package • The Works Package Call for pricing (605) 496-4169 FREE MOBILE SERVICE email eastriversd@novusglass.us join us on facebook: Novus Glass SD INSIDE THE MISSOURI VALLEY SHOPPER CLASSIFIEDS! or TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD IN PRINT AND ONLINE…SIMPLY CALL 665.5884 It’s Quick It’s Convenient! It’s Simple! DOUBLE THE EXPOSURE FOR THE PRICE OF ONE! MISSOURIVALLEYSHOPPER Yankton, SD www.missourivalleyshopper.com Hours: Monday-Friday • 8am-5pm