June 28, 2016 • Page 2 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Dave Says You’re Self-Insured Dear Dave, My husband and I are retired, we both receive nice pensions, and we owe $46,000 on our home. This is our only debt. I’m 65, he is 82, and we have more than $800,000 in variable annuities, along with substantial cash in savings. We also have $200,000 combined in life insurance coverage. If we cancel these two policies we can pay down an extra $10,000 a year on the house. Should we cancel the life insurance policies? —Anna Dear Anna, At 82 and 65, you probably won’t be able to get any more insurance at a decent price. If you get rid of it, you’re going to be without it. The good news is that you have enough money through your pensions, investments, and savings to be what is known as “self-insured.” If I’m in your situation, I’d drop the life insurance policies and pay off the house as quickly as possible. Make sure you keep a good health insurance Dud rounded the corner on his block and headed for the edge of town at an easy jog. Well, easy for an Olympic miler, he thought. It was making him breathe hard and he wasn’t even a block from the house. But this is the price. Oh yes, the price I must pay for my goal. “Dud,” said Doc, “I worry about you spending so much time agonizing over that book of yours.” “I have to do it, Doc,” Dud said. “There are still so many things to plan in the book. Things like the duchess’s daughter and her relationship with the truck driver on special assignment …” “I know that, Dudley,” Doc said, giving Dud a friendly arm squeeze, “but what you need is a kind of cleansing. You know, empty your mind and then let the ideas come. To me, the best idea has been to exercise.” Dud looked at him strangely. “Yep. Exercise, Dud. Get out and go jogging or play tennis or something. Not only is the exercise good for your body, but it’ll get that brain cleaned up and working all fresh again. And that solution to your book problem will come. You’ll get it.” And that’s what had him chuffing and jogging and looking at the trees and appreciating the beauty of the place he called Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted home. But try as he might, the exercise actually intensified voice on money and business, and CEO his pondering the novel he called “Murder in the Soggy Botof Ramsey Solutions. He has authored toms,” but was better known to his friends as “The Duchess seven best-selling books. The Dave and the Truck Driver.” The first draft of the book was rejected Ramsey Show is heard by more than 11 by a publisher eight years ago because it had eight murders million listeners each week on more than … in the first chapter. So Dud went back to the drawing board 550 radio stations and digital outlets. and let seven of those people survive through several more Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey chapters. But it was the relationship. The relationship. Why and on the web at daveramsey.com. do things have to be so complicated? After his run, he pulled up a chair at the philosophy counter at the Mule Barn truck stop. “Well, Dud,” said Doc, kindly, “did you exercise?” “Ran a good mile or so, Doc.” “And did you get it? You know … the solution?” “I’m not sure,” Dud replied, “but I got tired.” ship than a stock. Basically, you’d be a minority shareholder in the business. That means zero power. Whatever money you put up could be lost, because the people running this business could decide to close up shop and you’d be powerless to stop it. To me, this is way too scary. You’d be making a $300,000 investment that has no liquidity and that you can’t sell on the open market. I’d want to see at least 30-percent return on my capital in a situation like this, so I wouldn’t risk my money. Keep your good job, but politely decline this shareholder offer. That’s my advice. —Dave policy in place, because a hospital stay can eat your savings alive. I hope you have long-term care insurance, too. Good question, Anna. You guys have done a great job with your money! —Dave By Dave Ramsey Dave RAMSEY Becoming a holder Dear Dave, In 15 months I’ll be able to buy in as a shareholder of my firm, about 1.5 percent of the company. I make $100,000 annually, and it will cost me three times my income, but it could increase my income by as much as $40,000 a year. I know that you discourage single-stock investing, but do you think this is a good idea? —Mark Dear Mark, This sounds more akin to a partner- Earwig Management at Home BROOKINGS, S.D. - The wet conditions in the southeast portion of the state this spring resulted in a large number of earwigs showing up in homes and gardens. “Earwigs are very distinctive and are often feared by onlookers due to the pincer or forceps appendages present at the end of their body, but they are not harmful to humans,” said Amanda Bachmann, SDSU Extension Pesticide Education & Urban Entomology Field Specialist. Bachmann explained that the pincers (called cerci) are used for defense, but ear- wigs do not seek out humans to attack. Earwigs are omnivorous, and commonly feed on pest arthropods such as aphids and mites, as well as decaying plant material and garden plants. “Occasionally, earwigs are considered garden pests when their feeding damages fruit or foliage. However, for the most part they prefer to inhabit areas under mulch, potted plants, compost piles or other damp, sheltered locations,” Bachmann said. Larger garden plants can handle some earwig feeding damage. Other pests, like slugs, cause similar injury, so it is important to make sure the correct cause is identified before applying any chemical treatments. Generally, earwigs exist outdoors and are mostly unnoticed, but like many other insects they can find their way inside homes and other structures. “Earwigs do not reproduce indoors or try to take up permanent residence,” she said. “They find their way inside through cracks and crevices in foundations or around windows and doors. Earwigs can also hitch a ride on cut flowers and other produce from the garden.” A single earwig (or a few) indoors can be easily managed with a shoe, broom or vacuum. However, Bachmann said that if large numbers of earwigs are finding their way inside (or if earwigs are consistently showing up), homeowners should examine their home’s exterior for potential entry points and work to seal up cracks and crevices. Make sure screens and doors are secure and free of holes or large gaps. Bachmann added that barrier insecticide treatments applied around the foundation may prevent some accidental insect invasions, by making the home or structure less permeable to insects will have a longer lasting effect. If applying an insecticide to garden plants, mulch or soil, make sure to read and follow the label directions. Applying insecticides to flowering plants can be harmful to pollinators and other beneficial insects. niGrow Dining & Entertainment 82 ANNUAL ND CELEBRATION Monday, July 4 St. Helena, Neb. Coed Volleyball & Softball Tourney • 8 a.m. Lunch Stand Opens at 8 a.m. Serving rolls and coffee and a large assortment of cool refreshments and snacks all day. Broasted Chicken & Ham Supper including a wonderful salad bar, hot vegetable and your favorite selection of pies at the air conditioned Immaculate Conception Parish Hall Serving 4-8 p.m. As Always, Games, Raffle, Bingo & awesome Fireworks to complete the day! A Fun Family Tradition ... Come celebrate with us! Sponsored by Heine Electric Rea?? f?? Vaca?i??? Sights & Sounds of Branson - September 25th – 29th, 2016 $625 per person double occy • $749 per person single occy Bus Package Includes: Transportation • 4 Nights Lodging/Branson’s Best The Legends • Showboat Branson Belle • Clay Cooper Million Dollar Quartet • Jim Stafford • Hot Rods & High Heels Dixie Stampede • Hot Breakfasts & Lunches included Branson Christmas- November 11th – 15th, 2016 $659 per person double occy • $775 per person single occy Bus Package Includes: Open To The Public BROOKINGS, S.D. - SDSU Extension recently hired Gared Shaffer to serve as the SDSU Extension Weeds Field Specialist. In this role Shaffer will work with South Dakotans to identify and manage weed issues. He hopes to conduct weeds research on local producers land and provide strong regional and statewide leadership delivering research-based programming in the Competitive Crops capstone area. “Proper weed management greatly impacts farmers’ yields and resulting profits. We are excited to have Gared join our team,” said Alvaro Garcia, SDSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Director & Professor. More about Gared Shaffer While working in Jordan for a year during college as part of the Christian Mission organization, The Navigators, Gared Shaffer saw a need for agronomic education. “I saw a large need for grain production in developing countries and knew then that agronomy would be my focus,” said Shaffer who was raised on a cattle operation in southeastern Kansas. In this role as an SDSU Extension Weed Field Specialist, Gared is eager to help farmers explore all aspects of weed control/management - chemical and non-chemical options. “Through SDSU Extension I will be working with farmers to provide them with unbiased, research-based information on weed management. I also look forward to potentially conducting on-farm research.” In 2016 Shaffer received his Master’s in Agronomy from Kansas State University. However, he was eager to begin his career in South Dakota because he has family who farm in Faulk and Brown Counties. Shaffer will office out of the SDSU Extension Regional Center in Aberdeen. To contact Shaffer, e-mail him by email or 605.290.6164. niGrow Pancakeast Breakf Pancakes, Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Biscuits & Gravy, French Toast 7.00 All You Can Eat $ Children 6-10 $4.00 • 5 & Under Free Sunday, Jul. 3rd • 8 - 12:30 VFW Post 791 209 Cedar, Yankton • 665-3562 COUPON - Offer expires 6/30/16 OPEN 11 AM - 10PM 600 OFF $ Family Meal 8 Pc. Chicken, 2 Lg. Sides, 4 Biscuits Transportation • 4 Nights Lodging/Camden Hotel Million Dollar Quartet • The Bretts • The Texas Tenors Jim Stafford • Sunday Gospel Jubilee • Daniel O’Donnell Andy Williams Christmas • Hot Breakfasts & Lunches included Navigator Tours Call (800) 634-8696 P.O. Box 2244 Norfolk, NE 68702 New Weeds Field Specialist 2504 Fox Run Pkwy. Yankton, SD MV Shopper M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y In Print and Online! • 665-5884 M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y