October 17, 2017 • Page 2 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Keeping a Promise Dave Says By Daris Howard Vacation Home for Rent? Dear Dave, What is your opinion of buying a vacation home, then renting it out when you’re not there? J.P. would like to expand our family. We would have to do this using in vitro fertilization. We’ve talked to a doctor, and he’s given us a ballpark figure of about $20,000 for the procedure. Should we wait until we’re debt-free to have this done? Jim Dear J.P., I see nothing wrong with it, as long as you’re buying with cash and you’re also debt-free. A vacation home is a wonderful “extra” as you start building wealth. Remember though, it’s still basically a very large, very expensive toy. In most cases it will go up in value, and if you rent it, it might beDave come something of a money maker for you. But here’s another side to vacation home rentals. You’ll probably make some money, but in most cases there will be several weeks during a year when it sits empty. You’re not going to get rich renting it out. So, they’re not really great investment properties. What you’re talking about is more of a plan to offset the annual costs of your toy. If you look at it that way, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. If you’re determined to go this route, be ready to deal with spills on the carpet and damage from your guests, along with general maintenance and repairs. There’s always something that needs attention when you own a property. But if you can handle all that emotionally and financially – and you’re not looking for it to be a big-time investment that will make you rich – you’ll be fine. — Dave Dear Jim, Babies are wonderful, important things. Having kids, even the thought of having kids, is a big emotional deal. But sometimes it can cause people to change their financial plans and directions. I would urge you not to accept the first opinion and pricing model you receive on something like this. I’ve heard prices of $35,000, but that includes as many attempts as it takes until your wife becomes pregnant. I’ve also heard of single attempts priced at $7,500 each. There are all kinds of options and guarantees, because they understand someone who is willing to do this really wants a baby. If I’m in your shoes, I’m not accepting the idea that there’s one approach and one pricing structure to all this. I would explore other options, as far as doctors and clinics are concerned. Then, with your income, you could consider taking off a couple months from paying down debt and put some money toward the IVF. If it doesn’t work pay off a little more debt, pause the debt payoff, and try for a baby again. Take some time, learn a little more, and go from there – always using cash for the endeavor. God bless you two! — Dave RAMSEY Wait on IVF? Dear Dave, My wife and I are on Baby Step 2 of your plan. We have about $60,000 in debt left to pay off before we’ll be debt-free, and a household income of $140,000 a year. We have one child, but we * Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business, and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven bestselling 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. Bultje Named Executive Director Of South Dakota Joining Forces PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs has selected Erin Bultje to serve as the execuWhen Florencio Ortiz sent off for that new slicker, tive director of South Dakota Joining Forces (SDJF). everyone in town and out at the ranch knew about it. He deBultje will provide program development, oversight scribed in detail how waterproof it was and how a cowboy and coordination for the Joining Forces Initiative. She will just couldn’t possibly get wet with this slicker on. enhance the state’s ability to meet the behavioral-health Then it came, and Florencio tied it behind the cantle of his saddle each day. And Florencio looked to the sky for any care needs of its service members, veterans and their families by increasing access to appropriate care, closing sign of a cloud, and then patted that slicker affectionately. “If it rains today,” he’d say, “I’m ready. Did you know this gaps, building the system’s capacity, increasing interagency communication and building collaboration. slicker keeps the saddle dry, too?” ”Through past wars and conflicts, we have been buildFinally, during the gather, Florencio and the other hands were horseback about 10 miles from the truck, driving cows ing the footings that are part of our history,” said Larry Zimmerman, Secretary of the South Dakota Department back to the home pasture. And the clouds came, thick and of Veterans Affairs. “Military personnel, veterans and black and fast, and the rain poured. With a joyous whoop, Florencio donned the new slicker family members deserve an entity to help them locate the and climbed back aboard his horse. But his buddies just sat assistance they need. Erin Bultje will take these footings their horses and watched. Their slickers were back in the and build the foundation block that will communicate, truck. solidify, and create a network of resources for our 276,000 They were amazed when Florencio dismounted, took off members of this exclusive group. She has the expertise to the slicker, tied it behind the saddle, and mounted again in give that large contingency a place to find resolution for the rain. information.” “Why?” they asked him. Bultje, an Army Veteran with five years of active duty “When my friends get wet,” he said, “I get wet!” service, served overseas as part of the 1st Armored Division out of Wiesbaden, Germany. After her tour of duty, she received her Associates of Arts degree in Radio/Television Broadcasting and then her Bachelors of Science in Business Management. “Service in any branch of the military has both inherent risks and rewards,” said Erin Bultje. “This Initiative will help our veterans, service members and their Call or families navigate the maze of programs and services to go online get them through the right door at the right time. I look to browse, forward to continuing my journey to enhance the lives of buy or our veterans.” sell! Watch for the release of the new website: www.SDJF. sd.gov. Bultje can be reached at erin.bultje@state.sd.us or 605.295.8180. My eighteen scouts were excited to see me do something I feared, the mountain climbing merit badge. But since I promised I would do any valid scout thing they wanted, I was stuck. My first climb up the tower was disastrous since the overconfident boy who was supposed to lower me back down didn’t buckle in well. He was jerked out of the harness, and he passed me going up the tower as I came down. I thought I was done, but then I learned I had to make two more climbs. Devin, who was more trustworthy, was my next belayer— the person holding the rope. I made sure he was buckled tightly in before I turned to make the ascent. I wasn’t hurt in the first fall too much since Gordy’s weight slowed my descent. But I still shook as I climbed so that I could hardly pull myself up. Finally, I reached the top. “Devin, are you ready?” I called back over my shoulder. “Sure,” he said. I took a deep breath and let go. Devin was tethered with a few feet of rope to a post. When I let go, my extra weight lifted him straight in the air. It scared him so badly that he let the rope slip, and I dropped about ten feet before the mechanism caught and stopped me. My heart was pounding, I was yelling, and the boys and Rod, the assistant scoutmaster, were laughing. That is, all of the boys except for Devin were laughing. He was dangling like a kite. Rod and the other boys pulled Devin to the ground, then held onto him until the rope could gradually be let out to get me down. “Just one more climb and you got it,” the tower director said. “Which boy do you want on the rope for the last climb?” “Boy, nothin’,” I said. “A responsible adult is my belayer.” The tower director scowled. “You’re supposed to trust your boys. But I suppose requirements say you just have to make the climbs.” Rod buckled in on the rope, and I started my last climb. By the time I got to the top, I was shaking so much I could hardly hold on. “Are you ready, Rod?” I asked. “Ready,” he replied. I wasn’t sure I liked the chuckle in his voice, but I was too tired to hold on, so I let go. I immediately plunged down the side of the tower. I was in absolute freefall. I fell for over half the distance, and in that instant, I knew I was going to die. But suddenly, the rope pulled tight and stretched. Then I bounced upward about six feet and then came down again. Like a spring I went up and down, finally coming to a stop. My heart was pounding so hard it had choked my voice to a gurgling gasping squeak. I couldn’t even yell. When I finally came to a stop, and my head quit spinning, I did yell, but the boys and Rod were laughing so hard they could hardly hear me. “What the devil kind of belaying was that?” “Knowing how much you hate heights,” Rod chortled, “I thought I’d get you down a little sooner by letting out a little extra rope at the beginning.” “Ha, ha,” I yelled. “You think that’s funny. Well, we’ll just see how funny it is when I get down.” Rod laughed again. “You might want to be careful. I’m still the one deciding how much rope to let out.” By the time I got down, my chest felt like I had been lifting weights on the inside from the pounding of my heart. Rod slapped me on the back. “You’re a good sport. Let’s all go get an ice-cream, and yours is on me.” “If I have my way,” I replied, “It might just be on you.” By the time we got to town and purchased our ice-cream, I had cooled off. And as we ate, Mort said something that made it worth it. “The main thing we’ll always remember,” he said, “is that you kept your promise even when you were afraid.” Snap Up a Deal in the Classifieds In Print and Online! 665-5884 • www.missourivalleyshopper.com Make Yourself at Home. Save Up To $2250 after more than a century, we’re still inventing new ways to keep you comfortable, no matter the season. Call your With Manufacturer Rebates & Utility Incentives HEATING & COOLING dealer Today! 2401 Broadway, Yankton 605-665-9461 www.larrysheatingandcooling.com Interested in this spot? Call 665-5884 to place your ad here. Interested in this spot? Goodwill is your Halloween Call 665-5884 to place your ad here. Headquarters. Interested in this spot? 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