COLUMNS

Why not budget and save? Dear Dave, I’ve never heard you talk about store layaway programs. With Christmas coming, I wanted to ask your opinion of using layaway for buying gifts. Meg Dear Me...read more

Cash them in and do something better! Dear Dave, My wife and I are following your plan, and recently we found some old savings bonds that had been given to her by her grandfather when she was a kid....read more

I’m so excited about being back. I’ve missed my friends, and being told you have missed my articles does make this girl feel “needed.”  We all know how good that mak...read more

Landlords and duplexes Dear Dave, I’m 23 and debt-free, and I’ve almost got my fully funded emergency fund in place. I was curious about your thoughts on saving up money to buy a duplex,...read more

November 27, 2019 Dear Editor: This Thanksgiving Day, as we gather with family and friends to count our blessings, let us give thanks for the bounty we enjoy--not just on this holiday, but every day...read more

It’s certainly that time of year when we should all count our blessings, and I believe your “honey-do list” should have a prominent place in that count. Just think about it. HONEY. ...read more

Don’t use emotion to rationalize an upgrade Dear Dave, My husband will be finishing physician assistant school in December, just a few days before our first baby is due. We’ve got about ...read more

Things change quickly. The time changed, leaves change and the seasons change. I know many of you are changing to a holiday mindset and getting ready to decorate. Fire safety is not often top of mind...read more

Double for couples? Dear Dave, Does the amount you advise saving for a beginner emergency fund in Baby Step 1 double for a couple, or does it stay the same? Charlie Dear Charlie, Whether you&rsqu...read more

Summer, fall, winter...whatever it may seem like outside, it’s almost time to put your lawn equipment away for a long winter’s nap. You probably have a couple of rounds of picking up leave...read more

Emotions, basics and change Dear Dave, I’ve gotten out of debt before following your plan, but I always seem to fall right back in. I find myself spending more than I mean to whenever I go out...read more

Aren’t they beautiful? One of the most beautiful times of the year in our area is when the leaves change color and fall to the ground. It’s nature’s annual process of removing the ol...read more

Teaching the value of work…and money Dear Dave, Is it okay to give very young children an allowance? Christie Dear Christie, Teaching kids there’s an emotional connection between wor...read more

Halloween has certainly changed since I was a kid. We would pile in the car (no seat belt laws), go house to house (as long as there was a porch light on), run wide-open across yards in the dark and w...read more

Mini emergency fund? Dear Dave, I’m 26 and single, and I have about $35,000 in credit card and student loan debt. I’m only making $20,000 a year right now, but I expect to be making almo...read more