ASK DAVE

WRITER: DAVE RAMSEY

She Wants To Work

Dear Dave,

I’m a stay-at-home mom now, and my husband brings home $2,600 a month. We’re trying to get out of debt, but we need more money coming in. I want to go back to work, but emotionally, part of me feels like I should stay home with our 2-year-old daughter. What do you think?

— Kayla

Dear Eric,

I understand the feelings involved, especially if you have spent your entire time home with your child. But don’t make the mistake of blaming the debt if you simply want to go back to work. You are not a bad person if you have kids and you work outside the home.

I have several women on my team who have young children and they work 40 hours a week. Guess what? They’re excellent mothers! Anyone who says a woman can’t be a great mom because she works outside the home is full of crap. On the other hand, if anyone says you are not fulfilling yourself as a person or you are stunting your intellectual development because you are a stay-athome mom, they are full of it, too!

I would advise you and your husband to sit down, talk about this a lot, and pray about the situation. Do not worry about what anyone else thinks because it is none of their business. You guys are in charge of your lives and your family. That makes it your job to decide what is best.

If you want to stay at home and you both can make it happen financially, that is a great thing. If you cannot stay home right now, or you simply want to go back into the workforce, that is fine, too. It will help solve your debt problem. Then after you’ve got your money under control, you might find you want to come home again. The option will be there.

For now, I think you should go back to work. Why? Because you want to!

—

Dave

Financing The College Experience

Dear Dave,

We live in New Jersey, and my wife and I can afford the $10,000 to send our son to a state college. However, we have a younger child who is heading to college in a couple of years, and I’m having a hard time justifying room and board when my college-bound son can commute. My wife doesn’t have a problem paying for it, even though it would mean taking out a loan. What do you think?

— Andy

Dear Ashley,

I’m with you on this one. If you had an extra $40,000 lying around, this wouldn’t be an issue. But if you’re talking about borrowing money just for him to live in a dorm, my answer is a resounding no!

If your son, or your wife, wants the “college experience” to be part of the equation, then your son can get a job to pay for the added expense. Anyone can make $10,000 a year delivering pizza while in school, and it would be a great life experience. You might spot him a little something to get him in there and get things going, but I’d make it contingent on him working to pay the remainder.

There is no reason to take out loans for something like this. It sounds like you guys can pay for the important stuff, but make sure this kid learns what work is and why it’s important. I worked full time while I was in college and still graduated in four years.

Besides, most college dorm rooms look a lot like prison cells; they are tiny with concrete block walls and maybe a window — if you are lucky. Does this really sound like an “experience” worth going into debt for? I don’t think so! But you’re right on this one, Ashley. You can go out and have plenty of fun together without spending a lot of money!

At Central Florida Health Alliance (Leesburg Regional Medical Center & The Villages Regional Hospital), we make sure our employees tap into the long-term growth available at our hospitals. Known for our focus on patients, award-winning professionals and friendly atmospheres we take extreme pride in being named as one of the three hospitals on Modern Healthcare’s list of the Healthcare’s Hottest for 2012. We’ve been honored once again as one of Orlando Sentinel’s Top 100 companies for working families. It’s all about how we treat our people. We offer stability in an uncertain market.

We have a variety of great nursing positions available.

July 2013 2

Chair Yoga (July 2–30)

Yoga in a chair is a wonderful way for people with physical limitations to experience the relaxation and increased flexibility that yoga brings. With chair support, you still gain optimum yoga benefits, such as increased circulation in the feet, legs, knees, hips, shoulders, and elbows. The class is for beginners, adults 55 and older, or anyone with physical limitations. Cost: $10. From 11:30a.m. to 12:30p.m. Tuesdays at Vitruvian Health Center/Windhorse in Eustis. Call Amber Johnson at 352.255.1969 or email johnsonpossibilities@ yahoo.com for more information.

11 Safe Sitter (July 11–12)

The Safe Sitter course is designed to help boys and girls ages 11 through 14 learn the basics of safe baby-sitting. Six certified instructors will lead the two-day program. Students will not only learn how to administer first aid, choking child rescue, and CPR, but also how to manage their own baby-sitting business. Classes are from 8a.m. to 4:30p.m. A graduation ceremony will conclude each of the two-day sessions. Program tuition is $75 per student, which includes snacks, a CPR certification card, a Safe Sitter backpack, and other course-related materials. Call 352.253.3391 to register.

13

Central Florida Sprint Triathlon Series

Calligrapher Sandra Wright has been teaching calligraphy since 1984 and has a structured curriculum that ensures success for those willing to learn and practice. The class has two remaining sections: June 6th, 12th, and 13th will be uncial calligraphy and June 19th, 20th, 26th, and 27th will be formal italic calligraphy. Times are 2–4p.m. or 5:30–7:30p.m. Each of the sections costs $120; $90 for members. Call 352.483.2900 to register.

Cool Summer Mornings 5K Series

This 5K run starts on the residential streets of Clermont, followed by an out-and-back segment on the South Lake Trail. Take advantage of the four-race special that runs alongside the Central Florida Triathlon Series for added fun. Racers enjoy finisher’s medals, themed aid stations, accurate chip timing, and an upbeat post-race party with food and beverages. More information: 352.394.1320 or sommersports.com.

18

Retirement Financial Planning

This online webinar provides research-based financial information presented by the University of Florida Extension in partnership with Hillsborough County Extension Service, Duval County Extension, Okaloosa County Extension, and Lake County Extension. For those within 10 years of retirement, learn about how to calculate expense needs, strategies to make assets last, required minimum distributions, and how to choose a financial professional. Register at http://bit.ly/RetireIncome. For more info, call Julie England at 352.343.4101 or email julieeng@ufl.edu.

Breast-feeding Class

A comprehensive class designed to teach the basics of breastfeeding, including getting started in the hospital, positioning, latch assessment, and breast-feeding management. This class is $15 per expectant mom, which includes one partner and a tour of the Life Center for Women. Call Cheryl Waxler at 352.323.5960 or cwaxler@ cfhalliance.org.

22 Community Health Fair

New Beginnings of Lake County will be conducting this free event from 10a.m. to 2p.m. at First United Methodist Wesley Center, located at 950 seventh St., in Clermont. The fair will feature more than 70 vendors offering free medical screenings, meetings with specialty doctors and dentists, lessons on how to eliminate back pain, nutritional guidance, and healthy living tips, as well as free school physicals for children 11 years old and younger. There will also be a bounce house and face painting for the children along with free door prizes. All proceeds will support New Beginnings’ homeless recovery programs. Call Sandy Farnsworth at 352.617.8788 for more information.

27 Stepping Out for Education

Watch six area celebrities strap on their dancing shoes and perform the fox trot, rumba, cha cha, swing, and tango with professional dancers from around the state for a good cause: Lake County Schools. Cocktails begin at 5:30p.m. at Lake Receptions, followed by dinner at 7p.m. and the competition at 8p.m. Seating is limited. The reservation deadline is July 9th. Tickets are $125 per person and include a five-course gourmet meal, wine and beer bar, dancing, and a vote for the star of your choice. For an additional $25 per person, you can upgrade to preferred seating. Call 352.326.1265 for reservations or purchase online at www.eventbrite.com

30 College Cooking

If you are headed to college, this class will teach you how to make easy and delicious meals that can be quickly prepared without a lot of fancy ingredients or equipment. Learn how to eat better and save money while in college. From 2 to 4p.m. at the Lake County Agricultural Center, 1951 Woodlea Road, Tavares. Cost: $7. Register by July 28th at http://collegecooking2013.eventbrite. com. Call 352.343.4101 or email julieeng@ufl.edu for additional information.

31 Diabetes EducationSelf-Management

South Lake Hospital’s Diabetes Class will help you understand how medications, nutrition, exercise, and blood sugar monitoring play a role in developing a healthy lifestyle. The class will also discuss diabetes and how to limit risk for complications. Please bring your own lunch. From 8:30a.m. to 3:30p.m. at the National Training Center, Education Department, 1935 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont. Cost: $10. To register, call 352.241.7109

The Event Event

Stepping Out For Education

Saturday, July 27, 2013 27, 2013

Presented by Presented

Stars

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Lake Receptions • Mount Dora, Florida Cocktails 5:30pm, Dinner 7pm, Competition 8pm

Six area celebrities will be dancing the fox trot, rumba, cha cha, swing and tango with professional dancers from around the state. Each dancer has received 20 hours of instruction and is ready to perform in front of nationally renowned judges and you. Audience voting will be combined with judges’ scores to name the winner of Stepping Out for Education, a local version of “Dancing with the Stars”

Stepping Out For Education

Event Rese r vation Reservation

Seating is limited and has sold out for the past 7 years. Reservation deadline is July 9, 2013. General seating assigned on reservation return. Tickets are $125 per person and include a five course gourmet meal, wine and beer bar, dancing, and a vote for the star of your choice. For an additional $25 per person you can upgrade to preferred seating. Call 352.326.1265 for reservations or purchase online at www.eventbrite.com - Stepping Out For Education