Dear Dave: I am following your plan, and recently became debt-free, but I have a question. When doing a monthly budget, should I figure in a specific category for car repairs and maintenance, or just use my emergency fund? — Ashleigh
Dear Dave: I bring home about $2,800 a month, and our mortgage payment is $1,100. We have been forced to take money out of our savings account occasionally over the last year or so to help pay the bills. My wife loves being a stay-at-home mom with our two preschool kids, but even she is talk…
Dear Dave: I thought I was going to get control of my money and make a lot of other positive changes in my life this year, but very few of the things I wanted to accomplish happened. I started strong, and began with serious intentions, but somewhere along the way I lost focus. Can you give m…
Dear Dave: My wife and I are trying to help our son and daughter-in-law. They are both 29 years old, and they have been married for three years. They have good jobs, but the problem is they ask for money on a regular basis.
Dear Dave: I thought I was going to get control of my money and make a lot of other positive changes in my life this year, but very few of the things I wanted to accomplish happened. I started strong, and began with serious intentions, but somewhere along the way I lost focus. Can you give m…
Dear Dave: I don’t really see eye-to-eye with my dad and older brother on many things. This is not a new realization on my part, but over the last few years it has led to hard feelings and various arguments at family gatherings about religion, finances and other things.
Amelia Commander has returned to help run the hospital where she was born.
Dear Dave: We’re doing our best to stick to our cash Christmas budget this year. Are there any traps to avoid, and do you have other advice on ways we can cut costs during the holiday season? — René
Dear Dave: My husband recently approached me with an idea for our money. He wants us to set up an account where we both put 10% of our income for discretionary spending.
Dear Dave: I own a duplex that has an opening for a tenant, and an old college buddy wants to rent the apartment. He has always been a good friend, but I’m a little worried about the possible effects on our friendship if business is brought into the picture. Do you have any advice? — Justin
Dear Dave: My husband is a union member and works at a paint factory near our home. His union’s current contract will expire in nine months. We have about $27,000 of debt left to pay off, and he makes a little over $80,000 a year.
