COLUMNS

As I mentioned last week, we have already experienced a wide range of weather patterns just this year, including tornadoes. We know from past experience that March and April are prime time for severe ...read more

Investigate your options Dear Dave, I’m single and a firefighter, and we have a pension plus a 457(b) retirement plan. I’m not contributing to the 457(b) right now, because I’m fol...read more

It’s the end of February, and already we in north Alabama have seen frigid temps, high winds, tornadoes, dangerous lightning, torrential rain and record flooding. As we envision the advent of sp...read more

Insurance and savings Dear Dave, I just realized our insurance has a health savings account (HSA) option. We’ve considered dropping this insurance soon and going to a cheaper Christian medical...read more

Chainsaws are one of the best power tools you will ever own. Whether you burn firewood, clean off fence rows or trim trees, a good chainsaw can make big jobs go quickly. But they can be very dangerous...read more

Zero percent interest? Dear Dave, I know you’re against financing purchases. However, is it okay to finance things like furniture at zero percent interest? Detrick Dear Detrick, We just fin...read more

Valentine’s Day is February 14th, and there are many ways to show your love to that special someone. There are chocolates, flowers, cards--generally just doing something for that person. Who&r...read more

A teachable moment Dear Dave, My mom is single, and she co-signed on my student loans for college. Would it affect her credit if I couldn’t or didn’t make the payments? Terri Dear Terr...read more

Since the recent campaigns are over and we are now in a non-political year, I want us to consider some of the subjects concerning what people really need and what they want their elected officials to ...read more

RAMPS. If you are any kind of outdoor guy or gal in the South, you probably have a set. Ramps are important and useful for loading four-wheelers, lawnmowers and various sports and farm equipment. Whet...read more

Let her take care of the payments Dear Dave, My daughter is in college, and I’ve always warned her to stay away from credit cards. Recently, I learned she got a department store credit card de...read more

Baby, it’s cold outside. And about to get colder. Just in case you didn’t get those pipes wrapped and insulated before the hard freeze, here are some tips on thawing them out. Did you kno...read more

Relationships and money Dear Dave, My father-in-law wants to help us with our mortgage. We’ve been working hard to pay off our home early, and we’ve reduced what we owe to around $35,000...read more

You need actions, not words Dear Dave, My husband and I have about $20,000 in credit card debt, plus payments on a new truck. We also have a camper he bought before we got married that we’re s...read more

I occasionally think about my childhood days and recall the simple blessings I had that so many children have never known. I had to ride the bus to school every day. [Well, that wasn’t one...read more