Posted on 01/27/2011 9:12:47 AM PST by CSM
New car in a bad situation?
Dear Dave,
My wife is divorcing me, and we just had our first baby boy. I feel its my responsibility to take care of her until the divorce is final, and to keep her in a safe vehicle. Shes driving a 1982 Honda Civic, and its so small any kind of wreck could be a disaster. Im thinking about buying her a new car. What do you think?
Mike
Dear Mike,
Im really sorry you guys are going through all this, especially with a brand new baby in the mix. I appreciate your nobility and attitude about the situation, but you need to realize that once youre divorced, its no longer your responsibility to take care of her. Divorce carries a lot of emotional stress and worry for everyone involved, but I dont think buying her a new car will solve anything. It may actually lead her to expect even more from you later on.
Im going to take a wild guess that the truth of the matter is youre worried about your child, and this whole thing is breaking your heart. Thats natural, Mike. It means you love your baby. But a safe car doesnt have to mean a brand new car. You could put her in an old Suburban and shed be safe, because those things are tanks!
If it were me, and the relationship couldnt be salvaged, Id find a large used car one that either one of you can pay for with cash and let her drive off into the sunset. But spend every second you can hugging and loving on your little boy, and make sure you're a fixture in his life. Hes going to need someone like you.
Dave
Piles of cash?
Dear Dave,
Youre always talking about accumulating piles of cash. Ive gone to church for several years, and the Bible says not to lay up treasures on earth. Doesnt that mean that we shouldnt accumulate wealth or be greedy?
George
Dear George,
The Bible also says in Proverbs that in the house of the wise there are stores of choice food and oil.
If you look back through scripture, youll find that many of the major Biblical characters were very wealthy people who understood they were not the owners of the money and wealth. They understood that their job was to manage these things properly for Gods glory.
I can appreciate your concern, George, but when I talk about piles of cash my frame of reference is that were to handle our money and other possessions for good and for God. Its not about greed, or to use in buying bigger and better stuff for ourselves.
But you cant do good things if you dont have the strengths to do good things!
Dave
Dave Ramsey Fan Ping List.
If you would like to be added to the Live like no one else, so that you can LIVE like no one else list, feel free to Freepmail me.
All that money does is give you options. The challenge is proper stewardship. Sometimes I goof. It’s a learning process. There’s probably a reason for the goof-ups after having asked the Creator for guidance.
By the time I’ve figured out where it’s at, somebody’s moved it. Life is good anyway.
Dear Mike,
Get a paternity Test,
Signed,
The Cynic.
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