Posted on 11/05/2012 10:22:51 PM PST by Altariel
Dear Dave,
I recently got engaged. Is it okay for us to go ahead and combine finances and start working on a budget before we get married?
Adam
Dear Adam,
No, it is not okay to combine finances with anyone to whom youre not married. And by okay, I mean wise. Im happy that youve found love, but all kinds of things can happen before the rings are slipped onto your fingers.
Im not wishing bad things on you, but what if you spend time paying off her debt, or vice versa, and then the relationship doesnt work out? Bringing finances into that kind of situation is just asking for trouble. You do not want to go there!
Now, all this doesnt mean that you cant begin working together on budgets for the future and goals for your lives. Were talking about full disclosure to make this happen. She knows all about your income and debts, and you know about hers too. You guys need to have some serious discussions about saving, spending and debt, and get on the same page with your finances before the big day.
But no, my advice is that you each pay your own bills until after youre married. Once that happens, theres no yours and mine anymore. It all becomes ours.
Dave
Dear Dave,
I just turned 57 and have been researching long-term care policies. Is there a point where you can self-insure for long-term care needs without a policy?
Peter
Dear Peter,
Mathematically, Id say you could safely self-insure if you have the resources available to support your care in a nursing home or other facility for 25 years. Of course, if youre married you have to think about your spouse and make sure she has enough to live on comfortably at the same time. Thats a lot of money. In my mind, its a large enough bill that it makes sense to transfer the risk to a long-term care insurance policy.
The simple truth is most people wont have enough money to self-insure for that kind of thing when the time comes. If you have $20 million liquid sitting around, then you could easily set aside $2 to $3 million for long-term care and still be in great shape. But I advise virtually everyone to have good, long-term care coverage in place by age 60. For many folks, it can make the difference between living with dignity and having to depend on the government. And thats not something I ever want to do for anythingespecially not my healthcare!
Dave
Dear Dave,
I graduated from college in May with $20,000 in student loans and have been working an hourly job on my dads farm until something opens up in my area. My sister is getting married soon in Mexico, and it would cost me about $2,000 to attend. Do you think I should go?
Phil
Dear Phil,
I understand about family, and I think you should be at your sisters wedding. But on the other hand, its a little ridiculous to expect an hourly wage farm worker to travel to Mexico for a destination wedding.
The first thing Id do is shop around for lower airfare. Financially speaking, thats going to be a big chunk of this, and Im pretty sure you can find cheaper prices. It wouldnt hurt to ask mom and dad for a little help, either. They may even be willing to foot the bill. Youve got a bunch of debt and not a lot of income right now. On top of it all, youve had this trip dropped in your lap.
But start out by telling your dad that youre willing to try and pay for this, and ask him, too, if theres any way you can make some extra money at your job. A family should be together to celebrate an occasion like this, and I bet hell be willing to help you out!
Dave
Dave Ramsey ping #3
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