| Dave Says, How Do I Surprise My Spouse With Gifts? |
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| Written by Dave Ramsey | |
 Question: How do you buy a surprise gift for your spouse when you both see the budget and handle the checkbook?Answer: Start by having a gift-giving category as part of your budget. This works both ways, one for each of you. That way, you’ll both know how much goes into that category, but you won’t know where something was purchased or what was bought. I think the gift category is the best and most fair way to give you both input and control over the budget. The idea that you’re going to sneak up on your wife or husband with a $10,000 gift is pretty unrealistic if you’re working on your finances together! Question: I’ve got auto insurance, but can you tell me what other kinds of insurance are good to have? Answer: The purpose of insurance is to transfer risk. Specifically, I’m talking about risk that you can’t afford to take. Most people can’t afford to have a heart attack and triple bypass surgery. Having to pay for something like that completely out of pocket would bankrupt just about anyone. That’s why health insurance is a vital part of any good financial plan. It’s also important to have auto and homeowner’s insurance. If you don’t own a home, make sure you have renter’s insurance instead. Don’t forget about life insurance, either. If you’re married or have kids, you should carry eight to 10 times your yearly income in a good, 15- or 20-year level term life insurance policy. This means if you make $40,000, you should have about $400,000 wrapped up in life insurance. Long-term disability insurance is vital. The cheapest way to get this is in a group. If you buy it yourself, out on the open market, you’ll find that the rates are based more on your occupation than your age or health. So, if you fly a desk, it’ll be a lot cheaper than if you work with your hands. And don’t forget long-term care insurance. You need “nursing home insurance” if you’re 60 or older. It will also take care of you in your own home. The statistical probability of needing it before age 60 is about one percent, so wait until then to buy long-term care insurance. This kind of insurance can make sure you get the kind of care you want in your declining years. Plus, it can keep your nest egg with you and your family and out of the hands of the nursing home! Question: I’m employed, and I’ve maxed out my Roth IRA. I also have a small business on the side, so can I do a SEP as well? Answer: Sure you can! If you want, you can do a SEP (Self Employed Pension plan) along with a Roth IRA and a 401(k). There’s no limitation to how many of these things you can have working for you. |
