Dave Says

Dear Dave, Our daughter’s college education is pretty much paid for already through grants and scholarships, and my wife and I make good money. We just started your plan, so when we get to Baby Step 5, saving for college, can we substitute that with saving for a wedding?

Update from Senator Jacobson

Growing up on a farm, I had the opportunity to learn what it was like to be a part of making things grow. Whether it was growing crops or raising hogs and cattle, I always found satisfaction in being a part of the process and experiencing a sense of accomplishment when everything came together.

Pieces of Me

“No chit chat!” I say to my husband Dane before we walk into a meeting that I’m hoping to get in and out of. Half an hour later, there I am chit chatting. It’s me. I chit chat.

Dave Says

Dear Dave, My husband and I want to do a live-in and flip real estate purchase. The idea is to buy a fixer-upper and rent out the basement to help with the mortgage payments. How do you feel about ideas like this? Erin Dear Erin, In a situation like this you need to do a basic business analysis.

Pieces of Me

I recently politely declined to serve on a state association board. I served on a board for them in the past - but am currently serving on another of their boards, along with two committees. So I’m definitely still doing my part for an organization that I am passionate about.

Update from Senator Jacobson

Each week, I have been writing to update you on current legislative events and issues important to the constituents in District 42. This week, I hope you will allow me to take a different approach and share with you the personal issue we dealt with this week. This past Thursday, Nov.

Dave Says

Dear Dave, My fiancée and I plan to get married in May, and we are preparing to buy a house. We both work in sales, and combined we bring home about $7,400 a month before commissions. Our average commissions usually boost that to $12,000 a month.

Update from Senator Jacobson

I want to start my comments this week by taking a moment to honor our veterans in advance of Veterans Day. Veterans Day was established in 1926 to acknowledge the sacrifices of those who served in America’s military.

Pieces of Me

It’s still early for me to put up Christmas decorations and start playing Christmas music, but here at the Tribune I start working on all things Christmas even before Halloween. My biggest issue of the year, the Christmas Saturation Issue, will be published on Dec. 6 this year.

Dave Says

Dear Dave, I read where you recommend saving 15% of your income for retirement. Should I count my employer’s contribution to my retirement plan as part of that 15%? Carlotta Dear Carlotta, That’s a great question.