 Question: My husband was laid off three months ago, and I’m afraid we’re about to lose our home. I’ve been working three part-time jobs to help keep our heads above water, but he says the economy’s bad, and he’s waiting for the “right” job. The bills are piling up, and I don’t know what to do.
Answer: When a guy loses a job it’s a devastating blow. Many guys are task oriented, and define themselves by what they do rather than who they are. That’s not a good thing.
When I went broke several years ago, I had to re-define myself my own mind. I lost my business, and in many ways I looked at that company as who I was. My identity was suddenly gone. Lots of guys go through that when they lose their jobs, and in the process they can lose the courage to go fight again.
I think you two should sit down with your pastor or a good marriage counselor, and talk through this thing. I also think your husband needs a good friend – someone he admires and respects – to verbally knock him around a little and put the fight back into his spirit. Three months of a guy sitting on his butt in this situation is unacceptable. I don’t want to hear a bunch of stuff about the economy, a career path, or that he’s overqualified. It doesn’t matter if you’re delivering pizzas or mowing yards, you’re never “overqualified” to be a man and take care of your responsibilities!
Sometimes people need a little time to get their heads together when something traumatic happens. I went through some of that, too. There were times when I was just no good to anyone. But at the end of the day I didn’t lose my home because I was sitting around doing nothing. Even when I lost all my confidence and felt like a dog, I still got out there and did stuff to put food on the table. It’s time for your husband to get out and do something!
Question: Do you have any advice on vehicle leasing for business purposes? I’ve heard that the expense is 100 percent deductible.
Answer: Yeah, and it’s 100 percent stupid, too! “Fleecing” is absolutely the most expensive way to operate a vehicle. What you’re talking about is rationalizing the fact that you want a vehicle you can’t afford. It’s a bad idea.
Dr. Tom Stanley interviewed tons of millionaires while he was writing his book, “Stop Acting Rich.” In the process, he found out that 80 percent of them had never leased a vehicle. What does that tell you? It tells me if you want to be rich, you need to do what rich people do—and they don’t lease their vehicles! Plus, I really don’t care if it’s 100 percent deductible. Guess what? I get deductions on the vehicles owned by my company. It’s called straight-line depreciation.
Never lease a vehicle for business purposes. If you don’t have the cash to pay for it outright, then you can’t afford the thing. It’s just that simple!
Dave is the author of The New York Times best-selling book Financial Peace. He is also the host of the nationally syndicated The Dave Ramsey Show, and is a regular guest on television. All of his financial counseling is based on biblical truths. You can hear Dave from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., weekdays, on WLWI 1440 AM or online at www.daveramsey.com. Send your questions to
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. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . He resides with his wife Sharon and their three children, Denise, Rachel, and Daniel, in Nashville, Tennessee.
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