Dane County Rides

As I do each year, I am offering anyone who e-mails me at rgorsuch@oakbankonline.com a copy of six articles written several years ago by then county executive Rick Phelps. Each article detailed a scenic and historic drive somewhere in Dane County. These are routes you may rarely travel in the normal course of the day.

Alice.com

If you have not taken a look at www.alice.com, I suggest you do. I have found it to be a very interesting shopping site. It is a local company. Check it out.

Taking Charge

To be a true leader, I like the suggestions by Marshall Loeb in the February 25, 1980 "Time" magazine:

1. You have to be able to set priorities.
2. You need the ability to grab ahold of tough problems and not delegate them.
3. Set and demand standards of excellence.

More to come.

Regulatory Overkill

As usual after a problem, congress is trying to "fix" the financial system. An example of the efficiency and wisdom of our elected bodies is the privacy issue. Let me ask: how many Privacy Notices do you receive and how many have you ever read? The cost to business is horrendous. And guess who ends up paying for this needless requirement? You and me!

Certificate Hunters

If you are one who regularly use bank Certificate of Deposits for income providers, I have a suggestion in this low interest rate environment. Ask your bank if it offers a bump-type certificate. This type of instrument will usually provide you with a higher annual percentage yield, while giving you the ability to raise the rate on your deposit if rates should rise.

Final on Checking Accounts

Whether you choose a joint checking account or a separate account, open and frequent communciation is the key. In my opinion, good communication on financial matters is essential for a good marital relationship.

More on Checking Accounts

There are potential negatives to mingling money matters in one checking account, such as:

One person is bad at tracking checks, ATM or debit withdrawals.
There may be a feeling of a lack of autonomy and financial independence.

Some couples have a joint checking account but also maintain separate checking accounts. This joint account is typically used to pay household bills so all income goes into this account first. It is critical that spouses communicate well with each other to understand the monthly expenses, create a budget and ensure that amount of money goes into this account. Money, in the separate accounts then is typically either used to pay for the "wants" of a person and any pre-existing debts they might be bringing into the marriage.