Dave Ramsey: Take care when choosing a broker

Dear Dave,

Is it a good idea to diversify not only among various mutual funds but also among different companies that sell mutual funds?

— Brian

Dear Brian,

There’s no need to do that. Find one good broker you’re comfortable with and who has the heart of a teacher. You want to know what’s going on with your money, and finding someone who can explain it well and help you understand the details is a must.

Just make sure your broker is not directly connected to the mutual fund. You don’t want someone with a vested interest. What you’re looking for here is a person who can objectively connect you to a good mutual fund with a solid track record of at least five to 10 years.

— Dave

Dear Dave,

I bought a piece of lake property not long ago, and the developer has first right of refusal if we decide to sell it. We originally looked at the property as an investment or building site, but I really don’t understand what first right of refusal means.

— Craig

Dear Craig,

A lot depends on the wording, but typically it means that you can sell property to another buyer subject to the developer not wanting to buy it back at that price.

If you decided to sell within the timeframe specified in the first-right-of-refusal contract, you’d have to notify the developer you have a written offer on the property. Then, you have to give him a chance to buy the lot first at that price.

Or, you could just ask the developer — in writing — to waive his first right of refusal if this is something you want to do. They’re in the business of selling lots, not buying them, so it may be an easy deal.

— Dave

Dear Dave,

I’d like to send my kids to a private Christian school, and they would begin classes the same month we’ll finally be out of debt. We would have to pay this out over the course of the school year, so would you consider this to be an investment or more debt?

— Ed

Dear Ed,

I don’t borrow money whether it’s an investment or not. But lots of private schools have tuition plans where you don’t have to borrow money, and you just make two or three payments during the academic year.

I don’t know if I would really call that a debt, because you can always take the child out of the school if you see you can’t make the payment. Just make sure you carefully look over any contract involved and know what you’re getting into before you sign up for the ride.

You don’t want to obligate yourself to money you don’t have, especially when you’ve worked so hard to get out of debt. Just save up, and have a place in your budget for tuition.

— Dave

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