Eat, Save, and Be Healthy

There is a higher cost associated with organic food purchases, and many people question whether the health benefits outweigh the additional expense. Organic foods are produced by farming practices that are monitored and controlled to decrease risk of food contamination and improve food quality.

Three practices, called the ‘Big Three’ (genetic engineering, irradiation, and sewage sludge) are prohibited by organic regulations. Other practices not allowed in the production of organic food include the use of synthetic chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. These prohibitions are important because they help to safeguard the quality of our food and to reduce our health risk from food contaminants.

Listed below are four other reasons you might want to consider when deciding whether to purchase organic produce and/or meat.

• 1—The environment. The natural world supplies everything that keeps us healthy, so buying organic to reduce the quantity of chemicals in the environment seems to be a smart, health-conscious decision. Organic farming practices are designed to encourage soil and water conservation and reduce pollution. Farmers who grow organic produce and meat don’t use conventional methods to fertilize, control weeds or prevent livestock disease. Farmers who produce organic products use sustainable practices to work with (instead of against) Mother Nature by doing the following:
  • conserve water resources,
  • promote biodiversity,
  • build healthy and fertile land
  • utilize agriculture methods that significantly reduce pollution and wasted energy

• 2—The economy. Organic farming is one of the fastest growing segments in American agriculture, as more farmers grow and sell foods to customers who prefer to know (1) where their food came from, and (2) how their food was grown. Between 1997 and 2011, U.S. sales of organic foods increased from $3.6 billion to $24.4 billion. China has become the agricultural food powerhouse of the world, but U.S rules and regulations for organically grown foods give you food safety security, and for many people, that is worth the extra expense.

• 3– Taste and quality. “Food is medicine.” Hippocrates said that over 2000 years ago, and it is still true today. Like any medicine you take to keep you healthy, produce is unquestionably the foundation of good health. It’s also why the new MyPlate icon recommends at least half your plate contain fruits and vegetables. When you enjoy delicious fruits and veggies because they taste great, then you will keep eating them. However, taste is subjective, so the only way to know if you prefer organic over conventionally grown fruits and veggies is to try purchasing a few food products and doing your own personal taste test.

• 4—Prevention beats intervention. We don’t know if the increase in cancer, digestive diseases, and other health problems is connected to the chemicals that are present in our modern environments. Each of us is unique in our diet, environment and genetic risk; as well as the fact we are subject to different chemical exposures throughout our lifetime. Therefore, it’s difficult to quantify our risk or assign blame if we do develop certain diseases. But people should aim for healthier diets overall. It’s important to eat fruits and vegetables, however they are grown.

Written by:

Donna Green
Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences
Ohio State University Extension

A spending plan or budget is something many of us prefer not to think about; it can be very scary to lay out your finances in black and white. If you don’t look at the numbers that say you’re out of balance, then you don’t have to think about the possibility that you are not living within your means. You could blame it on your job and complain you don’t make enough money. And that might be true. However, your salary may not be the problem. It could be your spending habits that are at fault.

It is very important for everyone to know where their money is going, whether they make a little or a lot. With the recession still in full throttle, now is the time for you to “mind your own business.” You may have never looked at it from this perspective, but you, a person, are a business of sorts. You will make “x” amount of dollars over a lifetime, and spend “x” amount of dollars as well. Whether your lifespan shows a profit margin or deficit is entirely up to you. Start treating yourself as legitimately as you do your workplace, and make financial decisions with the same discipline you are required to show at work. In order to hold yourself accountable, develop and use a spending plan.

The first step is to look at your expenses. There are three different kinds of expenses that everyone pays. Fixed expenses are the bills you pay every month that don’t change. Your rent or mortgage, car payment, utilities, car insurance, and child support are some examples. Make a column and write down every bill that fits into this category, and next to it write the amount you pay. Then total the expenses at the bottom of the column.

Column two is for your flexible expenses. These are the things you purchase that vary from week to week or month to month, depending on need, the season, and desire. Flexible expenses include food, clothing, personal products, pet care, medical expenses, credit cards, and transportation costs (like gasoline). Since these costs are not the same every month, you have to average weekly expenses and multiply times four to get a monthly cost. For example, let’s say you spend about $75 per week at the grocery store. That means your monthly cost for food from the store is $300. You should have another line item for money spent on eating out. If you average $40 per week on pizza and take-out, multiply that times four and your monthly expense for food eaten outside the home is $160. Total food expenses for your family for one month equal $460. List all the flexible expenses you pay every month and total that number at the bottom of column two.

Last, but not least, are your occasional expenses. These are the items you may spend money on once or twice a year, but don’t necessarily need every month. Examples include your driver’s license renewal, oil changes, birthday and Christmas gifts, entertainment costs, and back-to-school fees and supplies. The best way to approach this column is to start with a piece of paper divided into 12 boxes. Label each box with a month of the year. Then start writing in each box the things you spend money for in just that month, and how much it costs you. For example, in May you might write renewing your license and buying your Mother a hanging basket of flowers for Mother’s Day. December would include Christmas expenses. Try to remember every time you spend money on friends or family, take a vacation, change the oil in your car, or pay someone to mow your lawn or rake leaves. Add up the whole year of expenses and divide by 12. This will help you average out how much you need each month to meet those occasional needs.

Now comes the tough part. Add up the numbers from columns one, two, and three and see how much you spend per month. Compare this to your monthly income. Hopefully the income is higher than the expenses. If it isn’t, you have two options. One is to reduce your expenses. Can you cut some things back, like eating out or going to the movies? Would your family buy clothing or shoes somewhere less pricey? Explore every category to see where you can make cuts.

Option two is make more money. Can you work a second job? Do you have any skills you can provide to others in return for payment, such as carpentry or plumbing? What about other family members? Can your children work small jobs such as a paper route to pay for some of their expenses, like clothing and cell phones?

Lastly, consider looking into debt consolidation. If a lot of your money is going to payments on credit cards, you may need to contact an organization such as Consumer Credit Counseling (now called Apprisen) to see if they can help you reduce the amount you pay every month. They can’t reduce the balance on your cards, but they can help reduce the interest rate you pay and consolidate your payments, thereby enabling you to bring down your balances much more quickly.

All of us know family members and friends who have been affected by layoffs and cutbacks. Businesses, schools, and governments have all had to make hard decisions to balance their bottom lines. Your business is no different. Treat yourself with the same professional care, and you will feel much more empowered regardless of what is going on around you.

Submitted by:

Donna Green
Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences
Ohio State University Extension

Are we worn out yet from kids’ birthday parties? It seems like parents are either trying to plan the perfect birthday party “palooza” of all time for their kids or are running around every other week buying yet another expensive gift for someone else’s child. Are either of those scenarios hitting home for you right now ?

I see three issues at play here. We like to be creative, we tend to be competitive, and we love our kids. Put those three characteristics together and you have the perfect formula for what I like to call the three “O’s;” overkill, overindulgence, and overdone. I remember an old episode of the Mary Tyler Moore show when Ted Baxter’s brother came to town, and the two men were constantly trying to one-up the other as to who was more famous, handsome, beloved, etc. You get the drift. Finally, Mary, in exasperation, suggested to Ted that he stop doing all this competing, to which Ted replied, “I will if he’ll do it first.” And Mary returned with “Why don’t you be first to be first?”

Someone, at some point, has to be the first to say “no more.” A birthday is a day to celebrate, but when you give a kid too much at too young of an age, there is no place else to go as the child ages and the stakes become higher. They understand more completely that it is their special day and their expectations of what should happen on that day increase exponentially. How do you top the bouncy house, clown, and pony show at three years of age when your child is 10? 16? 18?

I watched a show recently that featured over-the-top disco/red carpet birthday parties for teens that cost $15-$17,000. Even for parents that can afford it, is it really a good idea? What kind of message are we sending our children with all of this over-indulgence? How do you top it when you want to celebrate even bigger occasions such as graduation or a wedding? Dr. Sylvia Gearing, a nationally renowned psychiatrist and author, says that parents should not feel bad if they do not throw huge parties. “We already live in a culture in which children think that it’s all about them,” Gearing said. “There is not enough emotional accountability.”

Gearing is also concerned that lavish parties often do more harm than good; they can cloud a child’s view with an entitlement expectation. “If the bar is set too high, it sets a child up for an emotional letdown later in life that can never be met,” she said.

Birthdays were much more subdued when I was a kid. When it was your special day, you got to pick what was for dinner that night, blow out your candles, eat cake and ice cream for dessert, and open a couple of presents. My mother chose the ages of 7 and 16 as the two years that we could have birthday parties with friends. I followed the same format with my children.

Elizabeth Pleck, a retired history professor at the University of Illinois, has written a book that lays out the timeline of the evolution of birthday parties. It’s called Celebrating the Family: Ethnicity, Consumer Culture, and Family Rituals (Harvard University Press, 2000). She says that prior to the 1800’s, most children didn’t even know their own birthdates. Cake and presents became part of American culture in the 1830s, with family members being the only guests. It wasn’t until after World War II that parents began to stage age-appropriate parties. Fast forward 75 years, and now it seems like every single year has to be one enormous “whoop-ti-do.” Today’s lavish parties for young children are “unprecedented in American history,” Pleck says.

To me, it’s exhausting (not to mention expensive). I’m going to channel my inner Nancy Reagan here and “Just Say NO!” Be the first in your neighborhood or family to say you are taking back birthdays as quiet family events. Trust me, your friends and family will secretly be grateful that you are letting them off the hook. Wear your downsizing decision with pride. Ask yourself “what am I teaching my child when I overindulge them every year?” That they should always be the center of attention? That a big party equals love? Kids need to learn that the amount of money you spend on them, whether it is on a birthday party or on other material goods, does not equate to how much you love your child.

It is hard to resist social pressure, even for parents. When every other family is doing the big birthday extravaganza, it may be hard not to follow the herd. But if you want your children to learn and respect your values, you have to take a stand. Maybe this will be the arena in which you start!

Written by:
Donna Green
Extension Educator
Family and Consumer Sciences
Ohio State University Extension

In case you weren’t aware, there has been an increase in the number of people interested in living more simply. This is not a result of the recession, although that may have been the springboard for a few of the more recent converts. The simplicity movement has been growing quietly over the last 20-30 years, and those who have chosen to assimilate this lifestyle have done so for a variety of reasons, with varying levels of commitment.

Some followers are just trying to improve their quality of life by trading less pay for more time at home. Others are vigilant; trying to create a lifestyle they can maintain on the lowest level of sufficiency and income. The simplicity movement is not just one thing or one path. There is not a perfect way to live simply. So how do you go about simplifying your life? What is the first step? Some people think if they clear out the clutter in their homes and save money they’ll be more peaceful. Others choose the movement to feel more connected to God, other people, and the earth. They may or may not also want to embrace a lifestyle that counters prevailing social norms, or one that supports sustainability.

The three most common reasons, however, are the three “E’s.” Economics, ecology, and ethics, whether singly or in combination, tend to be the starting points for most followers. The first “E” (and the one that gets the most attention from the media) is economics. We are financially dependent on someone or something from the beginning of our life until the end; first on our families, then on some entity to provide employment, and lastly on our pension or social security to get us to the end of the road. A serious issue for boomers is that retirement savings and social security may not be there for us long-term. Many boomers are facing up to the reality that they are not financially prepared to retire at the same age their parents were when they left the workforce. Unfortunately, we are experiencing a “new normal;” people will have to work longer (in some cases many years) past the usual retirement age to be able to maintain a basic standard of living. A “simple” life philosophy helps ground you to the reality that acquiring money is tied to your life energy. Your material goods are holding you hostage because you have to spend so much time earning a living that you have no time for really living. By purchasing less “things,” you can reduce the amount of time spent working to pay for and maintain those items.

The second “E” is ecology. Whatever your initial reason for trying to do more with less, you’ve probably come to realize that financial simplicity and conservation are joined at the hip. Simplicity as a money choice means that you try to get the longest possible use out of your possessions, use fewer resources, and throw away less money on consumable products. Your original decision to live a simple life may be for financial reasons, but spending less also helps the environment. They have a mutually enhancing relationship. When you use glass water bottles that can be washed and refilled every day instead of purchasing plastic bottled water that is expensive and ends up residing in the landfill, you are making a financial decision that benefits the environment for generations. Economics and ecology have the same root “eco,” which means “house.” You have achieved true home economics when you realize that the earth (our home) is our resource base, its resources are finite, and our need for a clean planet is essential.

The last “E” is ethics. Are your expenditures in line with your values? Many people are paying closer attention to how they spend their money. Ethical consumption gives you power as a consumer. You can impact a larger economy and help create a world where the economy benefits people in more equal ways by making some simple changes. Some suggestions for ethical consumption include supporting local businesses, supporting companies that treat their employees fairly and pay them a fair wage, and supporting fair trade issues.

Bottom line? “Simple” doesn’t necessarily mean “easy.” Realigning your daily life with your values may require some tough choices, hard work and discipline. But the rewards of a simple life will be worth it to you if you want your financial decisions to match your personal values.

Written by:
Donna Green
Family and Consumer Sciences Educator
Ohio State University Extension

Food is the third largest expense in a budget, after housing and transportation. It stands to reason that spending less on food every week would free up some extra money for you. Yet, there’s a nutrition-related concern as consumers seek to shrink their grocery bill, states Roberta Duyff of the Canned Food Alliance. Currently, 81% of adults are trying to limit their grocery bill; unfortunately 40% of them say they are eating less healthy foods as they spend less. Does healthy eating cost more, or not? I hear this assertion at my nutrition programs, and the short answer is “not necessarily.” It really depends on how carefully you plan and your family’s willingness to eat healthy foods. I’m going to multi-task and share some ideas for eating healthy and saving money, or as I like to call it, a “two-fer.” Below are six cheap, healthy foods that will stretch your food dollars while increasing your family’s nutrition.

Eat some beans.
People in the United States are finally waking up to a food item that other countries have embraced for centuries: beans. They are an incredible source of protein, but because they are a plant food, they come without fat and cholesterol. They are extremely high in fiber, and rich in vitamins and minerals. Not to mention they are very cheap. You can purchase a pound of dried beans for under a dollar. I don’t know too many meats that can give you the same value. There are some really good recipes that use beans as the protein base; one of my favorites is Seven Layer Tex-Mex Dip. It starts with three layers: fat free refried beans, lowfat sour cream, and shredded cheese. I stack those layers, in that order, in a covered skillet on low heat until all three are warmed through (when the cheese melts you know it is good to go). Take off the lid and add a jar of salsa, chopped lettuce and tomato. Then dip in your favorite tortilla-type chip and enjoy. It’s a meal all in one pan and your kids will love it. When all the layers are mixed, you don’t even realize that beans are on the bottom. I demonstrated this recipe to a group of WIC moms one month and six months later I re-met one of the mothers. She told me she tried the recipe with her family; they loved it so much that every Monday night now is “Tex-Mex night.”

Eat some eggs.
Eggs have been getting cheaper at the grocery store for a few months now. I’ll admit they are a little high in cholesterol, but an egg is the most perfect protein you can eat. It is the gold standard to which we compare all other proteins. Many people can include eggs in their diet once or twice a week without risk. French toast, omelets, egg stratas, and quiche are super eaten for dinner. I love breakfast foods in the evening, and a lot of other people do as well.

Eat some oatmeal.
Oatmeal is a cheap whole grain that helps reduce cholesterol levels as well as providing excellent fiber for your digestive tract. The sooner you get food waste pushed through your colon, the lower your risk for diseases like colon cancer and diverticulitis. Try some “Papa Bear Oatmeal.” Make some quick or old-fashioned oats on the stove. When hot and creamy, add raisins and let sit for a couple of minutes (to plump up the raisins). Pour into bowls and add a pat of butter, brown sugar, sliced banana, and milk.

Eat some rice.
Rice is an inexpensive grain that can serve as a side dish or as part of the entree. It is a great source of complex carbohydrates, is cholesterol free and non-fat, and naturally low in sodium. I love to make my own fried rice with leftover cooked chicken, frozen peas and carrots, and a little scrambled egg. I also make a homemade cabbage roll soup in the crockpot that uses bagged cole slaw cabbage, hamburger, tomato juice, beef broth, spaghetti sauce, and rice. It is very thick and rich and tastes just like cabbage rolls.

Eat some popcorn.
If you purchase bulk popcorn and pop it yourself, it is a lot less expensive than microwave popcorn. It is also healthier. Some microwave popcorn varieties contain trans fat and sodium. Making popcorn in a pan on the stove is not hard and really doesn’t take any more time than the microwave. It is a high fiber, low-calorie snack that satisfies your cravings for crunchy, salty textures. You can also substitute bags of popcorn for chips or pretzels when packing lunches.

Drink some tea.
Pop and energy drinks are expensive. You will spend less money to buy a box of tea bags than a 12-pack of pop. But you will get 15 times the amount of beverage. It is very easy to make iced tea. Simply boil a kettle or pot full of water and pour into a glass container (you can purchase ½ gallon glass containers with a screw on lid). Add 3-4 tea bags, depending on how strong or weak you like your tea. Let steep for about an hour, then remove tea bags and refrigerate. Tea provides antioxidants that help reduce your risk for cancer and heart disease. Drinking a glass of tea is comparable to eating a serving of vegetables, in terms of antioxidants.

Other Tips to Help Save on Food Dollars?
Quit throwing food away! When you let leftovers, produce, or dairy products go past their prime and have to pitch them, it is like taking $5-10 out of your wallet and throwing it in the trash can. Take a serious look at your pantry, freezer, and refrigerator to evaluate what you have and determine how old it is. Just because something is frozen or canned doesn’t mean it has a shelf life until eternity. And once you’ve planned a meal, fix it and eat it. Many of us have good intentions through the planning and shopping stages, only to lose interest at the cooking stage because we are tired or not in the mood for that food.

Use cash to help you eat healthier.
In a recent issue of The Journal of Consumer Research, food purchases from 1000 households were analyzed over a six month period. Results of the study found that people who buy food with credit or debit cards are more likely to buy unhealthy food. The reason for this is two-fold. First, paying with cash is more “painful” than paying with a card. You can actually see the money leaving your wallet. It is harder to be impulsive or feel that you are entitled when you are spending real dollars. Since credit cards don’t hurt when you use them, you don’t feel the loss of income. Second, unhealthy foods tend to be more impulse purchases. If you know you can purchase something that calls your name, even if you don’t have enough cash, you will have a harder time resisting temptation.

Do you have a smart phone or credit card with RFID technology? RFID stands for radio frequency identification, which means you can just wave your phone or card over a payment terminal to make “contactless” purchases. A recent study released by MasterCard showed that consumers using that type of payment option spend up to 30% more than they do with regular credit cards. Just something to think about the next time you grocery shop.

Buy local whenever possible.
According to the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Farm Bureau, every $10 spent at a local-food business is worth $25 to the community in terms of income and jobs, compared to only $14 spent at a supermarket. In layman’s terms, this means that when you buy your apples and corn at farm stands next summer, not only are you supporting the local economy, you will also get the added bonus of fresh, highly nutritional food. Win-win.

Written By:

Donna Green

Family and Consumer Sciences Educator

Ohio State University Extension

Summertime…… vacation time……… expensive time?

It doesn’t have to be cost you a small fortune to go on vacation. Here are a few tips that will help you save money this vacation season.

Have a “staycation” and stay at home.  Visit the local special spots that you always plan to visit but may normally not have the time to explore.  This may be a great time to visit state or national parks.  Visit the National Parks Service website to locate parks in your area.  http://www.nps.gov/index.htm  Check with the visitor’s bureau or local Chamber of Commerce for additional local opportunities or festivals.

Visit a local farm and pick some berries or vegetables.   What a fun way to teach your family about how food is grown and enjoy the rich taste of handpicked strawberries.

If you are having that vacation where you “stay at home” – plan some special activities such as camping under the stars, playing yard or board games or taking that day long bike ride, complete with a picnic lunch.   Enjoy marshmallows cooked over an open fire or fix a special camp fire meal.  Take time to plan your fun filled day.  Enjoy this special family time and make memories that will last a lifetime.  If you travel to a destination such as the beach or mountains, look for a rental that has a kitchen available.  Go to the grocery and pick up easy to fix breakfast items and food for lunches and snacks.  Plan to prepare some meals at home.  Eat dinner in a few nights during your vacation.  Involve the entire family in fixing an easy family meal at your vacation home.

Buy local – if you are at the beach ask the locals where they purchase seafood.  Often these “off-the-beaten-path” spots provide you with high quality, fresh seafood at a great price.  Take the time to grill or fix the local food for your family.  You will save a lot of money by fixing the food yourself.  Think of the memories you are also making.

If you do enjoy a meal out, try these tips that will help you save money:

• Go early for specials

• Drink water instead of soda or other beverages

• Split a meal or share a meal between parent and small child

• Enjoy lunch out instead of dinner – you may find you save quite a bit by going out during the day

• Enjoy half price appetizers if they are available.  Perhaps you will enjoy an appetizer or two instead of eating an entire meal

If you are traveling out of the area, look for fairs, trade shows or exhibits as fun educational opportunities that may be relatively inexpensive.  If you are traveling by air, book early or book very late.  If you are flexible on your travel dates, you can sometimes get a great last minute deal.  This is difficult to do with a family but it may be worth a try.  Visit a website that lets you compare different airlines and their prices.

Packing items from home can also save money.  Try these ideas:

• Buy water in bulk or better yet, use a refillable water bottle.  If you enjoy juices, pack some individual juice servings for your family.  Pack a small cooler with items you want to keep cool.

• Prior to your trip, look for sales on your everyday products.  Use samples that you may have on hand – this can be a good way to clean out your cupboards and save money.

• Watch for sales on products such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoos and personal care items.   Buy the store brand if it is less expensive.  This is a great time to try a store brand with the knowledge that if you don’t like it you can go back to your favorite item at the end of the week.

• Pack snacks for the car so that you aren’t tempted to stop and spend a lot of money at a gas station, restaurant or vending machine.  You can often get items in bulk in individual sizes or package them yourself in individual serving bags.

Remember that vacation doesn’t have to be expensive. You can stay at home for that “staycation” or take that special trip and still save money and build memories.  Remember the most important thing is the time you spend with your family and loved ones; not the amount of money that you spend.  Enjoy your summer!

Writer:  Michelle Treber, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, treber.1@osu.edu.

Sources:  National Park Services, Department of Interior.  National Park Services. Retrieved June 20, 2012.  http://www.nps.gov/index.htm

Pam, T., Chobdee, J. 25 Ways to Save Money, University of California Riverside Wellness.  Retrieved June 20, 2012. http://wellness.ucr.edu/25%20Ways%20to%20Save%20Money.pdf

Turner, J. (2009).  Vacation Planning: Planning Stretches Vacation Dollars. University of Florida IFAS. Retrieved June 20, 2012. http://fycs.ifas.ufl.edu/newsletters/mm_v01.htm

Many families have faced challenges with loss of income and/or extra expenses during this recession. Families are often called upon to help pay bills or provide necessities if they are not covering their own emergencies. So, the message about having a reserve fund of cash may not be a “hard sell” in these times. Coming up with the recommended 3-6 months’ worth of expenses can be challenging, however. That’s why financial advisers suggest that short-term savings should be built into the family’s regular budget, so that it can slowly build to a sum that could cover a medium-sized shock.

Whether you aim for the low end of 3 months or a higher amount will depend partly on accumulated income, job stability, health insurance coverage, sick leave and vacation benefits, and the calculated risk of break-down of the family’s equipment and systems such as vehicles, appliances, heating and air-conditioning, etc.

Setting aside some money regularly is an important habit and will provide the needed pool of money. Where will you put these savings? Because you may need to have access quickly, you should put in a “liquid” account — which means you can get it quickly without loss of value. Some choices are bank or credit union savings accounts, money market funds and short-term Certificates of Deposit (CDs). While these accounts earn very little, emergency funds should be set aside from your checking account so they are not readily available for spending on day-to-day items and will be there when needed. Talk with your family about what makes something an emergency that warrants spending from the account.

Even when you think that money is very tight, setting aside even a small amount may keep you from going into debt to cover an unexpected expense.

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Money management is an important skill to have and one that can have a deep impact on a relationship.  Many studies have shown that disagreement over money is one of the top 3 reasons that couples state when separating or getting a divorce.  Money is important to think about and deal with because it can be so intertwined with trust in your partner. Trust in all areas of a relationship is important, but areas of finance may be especially important, as money management can be a very sensitive topic for many people. Ultimately, if partners are not honest and open in the area of money, it can have a detrimental effect on the marriage. Partners may begin to distrust each other about future finances, and it may also affect trust in other areas of the relationship. The skills to manage one’s finances can be tricky, and it may not have been a skill you were taught growing up.

There is an Ohio State Extension program that was developed for individuals and couples seeking to learn better money management skills, entitled “Manage Your Money”.  This program has been turned into a FREE, interactive, distance learning course.

The skills that are covered include:

• ŸLesson 1:  Getting Started. This lesson focuses on individual and family values about money. It gives you some suggestions about ways to talk with your partner and family about money matters. You are asked to think about and develop some financial goals for the future. There are also suggestions and tools to help you start tracking your expenses.
• Lesson 2:  Where Does Your Money Go? This lesson discusses cash flow, income, and expenses. There are worksheets on which to write critical information about your income, what you owe (your credit use), and types of expenses (fixed, regular flexible, and occasional) so you have a better picture of your current financial standing.
• Lesson 3:  Stop Spending Leaks. This lesson will help you examine your spending habits to see if any problems exist. There are suggestions for changing spending practices and habits. Worksheets help you and other family members commit to a personal plan to change spending habits so funds can be used to reach important goals set in Lesson 1.
• Lesson 4:  How Much Credit Can You Afford? The focus in this lesson is on the pros and cons of using various types of consumer credit, wise credit management, and the importance of your credit history. There is a checklist to help you determine if you have some credit problems, and worksheets help you compare some credit alternatives.
• Lesson 5:  Develop Your Budget. Guidelines and worksheets for developing a written budget are the focus of this lesson. The guidelines and tools are intended to help you actually “plan” future use of income so you are in better control of day-to-day and longer-term finances.
• Lesson 6:  Your Net Worth and Financial Records. The first part of this lesson focuses on your net worth and how you own property. The second part will help you collect and organize your important financial records.

The course link is: http://go.osu.edu/mym.  Access is free of charge; new course participants only have to create a user account before accessing the course.  Consider the great benefits of better financial management to you and your family, and start the course today!

We’re surrounded by money information. Turn on the TV or radio, pick up a newspaper or magazine, search the web or look at social media sites…information is everywhere. How do we know what is credible and worth our attention? Where are we on our path to financial wellness?

Looking for information on line? Start with sites that end in .edu, .org, or .gov. Here’s a great one to begin with  <extension.org>, then search family, and personal finance. Lots of great information and you can even Ask An Expert!

To get you started, here are a few tips to getting your finances in order:

• First, catch your breath…start by evaluating where you are and where you want to be.
• Start small, but start.
• Look at your current spending patterns.
• Pull your credit report (www.annualcreditreport.com) and review it carefully, submitting corrections if needed.
• Start saving something today, no matter how small.
• Involve others – family, friends, co-workers. We all need cheer leaders to keep us focused.
• Make a commitment to learn something about money this month.
• Take a class (on-line or face-to-face).
• Read.
• Ask questions.
• Meet with a financial professional.

This month, there are also two e-books available to help you in your journey to financial wellness.  You can access them both here.

Make this the month that you begin…or continue…in this journey to financial health!

Happy Financial Literacy Month!

“Habit is a cable; we weave a thread each day, and at last we cannot break it.” ~ Horace Mann

Have you ever taken time to really think about how you make decisions? Many of our choices seem to be made on automatic pilot. From food to finances to family dynamics, we tend to react with habitual behavior developed over a lifetime that may not serve us well.  There is no time like the present to discard destructive old habits for healthy new ones.  Listed below are eight different decision-making strategies from practicalmoneyskills.com that highlight the varied ways we make choices, and how using those strategies may be affecting you financially.

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