Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Brenda Cockerham
Major Program: Financial Education - General
In summary: Initially 27 participated in the Recovering Your Finances 8 week program that was presented through zoom. Fourteen people attended at least half or all of the sessions. About 55% of the participants who responded to the survey felt their knowledge of saving was poor to average before the program. After the program, 100% of the participants who responded to the survey felt that their knowledge of the program was good to excellent.The majority indicated they intended to
Author: David Appelman
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Kentucky law allows for the purchase of inputs that are used for agricultural production as tax exempt. This is a tremendous savings to the agricultural community, but changes are taking place that producers need to be aware of. A new Kentucky law was passed that now requires farmers to apply for an Agricultural Exemption Number to be used when purchasing qualified items to be tax exempt. In the past, farmers used their drivers license number when filling out a form. &nbs
Author: Natalie Taul
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Financial education programs often highlight financial literacy skills such as budgeting and managing credit card debt; however, these skills do not tap into the emotional and practical issues that cause people to react irrationally with money. Financial decisions are most often motivated by emotional need as opposed to logical knowledge. To address this concern, the Grayson County Cooperative Extension Service utilized the Money Habitudes program to emphasize the importance of developing a heal
Author: Jessica Hunley
Major Program: Financial Education - General
The FCS agent collaborated with faculty in the Child and Family Studies Department at Berea College to share materials to a Child and Family Studies (CFS) 145 class. CFS 145 is a course that focuses on consumer decision making and features students from various years of experiences as well as a variety of educational backgrounds and majors or concentrations. This collaboration resulted in a one day "crash-course" covering finance management and budgeting to build upon the current
Author: Matti Coffey
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Holidays can be stressful and exciting at the same time. For most of us, this means more family time, more traveling, more shopping, and spending. The Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agents from Bell, Laurel, Rockcastle, and Whitley provided eight counties with strategies on how to deal with stress, incorporate more family time, and take care of yourself. The Holiday Ideas program has been an annual program that covers Harlan, Bell, Clay, Knox, Rockcastle, Laurel, Whitley, Jackson counti
Author: Valerie Holland
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Identity theft is the most reported type of fraud complaint that the Federal Trade Commission and other enforcement agencies receive. It comes in many forms, but basically it happens when someone steals your personal information to impersonate you for the thief’s gain. Identity theft can happen in-person or online. With identity theft occurring so frequently, it is important to take steps to reduce risk. To increase consumer knowledge on identity theft and fraud prevention, the Jeffer
Author: Melissa Goodman
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Financial education programs often highlight financial literacy skills such as budgeting and managing credit card debt; however, these skills do not tap into the emotional and practical issues that cause people to react irrationally with money. Financial decisions are most often motivated by emotional need as opposed to logical knowledge. To address this concern, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service has utilized the Money Habitudes program to emphasize the importance of
Author: David Coffey
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Holidays can be stressful and exciting at the same time. For most of us, this means more family time, more traveling, more shopping, and spending. The Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agents from Bell, Laurel, Rockcastle, and Whitley provided eight counties with strategies on how to deal with stress, incorporate more family time, and take care of yourself. The Holiday Ideas program has been an annual program that covers Harlan, Bell, Clay, Knox, Rockcastle, Laurel, Whitley, Jackson counti
Author: Levi Berg
Major Program: Financial Education - General
A common question which extension agents receive is usually about preparing youth for adulthood or building life skills. One aspect which the extension agents at the Clark County Extension Office focused on was budgeting while working. The program “It’s Your Reality” seemed to be the perfect fit to teach 8th grade students how to properly budget for life on their own while at the age of 25. Over 400 students at the Robert D. Campbell Junior High School were able to choose their
Author: Alethea Price
Major Program: Financial Education - General
In partnership with Family Services Association, the FCS agent organized and led a 4 week financial literacy series for people who receive assistance from Family Services Association. In order for clients to continue receiving assistance they have to attend these classes. The classes covered Money Habitudes, Where Does Your Money Go? budgeting, understanding credit, and credit repair. (save space for more info, there's one class left next week)
Author: Jill Harris
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Using materials developed by UK Family & Consumer Sciences Extension during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Todd County Extension Agent for FCS taught Use Less, Spend Less, Stress Less to Extension Homemaker members in 9 counties in the Pennyrile Area. The goal of the program was to encourage homemakers to become more mindful consumers and stretch their resources, finances, and relationships. Extension Homemakers were given a Use Less, Spend Wise Challenge and asked to complete 16 ac
Author: Rebecca Miller
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Holidays can be stressful and exciting at the same time. For most of us, this means more family time, more traveling, more shopping, and spending. The Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agents from Bell, Laurel, Rockcastle, and Whitley provided eight counties with strategies on how to deal with stress, incorporate more family time, and take care of yourself. The Holiday Ideas program has been an annual program that covers Harlan, Bell, Clay, Knox, Rockcastle, Laurel, Whitley, Jackson counti
Author: Shannon Smith
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Teaching kids about money is an important life skill that is never to early to begin. To be creative 2 different lessons were taught to elementary and middle school students. For the first lesson the 1st grade classes in Bracken County were taught skills about Economics. The topics included Consumers and Producers, Human, Natural, and Capital resources as well as Needs and Wants and Goods and Services. Each day a new concept was taught to the kids using stories and hands
Author: Shonda Johnston
Major Program: Financial Education - General
The It's Your Reality Program, a financial management program implemented with 8th graders at Robert D. Campbell Junior High School, has been happening in Clark County for several years. It addresses the need for junior high school students to learn budgeting and financial management skills. The Clark County 4-H and FCS agents collaborated with the Youth Service Center Coordinator at RDC to implement this program on November 16th, 2021. Nearly 400 8th grade students participated in the
Author: Nola Janeen Tramble
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Financial education programs often highlight financial literacy skills such as budgeting and managing credit card debt; however, these skills do not tap into the emotional and practical issues that cause people to react irrationally with money. Financial decisions are most often motivated by emotional need as opposed to logical knowledge. To address this concern, the Crittenden County Cooperative Extension Service utilized the Money Habitudes program to emphasize the importance of developing a h
Author: Jennifer Bridge
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Learning to save money and resources early in life can lead to proactive habits for the future. Each year the Meade County Extension office works with a local bank to secure sponsorship of a Piggy Bank Contest. The contest, part of activities leading up to KY Saves Week, is open to local students in grades K-12 and is broken down into four ages categories. The winner of each group receives $100 with an additional $100 going to the overall winner. The overall winner is the
Author: Ashley Board
Major Program: Financial Education - General
A recent survey by Deloitte found that $0.56 of every dollar spent in a store is influenced by a digital interaction. This growing trend is shaping how consumers shop and make decisions both in-store and beforehand. There are hundreds of grocery apps available that offer help with a wide range of shopping-related services and functions. Grocery apps can help save time and money through lists and meal planning, comparison shopping, coupons, store loyalty, and rebates. To increase consumer kn
Author: Christy Stearns
Major Program: Financial Education - General
The Clinton County Cooperative Extension Service sponsored Adulting 101: Your Guide to Life Hacks for 93 high school seniors. The program targeted life skills to aid in the transition to college or the workforce. Students were able to practice life skills such as cooking, laundry & sewing, basic auto maintenance, money management, and job readiness. Prior to the program, 70% of students indicated average/good knowledge of the topics presented. Evaluations indicated that students gained the m
Author: Crystal Osborne
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Holidays are often an exciting time of the year. However, holiday expenses, planning holiday meals, and ever-changing families can make the holidays stressful. Learning how to maintain family traditions can be challenging, so the Quicksand Area Family and Consumer Sciences Agents decided to host the Holiday Road Show: Family Tradition Across the Life Course program for the Homemakers. Emphasis was placed on maintaining family traditions and lowering financial stress. Each agent demonstrate
Author: Kayla Watts
Major Program: Financial Education - General
The holidays are often an exciting time of the year. However, holiday expenses, planning holiday meals, and ever-changing family dynamics can make the season stressful. To assist individuals in understanding and responding to holiday stress, the Quicksand Area (Breathitt, Lee, Wolfe, Knott, Letcher, Leslie, and Perry counties) Family and Consumer Science Agents hosted the Holiday Road Show: Family Traditions Across the Life Span program. Emphasis was placed on ma
Author: Diane Mason
Major Program: Financial Education - General
According to Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter, increasing the preparation of meals cooked at home can help reduce an individual’s sodium intake. Many of the new kitchen appliances on the market can aid in ease of meal preparation and also provide a nutritional boost. Web MD shares that by most measures, air frying is healthier than frying in oil, as it can cut calories by up to 80% and contain less fat. Penn State Cooperative Extension shares that meals made at home in a slow c
Author: Tiffany Bolinger
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Financial education programs often highlight financial literacy skills such as budgeting and managing credit card debt; however, these skills do not tap into the emotional and practical issues that cause people to react irrationally with money. Financial decisions are most often motivated by emotional need as opposed to logical knowledge. To address this concern, the Christian County Cooperative Extension Service utilized the Money Habitudes program to emphasize the importance of developing a he
Author: Linda Brown-Price
Major Program: Financial Education - General
An estate planning online seminar for farmers in Kenton County on January 27, 2022, in conjunction with the Kenton County Agriculture Agent and a local estate planning attorney was conducted. Response was small but the mother and daughter were able to ask pertinent questions and began to make financial decisions based on their circumstances. They gained knowledge needed to obtain assistance from a financial planner.Family-owned farms and ranches are often “asset-rich and cash-p
Author: Linda Brown-Price
Major Program: Financial Education - General
A three-week series on learning the basics of computers, beginning September 16,23, and 30th from 6-7:30 taught by the Kenton County Kentucky State Area Agent for Family Consumer Sciences. Collaboration with the Kentucky State 4-H Tech Changemakers grant along with High School Senior Tech Changemakers, Maggie assisted with instruction. Topics covered included email, utilizing Open Office to practice word processing (letters, cards Lists, etc.) basic Windows op
Author: Tiffany Bolinger
Major Program: Financial Education - General
According to an article published by the National Association of Students Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), most incoming college students struggle to answer basic financial literacy questions. For young adults entering college or the workforce, having basic financial literacy is vital to their future financial success.In 2020, Money Sense for Graduates was developed as a collaborative effort between the Christian County Family & Consumer Sciences agent, a planning committee, and local
Author: Leslie Workman
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Productivity allows us to make progress on and complete necessary tasks. However, due to timeconstraints, competing responsibilities, stressors, and personal tendencies such as procrastination,we often are not as productive as we would like to be. To enhance productivity skills within the localcommunity and assist individuals in learning strategies to maximize their time and output, especiallyin the workplace, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service developed the TimeWell Spent:
Author: Rachel Hance
Major Program: Financial Education - General
4-H aims to engage youth through hands-on experiences in order to build life skills. The 4-H It’s Your Reality (Reality Store) Curriculum focuses on engaging teens in real life budgeting scenarios. Each student is given an occupation with a salary, determine if they have a spouse, their spouse’s career, and how many children they have. In the orientation, they learn about the importance of taxes and how to deduct those from their household income. Students then have the
Author: Tiffany Bolinger
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Finances can be a major life stressor that effects personal and family health and well-being. Consider the added financial stressors because of a global pandemic and it is easy to see how tensions are reaching new heights. Money Sense for Women (MSFW) is a free financial forum, offered through a partnership between the Christian County Cooperative Extension Service and other community entities. After taking 2020 off, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 14th Annual MSFW Forum was held in August wit
Author: Nichole Huff
Major Program: Financial Education - General
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted work-life balance across the country. The Bureau of Labor Statics reported that the percentage of Americans working from home increased from 22% in 2019 to 42% in 2020. Additionally, research estimates the average workday is up from 8 hours to 9.2 hours due to changes in work environments brought about by pandemic-related demands. Some two years later, employees continue to work remote, hybrid, and/or extended schedules. The result? Employee burnout and “the
Author: Nichole Huff
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Research suggests that more than 50% of Americans think estate planning is important, but only 33% have a will. For the nearly 70% of Americans without a written will, many indicate they do not believe they have enough assets to leave behind anything of worth. Even when formal estate plans are in place for titled property such as houses, land, or insurance policies, often overlooked are all the non-titled property that make up the bulk of a person’s estate. From clutter in the closets to c
Author: Nichole Huff
Major Program: Financial Education - General
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), identity theft and imposter scams accounted for the largest categories of fraud reports in Kentucky and across the United States during 2021. Credit card fraud was among the highest categories of identity theft reported nationwide. The FTC received 26,065 fraud reports in Kentucky during 2021, resulting in an estimated $31.3 million dollars loss for Kentuckians. To address these issues, a three-week webinar series on retirement planning was h
Author: Kelly May
Major Program: Financial Education - General
The Scam Red Flags and Avoiding Fraud lesson was the first to be released in a series of three fraud lessons intended for use by homemaker clubs as well as Family and Consumer Science agents. The lesson is starting to see some use, and early evaluation reports show it has met with success.Federal sources of fraud reporting show that fraud can happen to anyone. According to July 2020 data from the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Network, fraud is more often reported by those ag
Author: Deborah Shepherd
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Small Appliance WorkshopNew, trendy small appliances seem to be coming out on the market at a rapid rate. These are often marketed to consumers to save time, money and energy. These products are often purchased without being fully researched and the consumer is left with a new machine that they do not know how to properly use. This contributes to money invested in a product that is not being used and space that is now being occupied by bulky boxes. In an effort to educate consumers about ne
Author: Chandra DeRamus
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Success Story | December 2021Chandra DeRamus“Preparing Families for Holiday Spending thru the Use of Technology & Videos” During the year, families are very interested in spending time with loved one for the holiday to make memories that will last a lifetime. In the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, some families are still finding it hard to develop a way to spend time with each other and make it more affordable to celebrate and enjoy their holiday meals. In Hardin County
