Author: Kelly May
Major Program: Financial Education - General
Federal sources of fraud reporting show that fraud can happen to anyone. Sharing fraud prevention resources could help reduce the likelihood of victimization and increase reporting. A new three-unit Kentucky FCS Extension curriculum entitled “Protect Your Life from Scams and Frauds” has a goal of raising fraud awareness in order to reduce the likelihood that participants will fall victim. The curriculum includes three units: 1) Scam Red Flags and Avoiding Fraud; 2) Reducing the Risk
Kentucky Saves is led by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service as part of the national America Saves campaign. The initiative, which culminates during Kentucky Saves Week the last week of February, encourages individuals and families to save money and build personal wealth.Research suggests that those who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them. The Kentucky Saves Pledge is a tool to help consumers visualize their goals by writing down what they are saving f
Author: Jennifer Bridge
Caregivers and the elderly are often unaware of resources and challenges they may face with later or end of life decisions. Many extension homemaker members have faced similar challenges with aging parents or family members and worked with the extension family and consumer sciences agent to organize a series of programs focused in this area. To bring awareness and accurate educational information to this demographic, two classes were offered in this area The first session featured an elde
Author: Nichole Huff
The work-life balance of Americans was upended during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a 2023 Pew Research Center study, 35% of employees are still working from home — five times the amount pre-pandemic. Additionally, research estimates the average workday is up from 8 hours to 9.2 hours, with the line between home and work more blurred than ever. The result? Employee burnout and “the great resignation.” To increase consumer knowledge on time management, personal
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 is the non-titled property that makes up the bulk of a person’s estate. From clutter to cherished possession
Author: Patrick Hardesty
Because Americans lose billions of dollars to fraud, the Taylor County Extension Council charged the Extension Agents with conducting a Fraud Awareness educational activity. A representative from the FBI Fraud Task Force presented to approximately 90 people the most common types of fraud tactics, red flags, how to protect themselves and how to report fraud. According to the show of hands, approximately 15% of participants had been scammed. Several commented on how helpful and inf
Author: Kelsey Sebastian
In todays technology filled world simple life skills like check writing and balancing a checkbook aren't taught in schools anymore. Even most 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 th
Author: Diane Mason
Discussing end-of-life wishes and plans can be uncomfortable, but important. According to LegalZoom (www.legalzoom.com) only about 33 percent of Americans have created estate planning documents. Additionally, more than half (52 percent) of Americans don’t know where their parents important documents are located. Understanding general money management information including transfer or payable on death, beneficiary designation, and how insurance policies work is important for individuals of
Author: Tiffany Bolinger
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: Nan Montgomery
According to the United States Census Bureau, 16.3% of Ohio County, Kentucky residents live in poverty. Research indicates that people who set goals are more financially successful. The Ohio County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent collaborated with the Ohio County Library and WellCare to offer financial wellness series. The workshops focused on stretching food dollars, Meal planning, financial spending leaks, creating a family budgeting and financial goal setting to strengthen
Author: Brenda Cockerham
Financial Management is a significant concern as families continue to struggle to make ends meet and stabilize their incomes through turbulent times. In response to these ongoing concerns, FCS provided the opportunity for the public to participate in a six part series featuring a variety of skill building curricula targeting money management.The curriculum "Making your Money Work" was the anchor used for the basic topics of each session, but Money Habitudes, The Credit Game, Power
Author: Natalie Taul
Productivity allows us to make progress on and complete necessary tasks. However, due to time constraints, 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 local community and assist individuals in learning strategies to maximize their time and output, especially in the workplace, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service developed the Time Well S
Author: Clinton Hardy
Estate planning is a critical need of clientele in our area but after losing two mid-career farmers in the last 12 months, the importance was reinforced by challenges their families encountered with distribution of assets and continuation of their farm businesses upon their passing. In an effort to emphasize the need to revisit or initiate an estate planning process and estate planning seminar series was conducted in December. An extension specialist and local expertise were invited
Author: Maelyn Dotson
Every spring, all 8th graders in Lawrence County participate in the 4-H “It’s Your Reality” program. This program is incorporated in the “Bridge Day” program, which was created for the purpose of bringing 8th grade students from all middle schools in the county to meet and build friendships before coming together as one freshman class at Lawrence County High School.Youth are not getting the financial education which they will need for adulthood. According to the 200
Author: Kelsee Dewees
Many financial education programs focus on budgeting and money managing skills. These skills do not highlight the money personality profile that can help people understand their relationships with money. Often budgeting and money management becomes stressful and unenjoyable for many. During the month of February, the Knox County Family and Consumer Science Agent offered, Money Habitudes to three groups that deal with stress management and parenting groups. The Money Habi
Author: Denise Wooley
Estate planning can save time, money, and stress for grieving family members upon death. Making an estate plan helps ensure wishes are carried out the way you want, and in a timely manner. Estate planning is not just for the wealthy or aged. It involves arranging for the use and disposal of your resources and property after your death. It can be a valuable tool for you and your loved ones.Yet only about 33% of Americans have put these plans in place, according to a new survey from senior li
Author: Katherine Alexander
The local hospital wellness coordinator reached out to the Daviess County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent to do a Basic Budgeting program. It was a need she noticed from the employees that wanted a very basic budgeting program, not information on investments and IRA etc.… so after discussing the needs for the program, the Daviess County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent taught Basic Budgeting, including a Money Habitudes activity, to twenty-eight employees during t
Author: Maranda Brooks
FCS agent presented Transferring Cherished Posessions Leader Lesson on February 28th, 2023. Estate planning can be a complicated process, especially when considering how to transfer personal property to peole who will want and care for it after ones death. FCS agent goal for this program were to have attendees understand what is in your estate, discuss estate planning considerations, and document ones wishes for their estate. Program resulted in an attendance of 13. 25% of those attending from t
