According to 2017 US Census Data – QuickFacts, the median household income in Breathitt County is $25,861.00 and 36.2% of the population of Breathitt County is living in poverty.  Because the holidays are both a joyous and financially stressful time for Breathitt County citizens, especially those living at or below the poverty line, it is very important that such audiences have access to educational information to help them financially manage during the holiday season.

To assist individuals in understanding and responding to financial stress resulting from holiday expenses, Breathitt County Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Education, Kayla Watts, in partnership with all Quicksand Area FCS Agents, hosted the 2018 Holiday Roadshow:  Tips for Low Cost Meals, financial program.  Emphasis was placed on understanding ways to cut costs on holiday meals and ways to cut costs on gift giving as a way to reduce spending and financial stress.

27 consumers participated in the workshop.  Participants were surveyed following the class and 100 percent indicated they had identified at least one cost-saving strategy for preparing their holiday meal, and 27 participants plan to take action steps toward implementing at least one financial management strategy presented during this program, thus reducing holiday/financial stress.  “This program helped me realize I can make smaller, semi-homemade dishes, as a way to cut costs on my holiday meal,” stated one participant.

Financial Management classes such as, Holiday Roadshow:  Tips for Low Cost Meals, are great tools to teach and encourage adults about making cost-saving decisions.  Financially stressed citizens, equipped with new knowledge, are then able to make better financial decisions, especially during the holidays, which will in return, lead to a less stressful holiday season.