According to 2017 US Census Data – QuickFacts, the median household income in Letcher County is $30,293.00 and 30.8% of the population of Letcher County is living in poverty. 

Because the holidays are both a joyous and financially stressful time, 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, Letcher County Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Education, Nanette Banks, 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.

Thirty-one consumers participated in the workshop.  Participants were surveyed following the class and 84% indicated they had identified at least one cost-saving strategy for preparing their holiday meal, and 30 participants plan to take action steps toward implementing at least one financial management strategy presented during this program, thus reducing holiday/financial stress.  A 2 month follow-up evaluation showed 75% implemented at least one strategy to reduce expenses or manage money during the holidays, 63% created a holiday budget, 75% used recipes from the program, and 67% used the food safety information given.

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.