According to 2017 US Census Data – QuickFacts, the median household income in Owsley County is $22,736.00 and 36.8% of the population of Owsley County is living in poverty. 

Because the holidays are both a joyous and financially stressful time for Owsley 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, Owsley County Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Education, Crystal Osborne, in partnership with all Quicksand Area FCS Agents, hosted the 2019 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.

15 consumers participated in the workshop.  Participants were surveyed following the class and 77% has implemented at least one strategy to reduce expenses or manage money during the holidays, 66% created a holiday budget, 100% have made the recipes from 2019 or previous years, 88% have made gifts, decorations or other showcase items from 2019 or previous years, and 88% made some of the items to give as gifts.  “I plan to implement and share the cost saving information with those who didn’t attend, as well as safe buffet/food handling given on the holiday pot lucks planned” 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.