Success StoryReal Skills for Everyday Life



Real Skills for Everyday Life

Author: Melissa Goodman

Planning Unit: Hickman County CES

Major Program: Real Skills for Everyday Life

Plan of Work: Improve the stability, resiliency and capability of individuals through life skill development.

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Real Skills for Real Life

The consequences of the Great Recession and the extended period of slow economic growth which followed, encouraged Kentuckians to become more aware of their financial situation. Kentucky consistently lags behind other areas of the United States in key household economic indicators, including personal income, the population living below the poverty line, unemployment, and revolving debt. It is important to acknowledge the impact of current economic conditions on family financial management by teaching real skills for everyday life. 

Hickman County Extension Family and Consumer Sciences program partnered with the Family Resource Youth Service Center and Local Food Bank / Family Assistance Programs to offer Real Skills for Everyday Life.  72 participants seeking holiday assistance chose to participate in classes to increase family financial literacy. Real Skills for Everyday Life teaches budgeting, goal setting, and ways to reduce expenses. 96% of participants reported improved knowledge of their own expenses; how to cut spending; and save for emergencies. All participants practiced creating a budget and setting goals for their expenditures for the next three months. 97% of participants felt they would use what they learned and made a commitment to further review their spending plans and take action. Many participants stated that after the class, they felt more in control of their resources and how to manage finances. 






Stories by Melissa Goodman


Extension Day Camp in a Box

Extension Day Camp in a Box

about 4 years ago by Melissa Goodman

Extension Day Camp in a BoxOn March 16, 2020, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Servi... Read More


Civic Engagement- Empowering Hickman County Leaders

Civic Engagement- Empowering Hickman County Leaders

about 4 years ago by Melissa Goodman

Civic Engagement- Empowering Hickman County LeadersOur nation is at a time of increased public disco... Read More


Stories by Hickman County CES


Commercial Tomato Grower Fights Pest and Disease with Recommendations from UK

Commercial Tomato Grower Fights Pest and Disease with Recommendations from UK

about 4 years ago by Mattea Mitchell

A local commercial tomato producer has struggled for the last two years with his production on his l... Read More


Early Career Farming Program - Local Government

Early Career Farming Program - Local Government

about 4 years ago by Mattea Mitchell

Early Career Farming Program (ECFP) - Local Government Carlisle, Fulton and Hickman County had a mar... Read More


Stories by Real Skills for Everyday Life


DIY Designers: Designing a Way of Life

DIY Designers: Designing a Way of Life

about 4 years ago by Brooke Hogancamp

The quality of the home environment is a situation through which income may alter child development.... Read More


Community Passport Adventure Camp

Community Passport Adventure Camp

about 5 years ago by Donna Fryman

Future leaders of Fleming County took part in a week of discovery through the Community Passport Adv... Read More