The University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension program is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on building assets of individuals and families to address the perennial problems faced across the lifespan. 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 University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service has utilized the Money Habitudes program to emphasize the importance of developing a healthy relationship with money.  Assisting an individual in discovering his or her habits and attitudes toward money, can provide insights that can change the way an individual manages his or her money, approach career and relationships, and reach life goals. Using the curriculum, emphasis is placed on building money management skills by making informed choices, balancing impulsive behavior, seeking acceptance, avoiding rejection, and feeling empowered to plan for the future. 

During the 2020 reporting year, the family finance senior extension associate reached 85 adults and 26 youths with one-on-one programming. One of these groups was a college class on campus at UK in November 2019. At least 35 students participated in that particular workshop. Participants were surveyed following the class and 85 percent indicated they learned how habits and attitudes trigger spending; 63 percent better know how to manage money to reach financial goals; and 57 percent had increased confidence in handling money issues or specific financial matters. 

Of those who participated, 91 percent indicated they plan to adjust at least one spending habit toward financial stability; 94 percent plan to be more aware of how money affects relationships; and 94 percent plan to implement at least one strategy to reduce expenses or manage money. As a result of the workshop, many of the students planned to change one or more habitudes and better understood their habitudes. Several planned to adjust their spending, budgeting, and savings habits. One attendee said he or she will use this knowledge to respect others’ habits. Another noted, “I can use this in everyday life.”

In addition to in-person workshops, materials were created to make the Money Habitudes Online game ready for county agent use, especially during the pandemic. A 10-minute video was created to walk players through how to play, as well as to give a brief lesson on habitudes and what they mean. Additional materials created for agents helped them explain game rules to clients and package the game as a brown bag/to-go/porch pickup lesson during the pandemic. Twelve agents signed up to offer the game in their counties, and four of those agents completed their game play by the end of the fiscal year. The remainder are ongoing. The four completed programs were run by Cumberland County (45 participants), Boone County (20 participants), Clinton County (19 participants), and Hardin County ran one for the Lincoln Trail Homemakers (15 participants).

Cumberland County was the most successful of the four, with 45 participants. The agent promoted the lesson during April and May through take-out bags, with homemakers, and through the county FCS Facebook page. At least 34 of the players responded to the evaluation survey online. Of the survey respondents, 85 percent indicated they plan to adjust at least one spending habit toward financial stability, 94 percent plan to be more aware of how money affects relationships, and 97 percent plan to implement at least one strategy to reduce expenses or manage money. Up to 94 percent of respondents agreed they were able to use the Money Habitudes solitaire to better understand their spending and saving behaviors. One participant noted: “Being aware of my habits and attitudes about spending and saving was very eye opening to me.” Another said: “I will consider more specific ways to save a little each month and create a plan for what I will do with it.” Another noted: “This was greatly educational and a very easy tool to use and understand. The results were very comprehensive.”