Cybersecurity

BEWARE OF INCREASED ONLINE SCAMS DURING BUSY HOLIDAY SEASON

Individuals who shop online during the busy holiday season may save time and money, but they also are at risk of falling victim to a higher number of cyber scams.

David Shaw, Purdue’s chief information security officer, says security and law enforcement officers usually see a rise in malicious online activity this time of year as consumers are inundated with Web specials and email offers.

"With so many things going on during the holidays, more people are shopping online for gifts, but scammers know this, too," Shaw says. "Phishing, too-good-to-be-true product giveaways and fake e-commerce sites are some typical issues to watch out for. Many of these scams also have shown up on social media sites such as Facebook."


Although it’s always a good idea to monitor credit reports on an annual basis and review account statements each month, the FBI advises consumers to keep a particularly watchful eye on their personal credit information this time of year. Bank transactions and correspondence from financial institutions should be reviewed as well, as bank accounts often serve as a target for criminals to commit identify theft by creating new accounts in victims’ names.


Additional cybersecurity tips from the FBI that can help individuals protect their personal information are available on the
ITaP website.

Winter walking: Tips to avoid slip and fall injuries

Winter walking: Tips to avoid slip and fall injuries

Energy Savings

Tips for Saving Energy During the Winter

In the winter, when many people turn on their heaters and put up holiday lights, gas and electric bills can be much higher than usual.
According to the Department of Energy, a family spends more than $1,900 a year on electricity bills and other utilities. A big part of those costs come from wasted energy during those cold months.
However, you can save on winter energy costs if you make some changes in certain areas of your home. Get tips to save energy and money this winter.

MyPlate Holiday Meal Makeover

Let MyPlate get you in the holiday spirit with our newest USDA blog, “Makeover Your Holiday Meals with MyPlate.” Visit ChooseMyPlate.gov to find our latest holiday resources to help you celebrate the season. Make your holiday a healthy one with MyPlate. For updates and featured holiday recipes, “like” us on Facebook.

Cyber Crime protection

Cyber crimes come in a variety of forms, including identity theft, fraud, and viruses. Reduce your chances of becoming a victim by taking these important steps online:

• Set strong passwords, change them regularly, and don't share them with others.
• Keep your operating system, browser, and other critical software optimized by installing updates.
• Use privacy settings and limit the amount of personal information you post online.
•  Be cautious about offers. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

 

Get additional information about protecting yourself online and reporting incidents from the Department of Homeland Security.

You could win $50!

You Could Win $50 by Signing Up for Text Messages from America Saves

We know that saving money isn't always top of mind. That's why America Saves launched a new text message service. When you Pledge to Save you can choose to receive text message tips and reminders to keep you motivated to save.

And if that isn't enough, America Saves is giving away $50 each week of October to help five people reach their savings goals. They will pick one winner each Monday of October. Enter early to maximize your chance of winning. (Must be 18 years of age or older to win. See official rules here.)

How to enter to win $50:

1. Pledge to Save with America Saves between October 1 and October 31, 2013.
2. Click the box to receive text messages. (Standard text message rates apply. Check with your provider. You can stop messages at any time by replying "stop" to any message.)

When you take the America Saves Pledge, you will choose a savings goal and an amount to save. Then, you will receive text messages related to that goal. Text messages will come in the form of tips to help you find money to save, as well as advice and reminders to help you save for your specific goal.

It's a win-win situation. Five lucky people will win $50 to help them reach their savings goal - and everyone will win by staying motivated to save.

Don't forget to share this with friends and family. It may be the thing that helps them set their goal to start and emergency fund, pay down debt, or save for items like education or retirement.

Good Luck and Happy Saving!

Children's Health Month!

October is Children’s Health Month! Children can be more affected by pollution than adults – they’re smaller and their bodies are still developing. In fact, some exposures are unique to childhood. This month, we’ll be posting daily tips about creating a healthy environment for children.  Protect Your Children from Environmental Risks http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/homepage.htm

National Preparedness Month

Emergencies can occur with no warning. Do you have a supplies kit and a plan of action?

September is National Preparedness Month. Visit Ready.gov for guidance on what to before, during, and after different kinds of natural disasters and other emergencies.

Another action you can take is to join the National Preparedness Community. It's free and open to all. As a member, you'll have access to special preparedness resources and can collaborate with others in your community.

A Day to Nourish Self

Join Us!  Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Vanderburgh County 4-H Center, Evansville, IN
8:30a.m. CDT - Registration  $5

9:45a.m. Concurrent Session Topics:

Do You Want to Be Happier?

Nourish Your Bones and Joints

Nourish Your Skin

10:45a.m. Concurrent Session Topics:

Frugality

Nourish Your Digestive System

Eating for Your Eyes

For information and registration contact Warrick County Extension Office  897-6100 or elbert@purdue.edu

Summer Food Safety

Seven Super Steps to Safe Food In the Summer

During warm weather, it is especially important to take extra precautions and practice safe food handling when preparing perishable foods such as meat, poultry, seafood and egg products. The warmer weather conditions may be ideal for outdoor picnics and barbecues, but they also provide a perfect environment for bacteria and other pathogens in food to multiply rapidly and cause foodborne illness. Follow the suggestions below to Fight BAC!® (foodborne bacteria) and reduce the risk of foodborne illness this summer.

1. Wash, Wash, Wash Your Hands. Always wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food. Sing Row, Row, Row Your Boat twice to get a sense of how long you should wash.
2. Marinating Mandate. Always marinate food in the refrigerator. Don’t use sauce that was used to marinate raw meat or poultry on cooked food. Reserve a portion of the unused marinade to use as a sauce.
3. Hot, Hot, Hot. When grilling foods, preheat the coals on your grill for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the coals are lightly coated with ash.
4. Temperature Gauge. Use a food thermometer to ensure that food reaches a safe internal temperature.
5. Where's the Beef? Chicken and Fish? Hamburgers should be cooked to 160 ºF, while large cuts of beef such as roasts and steaks may be cooked to 145 ºF for medium rare or to 160 ºF for medium. Poultry must reach a temperature of 165 °F. Fish should be opaque and flake easily.
6. Stay Away from that Same Old Plate. When taking foods off the grill, do not put cooked food items back on the same plate that held raw food, unless it has been washed with hot water and soap first. And in hot weather (above 90°F) foods should never sit out for more than one hour before going in the refrigerator.

7. Icebox Etiquette. A full cooler will maintain its cold temperatures longer than one that is partially filled so it is important to pack plenty of extra ice or freezer packs to ensure a constant cold temperature. Keep the cooler out of the direct sun. Keep drinks in a separate cooler from foods. The beverage cooler will be opened frequently while the food cooler stays cold.

Saving Money on Groceries

Save money on groceries

Prices for groceries and personal care items seem to rise continually.  Many consumers struggle to keep these expenses down without resorting to extreme couponing. Here is one solution on how to accomplish this: 1.     Decide on a few items that you buy regularly, such as toilet paper, laundry detergent, peanut butter, or spaghetti sauce.  Keep this list small initially and expand it when you are ready. 2.     Using a small note book, Smart phone app, or Excel spreadsheet, make a note of the non-advertised price of each item along with size, per unit cost, and store where you are shopping.  3.     Buy the Sunday local paper for the coupons and advertisements.  Look at the specials for drug stores, in addition to the supermarkets. 4.     Coupon clip for the few items on your short list. Sometimes, supermarkets wait a week or two to offer a discount on items that have coupons. Be patient and wait for the sale.  Use your price list as a guide for the best offering. Make notes on your price sheet. 5.     If you receive a good deal, buy for several weeks or months ahead.  Make sure you keep track of your stockpiled items.  Keep a maximum of three to six months of each item until you know how quickly the supply needs to be replenished. Should you continue and add more items, you may ultimately buy only fresh items like fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish each week, while buying everything else at discounted prices. Following this simple program should help your grocery budget.

Saving for College

Saving For College: Graduating With the Least Amount of Debt

By June most recent high school graduates know what college they are going to, but many of them may still not know how they are going to pay for it. We’ve heard the stats that the average debt students have upon graduation has skyrocketed to $35,200, according to a recent Fidelity survey, and that the costs of attending college increase 6% each year. College is still a great investment for most students, especially with some planning ahead of time to help keep debt to a minimum. It’s still true that those with a bachelor’s degree will earn $1 Million more over their lifetime than those who only complete high school.

The challenge is to graduate with as little debt as possible. Here are three ways to help keep student debt to a minimum:

1.       Create a College Savings Plan

Just like savings for retirement, it’s good to save early and often. There are many ways out there to help you save, from a 529 account to Savings Bonds. Tip to find extra money to save: If you can save an extra $300 a year ($25 a month at 5% interest, compounded monthly for 18 years) you will have an extra $8,766.43 to put towards tuition bills.

Haven’t created a college savings plan yet? Pledge to Save with America Saves and you can set your savings goal and create a plan to reach it. You can even sign up for text message tips and reminders to help you reach your goal of saving for college.

2.       Shop Around For Schools and Free Money

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau created a tool to compare the costs of different colleges. Their tool will let you compare financial aid offers so you can see how all those numbers impact your payments down the road.

Apply for as many scholarships as you can. $500 here and $1,000 there can go a long way to helping pay for college. Many students also stop looking for scholarships once they enter college, but keep applying each year.

 3.        Find Ways to Reduce Spending (or Earn Money) While in College

Live at Home – Living on campus can cost anywhere from $7,500 to $9,000 per year. Consider living at home during college (if you can) and you can save nearly $40,000. You can still get a full college experience by joining clubs and being active on campus.

Get a Part-Time Job – Look for a job on campus or a paid internship to supplement your income and pay for expenses like food, books, and incidentals while in college. The more you can pay upfront the less your monthly loan payments will be when you graduate.

 

Focus on color means white veggies dropped like a hot potato

Focus on color means white veggies dropped like a hot potato

Disaster Preparation

Weather emergencies, such as tornadoes, floods, and lightning, can occur without a lot of warning. However, you can prepare for different types of severe weather.

One of the basic recommendations to help you prepare for any emergency is to assemble a disaster supplies kit, which includes water, food, a first-aid kit, and many other items.

Knowing what to do in different circumstances may save your life and the lives of others. 

New "10 Tips Nutrition Education Series" resources available

New "10 Tips Nutrition Education Series" resources available

Money Smart Week

It's too bad money doesn't come with instructions.  Because we all need to know how to spend it, save it and borrow it wisely.  That's why banks, businesses, schools, libraries and lots of others are joining together to help support financial education during Money Smart Week - April 20th through the 27th.  Be a part of it.  Learn to be Money Smart.  For information and activity listings visit www.moneysmartweek.org.

April Financial Literacy Month

You Could Win $500 by Signing Up for Text Messages from America Saves

By Katie Bryan, America Saves Communications Manager

We know that saving money isn’t always top of mind. That’s why America Saves is launching a new text message service to keep you motivated to save as part of Financial Literacy Month. Now, when you take the America Saves Pledge you can choose to receive text message tips and reminders. And if that isn’t enough, we are giving away $500 to help one person reach their savings goal. (Must be 18 years of age or older to win.)

How to enter to win the $500:

1.       Take the America Saves Pledge Between April 1 and April 30, 2013.

2.       Click the box to receive text messages.

When you take the America Saves Pledge, you will choose a savings goal and an amount to save. We will use the goal you choose to send you text message related to that goal. Text messages will come in the form of tips to help you find money to save, as well as advice and reminders to help you save for your specific goal.

It’s a win-win situation. One lucky person will win $500 to help them reach their savings goal – and everyone will win by staying motivated to save.  

Don’t forget to share this with friends and family. It may be the thing that helps them set their goal to start and emergency fund, pay down debt, or save for items like education or retirement. 

Good Luck and Happy Saving!

Make Half your Plate Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and veggies add color, flavor and texture, plus vitamins, minerals and fiber to your plate.  Make 1 1/2 cups of fruit and 2 cups of vegetables your daily goal.

March is National Nutrition Month

Eat Breakfast

Start your morning with a healthy breakfast.  Include lean protein, whole grains, fruits and veggies.  Try oatmeal cooked with low-fat milk, sliced almonds and berries or top a toaster waffle with low fat yogurt and fruit.  Find more quick breakfast ideas at www.eatright.org/nutritiontipsheets.

Check If You're Being Over-Serviced

    It's easy to "set it and forget it," paying the same bills every month.  This week, take a look at your regular services - are you using all of your cell phone minutes? Do you have more coverage than you need on your car insurance? Are you utilizing any extra cable channels you pay for?  If your answer is no to any of these, call your provider, and change your plan.

Build Your Savings!

America Saves Week (February 25 - March 2) is a chance for you to assess your savings and take financial action.

Learn how to build your savings and join others in taking the America Saves Pledge

Track Your Spending, and Make a Budget

Understanding where your money is going is the best way to start saving, which is why your first step is to make a budget.  It might be that, once you make your budget and realize how much you're spending in certain categories, you can immediately save $100 by making little trims here and there.

America Saves Challenge

Setting a goal is the first step in taking charge of your finances. However, staying on track to meet that goal can be hard! The America Saves Challenge will help you meet your goals by providing daily encouragement and challenge!
The 2013 America Saves Challenge is part of America Saves Week (February 25-March 2, 2013), a time set aside annually to promote good savings behavior. The “2013 America Saves Challenge” is a free five-week program, held from Sunday, February 24, through Saturday, March 30, 2013. There will be weekly prizes and final challenge awards at the end of program.
You must enroll online at http://rutgers.ancc.net/ (Rutgers Cooperative Extension Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ Challenge Web site)

• Set up a user name and password and
• Download a one-page user’s guide with instructions about how to proceed.
• Enroll in the Challenge titled “2013 America Saves Challenge.” This challenge will be among a list of names of online challenges that are currently available.

When people track their behavior and measure how they are doing, they are often inspired to do better and achieve positive results. Participants in the America Saves Challenge are “on their honor” to report their activities accurately. If they “cheat” on reporting their points, they are only cheating themselves by not following the recommended financial practices.
The America Saves Challenge is based on the performance of ten recommended financial practices. Ten points are given for performing each one. (Maximum of 700 points per week) “The Challenge is a great way to convert personal financial goals, like saving money and learning about investing, into daily action steps,” notes Dr. Barbara O’Neill, Extension Specialist in Financial Resource Management for Rutgers.
Participants will receive daily motivational messages. Paper tracking forms are available to keep track of daily activities.
Doing even one of the ten recommended daily financial practices is a great way to get started on your financial goals. The more America Saves Challenge activities you do, the better your financial progress.
To participate in the America Saves Challenge, visit http://rutgers.ancc.net/, register an account, and enroll in the “2013 America Saves Challenge.”

Heart Health Month

Eat Better - Cooking Healthy for Your Heart

Cooking at home can be an effective way to avoid extra calories, fat, and sodium from fast food dinners. Here are some tips to remember that will help your home-cooked dinner be even better for you:

• Preserve the nutrients and colors in veggies. Cook them quickly by steaming or stir-frying.
• Prepared seasonings can have high sodium content and increase your risk for high blood pressure. Replace salt with herbs and spices or some of the salt-free seasoning mixes. Use lemon juice, citrus zest or hot chilies to add flavor.
• Canned, processed and preserved vegetables often have very high sodium content. Look for "low-sodium" veggies or try the frozen varieties. 
• Choose whole grain for part of your ingredients instead of highly refined products. Use whole-wheat flour, oatmeal and whole cornmeal.
• Switch to fat-free milk or 1% milk instead of whole or reduced-fat (2%) milk.

Visit the American Heart Association for more heart healthy cooking tips

Take Action on Saving $

Take Action
Since many Americans do not have the required discipline to amass significant savings, this year’s America Saves Week encourages individuals to take action. According to Ken McDonnell, director of the American Savings Education Council (ASEC), “The theme of America Saves Week 2013 (set a goal, develop a plan, save automatically) is simple yet highly effective. Consider, according to the 2012 Retirement Confidence Survey, [that] workers who had done a retirement savings need calculation were more likely to be very confident they will achieve their goal (26 percent) as compared with those workers who did not (11 percent). ASEC encourages all Americans to take advantage of this opportunity to set a goal, develop a plan and save automatically.”
Setting an achievable goal is the first step in developing financial discipline. The next step is to create a plan that includes tactics for achieving those preset savings goals. As part of the plan, it is crucial that you find easy ways to save in order to increase the chance of success.

Home Heating resources

DIY Tips and Assistance Programs to Help You Save on Home Heating

As the cold weather firmly takes hold in most parts of the country, you might notice a steep spike in your utility bills as your heating system works to keep your house warm.
If you’re trying to keep your heating bill in check, there are some assistance programs and DIY-tips that might help.
See if you qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Families who meet the qualification standards are eligible for assistance with their heating bills. You must apply for LIHEAP benefits through your state. Some states also offer assistance to help you weatherize your home. If you need additional help applying for LIHEAP benefits you can call 1-866-674-6327.
If your heating system is in need of improvements, you might qualify for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). This program helps low-income families lower their utility bills by making their homes more energy efficient. The weatherization program also provides a safety check to major energy systems to ensure everyone who lives in the home stays safe. Each state has different eligibility requirements. Find out if you qualify, what forms and documentation you need and how to apply for assistance.
If you don’t qualify for LIHEAP or WAP, there are plenty of steps you can take on your own to weatherize your home and help keep your energy bills lower this winter.

• Air leaks in your house let warm air escape. A quick and easy way to save money is to seal all cracks and openings. Learn how you can caulk and weatherstrip areas of your home to prevent air leaks.
• Let natural light from the sun into your house during the day by opening your curtains. Sunlight will naturally help heat your home.
• Install a programmable thermostat or set your current thermostat about 10 to 15 degrees lower than normal for the hours when you won’t be in your home.
• Turn down the temperature on your water heater. Heating your water can make up 14 to 25 percent of your energy bill. By dropping the temperature you’ll save money.

America Saves Week is Coming!

Setting a goal is the first step in taking charge of your finances. However, staying on track to meet that goal can be hard! The America Saves Challenge will help you meet your goals by providing daily encouragement and challenge!
The 2013 America Saves Challenge is part of America Saves Week (February 25-March 2, 2013), a time set aside annually to promote good savings behavior. The “2013 America Saves Challenge” is a free five-week program, held from Sunday, February 24, through Saturday, March 30, 2013. There will be weekly prizes and final challenge awards at the end of program.
You must enroll online at http://rutgers.ancc.net/ (Rutgers Cooperative Extension Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ Challenge Web site)

• Set up a user name and password and
• Download a one-page user’s guide with instructions about how to proceed.
• Enroll in the Challenge titled “2013 America Saves Challenge.” This challenge will be among a list of names of online challenges that are currently available.

When people track their behavior and measure how they are doing, they are often inspired to do better and achieve positive results. Participants in the America Saves Challenge are “on their honor” to report their activities accurately. If they “cheat” on reporting their points, they are only cheating themselves by not following the recommended financial practices.
Read more: The America Saves Challenge is coming!

Radon

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and is estimated to be responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year.

You can't see, smell, or taste radon--it's a radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be present outdoors and in any type of building, but you're likely to get the most exposure to radon in your own home.

To help protect your health, you can test your home for radon and take measures to lower radon levels if needed. 

EITC

If you earned less than $45,060 (or $50,270 if you're married and filing jointly) last year, you may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The maximum credit for tax year 2012 is $5,891.

Even if you don't owe any tax or are not required to file, you must file a tax return in order to claim the credit.

Find out if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Purdue site features health, financial, parenting information for Indiana families

Purdue site features health, financial, parenting information for Indiana families

Jump start 2013 with these three money management tips

Make 2013 the year that you change a few of your money habits. These three money management tips are designed to help control spending: 1.     Always shop with a list.  Don't cheat by making the list as you are entering the store, especially at the grocery store.  Be thoughtful and prepare a list ahead of time.  Your list is your guide and will prevent you from impulse buying. 2.     Avoid impulse buying and buyer's remorse by waiting at least 24 hours before spending $100 on an item.  Ask yourself if the item is something you truly need.  Perhaps it is something that you can borrow. 3.     If you are disorganized, stop buying in bulk and/or items that you may need in the future.  Many individuals who buy in bulk and/or in advance forget they have the items they purchased or cannot find them when they need them.  If you are organized, buy only the items you use regularly in bulk and always watch for sales.

Laundry packet cautions

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is advising parents and caregivers to lock up single-load liquid laundry packets and keep them away from children.

Liquid laundry packets are attractive to children because they are soft and colorful and resemble familiar items like candy and teething products.

These items also dissolve quickly when placed in the mouth or are handled with wet hands. Children who are exposed to the chemicals are at risk of serious injury because they can be toxic.

In 2012, CPSC staff have learned of about 500 incidents involving children and adults who were injured by the packets.

CPSC recommends these steps to prevent unintentional poisonings and eye injuries:

1. Do NOT let children handle laundry packets.
2. Keep the liquid laundry packets sealed in their original packaging, and make sure they are locked up and out of a child’s sight and reach.
3. If swallowed or exposed to the eye, immediately call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.

Learn more about the dangers of single-load laundry packets. (PDF)