October Energy Action Month

October is Energy Action Month.

Get tips on how you can save money and energy at home:

• Home Energy Saving Ideas, By Subtopic (heating and cooling; electricity; landscaping; and more)
• Home Energy Saving Tips for Fall and Winter
• Home Energy Saving Checklist

 

Get tips on how you can save money and fuel while on the road:

• Gas Mileage Tips
• Find the Cheapest Gas Prices
• Tax Incentives on Fuel Efficient Vehicles

 

Saving for Emergencies

Maintaining an emergency savings account may be the most important difference between those who manage to stay afloat and those who sink in debt. An emergency savings fund consists of a small amount of money, usually in a savings or share account, that you do not have easy access to. Keeping $500 to $1,000 of savings for emergencies can allow you to easily meet unexpected financial challenges such as:

•         repairing the brakes on your car;

•         paying for a visit to the doctor when your child has the flu;

•         covering the dental expense of filling a cavity;

•         paying for a parking ticket; or

•         flying to visit a sick parent.

5 Ways to Save $500 to $1,000 for Emergencies

1.       Save Automatically. Have part of your paycheck automatically deposited into a savings or share account or set up regular transfers from your checking to your savings account.

2.       Save your loose change. Putting aside fifty cents a day over the course of a year will allow you to save nearly 40% of a $500 emergency fund.

3.       Make your monthly credit card payment on time. The $30-35 you save by not being charged a late fee each month on one card would save you most of the money you need for $500 in emergency savings.

4.       Save a portion of your tax refund.  Use tax form 8888 to split your return.

5.       Bring lunch to work. If buying lunch at work costs $5, but making lunch at home costs only $2.50, then in a year, you could afford to create a $500 emergency fund and still have money left over.

Where to Keep Emergency Savings

It’s usually best to keep emergency savings in a savings or share account. These types of accounts allow you to access to your money when you need it.  Keeping your money in a savings account makes it much less likely that you will use these savings to pay for everyday, non-emergency expenses.

Are you ready to set your goal?

America Saves, a non-profit that encourages individuals and families to save money and build personal wealth, can help you develop your goals and take action. When you join as a saver, you’ll receive the following benefits:

·         Free subscription to the quarterly American Saver newsletter.

·         Free monthly e-mail newsletters with savings advice from national experts.

·         Free access to the members-only Savers Tracking Tool to help you reach your goals.

 

National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month. Have you taken steps to prepare for an emergency?

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), three elements of good preparation are:

• Being Informed -- Learn about the potential emergencies that can happen where you live and know the appropriate ways to respond to them.
• Making a Plan -- Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan what you would do in different situations. How would you get to a safe place? How would you contact one another and get back together?
• Building a Kit -- Find a list of suggested items to include in an emergency supply kit.

Taking these steps could help you and your family in the event of an emergency. 

Eating Tips on a Tight Budget

Food is expensive, but you can find tips to help you eat well on a tight budget. For example: 

• Prepare stews and casseroles to help stretch expensive food items and provide meals for multiple days.
• Choose fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season. Healthy foods that tend to be reasonably priced and available year-round include apples, bananas, potatoes, carrots, and greens.
• Buy groceries when you are not hungry or rushed.
• Avoid convenience foods, such as frozen dinners, pre-cut vegetables, and instant oatmeal--you pay more for convenience.

If you are struggling to put food on the table, consider programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and school meal programs for children.

Build Healthy Habits

You might think children are getting enough exercise in their PE classes at school, but it takes more than just an hour once a week for kids to be healthy.  September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and even if your children aren't overweight, you can use these tips from USA.gov to make sure they form healthy habits now that will last a lifetime.

Healthy living starts with solid nutrition

Making sure your kids egt enough fruits and vegetables can be tricky, but you can start by mixing vegetables into meals you already make.  Consider tossing some spinach in with your pasta or dicing peppers to mix in with your tacos.  When it comes to snacks, have fresh fruit or chopped veggies on hand that your kids can grab instead of chips or cookies.

Kids need 60 minutes of vigorous play each day to be healthy.  Encourage kids to put down video game controllers and organize a game of tag or capture the flag.  Sign kids up for a team sport or give them toys that encourage play, like a basketball or jump rope.

Find more ideas at LetsMove.gov or MyPlate.gov (kids section).

Dining with Diabetes

Are you struggling with cooking for someone who has diabetes or for yourself?  A cooking class series will be held on October 3, 10, 24, & 31, 2012 from 5:30p.m. - 7:00p.m.  Class size is limited, so register early.  Cost is $25 for individual and $35 for 2 persons (if you will be sharing books and meals).  To register, call the Extension Office at 897-6100 or visit:  www.ag.purdue.edu/counties/warrick.

4-H Fair Volunteer Thanks!

Warrick County Extension is blessed with the support of so many wonderful volunteers.  All the hard work and efforts of the many 4-H Fair Volunteers helped make an enjoyable and FUN experience for the youth and adults participating and attending the 2012 Warrick County 4-H Fair.  Many, many thanks to you ALL!!