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Category: March 2022

Filing Your 2021 Taxes

Posted on by djbechard

If you received an Economic Impact Payment in spring 2021 you will need to have your letter from the IRS saying how much money you received, before you can file your taxes.

If you have children and received the child tax credit payment from July to December 2021, you will get a letter in the mail that you will also need in order to file your taxes.

 

If you don’t have your letters when you file your taxes you can expect delays.

 

If you are receiving a tax refund, this is a great opportunity to get ahead financially either by paying down debt or saving for the future.

By: Brenda Langdon

Walk Kansas 2022 Promotes Physical Activity & Brain Health

Posted on by djbechard

For the past 20 years, thousands of people enrolled in the program have walked, biked, swam and moved their bodies in many other ways to improve their physical fitness.  Exercise is beneficial not only for our physical health, but also our mental health and our brain.

Walk Kansas will run March 27 through May 21, encouraging teams of six to sign up together and get moving. Each 15 minutes of activity counts for 1 mile of distance, and teams track their mileage virtually as they move across pre-determined routes in or across Kansas.

Registration for Walk Kansas is available online and if you live in Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, or Smith counties, you will choose “Post Rock District” when registering online. The cost is $10 per person; a program t-shirt can be purchased separately. Team registrations require a captain and up to five additional members, which can live anywhere in or out of the state or country. If you would rather participate solo, individuals can sign up to complete their own challenge.

Paper registration is also available at any Post Rock District office and will open March 7.

This year’s program provides three team challenges:

  • Challenge 1 – “8 Wonders of Kansas” trail, requires each person get at least 2 ½ hours of moderate activity/week and challenges the team to travel 480 miles.
  • Challenge 2 – “Cross Country Trail” requiring 4 hours of activity/week from each person, with the team traveling 768 miles.
  • Challenge 3 – “Little Balkans to Nicodemus Trail” that will require 6 hours of activity from each team member/week, challenging the team to go 1152 miles.

All participants will receive a weekly online newsletter with helpful information on physical activity, improving lifestyle habits, nutrition, and healthful recipes.

Physical activity on its own is something that helps us retain our brain function as we age, and helps delay the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It can help manage stress, which is hard on our mind, as well. Join us for the joy of movement and share the experience with friends and family!

By: Ashley Svaty

Soil Temperature and Vegetables

Posted on by djbechard

One of the most neglected tools for vegetable gardeners is a soil thermometer. Soil temperature is a much better measure of when to plant than air temperature or the calendar. Planting when soil is too cool can cause some seeds to rot and transplants to not root successfully.

A number of vegetables can germinate and grow at cool temperatures. For example, peas will germinate and grow well at a soil temperature of 40 F. Though lettuce, parsnips, and spinach can sprout at a soil temperature of 35 F, they prefer at least 45 F for best germination and growth. Radishes also do well at a soil temperature of 45 F. Even if the seeds of these cool- season crops are planted below the recommended soil temperature, the seed will rarely rot.

Warm-season crops such as tomatoes, sweet corn and beans are different. They prefer at least 55 F for germination (or transplanting), but others such as peppers, cucumbers, melons and sweet potatoes need it even warmer, about 60 F. If planted when soils are too cool, they likely will rot before germinating.

To take the temperature of your soil first, use a metal soil thermometer, which is sold in many garden stores. Take temperature 2.5 inches deep at about 10 to 11 a.m. Temperature variations throughout the day and night affect soil temperature, with lowest readings after dawn and warmest around mid-afternoon. The late-morning reading gives a good average temperature. Be sure to get a consistent reading for four to five days in a row before planting, and make sure a cold snap is not predicted.

By: Cassie Homan

Financial Resiliency

Posted on by djbechard

Financial resilience is the ability to positively cope with the effects of a financial shock, setback or crisis.

Here are some ways to build financial resilience:

  • Begin paying down debt.
  • Start a savings account – pay yourself first, no matter how small the amount.
  • Create an emergency fund of at least 3 months expenses.
  • Keep your expenses as low as possible.
  • Keep a realistic budget.
  • Continue to learn about finances whenever you can.

By: Brenda Langdon

Simply Produce is now at Girard’s in Osborne!

Posted on by djbechard

Girard’s in Osborne is the latest store to be added to the list of grocery stores in Post Rock District to participate in the Simply Produce initiative!

“Simply Produce” offers customers approximately 15 pounds of produce for $15.00. Produce baskets will contain a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and may vary slightly from what is typically available on the produce department’s shelves. Basket contents will be different for each ordering period as well. In addition to produce, customers will receive a recipe highlighting basket items, as well as educational materials on food storage and produce handling. Produce baskets are purchased through the Grocery store register and must be paid for at time of ordering. The purchase is taxable.

Girard’s March Distribution Details:  Baskets must be ordered in store between March 4 – March 10th at noon and distribution is set for March 16th from 12 – 12:30pm at the Osborne Free Methodist Church, 724 W. Main St. in Osborne. Customers will drive up to the church and volunteers and Post Rock District staff will bring out their purchased basket(s). Distribution will be held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Contact Girard’s by calling 785-346-2600 or contact Ashley Svaty asvaty@ksu.edu or Brenda Langdon bklangdon@ksu.edu for program details.

By: Ashley Svaty

Financial Tips

Posted on by djbechard
  • Next time you go to the grocery store, take a thoughtfully planned list and stick to it. This will help decrease money spent on impulse buys and also help you remember everything you need so you can get it all in one trip!

 

  • Contact your banking institution and set up one or more named savings accounts specific to the financial goals you are currently working towards. Some examples could be Christmas fund, travel fund, emergency fund, new car fund, or down payment fund. Set up a direct deposit into each account every time you get paid or on a monthly basis.

 

  • What was your first major purchase you made entirely on your own? Write it down and share the insights with a child, spouse, family member or friend. When we reflect on past money experiences and lessons, we can use them to shape future financial decisions. Your money experiences can be a valuable lesson for others as well.

 

  • Create or update a power of attorney. A power of attorney gives a designated person power to manage your financial affairs. Make sure to choose a trusted individual who is aware of your wishes. It allows the individual to make bank transactions, collect Social Security payments, etc. if you are medically incapacitated.

By: Brenda Langdon