How much do you spend each week on going out to lunch? Americans spend an average of $2,746 per year on lunch. Watch the video below for healthy lunch hacks that will save you money in the long run.
By: Ashley Svaty
Tag: Resource Management
Save the easy way… automatically!
Never miss a beat when it comes to savings. Make it so easy you never have to think about it by setting aside money for savings automatically. Learn how to set up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account, or have part of your paycheck automatically deposited into a savings account. Already saving automatically? Find ways to automate other aspects of your financial life in 2019 at https://americasaves.org/.
By: Nora Rhoades
Health Insurance Considerations
When choosing a health insurance plan there is much to consider. What benefits do you need? Which health care providers do you prefer to use, and which can you use? What costs are you comfortable paying? Do you have an emergency or “rainy day” fund to cover expenses in case of sickness, job loss, or economic downturn?
Many factors should be considered when deciding which policy best suits your needs. The right plan for you will depend on your health and your fin
ancial situation.
- Determine which benefits beyond the essential health benefits covered by all policies are most important to you and your family.
- Check the drug formulary for your prescription drugs and the list of network pharmacies when looking at your options.
- Check to make sure the providers you want to use are in the plan’s provider network.
- Weigh the costs of not only the premium, but also the deductible, coinsurance, and copayments for the plans you are considering.
The University of Maryland Extension has some great tools to help consumers be smart about buying and using health insurance. Contact Nora Rhoades at nrhoades@ksu.edu or 785-346-2521 to access the resources available from K-State and other extension networks.
By: Nora Rhoades
Dogs, Cats, and Birds, Oh My!
Research backs the claims of the physical, emotional, and mental support pets provide for their families. However, along with the many added benefits of having pets there are the financial expenses for caring for your animal. K-State Research and Extension provides the following fact sheet to help you consider and budget for the expenses surrounding pet ownership.
Dogs, Cats, and Birds, Oh My! ― Factoring Pet Costs into a Family Budget can be accessed online at https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3368.pdf or by visiting your local Post Rock District Office.
By: Nora Rhoades
Spend Some, Share Some, Save Some: Family Budgeting
Is your household’s spending, saving, and sharing on track to support your goals and values? It’s time to revisit those guidelines and expectations. K-State Research and Extension has a helpful resource that can assist you as you answer these questions. It is never too late to take a small step toward stronger financial wellness. For additional assistance or to access more resources, contact your local Post Rock District Office.
Spend Some, Share Some, Save Some: Family Budgeting bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3306.pdf
By: Nora Rhoades
Are you ready for severe weather and emergencies?
The lion of winter and the lamb of spring often play hide-and-go-seek throughout the month of March making diverse Kansas weather threats hard to predict. The area’s common weather threats include tornadoes, thunderstorms, blizzards, and floods along with extreme heat, cold, and wind. Other emergencies your family may confront could relate to vehicle trouble, medical concerns, fires, and accidents.
Severe weather and emergencies can strike at any moment and will likely affect every family at some point. The best way to work through difficult situations and circumstances is to be prepared before a concern presents itself. It is recommended that every household and family have an emergency plan that is reviewed and practiced at least 2 times each year. In regards to your plan, here are some things to consider:
- What emergencies could affect my family where we live, work, learn, and play?
- What special needs (infant, elderly, medical, disability) does my family have?
- What are each individual’s responsibilities? How will we work together as a team?
- How will we be alerted and warned (tv, wireless alerts, radio) about potential hazards?
- Identify a place to meet if separated and the route to get there. How will you shelter-in-place? Where can you shelter away from home?
- Identify local and out-of-area ‘In Case of Emergency’ contacts. It is a good idea to clearly identify these contacts in your phone and in a wallet or purse.
- Assemble a basic emergency supply kit and place it somewhere that will be easy to access. Try to include enough supplies to last a minimum of 3 days.
By: Nora Rhoades
The Key to Farming SUCCESSion Conference
March 20, 2018 │ Newton, KS
Join us for The Key to Farming SUCCESSion Conference on March 20th from 10:00AM-4:00PM. The conference will feature keynote speaker, Roger McEowen! Featured breakout session topics include: Advanced Health Care Planning; Where Do I Start?; Preparing for the What If; Estate Planning 101; New Tax Laws; and Navigating Family Differences. Attendees will leave with new knowledge and strategies to grow their business and secure farm assets for future generations to come.
Event information is available at http://www.harvey.k-state.edu/agriculture/
View the event flier at http://bit.ly/2FbVevO
By: Nora Rhoades
