By KristiLyn Wilkinson, M.S. USU Extension Empowering Financial Wellness Program Manager I don’t know about you, but I am not sad about leaving 2020 in the past. If anything, I am more committed to doing what is in my control to make 2021 a better year for me and my family. You might not be a fan of setting new year resolutions. Maybe setting goals in January seems like an arbitrary unimportant date to you and you set goals whenever you feel like it. Maybe you don’t believe in setting goals because they feel restrictive. Maybe you have had your new year resolutions mapped out since last October. No matter where you fall on this spectrum, I would highly suggest that you set some financial goals…at some point in your life…preferably right now. Why? I will tell you, but first, grab a blanket (it’s freezing here in Utah) and settle in. We are about to get touchy-feely.
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Guest Contributor: Andrea Schmutz USU Extension Assistant Professor “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” croons Andy Williams on the radio. When Christmas decorations started appearing while I was still debating on which Halloween candy to buy, instead of feeling frustrated that people were leapfrogging Halloween and Thanksgiving to get to Christmas, I felt my spirits lift. COVID could alter life in many ways, but it could not take away the positivity and joy that I feel during the Christmas season. However, one thing started to tug at my thoughts, threatening to dampen my spirits. With so much time to think about Christmas, would it be harder to stick to my holiday shopping budget? As I pondered my dilemma, I had a most bizarre thought: the words to a Christmas song started dancing in my head and I realized they had some great advice that would help me in my efforts to not overspend this season. I started looking at other Christmas songs and found that there were hidden budgeting messages in many of them. Guest Contributor: Andrea Schmutz USU Extension Assistant Professor Knowing that most everyone appreciates a little more green in their wallet, especially as we head into holiday season, I’d like to share my most recent epiphany. I was reading about “America Recycles Day”, where each year, on or near November 15, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes the importance and impact of recycling to our nation’s economy and environment. The EPA’s website, epa.gov, provides fantastic information about greener living, recycling and reducing waste. As I perused an infographic on the website titled “Think Green Before You Shop”, I suddenly realized that the three R’s of environmental sustainability: reduce, reuse, and recycle, could also be called the three R’s of budget sustainability. Guest Contributor: Christina Pay USU Extension Assistant Professor Needs vs wants. Who hasn’t fought that budgeting battle? Tough as the struggle may be, it is a fight that can be won. The reasoning is pretty simple, right? A need is something that is essential for you to be able to live and work. Needs include housing, transportation and food. Wants, on the other hand, are expenses that help you live life more comfortably. Wants include entertainment, travel, and toys. It seems straightforward enough, but what about those gray areas where needs and wants overlap? On occasion, our wants may seem so powerful that we can’t imagine living without them. Consider an item such as housing. Shelter is a need; however, it may become a want if you’re paying more for rent or a mortgage in order to live in a larger home or upscale area. And clothing? That, too, is a need, but if you buy expensive brands or are buying clothing just because it’s on sale, it can quickly fall into the want category. There are several strategies to help you win the needs vs wants battle. Blog Contributor: Callie Ward USU Extension Assistant Professor, Garfield County Fall is here and it is amazing! The weather is gorgeous, the canyons are lit up with gold, oranges, and reds, and some of the best activities and food (hurray for pumpkin spice!) are here. There is however an uneasy feeling Fall brings too…gone are the days of summer, late nights, and carefree fun. Also gone is yard work, I have mixed feelings about this one! Fall is a reminder that Winter is coming and so are the extra expenses that come with it. Preparing for Winter sometimes brings expenses you do not think of: |
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