GUEST CONTRIBUTOR: KATHY RIGGS, USU EXTENSION PROFESSOR

Meaningful graduation gifts - Must they have a price tag attached? It’s again the time of year when graduation announcements begin to fill up mail boxes and social media pages. Though most graduates will experience a non-traditional ceremony this year, friends and family will still wish to acknowledge the hard work of high school, college or technology school graduates. However, with financial strains placed on many families, it can be difficult to know how much to spend and what type of gift will still be meaningful with less discretionary funds available.
Some may still consider giving a laptop, new smart phone or car. However, these can be very expensive and out of reach for many parents, especially when finances may be stretched just to cover basic necessities. However, this is a great time to share some sound financial advice-- which may be the most useful “food for thought” gift a parent can give. It may be that going to a quiet spot to share a favorite take-out meal will help the advice to be easier to share and easier to accept.
​
For parents: Six possible financial management strategies to consider sharing:

GUEST BLOGGER: CALLIE WARD, USU EXTENSION ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

When was the last time you wrote a letter? Or Thank You? Even a nice Post it? I remember the excitement of a pen pal letter coming to our mailbox or seeing the colorful envelop with Grandma’s handwriting on it, and I am not that old! Have we truly lost the art of the handwritten note? With May comes graduations, end of year teacher gifts, Mother’s Day, the final arrival of Spring for most of us in Utah, it is a time of new life and sometimes the never-ending gift list. So why can’t we go back and save this valuable custom of a handwritten card?
 
I turned 33 in April, and birthdays stopped being cool after 16, (anyone else?) but every year I receive two things. A card from my mom - this one usually has a sheep or cowboy of some sort on it and one from my little sister. This year specifically, it was the one from my sister that made my day and was one of the best gifts I have every received. She took the time to write something special and included some great memories. She spent less then $5 and had me rolling for the whole day, adding more joy for my birthday.
 
How can something so cheap be so impactful? Especially in our busy world, taking the time to send a handwritten card means more than a dollar store gift or that random gift card. An article I read from Forbes magazine shared three benefits of a handwritten thank you note that can easily be benefits of a handwritten card: 

GUEST BLOGGER: CALLIE WARD, USU EXTENSION ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Every time we get to May, the only thing on my mind is, "SCHOOL’S OUT", or soon to be! But, in our current state, things have changed drastically…maybe this needs to be emphasized… things have changed DRASTICALLY! However, the need to give teachers our true gratitude has not. 
And for those of you who have read some of my past posts, you might have picked up on me not being into materialist items or “stuff” in general. My love language is not gifts! So, I also am horrible about giving gifts and the end of school appreciation gift usually gets pushed to the last minute. Often, as parents or specifically mothers, we have that guilt of “Karen just delivered a dozen roses and a spa weekend to her son’s kindergarten teacher, now what do I give them”, problem. Kudos to Karen for buying the dream gift, but realistically these gifts add up fast and can easily be a budget breaker. 
 
Here is what I am recommending: 

GUEST BLOGGER: CHRISTINA PAY, USU EXTENSION ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

​May is the month for remembering those who nurture, with a day set aside that singles out and honors them. Showing appreciation to your childcare provider is one of those days. And, really, shouldn’t there be a day set aside for the person, who other than your family, may be the most important person in your child’s life?  Much of the time what they do goes unnoticed.  You can change that unnoticed status to noticed and it doesn’t have to break the bank.  Here are five ideas that will get you thinking about the best way you can honor your child’s care provider this month.