Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

Do You Really Need That?

Needs & Wants: It is, perhaps, the most basic of concepts in consumerism. You already know the difference between needs and wants… and you are aware that it’s responsible – and usually necessary – to meet our needs before we satisfy our wants. But it’s the first part – knowing the difference – that can […]

WRITTEN BY: Joanna Fifner, Extension Educator, Ohio State University, fifner.2@osu.edu

REVIEWED BY: Melanie Hart, Extension Educator, Ohio State University, hart.382@osu.edu

SOURCES:

  • http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2006/12/14/luxury-or-necessity/
  • https://education.ohio.gov/getattachment/Topics/Career-Tech/Family-and-Consumer-Sciences/Family-and-Consumer-Sciences-Standards-FINAL-15-JULY-2015-1.pdf.aspx

REFERENCES:

  • http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2006/12/14/luxury-or-necessity/

Season It Up With Herbs!

Summer is filled with fresh vegetables and fruits.  Be venturesome and use herbs to try some different flavors!  Not only will the kitchen smell good, but it will give a different taste to your food.  Try adding: dill or thyme to fresh green beans oregano or marjoram to broccoli garlic, onion, pepper and basil to […]

Creating “Margin” in Your Life

Do you find yourself often rushing from one activity or event to another? Is your schedule so full that a little “hiccup” in the day creates a tragic loss of unrecoverable time and the rest of the day falls apart like a line of dominoes? Perhaps you could use a little margin in your life. […]

WRITTEN BY: Shannon Carter, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Fairfield County

REVIEWED BY: Melinda Hill, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Wayne County

SOURCES:

  • American Psychological Association, “Research-based strategies for better balance.” July/August 2016, Vol 47, No. 7. http://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/07-08/sidebar-balance.aspx
  • Li, Qing. Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environ Health Prev Med. 2010 January; 15(1): 9–17. Published online 2009 March 25. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793341/
  • Swenson, R. 2004. Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives. NavPress, Colorado. http://www.richardswenson.com/margin/

Working in the “Retirement Years”

By 2020, one in four American workers will be over the age of 55 and as the Baby Boomer generation continues to age into their retirement years, not working is becoming more a developmental process than an abrupt event. A recent Pew Research Center analysis of federal employment data reported that in May of 2000, […]

REVIEWED BY: Amanda Woods, Healthy Finances Program Specialist

Share the Harvest, Feed the Hungry

It’s that time of year – the neighbors are busy harvesting and sharing the bounty of their gardens. There are times that gardens produce much more produce than is possible for a family, or even a neighborhood, to use. Donating wholesome foods to local food banks and food pantries reduces food waste, prevents foods from […]

WRITTEN BY: Christine Kendle, MS, RDN, LD, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Tuscarawas County, kendle.4@osu.edu

REVIEWED BY: Emily Adams, MS, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Coshocton County

Credit score basics

When teaching my undergraduate course in family financial management at OSU, I explain the role of credit scores in several class sessions. It is a key component of consumer credit decisions in general, car purchases, home purchases, and in making employment decisions. These lessons always remind me of the important role of credit scores in […]

WRITTEN BY: Caezilia Loibl

REVIEWED BY: Amanda Woods

SOURCES:

  • Brochure on the FICO score website: http://www.myfico.com/Downloads/Files/myFICO_UYFS_Booklet.pdf
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s website on accessing credit scores: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/check-our-new-list-see-if-your-credit-card-offers-you-free-access-one-your-credit-scores/
  • New York Times blog post about credit monitoring websites: https://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/18/web-sites-offer-free-credit-monitoring/?_r=0
  • FICO score’s “loan calculator” http://www.myfico.com/crediteducation/calculators/loanrates.aspx

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