Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

Parents, Models in Finance

Parents play a critical role in shaping a child’s attitude, knowledge and behaviors regarding finances. At a very young age, many children tag alongside parents during activities that include a financial component, like shopping and going to the bank. As early as ages 3 and 4, they may even have awareness that money changes hands […]

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

REVIEWED BY: Amanda Woods, M.Ed. Healthy Finances Program Specialist, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension

SOURCES:

  • http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/05/27/modeling-behavior-for-children-has-long-lasting-effects/14139.html
  • https://www.extension.purdue.edu/providerparent/PDF%20Links/Modeling%20Behavior.pdf

REFERENCES:

  • http://www.consumerfinance.gov/money-as-you-grow/
  • http://livesmartohio.osu.edu/?s=kids+and+money
  • http://livesmartohio.osu.edu/?s=unit+pricing

Financial Wellness for People With Disabilities and Their Families

Guest post by Michael R. Roush, Director, Real Economic Impact Network, National Disability Institute Often individuals with disabilities may not be familiar with the savings options available to them, or they may be afraid to save money in fear of jeopardizing their public benefits. However, individuals with disabilities can potentially access a wide variety of saving […]

WRITTEN BY: Michael R. Roush, Director, Real Economic Impact Network, National Disability Institute

REVIEWED BY: Amanda Woods, M.Ed. Healthy Finances Program Specialist, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension

Your Financial Life – Credit Account Closures

Q: I have an old credit card that is paid off. I never use it. I’ve kept it open because I thought closing it could negatively impact my credit score. My creditor has informed me that they will be closing my account due to inactivity. Would it be better for my credit if I closed […]

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

REVIEWED BY: Candace J. Heer, Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Morrow County, heer.7@osu.edu

SOURCES:

  • http://blog.equifax.com/credit/credit-tips-what-to-do-when-an-issuer-closes-your-credit-card/
  • http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/83/i-received-a-notice-from-my-card-issuer-telling-me-that-they-were-closing-my-account-and-that-i-cannot-use-my-credit-card-any-more-can-they-do-that.html

REFERENCES:

  • https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0153-choosing-credit-counselor
  • http://livesmartohio.osu.edu/money/rini-41osu-edu/your-financial-life-credit-reports/
  • http://livesmartohio.osu.edu/money/heer-7osu-edu/your-financial-life-credit-scores/
  • http://livesmartohio.osu.edu/?s=Your+financial+life

Financial Literacy and Why it Matters!

Why it matters. Throughout life we face many events and situations that require us to make decisions about our financial lives.  Being financially literate, or understanding how finances work in our everyday lives, can not only better prepare us to make these decisions, but will also improve outcomes in our financial lives.  In fact, our financial literacy […]

WRITTEN BY: Amanda Woods, M.Ed. Healthy Finances Program Specialist, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension

REVIEWED BY: Lauren Jones, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Human Sciences

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Pixabay.com
  • http://www.usfinancialcapability.org

SOURCES:

  • Allgood & Walstad, 2005, Journal of Economic Inquiry http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ecin.12255/abstract
  • FINRA Foundation, Financial Capability in the United States 2016, http://www.usfinancialcapability.org
  • MyMoney.gov

What Should I Do If I Think I’ve Been Scammed?

As we know from the last blog in this series, How Can I Spot and Avoid Foreclosure Scams? , foreclosure scams take all shapes and sizes and are constantly evolving to evade the authorities. However, they all have one thing in common: the perpetrators are criminals who specifically target honest homeowners that are trying to […]

WRITTEN BY: Patricia Holmes, CFCS, M.S.

REVIEWED BY: Carlie Boos, Ohio Housing Finance Agency

SOURCES:

  • Annual Credit Report http://www.annualcreditreport.com
  • Better Business Bureau. http://www.bbb.org/
  • Consumer Fraud Protection Bureau. http://www.consumerfinance.gov/
  • Equifax. http://www.equifax.com
  • Experian. http://www.experian.com
  • Federal Citizen Information Center, Consumer Action Handbook. https://www.usa.gov/handbook
  • Federal Trade Commission. http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0060-10-ways-avoid-fraud
  • TransUnion. http://www.transunion.com
  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/i_want_to/talk_to_a_housing_counselor
  • Live Smart Ohio. How Can I Spot and Avoid Foreclosure Scams? http://livesmartohio.osu.edu/uncategorized/holmes-86osu-edu/how-can-i-spot-and-avoid-foreclosure-scams/
  • Ohio Attorney General. http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/
  • Ohio Attorney General, Consumer Advocate e-newsletter. http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/consumeradvocate
  • Ohio Legal Services. http://www.ohiolegalservices.org/public/legal_problem
  • United States Department of Justice http://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/victim-witness/victim-info/financial-fraud
  • United States Securities and Exchange Commission, How to Avoid Internet Investment Scams. http://sec.gov/investor/pubs/cyberfraud.htm

How should I prepare to meet my housing counselor?

So you have made an appointment to meet your housing counselor. But now you want to be prepared for the meeting. What should you bring? The advice of a housing expert from a HUD-approved housing counseling agency can be invaluable to homeowners struggling to make payments. Homeowners can call 888-995-HOPE for free expert help. Housing counselors […]

WRITTEN BY: Nancy Stehulak

REVIEWED BY: Amanda Woods, Carlie Boos

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Pixabay.com

SOURCES:

  • www.HUD.gov
  • www.makinghomeaffordable.gov
  • www.safethedream.ohio.gov

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