Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

What Are You Saving For?

We all know that saving is an important part of taking positive steps toward financial health and wellness. By saving, you are setting yourself up to better face financial emergencies, and prepare for a financially stable future. A recent survey released by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) highlights the great steps many Americans are taking, showing that 70% […]

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

REVIEWED BY: Amanda Rysz, Program Specialist, Training and Professional Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension

SOURCES:

  • Consumer Federation of America, 2016, http://consumerfed.org/press_release/less-than-half-of-u-s-households-report-good-savings-progress-according-to-annual-america-saves-week-survey/
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2015, http://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201501_cfpb_report_financial-well-being.pdf
  • America Saves, AmericaSaves.org

Welcome Back, Tax Time!

Just as sure as winter rolls in and the weather becomes a little more frigid, tax time joins us once again!  Every year, like clockwork, we collect our paperwork, receipts, and applicable forms and begin the process of filing our taxes.  And, with this annual civic duty, also comes the decision about how we are […]

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

REVIEWED BY: Amanda Rysz, Program Specialist, Training and Professional Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension

Gain Confidence in Your Financial Future

 Saving for retirement is an important step for us all to take toward financial stability in old age, and yet many Americans are not doing enough to prepare.  According to a 2016 Retirement Confidence Survey conducted by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), only 21% of employees poled said they were very comfortable with the amount […]

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. Melanie S. Hart, M.S. Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension & Shawna Hite, Healthy People Program Specialist, OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • pixabay.com

SOURCES:

  • America Saves - AmericaSaves.org
  • Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), 2016, https://www.ebri.org/pdf/pr1157.rcs-16.22mar16.pdf

The Benefits of Saving During Tax Time! (Part Two)

As mentioned in part one of this series, using your tax refund wisely by saving at least a portion can make a truly positive impact on your financial life!  After understanding the benefits of saving during tax time, it is important to also review the various mechanisms that will help you to do so.  If […]

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

The Benefits of Saving During Tax Time! (Part One)

It’s tax time again, and for those of us that receive a little windfall income in the form of either a tax refund or Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), this can be an exciting time to focus on saving.  In fact, of those Americans who will file a tax return this year, about 75 percent […]

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

Spending, Saving, Giving . . . and More

A friend of mine is blessed with two elementary-aged daughters. He and his wife provide them each a $7.00 weekly allowance with the following parameters: $2.00 is okay to spend, $4.00 should be saved, and $1.00 is to be giving away to a charity. These fortunate children are learning a basic principle for achieving financial […]

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