Cooperative Extension Service Personal Finances & Estate Planning Seminar May 3 & 10, :00-9:00 p.m. Taylor County Extension Office

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1 Taylor County FCS Extension News May 2016 Personal Finances & Estate Planning Seminar May 3 & 10, :00-9:00 p.m. Taylor County Extension Office Session 1: May 3 Selecting your Team: Leslie De Grez Financial Organization: Terri Cassell Income Tax changes: Jeff Sprowles Life Insurance: Maurice Holmes Annuities and IRA: David Debrot Reverse Mortgages: Leslie De Grez Merged Families/Divorces: Luci Hurst Panel Discussion: All Presenters Session 2: May 10 Living Wills, Powers of Attorney and Guardianship: Angie Call Wills, Trusts, Gifting: Mike Hall Probate/Estate Settlement processes: Mike Hall Federal and State Estate Taxes: John Bertram Medicaid Claims: John Bertram Corporations and LLC s: John Miller Business Retirement: David Debrot If you plan to attend, please call the Extension Office by Monday, May 2, so that we can have materials prepared for you. Cooperative Extension Service Taylor County 1143 South Columbia Campbellsville, KY (270) Fax: (270) Spring Cleaning 2 Gardening on a Budget 2 Safety with Lawn & Garden Pesticides 3 Market on Main Dates 3 Farmer s Market 3 Extension Homemakers 4 Pressure Canner Dial Gauge Testing 5 Calendar of Events 5 Broccoli Salad 6 Moneywise Newsletter Health Bulletin Newsletter Joyfully, Audrey Myers Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences AM/cm 1

2 Cashing in on Spring Cleaning Spring cleaning is a great way to declutter and organize your home. It is also a great way to earn a little extra cash. While you can certainly sell items throughout the year, many buyers are aware of spring cleaning season and are ready to take advantage of its deals. Many people think of hosting a yard sale at home to sell what they have purged. There are also a few other ways that you may earn money from this year s spring cleaning. Social media. Social media websites, such as Facebook, have local garage sale groups. These groups allow users to post pictures of items that they wish to sell. Each group has its own rules, so be sure to check them out. Flea markets. If you do not have the space or desire to host a yard sale at your own home, consider paying a small fee for a table at your local flea market. Consignment. Consider bringing in your gently worn clothing to a local resale consignment shop to sell. If the thought of toting all of your clothes to a shop is unappealing, consider selling to an online consignment store. Either way, you can walk away with cash or store credit. Source: Jennifer L. Hunter, Extension Specialist for Family Financial Management, University of Kentucky; College of Agriculture, Food and Environment; Kristyn Jackson, Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Family Sciences Spring Gardening on a Budget If you are a gardener or are thinking about gardening, spring is definitely a welcome season. Gardening can save you a significant amount of money at the grocery store. If you are planting a produce garden and it can also add curb appeal to your home, increasing your home s value. However, did you know that there are some considerations that you should keep in mind to save money when planning your spring garden? Be patient. While it may be tempting to start your garden at the first sign of spring, hold off a bit. You will want to make sure that frost season is over before planting. Think about your yard s sunlight. Before planning your garden, take several peaks at your yard throughout the day to get an idea of how much sunlight each area gets. Shopping for seeds or plants that match the amount of sunlight available in your yard is important. Measure. Measure the areas that you are buying for before making a trip to the store. If you buy plants that are too big, you may end up wasting money and time. Buy smaller plants. Smaller container sizes are the most affordable. While it may be tempting to buy a more mature plant, think about the satisfaction that you will get watching your plants grow throughout the season. Use your own seeds. Keep seeds from the previous season of flowers and vegetables that grew in your garden. When spring approaches, plant the seeds in seeding trays and transfer to your garden when they are ready. Keep your receipts. Did you know that many garden centers will allow you to return a plant if it dies within a year? The only exception to this policy is annual flowers. Buy perennial plants as they are going out of bloom. These plants are still healthy and will bloom again next year. Make your own garden decorations. The checkout lanes of many garden stores are stocked with attractive garden decorations. However, these items are often costly. Instead of buying decorations, use what you see in the store as inspiration for a do-it-yourself project! Source: Jennifer L. Hunter, Extension Specialist for Family Financial Management, University of Kentucky; College of Agriculture, Food and Environment; Kristyn Jackson, Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Family Sciences 2

3 KEHA Report Cultural Arts Competition - The following were county winners and area winners are marked with a *: Mary Sprowles - Counted Cross Stitch* Jean Wallace - Crochet, Yarn Audrey Casey - Doll/Toy Making, Pastel Drawing*, Recycled Art* Juanita Burton - Winter Holiday Decoration, Wall or Door Hanging, Miscellaneous Carolyn Morris - Wood Decorative Painting Marlena Hunt - Pillows* Bonnie Sullivan - Lap Quilts Sharon Wood - Scrapbooking* Congratulations to Marlena Hunt and Sharon Wood for receiving category champion (purple ribbons) on the state level. Also, congratulations to Angie Freeman for receiving second place in the state competition in poetry. Taylor County was also awarded a $100 grant from KEHA for the Jr. Homemakers Club. Thanks to Pat Bell and Cyndy Humble for submitting this grant application. Homemaker Council Meeting Thursday, May 5 10:00 a.m. Ovarian Cancer Screening May 31, 2016 Leaving Extension Office at 8:30 a.m. 2 spots open Extension Homemaker Lessons Making Healthy Beverage Choices The Basics of Teamwork Creating and Maintaining Family Traditions Economical Entrees Keys to Embracing Aging Savvy Sellers and Bargain Hunters Tackling Your Laundry Travel Safety: Know Before You Go Gardening in Small Spaces 4

4 Safety with Lawn and Garden Pesticides Spring and summer are popular times to enjoy lawns and gardens. However weeds, harmful insects and diseases can often decrease our enjoyment. Although some of these pests can be controlled without the use of chemicals, pesticides are a popular choice. As with any chemical, they should be used only when appropriate and in a manner safe to humans, pets, food, groundwater and other aspects of the environment. Pesticide labels are considered legal documents and you should always read them. They are key sources of information about using that particular chemical safely and legally. To help get you started on safe pesticide use, including mixing, handling and application, here are some guidelines: Friday, May 20th Friday, September 16th Saturday, October 15th 8:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Use the personal protective equipment (PPE) as specified on the label. This would include such things as chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection. At a minimum, always wear long pants, a longsleeved shirt, shoes and socks, and chemicalresistant gloves. A hat may be needed if spraying trees or other elevated places. Open and mix pesticides outdoors or in a wellventilated area. Always close container caps and never leave containers unattended during application. Keep children, pets and toys away from areas where you are mixing or applying pesticides. Always wash hands and arms thoroughly with soap and water after using pesticides. Clothing worn during pesticide use should be washed separately from the family laundry. Spray pesticides when the wind is calm to reduce potential drift. Opening Saturday, April 30 and every Saturday thereafter 8:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Off Highway 210 on Animal Shelter Road They will also be set up at Market Off Main Using pesticides safely requires care and judgment. The more knowledge you have, the better. For more information, contact your county Extension agent or a local Kentucky Master Gardener. Reference: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service bulletin ENT-70. Pesticides and Pesticide Safety. Kentucky Master Gardener Manual Chapter 10. Downloadable from this web page: Accessed Source: Mark A. Purschwitz, Extension Safety Specialist, University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, Dept. of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering 3

5 Pressure Canner Dial Gauge Testing Spring is in the air, and canning season will be here before we know it. If you are planning to pressure can this summer, be sure to get the dial gauge on your canner tested for accuracy before you use it. Every pound of pressure on the gauge is important to ensure that the temperature inside the canner is high enough (240 degrees F) to kill the spores that can cause botulism. If your gauge is reading high, the temperature inside your canner will be lower than expected, foods will be under-processed, and botulism could result. If your gauge is reading low, the temperature inside the canner will be higher than expected and foods will be over-processed. Over-processing is not a safety issue, but can lead to poor quality canned foods. If testing shows that your gauge is off by just one or two pounds, pressure adjustments can be made during processing to ensure safe, high quality canned foods. Our office can guide you in making those adjustments. If your gauge is off by more than two pounds, it should be replaced. The safety of your pressure canning process is only as good as the accuracy of your dial gauge. For more information on having your dial gauge tested, contact the Extension office. Reference: Andress, E. (2011). Preserving Food: Using Pressure Canners. Athens, GA: University of Georgia, Cooperative Extension. Retrieved December 18, 2015, from publications/uga/using_press_canners.html. Source: Debbie Clouthier, Extension Associate for Food Safety and Preservation, University of Kentucky; College of Agriculture, Food and Environment 5

6 Cooperative Extension Service University of Kentucky Taylor County 1143 South Columbia Avenue Campbellsville, KY PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID CITY KY PERMIT 1067 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED 6

7 Like us on Facebook! Facebook.com/MoneyWise May 2016 View our videos! Visit our website! Sunshine, warm temperatures, and more flexible family schedules make summer the ideal travel season. However, summer is also the most expensive travel season. Planning your next vacation in advance, and with a budget in mind, is a great way to ensure that you will get the most bang for your buck without going into post-vacation debt. Vacationing on a budget will provide you the opportunity to save money and to do and see everything that you want while enjoying yourself. Budgeting may also allow you to take multiple smaller vacations throughout the year. With so many possible travel destinations, it is often overwhelming to find and select the most budget-friendly travel options. Researching and planning your vacation in advance will help you avoid overspending and will allow you and your family to get the most out of your vacation. Listed below are several strategies for successfully vactioning on a budget. Vacationing on a Budget

8 Create an annual vacation fund and budget. At the beginning of the year, determine how much money you can devote to travel throughout the year. Decide the maximum amount of money that you can afford to spend on each trip and then break down your budget to include specific categories including transportation, hotel, food, and entertainment. Don t forget to include an emergency fund in case of an unexpected flat tire or a trip to the urgent treatment center! Plan early. As soon as you know that you want to take a vacation, start planning! You will often find the lowest prices on airfare and hotels by booking up to six months in advance. Hotels are more likely to have vacancies farther out from your travel dates, which will allow for you to pick from multiple hotels that fit within your budget. Consider traveling during the off season. Summer is the most popular and expensive travel season. If possible, consider traveling during the off season to save on airfare, hotels, and entertainment costs. Winter is the least expensive travel season, followed by fall and spring. Airfare. If your travel dates are flexible, consider signing up for an airfare alert website. These websites will send you an when flights to your desired destination are being offered at lower-than-normal prices. Look for package travel deals or all-inclusive vacation packages. There are many travel websites that offer package deals to customers who book a hotel and flight together. Additionally, don t count out all-inclusive vacation packages! All-inclusive packages often include the cost of the stay, meals, and entertainment. If such a package fits within your budget, you may save a significant amount of money. Research low cost vacation options. Rather than booking an exclusive resort vacation, consider camping, visiting a nearby beach or historic site, or choosing a travel destination with multiple free activities. Cash in on rewards. If you use a credit card that offers cash back, gift cards, or airline miles, consider using these rewards for your vacation. Many credit cards also issue extra rewards offered through retail partners that you can use while vacationing. Cut the cost of eating out. Eating out on vacation is hard to avoid and often expensive. To cut down on these costs, pack the majority of your meals and beverages if possible. Consider reserving a hotel room with a small kitchenette or a refrigerator and microwave. Also, be on the lookout for hotels that offer a free continental breakfast. You can save a significant amount of money by keeping these tips in mind when you are planning your next vacation. Researching cost-saving travel strategies, and doing so well in advance, is a great way to guarantee that you will get everything you want out of your vacation while avoiding postvacation debt. Remember that you will get the best deals by planning your trip well in advance of your planned travel dates. Become a fan of MoneyWi$e on Facebook! Facebook.com/MoneyWise By: Kristyn Jackson, LMFT, Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Family Sciences, University of Kentucky Jennifer Hunter, Ph.D. Assistant Professor / Extension Specialist in Family Financial Management University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (859) / jhunter@uky.edu Stock images: 123RF.com

9 Taylor County Cooperative Extension Service 1143 South Columbia Avenue Campbellsville, KY Phone: (270)

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