by Ricki McWilliams | Jan 27, 2015
America Saves Week 2015 ~ February 23 – February 28
America Saves Week is coordinated by America Saves and the American Savings Education Council. Started in 2007, the Week is an annual opportunity for organizations to promote good savings behavior and for individuals to assess their own savings status. Typically, thousands of organizations participate in the Week, reaching millions of people. This campaign encourages individuals and families to save money and build personal wealth.
The 2014 Annual National Survey Assessing Household Savings (released during America Saves Week) revealed that while most Americans are meeting immediate financial needs, they are worse off than several years ago.
- Only about one-third of Americans feel prepared for their long-term financial future.
- 68 percent reported they are spending less than their income and saving the difference – down from 73 percent in 2010.
- Nearly two-thirds of respondents (64%) said they “have sufficient emergency savings to pay for unexpected expenses like car repairs or a doctor visit” – down from 71 percent in 2010.
- 76 percent said they are reducing their consumer debt or are consumer debt-free – down from 79 percent in 2010.
To learn more about America Saves Week and Pledge to Save, visit: www.AmericaSavesWeek.org
Set a Goal. Make a Plan. Save Automatically.
Get Involved! Events during America Saves Week include:
Ag Save$ Summit
February 23 – 9:00am CST/10:00am EST
Jackson County Extension Office, 2741 Pennsylvania Avenue, Marianna, FL 32448
(view registration link for additional locations)
FREE to register: bit.ly/AgSavesSummit
America Saves Financial Challenge – Online
February 22 – March 23
FREE to enroll: http://bit.ly/MoneyChallenge2015
Challenge Yourself to Save Money – America Saves Challenge Twitter Chat (#eXASchat)
February 24 – 2:00pm CST/3:00pm EST
Log in to Tchat.io at http://www.tchat.io/ and insert #eXASchat into the textbox that pops up so you can tweet easily and view the live Twitter stream
Where to Turn for Financial Advice – Webinar
February 25 – 11:00am CST/12:00pm EST
Free Registration: http://bit.ly/finpro2015
Personal Finance Questions – Realities & Myths – Webinar
February 26 – 11:00am CST/12:00pm EST
Free Registration: http://bit.ly/faq2015
by Ricki McWilliams | Jan 21, 2015
Ag Save$
Ag Save$ is a new initiative to bring personal finance education such as wealth building, estate planning, succession planning, asset protection, and other financial topics to agricultural producers in Florida.
Have you ever asked yourself:
How do I become financially stable?
How do I retire well?
What do I need to do to secure the future of my farm?
Let us help you find the answers.
Ag Save$, a component of the nonprofit America Saves and a partner with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences financial teaching and education, seeks to motivate, support, and encourage farmers and agricultural producers to save money, reduce debt, build wealth, protect assets, and plan for succession. The research-based campaign uses the principles of behavioral economics and social marketing to change behavior. Ag Save$ encourages all agricultural producers and their families to join us in a kick-off event on Monday, February 23, 2015 as well as our workshop series that starts March 24, 2015.
Ag Save$ Summit:
February 23, 2015
Registration: 8:30 a.m. (Central) 9:30 a.m. (Eastern)
Program 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Central); 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Eastern)
Locations
|
Jackson County Extension Office (host site)
2741 Pennsylvania Avenue
Marianna, FL 32448
850-482-9620
Doug Mayo: demayo@ufl.edu
|
Jay Community Center (satellite location)
5259 Booker Lane
Jay, FL 32566
850-623-3868
Blake Thaxton: bthaxton@ufl.edu |
Jefferson County Extension Office (satellite location)
2729 W. Washington Hwy.
Monticello, FL 32344
850-342-0187
Jed Dillard: dillardjed@ufl.edu |
Register Online: bit.ly/AgSavesSummit
Registration deadline: February 19, 2015
This session is complimentary
All family members are encouraged and welcomed to participate
For more information, click: Ag Saves Summit Flyer
Ag Save$ Series of Workshops:
| March 24th |
June 23rd |
July 21st |
August 18th |
| Preparing for Retirement and Other Goals |
Trimming the fat, How to manage and reduce your debt |
Securing Your Family’s and Your Farm’s Future-Part 1 |
Securing Your Family’s and Your Farm’s Future-Part 2 |
Register Online: bit.ly/AgSavesSeries
Registration deadline: March 10, 2015
For more information click: Ag Saves Program Flyer 2015
by Elizabeth | Jan 17, 2015
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “resolution” as “the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem, etc.; the act of resolving something.” Now that 2015 is here, what are you seeking to resolve this year?
If you read Living Well in the Panhandle articles, you probably have noticed a theme. The theme is information on Living Well – not just for one day or one month but for the whole year. With that in mind, what do you resolve to do this year to live well? While identifying your resolutions, it is important to note that, unless your chosen resolution becomes a habit, you may fail to achieve it. However, regardless of what your resolution is this year, here are a few things to consider to help you with your resolve.
Join an organization that supports people with the same resolve. For instance, many people resolve to save more money each year. From personal experience, it is tough to change spending habits without moral support. However, organizations like America Saves motivate people who want to save for different goals. Pledge to save during America Saves Week – February 23- 28 (www.americasaves.org) or any time before then. This is one avenue many people across the country have used to stick with their resolution to save. The resolution becomes a habit because, on the America Saves website (www.americasaves.org), you can find motivation from other savers or prospective savers like yourself. You also can sign up to receive a free newsletter with information on how to maximize your effort.
Judging by the number of weight loss commercials in the media, the other most common resolutions include eating right, exercising, and losing weight. There are several web sites you can visit that provide unbiased information as you work your way toward living well. At Small Steps to Health and Wealth (http://njaes.rutgers.edu/sshw/), you can sign up for the Online Challenge that will help you make small daily changes to improve your health and personal finances.
A good resolution should focus on improving one’s life. That said, choose to read Living Well in the Panhandle and live well not just for a day or a month but for the rest of your life. For more information on Living Well in the Panhandle, contact your local UF/ IFAS Extension Agent. Happy New Year!
