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| Around the House By: Martha Yount County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences |
| Your Refund Is on the Way! Don’t Waste a Golden Opportunity to Get Your Financial Affairs in Order
5-3-08 Beginning in May, the U.S. Treasury will begin sending economic stimulus payments to more than 130 million households. To receive a payment, taxpayers must have a valid Social Security Number, at least $3,000 income for 2007, and file a 2007 federal tax return. Even though April 15 has passed, you can still submit a 2007 tax form and receive tax stimulus payment. Those not required in previous years to file a tax return because their income was too low or was nontaxable should file a return this year to obtain their economic stimulus payment. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will take care of the rest. Eligible taxpayers will receive up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples), and parents will receive an additional $300 for each eligible child younger than 17. Millions of retirees, disabled veterans, and low-wage workers who usually are exempt from filing a tax return must do so this year in order to receive a stimulus payment. The government would like you to go spend the refund from the tax stimulus payment, along with your regular refund if one is due. This might be a good time to get your financial affairs in order by paying off credit card balances, however. This only works for married couples if both of you really want to pay off bills and you make a game out of it, seeing how well you can do. If one spouse continues spending, it will not work and resentment will set in. You both also need to value being debt free (other than a home mortgage). Congress is now considering offering money for consumers to buy foreclosed houses; so, if you do not own a home, it is in your interest to get your financial affairs in order so you can take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime deal, if and when it is offered. You even get low interest rates! However, the government will only offer this deal to those who can really afford to make the house payments. Even if Congress does not pass a bill to help consumers buy a foreclosed house, getting your finances straight could still save you money on such a home; but you first need to be preapproved for the loan amount. So where to begin: Start by paying off the credit card that charges the highest annual percentage rate (APR); at the same time, make sure you are still paying at least the minimum on all other cards, and on time. If your place of work or your community has a credit union you can join, you might want to start there. You can probably get around 11% APR on a signature loan. You should also check with other lenders to make sure this is the best rate available to you. If possible, using the signature loan, pay off all credit cards with an APR higher than 11%. Now comes the tough part: stop using your credit cards and pay for everything with cash or a check. If you do this, you will likely buy only what you really need, not what you want. You don’t want to cut up those credit cards, however, since your credit score depends on having a good credit history; the longer you’ve had a credit card, the greater an impact it has on improving your credit score, as long as you pay your monthly bill on time. You should put your credit cards away in a safe place, however. You might need to use one occasionally, as you usually need a credit card to reserve a motel room and most car rental companies will not rent you a vehicle without a credit card. So what do you do with your tax stimulus payment if you’re debt free other than a mortgage payment? Put the money toward your 2008 Roth IRA or in an emergency fund. We all have a financial emergency now and then—car repairs or a washing machine that stops working, for example—we never know what the financial emergency will be, though, or when it will come. Having an emergency fund with enough money to carry you through any circumstances that might come up means you will not need to borrow money or use your credit card when it happens; and that itself will save you money, as you will not have to pay interest! Reference: Internal Revenue Service, Economic Stimulus Payments Information Center. http://www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=177937,00.html Use Economic Stimulus Payments Wisely 3-25-08 This summer many Kentuckians will receive a check from the federal government as part of an effort to stimulate the national economy. Before these checks arrive, think about what will be the best use of this money for you and your family. Spending the money on vacations or new items for your family may not be the best choice. If you have credit card or other debt, paying down that would be a better use of the income for your own economic future. Another option may be to invest the money. You could also split the payment with some going to pay off bills, some going to investments and some left for the family to use as it chooses. It is estimated 130 million U.S. households will receive payments ranging from $300 to $600 for an individual and $600 to $1,200 for couples filing jointly. Taxpayers’ eligibility and the size of stimulus payments they will receive will vary according to income and family situations. Eligible taxpayers may receive an additional $300 for each qualifying child. To qualify a child must be under age 17. The stimulus payment – both the basic component and the additional funds for qualifying children – begins to phase out for individuals with adjusted gross incomes greater than $75,000 and married couples who file a joint return with adjusted gross incomes greater than $150,000. The combined payment is reduced by 5 percent of the income above these income thresholds. Most people will not have to do anything to get the payment other than file a 2007 federal income tax return. These returns will be used to determine eligibility and calculate the amount of the stimulus payments. However, people receiving Social Security, Railroad Retirement or veterans' benefits as well as taxpayers who do not make enough money to normally have to file a 2007 tax return will need to file in order to receive the economic stimulus payment. The Internal Revenue Service will begin sending these checks in May. The agency’s Web site, http://www.irs.gov, contains eligibility and other information about the stimulus payments. The IRS will be mailing two informational notices to taxpayers advising them of the payments. However, be alert for tax rebate scams such as telephone calls or e-mails claiming to be from the IRS and asking for sensitive information. According to an IRS news release, they will not call or e-mail taxpayers about these payments, nor will they be asking for financial information. Scam e-mails and information about scam calls should be forwarded to phishing@irs.gov. For more information on these payments, check out the IRS Web site or for more financial resource management contact the Breathitt County Cooperative Extension Service at 606-666-8812, or stop by the office at 1155 Main Street, Jackson, KY. Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin. Gardeners Can Delay Winter Pruning Until Early Spring 2-29-08 With last spring’s late freeze and last fall’s drought, people should hold off on winter pruning until plants and trees start to show signs of development because some may come out of dormancy with additional damage. Typically, winter pruning is done between mid February and mid March after most of the severe winter weather has subsided, and it is just before spring – one of the busiest times for plant growth. However, because of last year’s unusual weather, people can wait to prune as late as the end of March to early April. Regrowth is usually evident by early April as buds begin to swell and grow. If parts of the tree or shrub are not showing renewed growth while other parts are, these sections are likely dead and will need to be pruned away. When most people think of pruning they think of their shade or fruit trees. However, for shade trees, pruning should mostly focus on correcting damage and promoting healthy growth. Dead branches, branches rubbing together or crowding the trunk are all reasons for pruning. Thinning out diseased or unproductive branches to the tree’s trunk or major limb, improves the tree’s health, making it more open to receive additional sunlight and air movement. Heading back cuts, which remove only the terminal portion of a shoot, encourage the development of side branches and stiffen the remaining branch. This can be particularly useful for apple and pear trees, whose branches should be trimmed to support a heavy crop load. Shrubs are pruned to maintain a certain shape or size. Flowering shrubs, like lilac and forsythia, should undergo rejuvenation pruning each year so the shrubs will flower more. This type of pruning removes between one-fourth and one-third of old growth each year and encourages new growth. For example, forsythia only blooms on recent growth while lilac can bloom on older growth, but more recent growth from the past 2-3 years is generally most productive. It is important to not go overboard with pruning. While some trees are excessively pruned at the top because they encroach on utility lines, for the most part intensive pruning is not needed and tree top pruning should be avoided. Painting or sealing cuts is not necessary and may actually delay the regrowth that helps the tree recover from pruning. For more information, contact the Breathitt County Extension Office at 606-666-8812 or stop by the office located at 1155 Main Street, Jackson, Kentucky. Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. 4-H Demonstration Projects Improve Communication Skills 2-16-08 4-H demonstration projects can be an exciting, fun way to introduce youth to public speaking. Public speaking is one of the biggest fears Americans face, but good public speaking skills is one of the benefits of participating in 4-H. Demonstration projects allow the youth to develop better communications skills as they teach others. Youth are able to think more logically as a result of participating in demonstration projects. Some youth feel more comfortable in demonstration projects because they are required to use props, such as poster boards, when they present their topic. Speeches can be intimidating to some youth because they have to address their audience without any assistance from visual aids. No previous speaking or demonstration experience is necessary to participate. The only requirement is that youth are willing to give something new a try. Youth as young as nine years old and as old as 19 can participate. The possibilities for topics are limitless and can range from how to make bread to how to take quality photographs to how to care for animals. When choosing a topic, youth should pick one they are interested in and know a little bit about. They should also make sure information can easily be found on the topic. Once deciding on a topic, youth should gather and organize information about the topic. They should think of a way to creatively grab the audience’s attention, and then lead the audience through the step-by-step process of the project. Making an outline of the process helps organize the information. Youth should also determine what type of visuals and materials they will need to effectively present the topic. It is important for youth to practice their speech by presenting it in front of family members or friends. Practicing helps youth feel more confident and prepared for when they present the topic to their audience. When they present their project to their audience, the youth’s attire should connect to their topic. County 4-H clubs hold competitions for demonstration projects. Youth who win at the county level advance to the district level. District winners advance to the state competition that is held in conjunction with the 4-H state speech competition in July at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. There’s still time to get involved if you’re interested in participating in 4-H demonstration projects. Contact the Breathitt County Cooperative Extension Service to learn more about deadlines and requirements for the projects. Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin. Eating Smarter at Work Leads to Healthier Lives 1-17-08 As New Year weight loss resolutions begin, people can get off track by the temptation of unhealthy foods in the workplace. For people to lose weight and effectively stick to a diet, they often need to change their home surroundings by dumping out the candy dish and replacing it with fruit or replacing soda with water in their refrigerator. However, many times the food environment at work cannot be controlled. In the workplace, food is everywhere from pastries at morning meetings to the tempting snack drawers and vending machines. According to the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, almost 66 percent of the U.S. adults are overweight or obese. Kentucky has the fourth highest obesity rate in the nation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that individuals who are overweight or obese are at a higher risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, osteoarthritis, diabetes, stroke, sleep apnea and gall bladder disease. While not all weight is gained on the job, changing the workplace eating environment can help dieters stay focused and keep others healthier. There are several things people can do to change how food is offered at the work environment. One of the first things adults should consider is bringing their lunch to work rather than eating out every day. Most of us know a turkey sandwich is healthier than a hamburger, but we are a rushed society and fast food can seem more convenient than packing a lunch to those who live on the go. Oftentimes, meals at fast food restaurants tend to be in larger portions than adults really need, but the extra calories are consumed because they are easily available and accessible. Packing a lunch will also help limit the size of the meal and also create healthier food choices. Consider packing a lunch the night before, if you feel too rushed to do so in the morning. Portions can also be limited when serving pastries, cakes or soda at meetings and events. Allowing employees to help themselves at these functions can also help them consume smaller portions. If you are concerned about the food choices at these gatherings, talk to the person who orders the food or the caterer and ask if they can replace the some of the current food offerings with healthier options such as fruit and vegetable trays or at least offer fruits and vegetables as alternatives. Many times the caterer can offer baked or broiled options instead of only fried foods. Also make sure there is water available at meetings and events. A healthy employee potluck meal is also an option when sharing lunch with co-workers. Vending machines also pose a problem for dieters. Many times when employees go to the vending machines for snacks, the only options they are given are candy bars, potato chips, cookies, soda and brownies. Find out who stocks the vending machine and talk with them about offering healthier snack options such as pretzels, baked or low fat chips and water. Eating healthy at work can be a challenge, but it is possible and can help to achieve weight loss goals in the New Year. To receive more information about healthy and nutritious foods, contact the Breathitt County Cooperative Extension Service at 606-666-8812, or stop by the office at 1155 Main Street, Jackson, Kentucky. Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin. Healthy Television Viewing Trying to find a balance for children’s television viewing can be a challenge for parents. However, planning play and family activities as well as television into children’s time is vital to their overall health and development. Studies show that too much television viewing can have adverse affects, such as more violent and aggressive behavior, poor school performance, obesity, early sexual activity, and drug or alcohol use. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics the average child watches three hours of TV a day – two hours of quality programming is the maximum recommended by the Academy. Active play time is needed to develop mental, physical and social skills. University of Michigan researchers found that just being awake and in the room with the TV on more than two hours a day was a risk factor for being overweight at ages three and four-and-a-half. Not all television viewing is negative. TV has its good side. It can be entertaining and educational. Through the tube, children can be exposed to different cultures and new ideas. Programs with positive role models can positively influence people. Too much of anything is not good, and striking that balance with television viewing is especially critical. Children aren’t engaging in the activities they need to help them develop their bodies and brains when they watch too much television. Here are some tips on striking that balance. Keep the TV off during family mealtimes. Make conversation a priority in your home. Read to your children. Don’t use TV as a reward or punishment. Encourage active recreation. Don't use the TV as a distraction or baby-sitter for preschool children. Get the TV sets out of your children's bedrooms. For more parenting tips, contact the Breathitt County Cooperative Extension Service a6 606-666-8812, or stop by the office located at 1155 Main Street, Jackson, Kentucky. Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Save Energy We are always looking for ways to reduce our energy bills. One simple way to save energy around your home is to switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs. These bulbs use at least two-thirds less energy than standard incandescent bulbs but provide the same amount of light. These bulbs also last up to 10 times longer, and this alone makes them particularly good for any hard-to-reach areas, since they don’t have to be replaced as often. In addition, they give off 70 percent less heat so they won’t heat up a room. This means that you’ll cut air-conditioning costs in the summer. Over the lifetime of each bulb, you will save about $30 or more on your energy bills. You will get the greatest savings by replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents in areas where lights are used the most, such as the kitchen, family room and porch. When buying a compact fluorescent bulb, select one that offers the same lumen rating as the light you are replacing. The higher the lumen rating, the greater the light output. Also, be sure to match the right bulb to the fixture. To do this, ask for assistance in the store or read the packaging to be sure that the type you select works for the fixture you have in mind. For example, if a light fixture is connected to a dimmer or three-way switch, select bulbs that are labeled for this use. Some compact fluorescent bulbs have trouble operating in enclosed fixtures and for recessed fixtures, it is better to use a “reflector” CFL rather than a standard-shaped bulb. Check the bulb’s packaging for any restrictions on use, including inside or outside use, whether it can be placed in an upright position only and for other information. Use care when removing the bulb from its packaging. CFLs are glass and can break if they are dropped or handled too roughly. When installing or replacing a CFL, always screw and unscrew the bulb by its base (not the glass) and never use force when twisting it into a light socket. Don’t just toss a CFL in the trash if it burns out or breaks. The bulbs have a very small amount of mercury in them, so follow some simple precautions. Remember that Energy Star qualified CFLs have a warranty period. If a bulb burns out and it’s still within the warranty time period, simply return the bulb to the retailer. If this is not an option, check with your local municipal landfill to see how they recommend disposing of it. If a CFL breaks, open a window and have everyone leave the room for 15 minutes. Then carefully remove all the materials that you can without using a vacuum cleaner. To do this, put on rubber gloves (don’t use bare hands) and scoop up the remains with stiff paper or cardboard. Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or wet disposal wipes. Use a sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small bits. Place all of these cleanup materials in a double plastic bag that’s sealed tight. The first time you vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove and place a disposal vacuum cleaner bag in a plastic bag or empty the contents into a plastic bag and wipe the canister with a damp paper towel. Then place all cleanup materials and contents in double sealed plastic bags and follow the disposal recommendations given by your local municipal service. For more energy saving tips, contact the Breathitt County Cooperative Extension Service. Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. Stay Hydrated This Summer Staying hydrated while working outdoors or participating in sports or recreational activities can be a challenge, especially during hot weather. Plain water is the best beverage to replace lost fluids. Sugars and electrolytes can slow the absorption process. Water makes up about two-thirds of the body’s weight and almost 75 percent of the brain’s weight. We lose almost 4 percent of the water in our body through our skin each day. If you are sweating, you are losing even greater amounts. This increases your need to drink fluids. Adults need at least eight cups of liquid each day. This amount varies depending on body size, level of physical activity, age, overall health and climate. Fluid intake needs differ for some people including older adults, athletes and people who work outside. When trying to stay hydrated cool water between 40 and 50 degrees is recommended. Don’t depend on your thirst. Drink water before you feel thirsty. Drink water before and after outdoor activity. Sip water often while outdoors. One third to three fourths cup every 10 to 20 minutes is suggested. The body can only absorb about one cup of water every 20 minutes. Be sure to continue to drink fluids after work is finished or outdoor activity ends. Not only is water important to reduce the risk of dehydration, it is also important for proper digestion, organ function, controlling body temperature and cooling working muscles. For more information about water and your health, contact the Breathitt Cooperative Extension Service located at 1155 Main Street, Jackson, Kentucky. Our phone number is 606-666-8812. Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. Fall is for Nesting, Spring is for Cleaning Just a few months ago we were concentrating on making our homes cozy, anticipating dark days spent indoors. Now, with the arrival of fresh breezes, warm weather and longer daylight hours, we naturally start to see the results of our “long winter’s nap”: dust that has collected in corners, a stale refrigerator, musty bathrooms and chaotic closets. The urge is to throw open the windows, bring in clean air and light, and turn the place upside down for a thorough cleaning. Admit it, though. The six of the chore can be paralyzing in its scope. But don’t let that dissuade you from grabbing the mop and dust rag and digging in. By keeping a few basics in mind, you will end up with a sparkling house without wearing yourself out. The first thing to think about is organization. A little time spent in advanced planning can make a world of difference in the time it takes you to clean. Gather all the necessary equipment and supplies before you start cleaning. Make sure your cleaning equipment is in good condition. Put your bath and kitchen supplies in one bucket. Use another bucket for dusting and other supplies. And remember to keep your focus. As you rummage through a cluttered cabinet looking for that bottle of cleaning solution, you might feel the urge to clean out that space then and there. Don’t do it! It will only put you away from your original planning. By staying on target you’ll finish more quickly. The most efficient was to clean an entire house is to tackle the job on room at a time, working in a consistent pattern, such as top to bottom, left to right. This not only reduces distractions to a minimum, but also keeps you from overlooking anything. First, wipe the ceiling corners, then dust and wipe down the other surfaces in the room, using either a damp or a treated dust cloth. This will prevent the dry dust from settling back onto surfaces. If you move from the top to the bottom, any dust that filters down from the top will be wiped away as you work toward the floor. Leave floors until last! Be sure to move furniture and large appliances so you can clean under and behind them. It is important to read labels on cleaning products. Look for special warnings from the manufacturer. Remember never to mix chlorine bleach or any cleaner containing chlorine with ammonia, toilet bowl cleaner or rust remover, because the mixture produces harmful gas. Always keep strong acids from your skin and eyes, and wear rubber gloves when using strong alkalis. If you notice musty odors coming from old furniture drawers, remove the contents and the drawer’s air for several days. If the weather permits, put the drawers in the sun for a few hours. You can also place the chest on its back so the sun will shine on the inside surfaces. Then, wash all unfinished surfaces with a solution of half vinegar and half water and dry with a soft towel. If the odor persists, spray unfinished area with a disinfectant cleaner; keeps drawers closed to allow the cleaner to penetrate the corners. Before replacing the contents, let the drawer’s air well. Put potpourri, fabric softener sheets or unwrapped bars of soap in the drawers to give a pleasant fragrance. With a little perseverance and elbow grease, your indoors can be as fresh and bright as a spring day. For more cleaning tips and information about other home environment topics, contact the Breathitt County Extension Office at 606-666-8812 or stop by the office located at 1155 Main Street, Jackson, Kentucky. Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. Protecting Yourself from Identity and Other Consumer Frauds Identity theft is a serious issue and one that shouldn’t be ignored. It can destroy your credit record and make it difficult to obtain loans, employment or housing. Victims can spend years trying to recover their good name. In 2006, identity theft topped the list of consumer complaints received by the Federal Trade Commission for the seventh year. While Kentucky has fewer identity theft complaints than all but six states, it is still a problem -- especially for those that fall victim to the fraud. In Kentucky in 2006, 1,766 identity theft complaints were reported to the FTC. Credit card fraud is the most common form of identity theft, followed by phone or utilities fraud, bank fraud and employment fraud. Identity fraud related to telephone or utilities is most likely a relative using a family member's name to start new service because they can no longer get service in their own name due to unpaid bills. Criminal identity theft is a special problem. Because the criminal commits crimes under someone else’s name, identity theft victims may be arrested for crimes they didn’t do. To protect yourself from identity fraud and other types of consumer fraud, contact (Your County) Extension office and ask for the following two publications, “Let the Consumer Beware! A Guide to Fraud and Rip-Offs” and “Making Your Ride on the Internet Safer.” If your personal information gets out where the wrong people can see it or someone steals your identity, you can do some things to protect yourself. First, contact one of the three biggest credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion, to put a fraud alert on your credit record. You may also do this by telling a consolidated credit report provider such as AnnualCreditReport.com. Contact them online at http://www.annualcreditreport.com, or call 877-322-8228. When you tell one of the three big credit bureaus, they will tell the other two. You might find it hard to get through and tell them, however don’t give up. The big credit bureaus take your requests over the phone, but their phone systems can be hard for you to use. You might find it easier to place your request on the Web site of one of these companies or on AnnualCreditReport.com. But you might still need to mail them some information so they can access your file. Do this, even if it is difficult; if you do nothing, you will be far worse off. If your personal information gets out where the wrong people can see it, but you find no fraud on your credit report, you may place an alert on your record for 90 days. You can renew this alert every 90 days. You get a free credit report when you place this alert. If someone does steal your identity, file a police report with your local police or with the police where the fraud took place. Close all accounts that might have been seen by the wrong person or that were opened against your wishes. If you have a police report of actual fraud, you may place an alert for seven years. A new Kentucky law that takes effect July 12 will allow you to place a security freeze on your record. This will keep people from getting your credit report without your approval. It will cost $10, but will be free if you give them a copy of your police report. Don’t place such a freeze on your record unless you need to do it, however; it will make it hard for you if you apply for credit yourself. But, if you need to buy something big like a car or home, you can lift the freeze temporarily for $10. Dispute any bills that result from identity theft. Tell the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office about any companies that try to get you to pay those bills even after you write to them about what happened. For more information on identity and other consumer frauds, contact the Breathitt County Extension office at 606-666-8812 or stop by the office at 1155 Main Street, Jackson, KY. Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. Family Mealtime About More Than Food On the surface it doesn’t look like much – a family eating a meal together. How important could that be? But if that shared mealtime occurs on a regular basis, the benefits can touch many facets of a child’s development. Studies have shown that children from families who eat together more than three times a week are less prone to obesity, and drug, alcohol and tobacco use. Teenagers who participate in family meals do better in school, and aren’t as liable to get into fights or have sex at a young age. How can a simple mealtime routine accomplish all this? It seems that gathering together to share food also means that ideas are shared. It’s a good way for parents to become more involved in their children’s lives, as well as an ideal time for parents to lead by example. Also, a regular routine of shared family meals makes it more likely that everyone will eat a healthier, more balanced diet. Too often in our fast-paced, over-scheduled lives, food is relegated to the end of a long to-do list. We cram our meals into our busy schedules by rushing drive-through or eating in shifts as we sit before a computer or television. And yet the communal feeling that the sharing of food imparts is a major component of the human culture. Family meals can be fun. This is the opportunity for family members to share the news of their day, trade stories and jokes, and practice the art of polite conversation. A television can be a distraction, so turn it off to keep the focus on each other. Aside from manners, conversation and bonding, the dinner table is also the place to have good nutrition habits that will follow children throughout their lifetimes. Encourage children to try new foods, realizing that a child may have to be exposed to a food eight or more times before it is accepted. If hamburgers and fries are all that children are used to, they will grow up without appreciating the wide variety of wholesome food that is available. Some children are naturally picky eaters. If your child refuses a particular food, offer a substitute that is of equal nutritional value. If he doesn’t like green vegetables, carrots, corn or peas, can be a healthy alternative. If she pushes away her milk, yogurt or cheese can be a good replacement that provides the calcium she needs. Encourage your children to help in the kitchen. If they feel they are part of the meal planning and preparation process, they will be more inclined to eat the food that’s on their plate. On the other hand, don’t require them to finish every morsel on their plates. That will only encourage the development of poor eating behaviors in years to come. Food should never be used as a reward or a punishment. Take time to connect with your family at mealtime. Your children will take much more than a full stomach away from the table. For more information on weather emergency preparation, contact the Breathitt County Cooperative Extension Service at 606-666-8812, or stop by the office at 1155 Main Street, Jackson, KY. TAX TIME CAN PAY: Some qualify for the Earned Income Credit and the Child Tax Credit If you worked full-time or part-time during 2006, and you had a low to moderate income, you may qualify for the Earned Income Credit (EIC). You may also receive the Child Tax Credit (CTC) if you had children living with you for at least half of the year. If you qualify you owe less in taxes and you may get cash back. Also, some people who don’t owe taxes can get the Earned Income Credit. However, to get these credits, you must file a tax return. Amounts that each person will receive will vary with their income and circumstances. However, here are some figures for the maximum amount that some workers can receive for the Earned Income Credit: •If you lived with one child in your home in 2006 and your family earned less than $32,001 you can get up to $2,747. •If you lived with two or more children in 2006 and your family earned less than $36,348 you can get up to $4,536. •If you had no children living with you, and you earned less than $12,120 and you were between the ages of 25 and 64 you can get up to $412. If you are married, the income limits are $2,000 higher than the amounts stated above. Many married workers may get a larger EIC. To get the EIC you must file form 1040 or 1040A and if you had a qualifying child in your home you must fill out and attach schedule EIC. A correct name and Social Security number must be provided for every person listed on the tax return and Schedule EIC. The Child Tax Credit In addition to the EIC, you may also qualify for the Child Tax Credit if you were raising a child in your home for at least six months during 2006. The single or married worker must have a taxable earned income above $11,300. The child must live with the worker in the U.S., and be under age 17. Parents of full-time college students under the age of 24 (or students of any age who have total and permanent disabilities) may also be able to claim the EIC. The child must be either a citizen or resident alien and must also have either a valid Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification number (ITIN). Qualifying children can include: •Sons, daughters, stepchildren, grandchildren, and adopted children •Brothers, sisters, stepbrothers, or stepsisters—as well as descendents of such relatives •Foster children who are placed with the worker by an authorized government or private placement agency. To claim the Child Tax Credit, you will need to file Form 8812 as well as form 1040 or 1040A. You may need assistance in filling out this form. VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance ) Sites Get help in filling out your tax forms at VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites that are available in many communities. IRS certified volunteers prepare taxes free of charge. For a site near you, call 1-800- 829-1040. Avoid “rapid refund loans” which are quite costly. If a VITA site is not located in your county or close by, seek tax preparers that charge low or minimal fees. This will allow you to keep most of your return. Split Refund New for 2007 For the 2007 tax filing season, the IRS is launching a new option for tax filers called the “split refund.” The “split refund” option will enable filers receiving a refund through direct-deposit to arrange for part of it to go directly into a savings account. This will make it easier for tax filers receiving large refunds from the Earned Income Credit (EIC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) to take advantage of savings and building assets for retirement, purchasing a home or other things at the same time they file their return. The split refund option is used only to deposit funds directly into a savings or other account. Tax filers can split their refund for direct deposit into as many as three accounts. However, they will not be able to directly deposit their refund into a savings or other account and receive the rest of the refund as a paper check mailed by the IRS. The “split refund” may not be the most appropriate option for filers who could lose benefits such as Medicaid, food stamps, or SSI, because their savings are over the limits required by these programs. However, there are savings options such as the Saver’s Tax Credit and Roth IRA that might benefit many. Get additional information at VITA sites or other tax preparers. For more information contact the Breathitt County Extension Office at 606-666-8812 or stop by the office located at 1155 Main Street, Jackson, KY 41339. Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. DO ADVANCE PLANNING FOR WEATHER DISASTERS Pre-planning and using recommended cooling and cooking practices will ensure your family has safe, nutritious meals in the event of a flood, tornado or other weather disaster. To prepare for a crisis, collect a two-week supply of food for each family member. Consider members needs and preferences, storage space and emergency cooking methods. Remember to collect formula or baby food for infants, as well as food for your pets. Be sure to include water in your emergency food reserve. A person can live several days without food, but only a few days without water. So, stock up on bottled water, allowing at least two quarts per day for each person in your family. There are several alternative water sources in your home. You can melt ice cubes, use cooled water from the hot-water tank, the toilet tank (not the bowl) and water pipes. Don’t use water from the toilet tank if you’ve added chemical treatments to it. To use the hot-water tank, turn off the heating source to let the tank cool; then use a container to collect water from the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. To collect water from water pipes, release air pressure in the plumbing system by turning on the highest faucet in the house and drain water from the lowest faucet. The easiest way to plan a food reserve is to increase the amount of food you normally keep on the shelf or pantry. Rotate your supply once or twice a year, or follow the use-by date. It’s best to buy pre-packaged foods such as canned goods, juices, and no-freeze dinners in vacuum-packed containers. Canned foods don’t require cooking, water, or special preparation. A variety of canned foods means your family can have reasonably well-balanced meals. It might be more practical to serve more generous portions of fewer types of foods if water or power are limited. Store canned and dry foods in a cool area away from heat and light. After opening a package, put the remaining contents in a screw-top jar or air-tight container to protect them from pests. Also put a manual can opener and disposable plates and utensils with your reserve food supply. Periodically inspect all food containers for spoilage and discard all dented containers or those with broken seals. Remember, you can’t rely on appearance or odor to determine whether a food is safe for your family to eat. Power Outages If the electricity goes off, first use perishable foods in the refrigerator; then, foods from the freezer. Remember, each time you open a refrigerator or freezer door, it reduces the time food remains at a safe, non-perishable temperature. A full, free-standing freezer will keep food at safe temperatures for up to three days. A refrigerator freezer will safely maintain foods for about two days. Frozen food with ice crystals in the center is safe to eat if properly cooked. Use non-perishable foods and staples last during extended periods without electricity. You can choose from several emergency cooking methods including a fireplace, top of a kerosene heater and outside on a charcoal or gas grill or camp stove. Candles and cans of sterno also can provide heat. Chafing dishes and fondue pots make good heating utensils, as do cans of food with lids and paper labels removed. If you need matches to start cooking equipment, store them in closed plastic bags with the equipment. For more information on weather emergency preparation, contact the Breathitt County Cooperative Extension Service at 606-666-8812, or stop by the office at 1155 Main Street, Jackson, KY. Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. . Use Spending Plans for Holiday Shopping During the holiday season people often throw caution to the wind and become impulsive buyers. After all, there are parties that require decorations, favors and specials foods. The desire to give gifts often extends to a long list of co-workers, friends and family. Stores display items in a way that scream, “Buy me, buy me.” Then, after the holidays, reality sets in when the bills arrive and you wonder how you are going to pay for all your impulsive purchases from the previous month or two. If this sounds familiar to you, why not try a different approach this year. Developing and following a spending plan can help you enjoy the holidays without leaving you in debt. Take time to sit down and make a list of your holiday buying needs. Remember to have an entertainment list, a gift list and a decorations list. Put a price by each item on your list. When you total it, make sure that the sum fits within your overall spending plan. The lists will only work if you use them. Don’t allow yourself to make any off-list, impulsive purchases. With the holiday spending plan in place, you can enjoy decorating, entertaining and giving gifts without putting a squeeze on your finances. For more information, contact the Breathitt County Cooperative Extension Service at 606-666-8812, or stop by the office at 1155 Main Street, Jackson, KY 41339 Educational programs of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. Preparing Your Home for Winter With the winter months fast approaching it is important to start preparing your home for the cold weather. Home maintenance and repairs should be done year round as needed but there are some things you should inspect in early fall to insure that your home is ready for winter. When inspecting around your home there are generally eight areas that you should check. These include the foundation, basement and yard, roof, exterior walls, windows and doors, interior surfaces, electrical systems, heating and cooling systems, plumbing and safety issues. As you inspect the foundation of your house, look for signs of water damage and cracks. Check to make sure that water is draining away from the foundation and if your home has an underground drainage system, be sure that it is working properly. Check the roof for loose or missing shingles and make any needed repairs. Otherwise, snow or wind may cause further damage to the roof. Clean out the gutters to remove dead leaves and debris. This will allow water to flow easily through the drain system. Examine the chimney to be sure it is secure and there are no loose bricks or mortar. Hire a chimney sweep to remove any buildup from your chimney, hearth and firebox. This should be done annually if you use your fireplace a lot. Otherwise, creosote buildup will create a fire hazard. Prepare your yard by raking leaves and pruning your trees and shrubs. Don’t leave your patio and lawn furniture outside. Move them into the basement or garage to prevent damage from the winter weather. When the temperatures drop below freezing you will also need to shut off your sprinkler and other outside water systems. Store garden hoses in the garage or basement with tools that you will not need during the winter months. Next, inspect the basement area for any cracks in the walls or floor. Repair any cracks or openings to make it water-tight and prevent water damage. Inspect, too, for small openings and cracks in joints or seams in the framework of the house, the attic, and crawl space. Pay special attention to cracks around doors and windows. Cold winter air can enter your home through these cracks and openings. Caulk and weather strip these areas to save energy and add comfort during the winter months. The weather stripping around your doors not only prevents cold air from coming into your home but will also keep out insects and pests that could otherwise invade your home. Autumn is the best time to do insulating. Do not wait until it gets too cold to do these tasks. Fall and winter temperatures usually cause heat bills to increase. Before cold weather sets in you should check your heating system including filters, pilot lights and burners. Finding a professional to clean and service your heating system early in the fall can save you money by preventing problems that may arise later in the winter months. You may also want to vacuum the dust from your heating vents, baseboards and cold-air return vents. Indoor pollutants from this dust buildup can cause illness during the cold weather. Take a closer look at your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Test each one and replace batteries if needed. It is a good idea to do this the same weekend as daylight savings time ends. If your home has a gas furnace or water heater, gas or kerosene space heater, fireplace or wood burning stove you will want to have properly functioning detectors in these areas. For more information on how to prepare your home for the cold winter months contact the Breathitt county Extension Office at 606-666-8812, or stop by the office at 1155 Main Street , Jackson , Kentucky . Educational programs of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. Stay on Top of Your Credit Mark these reminders on your calendar. Once a year, a physical. Twice a year, a dental check-up. Three times a year, a credit report review – because financial health needs to be maintained and monitored every bit as much as physical health. Everyone has a credit history and that history is reflected in a credit report, one of the most important sources of information lenders use when evaluating credit applications. If you’ve ever had a credit card, loan, mortgage or any other type of credit, your information is stored in the databases of the three major credit reporting companies. Those companies, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, collect personal and financial information from creditors, employers and public records. The information is used to devise a credit score, which is a number from 300 to 850. Both the history and the score are made available to potential lenders and can affect everything from whether you are granted a loan to the amount of interest that is charged. A credit report is composed of several parts. The first part contains personal identification information such as name, address and social security number. Another section covers public records, including bankruptcies, foreclosures, tax liens and court judgments. Credit accounts and payment history can be found in a third. Finally, even inquiries into your credit history are listed for one year. They also keep a record of all those who requested your credit history for employment purposes for two years. Most of the information stays in the report for seven years, though bankruptcy information remains a part of the report for ten years. Some facts, such as criminal convictions, can be reported indefinitely. Whenever you apply for a job that pays more than $75,000, apply for more than $150,000 worth of life insurance or apply for credit in the amount of $150,000 or more, it will appear on your credit report, as well. Every item listed has the potential to improve or diminish your credit score. Even the number of inquiries can affect it. More than three inquiries into your credit history in 90 days may affect your score adversely. In 2003 Congress passed an amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act that requires each of the three national credit reporting agencies to provide one free copy of an individual’s credit report every 12 months. Consumers should view this as an opportunity to take charge of their financial health. It’s important to regularly check your credit history for the simple reason that mistakes can be made and errors do occasionally show up in the reports. Identify theft is on the rise and keeping a close eye on your reports can also give you a much earlier indication of illegal activity under your name and guard against serious damage being done to your credit. To order a free credit report, go online to http://www.annualcreditreport.com and fill out the form. The form can either be submitted online or printed and mailed to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281 , Atlanta , Georgia 30348-5281. You can also order a report over the phone by calling toll free 877-322-8228. Be aware that if you order a report directly from one of the credit reporting companies, a fee will be charged. Also, keep an eye out for misleading “free credit report” services that are provided by lenders. It is likely that their request form may actually be an application for credit that will end up on your credit report as an inquiry, not to mention setting you up for a barrage of solicitations for credit. For your free report you must use the Annual Credit Report service. Because each of the three credit reporting companies acquires information from a variety of sources, their reports may not be identical. For that reason, it is a good idea to check each company’s report. You can order all three reports at once, but if you do, you will not be able to get another free report from these companies for one year. Therefore, it’s recommended that you order a report from a different company once every 4 months. Spreading out your requests in this manner will keep you abreast of any errors or suspicious activity that may appear and allow you to take the proper actions to remedy the problem before too much time passes. If, after checking your report, you find an error contact the credit reporting company in writing, including copies of documents that support your position. The company must reinvestigate the questionable item within a reasonable timeframe – usually 30 days. If you find that your credit report needs improvement, there are ways to improve your credit score over the long run – with the emphasis on “long run.” There are no shortcuts to improving your score. Only time and good behavior will erase the negatives in your report. Beware of people who offer to improve or fix your credit score for a fee. They are operating a scam. The procedures they use are illegal. Avoid them at all costs. Though short-term fixes may not be possible, taking charge of your finances can make a big difference down the road. Fiscal responsibility will eventually pay you back with a high credit score, resulting in better interest rates and more financial opportunities. Pay your bills on time. If you have fallen behind in your payments, get current with them and stay that way. Keep the balance low on credit cards and other “revolving credit”, such as a line of credit based on the equity in your house. It’s better to pay off your debt rather than move it around to a multitude of lower-interest cards. And though it may sound like a good short-term strategy to close out older, unused credit cards, doing so can actually be a detriment to your score. A closed account will continue to appear on your report. On the flip side of the coin, don’t open up a lot of new cards that you don’t need. The increase in the available line of credit can have a negative impact on your score. Finally, if you are in the market for a new car or home, do your rate shopping for a new loan in a concentrated period of time. Scattered over several months, the multiple inquiries will look more like searches for multiple loans than for a single one. This can be detrimental to your score. It doesn’t take much time, but checking your credit report on a regular basis can help you take care of problems before they affect your buying power or your employment status. Contact the Breathitt county Extension office for more information on credit reports and scores. Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. Come Sew With Us The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and Master Clothing Volunteers are hosting sewing lessons for adult beginners. One lesson will be held September 12, 2006 at the Lee County Extension Office, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The next lesson will be held on September 19, 2006 at the Perry County Extension Office from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Session 1 will be begin at 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.). Classes include: Get Your Sewing Machine Out of the Box, Sew a Simple Skirt, Chenille Pillow, and a Placemat Purse. (Session 2 will begin at 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.). Classes include: Get Your Serger Out of the Box, Sew a Simple Top, Chenille Scarf, and Window Treatment. You may choose one class from each session. You may pick up a registration form at the Breathitt County Extension Office. Registration is due by August 29th! Register early! Class size is limited. Cost: One session is $10.00. Both sessions $15.00* includes lunch. Call 606-666-8812 to register or stop by the Breathitt County Extension Office located at 1155 Main Street, Jackson, KY. Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. Strengthen Immune System with Proper Nutrition With the threat of a pandemic flu knocking on the world’s doorstep, there has never been a more important time for individuals to assure themselves of a healthy immune system. Most public health officials believe that a new virus will appear in humans worldwide. No one will have had this disease before and thus your body will not be able to attack it right away. The best way to combat pandemic flu, as there are no vaccines because it has never before existed, is through a healthy immune system. The human immune system has many processes with one of three particular jobs to do: stopping disease from entering the body; killing bacteria or viruses once they enter the body before they make you sick; and destroying viruses and/or bacteria after they have created disease. The immune system can only accomplish these goals if it is healthy enough. Achieving a healthy immune system starts with a solid foundation: good nutrition. Good nutrition can help you develop the best possible immune system which will increase the ability of your body to know that a virus has entered it - lowering your chances of getting sick; increase the ability of your body to attack the virus, helping you fight off the pandemic flu once you get it and provide “reserves” that can be used when you are too ill to eat. A healthy immune system takes time to build, it cannot be created overnight. The body must be given the building blocks daily to ensure a healthy immune system. In order to allow for these building blocks to be delivered properly, and to receive this good nutrition, you need to start eating healthy now. The first step to eating healthy is eating many different types of foods every day. Eating a variety of foods from day to day will also improve your nutrition and thus, your immune system. Include at least five fruits and vegetables every day. One serving is approximately a half cup or an average size piece of fruit. You should make these choices a plethora of colors as well. Include three servings of low-fat dairy each day. One serving is one cup of milk/yogurt or one ounce of cheese. Add six or more servings of whole grain breads and cereals to your meals each day. One serving is one slice of bread, one cup of dry cereal or a half-cup cooked rice, cereal or pasta. Protein must not be left out of your daily intake. Most people need two servings of protein each day. One serving is a piece of meat the size of a deck of cards, two eggs or two tablespoons of peanut butter. Choose low fat options as frequent as possible. All foods as they are grown are good foods. However, some foods are packed with nutrients and phytochemicals, compounds found in foods that have special benefits to health. Many of these compounds are found in the fruit and vegetable groups. Some fruits high in phytochemicals are blueberries, cherries, strawberries, red grapes, oranges, plums, blackberries and raspberries. Some vegetables with these beneficial nutrients are Brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale, beets, red bell peppers, corn, onions, eggplants and spinach. Strengthening your immune system can greatly increase your chances of fighting off disease and doing this starts with good nutrition. Good nutrition can be achieved through proper eating habits and a good balance of the foods you need from day to day. For more information about strengthening your immune system through good nutrition, contact the Breathitt County Extension Office at 606-666-8812 or stop by the office located at 1155 Main Street, Jackson, Kentucky. Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. Stay Cool This Summer When it is hot outside, our bodies also become hot, especially when working or playing outdoors. By taking some simple precautions, we can reduce the possibility of overheating and other health problems caused by the combination of high summer temperatures and humidity. Adults normally need about 64 ounces of liquid a day, more during warmer weather. During strenuous activities, drink one-half to one cup every 10 to 15 minutes, and continue to consume fluids afterwards to replace what you lost in perspiration. Water is an ideal drink to cool your body. When choosing other fluids consider the caffeine and sugar content. Sweetened drinks add calories and the sugar draws fluids away from the muscles where water is needed. Alternatives are fruit juices, decaffeinated iced tea, herbal tea or coffee, carbonated water and unsweetened sports drinks. Drinking water is the best way to replace fluids unless you are under strenuous exercise or conditions such as a marathon. Another way to increase your fluid intake is to choose foods with high water content such as lettuce, pears, tomatoes, oranges, apples, green beans, corn and bananas. Perspiring is one way the body loses water. Dehydration occurs when we lose more fluids than we consume. Common symptoms include fatigue, headaches, dry nasal passages, cracked lips and overall discomfort. Dehydration may occur more rapidly in elderly people. It is a leading cause for hospitalization of people older than 65. You still can enjoy the great outdoors by taking some simple precautions. When possible, reduce or eliminate strenuous activities in the heat of the day; schedule them for a cool time of day. Dress to help your body maintain its normal temperature. Light-weight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight. Sunburn makes heat dissipation more difficult and is a high-risk factor in skin cancer development. If you must be outside, use a sunscreen with a skin protection factor of at least 15 and wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. For more information, contact the Breathitt County Cooperative Extension Service at 606-666-8812 or stop by the office which is located at 1155 Main Street, Jackson, Kentucky. Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. |