Category: Money Matters

Budgeting Made Simple: Free Tools to Help You Manage Your Money

by Alicia Betancourt
March 11, 2026

Managing money can feel overwhelming, especially when bills, groceries, and unexpected expenses compete for attention. A budget is one of the most practical tools available to help individuals and families plan ahead, reduce financial stress, ... READ MORE

Category: , Money Matters, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Budgeting, Financial Literacy, Financial Planning, Household Budgeting, Money Management, Personal Finance

Fresh Picks: The Month’s Classes

by Chris Weber
February 24, 2026

Spring brings new opportunities to learn, grow, and connect in Orange County. Our March lineup includes hands-on gardening workshops, financial education classes, healthy living programs, and community events led by our Master Gardener Volunteers. Take ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Blog Community, Events, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Lawn, Money Matters, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Work & Life
Tags: Classes, Events, Extension Education, Learning, Ocextension, Orangecountyfl, UFIFASExtension

New Rules for Charitable Tax Deductions

by Lisa Leslie
February 23, 2026

For the current season’s 2025 tax returns, charitable contributions can be deducted only if you choose to itemize deductions. Most tax filers (91%) take the standard deduction because it usually provides a larger tax benefit than itemizing ... READ MORE

Category: , Money Matters, Work & Life
Tags: Charity Deduction, Federal Income Tax, Itemized Deduction, Tax Deduction, Tax Prep

In our Saving Era: Tiny Habits, Big Results

by pamelahughes
February 17, 2026

Let’s be honest, saving money can feel impossible some days. Between rent or mortgage payments, rising grocery bills, gas prices, insurance, and everything else life throws your way, it might seem like there’s nothing left to save. But ... READ MORE

Category: Money Matters
Tags: Change Fund, Money, Money Management, Savings Era

IRS Scams and Fake Tax Filing: What Florida Residents Need to Know

by Alicia Betancourt
February 6, 2026

Tax season is a busy time for families and small businesses—but it’s also peak season for scammers. Each year, the IRS reports billions of dollars lost to tax-related fraud, and Florida consistently ranks among the states most affected. ... READ MORE

Category: , Home Management, Money Matters, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: CommunityEducation, ConsumerProtection, ExtensionEducation, FakeFiling, FinancialSafety, FloridaConsumers, FloridaExtension, Here Are **comma-separated Social Media Tags** You Can Copy And Paste: TaxScams, IdentityTheft, IRSScams, ScamAlert, StayInformed, TaxFraud, TaxSeason, UFIFASExtension

Tax Season Scam

by Katherine Allen
January 23, 2026

Full disclosure, I take a day of annual leave every April 15th. I need that day to finish and submit my taxes. Usually, I start my federal income taxes earlier, but I don’t finish. Then April 15th is here before I know it, leaving me to ... READ MORE

Category: Money Matters, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: #SuwanneeFCS, FTC, IRS, Tax Return, Taxes

Tackle Your Taxes Like a Pro

by pamelahughes
January 20, 2026

The Super Bowl isn’t the only thing right around the corner—tax season is almost here. Just like game day, a little preparation goes a long way.Use this playbook to get a jump start on your tax preparation and set yourself up for a smooth, ... READ MORE

Category: Money Matters
Tags: FCS, FIN LIT, Money Matters

Happy Tax Season: Let’s make it your best one yet!

by Halie Corbitt
January 16, 2026

Tax season is here, and for many, it can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re filing for the first time or you’ve been doing it for years, staying organized and informed can make the process much smoother. Here are some practical tips ... READ MORE

Category: Money Matters, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Finance, Money, Money Management, New Year, Tax, Taxes, VITA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Sustainable Swaps

by Evelyn Spencer
January 13, 2026

As the new year begins, it’s time to think about what small changes we can make in our daily routine to live each day more sustainably. One simple solution is to switch a handful of your single use plastic home items to reusable options. Not ... READ MORE

Category: Money Matters, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Pgm_Sustain, Reduce Reuse Recycle, Sustainability, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County

Standard vs Itemized Deductions: Which Is Right for You?

by Lisa Leslie
January 9, 2026

A tax deduction reduces your taxable income. For example, if your income is $50,000 and you have $5,000 in deductions, your taxable income becomes $45,000. The benefit of a deduction depends on your marginal tax bracket—the rate applied ... READ MORE

Category: Money Matters, Work & Life
Tags: Deduction, Federal Income Tax, Itemize, Itemized Deduction, Standard Deduction, Tax Deduction

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