UF/IFAS Extension Monroe County -

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

The Two-spot Cotton Leafhopper: Identification, Symptoms, and Management

by Liah Continentino
February 6, 2026

Florida is no stranger to introduced species. From green iguanas to Brazilian pepper, many non-native plants and animals have settled into our environment. While some cause little trouble, others can create serious problems for wildlife, home ... READ MORE

Category:
Tags: Extension, Florida Keys, Gardening, Integrated Pest Management, Landscaping, Monroe County, UF-IFAS

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

Simple Money Saving New Year’s Resolutions

by Alicia Betancourt
December 15, 2025

A new year is the perfect moment to reset your financial habits. You don’t need extreme budgets or complicated spreadsheets to make real progress—small, consistent changes can add up to meaningful savings over time. Below are practical, ... READ MORE

Category: , Home Management, Money Matters, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Automate Savings, Beginner Budgeting, Budgeting Basics, Debt Reduction, Emergency Fund, Financial Goals, Financial Literacy, Financial Wellness, Household Budgeting, Money Saving Tips, New Year’s Resolutions, No-spend Challenge, Personal Finance, Saving Money, Smart Spending

Pulse Corals could be coming to a trap near you!

by Shelly Krueger
December 6, 2025

The Monroe County Extension Office is looking for commercial trappers and recreational stone crabbers to be on the lookout for a possible new invasive underwater species. It is a soft coral called Pulse Coral, which is common in the aquarium ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Invasive Species
Tags: Florida Sea Grant, Invasive Species, Marine Invaders, Pulse Corals

Florida’s Coral Reef Resilience Program 2024 Florida Bleaching Summary

by Shelly Krueger
December 6, 2025

Communications & Outreach Working Group: Florida Bleaching Summary, September 2025 OVERVIEW Corals rely on microscopic algae called zooxanthellae, which live within their tissues, give corals their color, and supply up ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine
Tags: Coral Bleaching, Coral Reefs, Florida Sea Grant

Give Green This Holiday Season: Eco-Friendly Gifts That Spread Joy, Not Waste

by Alicia Betancourt
November 3, 2025

The holidays are all about giving—but that doesn’t have to mean giving up on the planet. Between wrapping paper, packaging, and impulse buys, Americans generate an estimated 25% more waste during the holiday season. This year, you can keep ... READ MORE

Category:
Tags: Eco-friendly Presents, Green Gifts, Green Secret Gift Exchange, Handmade Gifts, Local Shopping, Sustainable Holidays, Zero-waste Wrapping

Supporting Local Wildlife in Home Landscapes

by Liah Continentino
October 31, 2025

Florida's population is expanding by an estimated 600 people per day, fueling an ever-increasing demand for development. Development drives one of the greatest threats to Florida's wildlife: habitat loss. According to the US Fish and Wildlife ... READ MORE

Category:
Tags: Backyard, Conservation, Extension, Florida Friendly Landscaping, Florida Keys, Gardening, Habitat, Homeowners, Landscaping, Monroe County Extension, Native Plants, Wildlife Habitat

Salt-tolerant Landscaping in the Florida Keys

by Liah Continentino
September 25, 2025

The Florida Keys are known for their idyllic seascapes, warm climate, and fascinating geological history. While we love these aspects of the Keys, many plants may not. If you have gardened here, you know it can be difficult. One increasing horticultural ... READ MORE

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Tags: Coastal Landscaping, Florida Friendly Landscaping, Florida Keys, King Tides, Native Plants, Resilient Landscapes, Salt Tolerant Plants, Sustainable Landscaping

Saving Money on Groceries by Understanding Food Product Packaging Dates

by Alicia Betancourt
September 15, 2025

When shopping for groceries, it’s easy to get confused by the different food product dates stamped on packaging. “Sell by,” “Best if used by,” “Use by,” and “Expiration” dates don’t all mean the same thing, and misunderstanding ... READ MORE

Category: , Health & Nutrition, Home Management, Money Matters, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Food Product Packaging Dates, Grocery Shopping Tips, Reduce Food Waste, Saving Money On Groceries, Shelf Life Of Food

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