Category: UF/IFAS Extension

Digital Preparedness: Protect Your Information Before, During, and After a Disaster

by Alicia Betancourt
April 7, 2026

Website tracking collects your online behavior using cookies, pixels, and device fingerprinting. After disasters, scammers can use this data to send targeted phishing messages, fake FEMA alerts, and fraudulent contractor offers. Protecting your ... READ MORE

Category: , Disaster Preparation, Money Matters, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Consumer Protection, Digital Privacy, Disaster Preparedness, Financial Resilience, Florida Keys, Fraud Prevention, Hurricane Safety, Identity Theft, Monroe County Florida, Online Safety, UF IFAS Extension

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

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

Beginning Grant Writing Workshop

by Alicia Betancourt
January 28, 2026

Beginner Grant Writing: Learning the Basics to Fund Your Mission 2-Part Series, Tuesdays: March 10 and March 24, 2026, from 9:00am - 4:00pm Whether you’re new to grants or preparing your first application, this beginner-friendly, hands-on ... READ MORE

Category: Events, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: #MonroeCounty, Budget, Community Development, Community Program, Environmental Protection, Extension, Financial Goals, Hot Topic

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

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

Buyer Beware

by Alicia Betancourt
September 2, 2025

The internet has made shopping more convenient than ever—but it has also opened the door for scams. Fake websites that claim to sell cheap products are increasingly common, targeting people looking for good deals. While these sites may look ... READ MORE

Category: , Money Matters, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Consumer Protection, Counterfeit Products, Fake Websites, Fraudulent E-commerce, Identity Theft Prevention, Internet Fraud, Online Security, Online Shopping Scams, Safe Online Shopping, Scam Awareness

Smart Travel: How to Keep Your Devices Safe on the Go

by Alicia Betancourt
July 15, 2025

When you’re packing for a trip, your phone, tablet, or laptop are probably right next to your toothbrush. But while you’re thinking about sunscreen and snacks, hackers are thinking about the wide-open digital doors that come with travelers ... READ MORE

Category: , Home Management, Money Matters, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Bluetooth Security, Data Protection, Device Safety, Juice Jacking, Mobile Travel Tips, Offloading Apps, Public Wi-Fi, Tech Safety On Vacation, Travel Cybersecurity

Doomscrolling and Brain Rot: Why it’s time to log off and get outside.

by Alicia Betancourt
July 7, 2025

Let’s be honest — we’ve all been there. You open your phone just to check one thing, and suddenly it's 45 minutes later, and you’ve been scrolling through a stream of disasters, drama, and depressing headlines. Sound familiar? That’s ... READ MORE

Category: , Health & Nutrition, Recreation, Relationships & Family, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Anxiety Relief, Beat Brain Fog, Brain Rot, Burnout Recovery, Daily Routine, Digital Detox, Digital Wellness, Doomscrolling, Emotional Wellbeing, Focus Tips, Get Outdoors, Get Outside, Healthy Habits, Intentional Living, Life Offline, Mental Clarity, Mental Health, Mindful Living, Mindfulness Matters, Nature Heals, Nature Therapy, Productivity Hacks, Screen Time, Self Care, Sunshine And Fresh Air, Tech Boundaries, Walk It Out

Is Your Photograph Worth That Starfish’s Life?

by Brynn Morey
June 24, 2025

Starfish, or sea stars, are iconic marine animals often found in tide pools, along the shoreline, in seagrass beds, and mangrove channels. Their unique appearance and vibrant colors make them an irresistible photo subject for snorkelers and ... READ MORE

Category: , Coasts & Marine, Conservation, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Conservation, Environmental Impact, Florida Keys, Florida Sea Grant, Marine Conservation, Sea Star, Starfish

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