Category: Home Management

What the New 2026 Tax Brackets Mean — and What You Should Do Now

by Alicia Betancourt
April 20, 2026

As we head into the 2026 tax year, the IRS has rolled out updated tax brackets, deductions, and limits. While these changes may look minor on the surface, they can directly impact how much you keep in your paycheck—and how much you owe when ... READ MORE

Category: , Home Management, Money Matters, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Budgeting, Financial Literacy, Income Tax, IRS Changes 2026, Monroe County, Standard Deduction, Tax Brackets 2026, Tax Planning, Tax Tips, UF IFAS Extension

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 22, 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

This time of year watch out for cane toads (Bufo Marinus) and your pets.

by Alicia Betancourt
September 9, 2025

South Florida's lush landscape and subtropical climate make it a paradise for both humans and a diverse range of wildlife. However, in recent years, an invasive species has become a growing concern for the region, especially concerning ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Home Management, Invasive Species, Lawn, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Cane Toad, Family Hot Topic, Florida Keys, Hazardous, Invasive Species, Landscape, Pets

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

Is Your Wallet Ready for the Next Disaster? Here’s Why It Should Be

by Alicia Betancourt
April 29, 2025

When disaster strikes, how quickly you recover often depends on one key factor: your financial preparedness. Natural disasters — like hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and heatwaves — are becoming more common and more destructive, especially ... READ MORE

Category: , Disaster Preparation, Home Management, Money Matters, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Budgeting For Emergencies, Climate Preparedness, Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Recovery, Emergency Cash, Emergency Fund, Emergency Planning, Emergency Savings, Financial Planning, Financial Resilience, Financial Security, Flood Insurance, Home Insurance, Home Safety, Hurricane Readiness, Insurance Tips, Natural Disasters, Personal Finance, Renter’s Insurance, Storm Recovery

New Florida laws to take affect January 1st 2025.

by Alicia Betancourt
December 9, 2024

Starting January 1, 2025, nine new laws will go into effect in Florida, addressing topics such as social media restrictions for minors, building regulations, and protections for vulnerable adults. For full details, you can visit the Florida ... READ MORE

Category: , Home Management, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Addictive Features, Bond Allocations, Building Permits, Building Regulations, Claim Denials, Dental Insurance, Dental Insurance Claims, DHSMV, Estate Planning, Expert Witness Fees, Fiduciary Law, Financial Exploitation, Financial Exploitation Safeguards, First Responder Protections, First Responders, Harassment, HB 1093, HB 135, HB 267, HB 3, Interference, Medical Reimbursements, Minors, New Florida Laws 2025, Parental Consent, Party Affiliation, Payment Restrictions, Private Activity Bonds, Public Projects, Residential Inspectors, SB 184, SB 362, SB 556, SB 7054, SB 892, Sealed Drawings, Social Media, Social Media Restrictions, Threats, Time Limits, Transaction Delays, Trusts, Unitrusts, Voter Registration, Vulnerable Adults, Workers’ Compensation, Written Consent

Forget the supply chain, have a greener holiday

by Alicia Betancourt
August 1, 2024

The holidays are not here yet, I know. But the media is reporting holiday chaos. With shipping disruptions and limited supply they insist that we need to be shopping NOW! Maybe this year we can rethink what and with who we want to celebrate. After ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Home Management, Money Matters, Relationships & Family, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Budget, Eco, Gifts, Green Living, Holiday

American debt and delinquency is rising, tips to get your debt under control.

by Alicia Betancourt
July 29, 2024

An increasing number of Americans are reaching the limits on their credit cards. According to the Federal Reserve, credit card delinquency rates hit a nearly 12-year high. In the first quarter of 2024, nearly one-fifth of credit card borrowers ... READ MORE

Category: , Home Management, Money Matters, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Balance Transfers, Credit Card Debt, Debt Consolidation, Debt Repayment, Financial Planning, Financial Windfalls, High-interest Debt, Home Equity, Pay More Than Minimum, Pay With Cash, Snowball Method, Track Spending

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