Category: Money Matters

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

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

Could you “buy nothing” for a year?

by Alicia Betancourt
January 23, 2025

It is a new year, and I want to work on what I can do to make it more planet-friendly. To live more climate-aware and reduce my environmental impact, I plan to start by being more mindful of what I consume. Moreover, I have been looking into ... READ MORE

Category: Money Matters, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Advertising, Borrow, Buy Nothing For A Year, Carbon Footprint, Climate-aware, Consumer Awareness, Consumer Culture, Declutter, DIY, Environmental Impact, Essential Purchases Only, Financial Benefits, Food Waste, Gift-giving, Leftover Repurposing, Locally Grown, Meal Planning, Mental Clarity, Mindful Consumption, Minimalist, Non-essential Purchases, Planet-friendly, Plant-based Meals, Recycling, Reducing Waste, Refurbished Items, Repair, Reusable Options, Reuse, Seasonal Produce, Second-hand, Share, Social Situations, Sustainability-driven, Sustainable Brands, Swap

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

Is 2024 the end of the paper check?

by Alicia Betancourt
January 11, 2024

Imagine you mail a check to pay a bill, and someone stole it. The thieves altered it, cashed it, and cleaned out your account. If you catch it quickly, you can contact the bank and reverse the charges, but sometimes you can't. If the thieves ... READ MORE

Category: , Money Matters, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Account Takeover, Altered Checks, Alternative Payment Methods, Bank Transfer, Black Gel Pen, Cash App, Check Fraud, Counterfeit Checks, Credit Card, Digital Alternatives, Electronic Payment, Forged Signatures, Low Balance, Mail Theft, Online Payments, Prevention, QR Code, Safeguarding, Savings Account, Security Measures, Tracking Number, Vigilance

Holiday Travel Tips

by Alicia Betancourt
November 29, 2023

Holiday travel can be both exciting and stressful. Whether you plan to fly or drive, there are some excellent tips to make it less stressful. Firstly, plan for something to go wrong. Make sure you have the money and time available in case of ... READ MORE

Category: , Money Matters, Relationships & Family, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Adaptable, Airline Apps, Airport, Arrive Early, Book In Advance, Books, Budget, Carry-on Luggage, Chargers, Crowds, Download, Drive, Enjoyable Journey, Essentials, Family, Flexibility, Fly, Friends, Holiday Travel, Itinerary, Jumper Cables, Last Minute, Laundry Bag, Leave Early, Long Lines, Medications, Money, Movies, Non-peak Hours, Off-peak Days, Pack Light, Podcasts, Positive Mindset, Potential Delays, Power Bank, Preparation, Prices, Raincoat, Reimbursement, Safe Travels, Safety Kit, Save Money, Security Checks, Sense Of Humor, Snacks, Spare Tire, Time, Tips, Travel Apps, Travel Documents, Travel Insurance, Unexpected Challenges, Water Bottles, Waze, Weather Delay, Weather Delays

Eco-Friendly and Ethical: A Guide to Sustainable Holiday Shopping and Spending

by Alicia Betancourt
November 13, 2023

The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and giving. However, amidst the festivities, we must be mindful of our impact on the planet. Sustainable holiday shopping and spending are becoming increasingly important as people seek ways ... READ MORE

Category: , Community Volunteers, Conservation, Home Management, Money Matters, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Awareness And Education, Charitable Giving, Conscious Choices, DIY Gifts, Eco-friendly Gifts, Eco-friendly Wrapping, Environmental Impact, Ethical Labor Practices, Ethical Spending, Experiential Gifts, Fair Trade, Green Holiday Practices, Handmade Products, Local Businesses, Mindful Gifting, Reusable Decorations, Sustainable Brands, Sustainable Holiday Shopping, Volunteer Work, Zero-waste Celebrations

The Impact of Food Waste and Strategies to Reduce It

by Alicia Betancourt
October 26, 2023

Food waste is a significant global issue with far-reaching economic, environmental, and social consequences. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately one-third of all food produced for human consumption ... READ MORE

Category: , Conservation, Home Management, Money Matters, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Climate Change, Family Hot Topic, Florida Keys, Food Waste, Green Living, Impact Of Food Waste, Reduce Food Waste, Saving Money, Sustainability, Vegetable Gardening

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