When are Black Friday bargains no bargain at all?
Americans will spend about about $704 per household on gifts, decorations, food and other purchases this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. This is up from $688 per household last year.
If this amount was put on a credit card at 18 percent interest – and assuming only minimum payments at 2 percent were made – it would take more than six years to pay off the balance. Consumers would also pay $485 in interest charges.
Considering the sluggish economic climate, families are encouraged to plan their holiday purchases carefully. Experts advise families to avoid allowing holiday spending to cause their financial security to backslide.
It’s best to say “no” to gifts and other purchases that you truly cannot afford. According to Carol Young, K-State Research and Extension family financial management specialist, “The greatest gift you can give your family is financial stability.”
From gifts and parties to decorations and travel, the holiday season brings a multitude of financial pressures.
“Don’t let this pressure– often combined with enticing sales and impulse purchases– cause you to lose perspective,” Young says. She offers this advice for Black Friday sales shoppers– “Remember, spending money you don’t have to save money on a sale item is no savings at all.”
“Knowledge for Life” provided by the Finney County Extension Office and K-State Research and Extension.
Subscribe to the comments for this postWhy You Need to Refrigerate Pumpkin Pie
Grocers display pumpkin pies on store shelves without refrigeration, yet cooks who make pumpkin pies at home are instructed to keep the perennial fall favorite in the refrigerator.
“The difference in recommendations is due to the formulation of the pie recipes,” said Karen Blakeslee, K-State Research and Extension food scientist. A traditional, homemade pumpkin pie, which typically is prepared with eggs and milk, has a high moisture content that, if stored at room temperature, will attract bacterial growth, Blakeslee said.
Recipes for commercial pumpkin pies are formulated with shelf-stable ingredients, including preservatives and antimicrobials that discourage bacterial growth, she said.
If buying a commercial pumpkin pie displayed at room temperature, the food scientist advises shoppers to check the product label for “RT,” which indicates the pie meets the requirements for display at room temperature. She also advises shoppers to check “sell by” or “use by” dates, and after purchasing and cutting, to cover and store leftover pie in the refrigerator and use within two to three days.
More information about food and food safety is available at K-State Research and Extension offices throughout the state and online: www.ksre.ksu.edu and http://www.rrc.ksu.edu/. Also check out the holiday food safety information from Fight Bac at http://www.holidayfoodsafety.org/.
“Knowledge for Life” provided by the Finney County Extension Office and K-State Research and Extension.
Make Healthy Food Donations This Year
Millions of Americans are living with limited financial resources. Your healthy food donations are important in helping them get enough to eat.
But a steady diet of starchy, low-fiber, high-sodium foods like ramen noodles, packaged pasta and rice mixes and meal “helper” products is leading to health concerns for many low-income people. Obesity from an imbalanced diet aggravates chronic health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and more.
Donate nutritious foods
So when choosing foods for a food drive– at holiday time or anytime– follow the MyPlate guidelines. Choose shelf-stable foods that provide maximum nutrition from each food group. Consider dried or evaporated milk, canned chicken, tuna, salmon and beans, canned fruits and vegetables (especially dark green and deep orange varieties), tomatoes and tomato sauces, whole grain cereals, peanut butter and 100% fruit juices.
Thank you for your food donations– and for sharing nutritious items with those in need.
“Knowledge for Life” provided by the Finney County Extension Office and K-State Research and Extension.
Battle heart disease with your toothbrush!
Your toothbrush is a powerful weapon against heart disease. Recent studies have shown an increased risk of heart disease and stroke in people with gum infections. Gum disease produces a tremendous amount of bacteria. If you have a heart valve problem, the bacteria can invade and infect the heart.
Regular, thorough brushing and flossing represent the first line of defense against gum disease. Make sure you get regular dental check-ups, choose a healthy diet without sugary snacks and sodas, avoid tobacco products, and limit alcohol intake.
If you discover that you have gum disease, you can avoid spreading the problem. Do not share a glass with anyone or blow on your child’s food to help cool it. Maintaining good oral health is something you can do to protect your good health. Consult your physician and dentist for more information.
Source: Healthy You Wellness Tip from K-State Research and Extension
“Knowledge for Life” provided by the Finney County Extension Office and K-State Research and Extension.
MyPlate Luncheon Program
In June, First Lady Michelle Obama introduced MyPlate, the new logo for government nutrition education. The circular plate image is designed to give a fast, easily-understood reminder of the basics of a healthy diet.
Now you can learn more at the free Extension luncheon program “MyPlate: Eating for the Health of It” on Monday, November 14, at 12:00 noon at the Grandstand Meeting Room on the Finney County Fairgrounds in Garden City.
This fun and festive program will include a delicious MyPlate-style lunch, the MyPlate prize wheel, and helpful information to help you put MyPlate on the table. All activities and materials are free, thanks to a grant from the Finney County Center for Children and Families.
“MyPlate: Eating for the Health of It” is sponsored by K-State Research and Extension in Finney, Kearny Scott and Wichita counties.
Pre-registration is required to reserve your spot for lunch. Please call the Finney County Extension Office at 620-272-3670 by Thursday, November 10. Lunch will not be guaranteed for those who register late.
MyPlate is intended to make healthy eating easy and enjoyable. Plan to attend this free Extension lunch program for facts, food and fun!