By Mary Parker Draper, Extension Agent – Smith County
Over the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every aspect of life, and some individuals and families have experienced significant setbacks. As most Americans focus on recovering from the economic effects of the pandemic, University of Tennessee Extension is excited to partner with America Saves Week and promote five critical areas of financial wellness.
“It’s important for everyone to save for emergencies, but the last two years have really brought to light for many people a need to assess their financial health overall,” says Christopher T. Sneed, Consumer Economics Specialist and assistant professor with UT Extension Family and Consumer Sciences. “America Saves Week is a great time for anyone to take a look at their finances and make some concrete plans to save in these areas.”
The week of February 21-25, 2022 is the week selected for America Saves Week, and each day will focus on a particular saving theme in five critical areas of wellness. Both America Saves and UT Extension are approaching the week as an opportunity to support individuals as they build financial resilience so they can tackle the tough moments of life without experiencing financial difficulties.
Save Automatically: Monday, February 21, 2022
· Make saving a habit. The easiest way to do that is to set up automatic savings with a bank or credit union.
Save for the Unexpected: Tuesday, February 22, 2022
· While emergency savings and rainy-day funds may automatically trigger thoughts of negative situations, they could also be needed for exciting or positive opportunities. A special moment or event or an unexpected move for a dream job are all situations where extra savings can create a chance to say yes instead of no.
Save for Retirement: Wednesday, February 23, 2022
· Save so that your future self will thank you. Make saving for retirement a financial priority and consider different options that are available through an employer or through individual accounts.
Save by Reducing Debt: Thursday, February 24, 2022
· Leverage credit responsibly so that you are set up for major milestones, like purchasing a home. Reduce debt in order to save money on interest and fees and by gaining more disposable or discretionary income to allocate as needed.
Save as a Family: Friday, February 25, 2022
· Create a more financially resilient future for your family by involving young people or children in the conversation. Ensure that the young people in your life are equipped with the tools and building blocks of personal finance. Encourage saving from a young age, and have age-appropriate conversations about money and financial decisions.
Each day of America Saves Week is an opportunity to engage with these ideas and think critically about goals and challenges to financial resilience. Through its land-grant mission of research, teaching, and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. Learn more at utia.tennessee.edu.
Praline Grahams
12 graham crackers
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Line a cookie sheet with heavy foil. Break graham crackers at lines and place a single layer on foil-lined pan. In a small saucepan, combine margarine and brown sugar, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 2 minutes. Add nuts and pour mixture over crackers. Bake in oven for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Let stand 2-3 minutes and remove from cookie sheet to cool. Submitted by Marcia Tisdale, Elmwood/Chestnut Mound FCE Club.
