When people go through any type of change, the change may trigger a period of grief and feelings of loss. When people become unemployed, they may feel a loss of identity since Americans tend to describe themselves in terms of their job.

All change produces stress, even “good” changes such as marriage or vacations. Sometimes it is hard to perceive the stress of “good” changes but easy to understand the stress caused by negative changes such as job loss. Common stressors in a transition are fear and uncertainty.

For many people, the temptation to overspend is hardest to resist when they are out at a store or restaurant. Because their spending and savings plan (budget) is at home in a drawer, the information they need to make a good spending decision isn’t available. One way to help yourself stick to your plan is to keep your information in your pocket, wallet or purse. The example below shows how to set up a pocket spending guide. By filling it out and keeping it with you, you can easily see at any time how much money you have available to spend in each category. A pocket spending guide will help you adjust your spending plan to make your money go where you really want it to go.

The value of an attractive landscape to a home’s perceived value has often been stated at 15 percent. Is this figure reliable, and what landscape features do contribute to the value of a home? How does a landscape contractor convince his/her client to spend a significant portion of a home’s construction budget on landscaping, and is this a wise investment? How can a homeowner feel justified by spending thousands of dollars to landscape a newly constructed house? Or, will thousands of dollars worth of landscaping, significantly increase the “curb appeal” of a home for sale? To answer these questions, researchers conducted a seven-state survey of attendees at consumer home and garden shows to determine consumer perspective on how plant size, type, and design sophistication in a landscape affect the perceived value of a home (Behe et al., 2005).

The family is the cornerstone of a healthy community. Virginia Cooperative Extension strives to improve the well-being of Virginia families through programs that help put researchbased knowledge to work in people’s lives. Family and Consumer Sciences educators help Virginians learn to make good choices for themselves and their families. This, in turn, strengthens their communities and the state.

Where do you stand financially? Have your finances improved since last year? How much money did you spend last year, and on what? Are you using too much credit? If you have trouble answering these questions, you need to organize your records and measure your financial health.

Where do you stand financially? Have your finances improved since last year? How much money did you spend last year, and on what? Are you using too much credit? If you have trouble answering these questions, you need to organize your records and measure your financial health. Tracking your financial health is as important to your well-being as taking care of your physical health. As part of the Your Financial Health series, this publication will help you interpret your Balance Sheets and Cash Flow Statements and utilize several financial management ratios that will help you understand and assess the state of your financial health. For a review of balance sheets and cash flow statements, see VCE publications Your Financial Health – Balance Sheets and Your Financial Health – Cash Flow Statements.

Where do you stand financially? Have your finances improved since last year? How much money did you spend last year, and on what? Are you using too much credit? If you have trouble answering these questions, you need to organize your records and measure your financial health.

This publication provides readers with an eight-step guide to help plan a personalized spending strategy to reach your financial goals.

El modo en que usted gasta su dinero hoy, determinará cuánto tiene en el futuro.¡Usted puede tomar pasos hoy para controlar su destino financiero!

This fact sheet provides straightforward guidance to help producers understand the potential tax implications of receiving USDA disaster grant payments. It explains when these funds may be treated as taxable income, how they can affect overall tax liability, and what records and estimated payments may be needed. The resource encourages individuals to plan ahead, maintain documentation, and seek qualified tax advice to ensure compliance with federal and Virginia tax laws. Designed for educational use, the fact sheet supports farmers and other recipients in making informed financial decisions following a disaster.

In this session, expert presenters share highlights on all things related to personal and family budgets during COVID-19, from food to student loans, rent and mortgage payments to unemployment.

This video is for adults managing their finances and interested in learning more about COVID-19 related issues regarding financial matters, including mortgages, student loans, and more.

Food insecurity is a pervasive issue in communities throughout the United States, impacting the health and well-being of many households. This publication highlights food insecurity, specifically in Southwest Virginia, which has particularly high food insecurity rates, and brings attention to initiatives and organizations striving to reduce its effects.

This video provides guidance for migrant farmworkers on how to set up a bank account safely and confidently. Access to banking services is an important step toward financial stability, yet many workers may be unfamiliar with the process or unsure of requirements. The video explains basic steps for opening an account, outlines necessary documents, and highlights the benefits of using a bank instead of carrying cash. By increasing financial knowledge and access, this resource supports farmworkers in managing their money securely and building long-term financial well-being.

This video provides essential information to help migrant farmworkers recognize and avoid text message scams. As mobile phone use increases, scammers are increasingly targeting workers with fraudulent messages related to jobs, finances, or personal information. The video highlights common warning signs of scams, offers practical tips for protecting personal information, and encourages viewers to take simple steps to stay safe. By raising awareness and promoting digital safety, this resource supports the well-being and financial security of farmworker communities.

In 2022, Virginia had more than 8.6 million residents. With a death rate of 0.8%, about 70,000 people/year in Virginia pass away. If fraud touches 2% of those estates, it means that 1,400 cases of estate fraud start every year in Virginia. This is an average of five new cases every day.

This publication helps individuals understand what to consider when choosing a budgeting or financial management app. Drawing on guidance from the FDIC, CFPB, and Better Business Bureau, it highlights key factors such as security, cost, privacy, and usability. The resource is designed for public use and as an educational tool for Extension and community programs that promote informed and confident financial decision-making.

National Council on Aging; Scam and Fraud Prevention

American Institute for Cancer Research Diet, the Microbiome, and Colorectal Cancer: Connecting the Dots

This toolkit provides an overview of facilitation techniques to promote behavior change, along with specific instructions and resources for educators to learn and apply skills necessary to implement them.

This issue of the Buzz, Body, & Bites newsletter provides practical guidance on financial management. It also includes a great soup recipe, and recommendations for how to get physical activity.

Military family well-being is improved when professionals who support families are ready, knowledgeable and networked. Family well-being contributes to retention and readiness of military service members, helping to build and sustain effective and efficient military and family support and community partnerships. This handout provides information on how OneOp supports the work of VCE professionals engaging with military families.