Grown Up U

We hear all the time don't drive distracted, but why is that so important? Join Mary Ann Kizer, Jefferson County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent and her guest, Dot Hart, as they share the costs of distracted driving. Staying focused on the road could save a life!

Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month? According to Mental health America, 46 percent of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in their life, and half of those people will develop conditions by the age of 14.  Join Rachel Chaney, Yell County FCS agent and special guest, Rebecca Simon, Family Life/Early Childhood Instructor and Mental Health First Aid Trainer, as they talk about getting back to basics with mental health. 

We all know the internet as a place of endless information, connections, resources, apps, and of course, games. It has become the “next best thing to sliced bread” as the old saying goes. For as much good that the internet can and does bring to our lives, it also brings about the bad and ugly.In today's Grown Up You podcast FSC agents, Julie Going and Valerie Turner,  talk about why it is  important to stay on guard when you are on the internet and tips for staying safe.  

The stress of graduating from college is real. Meeting all the requirements, completing those last assignments, and taking make or break your grade finals can all build up to make you feel overwhelmed. You have worked so hard to receive a degree and instead of exhilaration all you feel is stress. Alison Crane, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent for Garland County, Arkansas, and her son, Jonathan Crane, discuss the stressors of college graduations and some stress busting tips for not letting them get to you.

This may be the moment you have been waiting for but graduating from high school can still bring a lot of stress. Don't let the pressure make your memories of this important accomplishment unhappy. Taking steps to manage your stress by learning some coping skills can help you enjoy this special time in your life. Listen as Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Pamela Luker, and high school senior, Destini Nguyen, discuss ways to make your last weeks of high school less stressful. 

In the digital age, navigating online dating websites and apps can feel like a minefield, especially as romance scams have become more prevalent. Over the last five years, over one billion dollars has been reported lost to romance scams.  In this week's podcast, Valerie Turner, Staff Chair in Monroe County and her guest, Rebekah Hall from the office of communications for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will highlight tips for dating safely in our digital age.

Oh No! Either you have lost your copy of one of your vital documents or maybe you never had a copy, and you need one for school or work. Before the thought of going to the Vital Records office makes you anxious, listen as Alison Crane, Family & Consumer Sciences Agent, shares what you need to know to get a copy of your important records. You'll learn how to get a copy of your birth certificate, marriage license, a replacement Social Security card and death certificates for a loved one.

Is your alarm clock your friend or foe?  For most of us that depends on how much sleep we got the night before. Over 70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders that affect one's overall sleep patterns. In today's podcast, Mary Ann Kizer, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, and Dot Hart, Extension Wellness Ambassador and EHC Delta District Director, share why adults should get a good night's sleep and some easy to follow, inexpensive tips for helping you get good sleep. 

With rising food costs, many Americans, especially young adults in college or just starting their careers are looking for ways to stretch their food dollars.  In this episode Family and Consumer Sciences Agents, Casey Ford and Tristin Bolton, brainstorm ways that young adults can save money on food.

 In today's busy world, take-out and delivered foods are increasing in popularity. Some foods are served hot, and some are served cold when purchased. In this episode, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Jessica Angel, dives into safe steps in food handling, proper safety cooking techniques, and storage that are essential in preventing foodborne illness and keeping food safe. 

Losing weight is hard and maintaining a healthy weight requires self-discipline, but that does not mean the journey is not worth the effort. Alison Crane, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Garland County, will share the benefits of maintaining a healthy weight and how establishing some simple good habits can make it achievable not miserable.

We hear about fad diets everywhere!!! Before you decide to try the latest craze, listen in on some fast facts about fad diets to learn about why they may not be all that they are cracked up to be. Join Pamela Luker, the Family Consumer Sciences Agent for Pope County, as she interviews Dr. Jamie Baum, the Associate Professor of Nutrition and Director of the Center for Human Nutrition Department of Food Science with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. Dr. Baum shares information to help you know recognize fad diets and learn about diets that are proven to be effective and safe.

Do you get confused by all the nutrition information out there?  You are not the only one!!! Tune in to hear FCS agent, Alison Crane, and her daughter-in-law, Amanda Crane, share how you can use MyPlate as a tool to simplify healthy eating! March is National Nutrition Month, and we have some great information for how you can take some simple steps to improve your diet.

Ever get to the DMV to renew your car tags only to find out your need proof of tax assessment? Did you know what to do? If you are clueless about what I am talking about then you need to listen to this episode of Grown Up U. Phillips County FCS Agent, Julie Goings, and Agriculture Agent, Shawn Payne, share all you need to know about tax assessment. Listening should save you time when heading to renew those tags and maybe keep your name out of the paper, too. 

It is time to get those important tax papers ready! Tax season is upon us! Rachel Chaney, Yell County FCS Agent talks with special guest Dr. Laura Hendrix, Associate Professor for Personal Finance and Consumer Economics, as she shares tips for preparing your taxes once you have collected your important tax papers. 

Whether it's your first time to file taxes or your twentieth time, filing taxes can be a little stressful. Never fear! There is hope! Follow our advice on collecting those important tax papers and you'll be cool as a cucumber and ready for next week's episode on your filing options. Listen as Rachel Chaney, the Yell County Family Consumer Science Extension Agent visits with Dr. Laura Hendrix, Associate Professor for Personal Finance and Consumer Economics with the University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service. Dr. Hendrix has some great "adulting" information for you. 

Have you ever wondered where you spent your money? Or maybe you are working to be independent, and you need to figure out if you can even afford to do that. In today's podcast, Garland County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Alison Crane, will share the basics of budgeting to help you set up your own spending plan. 

In today's episode, Jefferson County Extension agents, Mary Ann Kizer and Kurt Beaty, share the steps you need to take when shopping for a credit card. Be a smart consumer and learn the facts about credit cards before you accept all those card offers coming each month in the mail. Once you have listened to our podcast, visit https://www.uaex.uada.edu/life-skills-wellness/personal-finance/uaex-money-blog/ to learn more about building your credit and wise money management. 

Trying to decide whether to rent or buy? It's a big decision. Before you pay out any money or start shopping, take a few minutes to listen to Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Julie Goings and her guest, as they discuss the pros and cons of renting and buying and what you need to consider before making that big decision.

Maybe you've heard Brad Paisley's song, All I Wanted Was a Car, and thought that you could work hard and save up to buy your first car. The cost of a car doesn't stop once you've paid for the car… there's maintenance, gas and of course, insurance. Join Alison Crane, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent and her guest, Anna Crane, as they discuss what you need to know when purchasing car insurance and how to save money. For more information you can download the brochure provided by the Arkansas Insurance Department at https://insurance.arkansas.gov/uploads/pages/brochures/auto.pdf 

Buying your first car can be a little scary. For many people, buying a car is their first major purchase. Cars are expensive and so is maintenance and insurance, you want to make a wise choice and get a car that you can be proud of and will last. On today's Grown Up U episode, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Mary Ann Kizer, and Agriculture Agent, Kurt Beaty, discuss everything you need to consider and check when buying a new or used car.

A major part of being an adult is paying bills. Following our practical steps to bill paying can help you track your expenses and give you some real peace of mind that your bills are being paid on time and you are keeping your credit in good standing. Listen to Family and Consumer Sciences Agents, Rachel Cheney and Pamela Luker, as they share their own personal experiences with paying bills and how to avoid the pitfalls of late fees and shut-off notices.

Have you thought about what to do with your hard earned money? Do you have questions about whether you should open an account at a bank? In today's podcast you can join FCS agents, Julie Goings and Valerie Turner, and their guest, Dana Worstell from Southern Bankcorp, as they discuss what you need to know about setting up an account and why you should keep your money in a bank. 

Where did the year go?  Have you been saving all year for your Christmas purchases?  Be ahead of the game!  Start with a holiday budget. Join  Mary Ann Kizer, Family & Consumer Sciences Agent, and AEHC Delta District Director, Dot Hart, as they share tips for planning your holiday budget that will help you to enjoy all of the festivities without stressing about how you are going to pay for it later. 

Just because your grades aren't the highest, it does not mean you aren't eligible for scholarships and just because you have great grades, it does not mean you will automatically win the scholarship. Listen to Family and Consumer Sciences agents, Valerie Turner and Julie Goings, as they discuss how it takes more than grades to get the scholarship.  You might find out you have more going for you than you think or at least learn a few areas to improve!

College is expensive and for most students scholarships are a must, but the whole process can be super intimidating. Our easy to follow tips for finding scholarships and filling them out can take away some of the stress. (By the way, the Cooperative Extension Service has several scholarship opportunities across the state of Arkansas. Contact your county Extension office to learn more.)

"Where, oh, where has my little _____ gone? Oh, where could it be?" Before this is you, singing this sad song, you might need a little talk about the costs involved in losing your stuff and in case, you have already lost something we'll give you some great advice for how to replace it. Join Amy Monk, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, and her son, Will, as they discuss the surprising costs of losing your keys and how to keep up with them in the future.

There is a sickening feeling that accompanies the realization that you have lost your wallet or purse. In Part 2 of The Cost of Losing Your Stuff, Amy Monk, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, and her son, Will, discuss what to do if you lose your wallet and how to replace your important cards and documents.

Do you have hopes and dreams that you want to achieve? Making those goals a reality starts with time management. Join FCS agents, Casey Ford and Charla Hammonds, as they share winning strategies for using your time in a way that aligns with your goals. We guarantee it will be a good use of your time!

Got stress? Today's podcast by Mary Ann Kizer, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Jefferson County, shares resources for managing stress. Join Mary Ann and her guest, Dot Hart,  as they talk about ways to overcome stress from our Extension handout, Managing Stress: Turning Challenges into Blessings. After listening to our podcast, visit our website to download a copy of the handout to learn more ways to handle stress at Managing Stress: Turning Challenges into Blessings (uada.edu). 

Woohoo! You've just received a refund check from your student financial aid! Before you go on a spending spree, there are a few thing that you need to consider. On today's episode of Grown Up U, Alison Crane, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, will talk about the educational and living expenses that your refund is meant to cover and how to budget it wisely so that you can actually afford to stay in school. 

It can be challenging to try to navigate interpersonal interactions - especially if you find yourself in a new place or tend to be shy or socially awkward.  Join Alison Crane and her guest, Conner Shipman, as they discuss the physical and verbal clues that happen during  conversations or social interactions. Learn tips for how to improve your ability to read social cues and ways to become more comfortable in social settings, both personal and professional. 

Managing relationships isn't just about family and friends. You spend most of your day with co-workers or even live with college roommates. Cultivating these relationships from the start in a positive way means you are on the fast track to personal and professional success. Today's podcast presented by agents, Rachel Chaney and Pamela Luker, will be the emotionally intelligent guide you need for building the basis of healthy habits in the workplace and dorm room.  

Are you nervous about starting college or starting your first “real world” job? If so, start  listening to Family and Consumer Sciences Agents, Pamela Luker and Rachel Chaney, as they share some tips to make the transition from high school to college or to your first job a little easier.  (By the way, we're a little nervous about starting up our podcast series, so we can totally relate!)

Moving into a new place creates a long To Do list. Today, we are going to look at five things that need to be done after you have moved whether you have left home for college or moved out on your own for the first time. Listen as Alison Crane, FCS agent in Garland County, Arkansas visits her recently graduated daughter, Anna Crane. As they share some of the things that will help you get established after you have moved to a new place. 

So, you are going to move into your first apartment or house and you need to signup for utilities but aren't sure how to get started. Join FCS agent, Amy Monk, and her son Will as they discuss what Will needs to do to have the  power, internet, etc. turned on in his new apartment.