USU Extension Families and Finances

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Short tips from Utah State University Extension relationship and family finance specialists.

Dennis Hinkamp


    • Feb 18, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 1m AVG DURATION
    • 40 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from USU Extension Families and Finances with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from USU Extension Families and Finances

    Sign Up for MySocialSecurity

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2021 1:03


    Having a MySocialSecurity account at ssa.gov makes it convenient to check your social security statements, change your address, request a replacement card, and manage your benefits online.

    Review Your Beneficiaries

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2021 0:56


    Did your family status change recently? Even if not, have you taken a moment to review your current beneficiaries? It's a good idea especially whenever you experience a life change such as marriage, birth, adoption, death, or divorce.

    Review Your Financial Basics

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2021 1:00


    Knowledge is power. You are more powerful than your circumstances! Even the most basic personal finance principles can be forgotten.

    Is a Part Time Job the Answer?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2021 1:12


    Consider a temporary, part-time job to help you achieve your financial goals much faster. If you've decided to get rid of debt or save more money for future expenses, then a part-time job can help you get there quicker. A part-time job could also be a way to break into a career or line of business that could end up meaning a bigger full time paycheck. Amanda H. Christensen, an Accredited Financial Counselor and Associate Professor for USU Extension specializing in personal finance.

    Evaluate Your Auto Insurance and Save Money

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2021 1:08


    Car insurance can be one of your biggest monthly expenses. I've found you can usually save on auto insurance by doing one of two things: changing your coverage level or getting a new policy. Amanda Christensen is co-author of the PowerPay Money Mastery Online Course. Connect with her on Facebook and Instagram @UtahMoneyMoms.

    Time Audit Your Subscription

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2021 1:10


    Taking an audit of your recurring charges and current subscriptions can help you see where you might be leaking unexpected cash. If you're looking for a little extra to throw at debt payments each month, this is a great place to start. Amanda H. Christensen, an Accredited Financial Counselor and Associate Professor for USU Extension specializing in personal finance.

    Set a SMART Money Goal

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2020 1:14


    Let's talk goal-setting. I think written, SMART goals are the way to go versus the more arbitrary goals like “save more” and “have less debt”.

    Set a Money Date

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2020 1:10


    Whether you have joint finances or separate, it's still important to sit down with your spouse or partner and get on the same page. Similarly, if you're single, you don't have a default accountability buddy to discuss your money issues with. You must check in with yourself or a trusted friend or family member from time to time.

    Evaluate Your Life Insurance

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2020 1:20


    If you earn an income and someone else depends on that steady stream of income to survive, then you should probably evaluate your life insurance. Because if you're gone, your dependents will be left without that income source.

    How to Organize Your Financial Records

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2020 1:14


    Having your financial records organized and in one spot brings clarity and allows you to quickly find documents for reference. Properly protecting important documents means you won't have to start over in the event of a fire or other incident.

    How to Trim Your Expenses

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2020 1:19


    One of the fastest ways to improve your financial situation is to review your list of expenses and look for ways you can eliminate and reduce. This process isn't about becoming a scrooge, it's about spending wisely and within your means so you can achieve financial goals faster.

    Create a Simple Budget

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2020 1:20


    We all have expected expenses that vary from month to month. Groceries, household goods, clothes, dining out, entertainment, etc. What I do when I feel like I'm spending too much in these categories is create a simple, selective budget to get this spending back under control.

    Saving for the Short Term

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2020 1:20


    According to Amanda H. Christensen, an Accredited Financial Counselor and Associate Professor for USU Extension specializing in personal finance proper money management is a language you never stop learning. It's important to regularly consume information to keep you motivated and intentional.

    Know Your Assets

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2020 1:12


    According to Amanda H. Christensen, an Accredited Financial Counselor and Associate Professor for USU Extension specializing in personal finance knowing your assets will allow you to calculate your personal net worth (assets minus liabilities). It will also give you a sense of what you need to insure, secure, or include in your last will and testament.

    How to Reduce Your Debt

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2020 1:13


    Amanda H. Christensen, an Accredited Financial Counselor and Associate Professor for USU Extension specializing in personal finance reminds us that whether it's debt on a credit card, a car loan, student loans, or your mortgage, making an efficient plan to tackle debt doesn't happen on it's own. It takes self-discipline and a game plan!

    Why It's Import to Review Your Monthly Expenses

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2020 1:16


    Amanda H. Christensen, an Accredited Financial Counselor and Associate Professor for USU Extension specializing in personal finance reminds us that no matter the income level, financial success comes from consistently living below one's means. A review of your monthly expenses will give you a sense of part of the "big picture." It will also give you the information needed to create an emergency fund, a simple budget, and automate your bill paying.

    How to Review Your Credit Report

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2020 1:13


    Amanda H. Christensen, an Accredited Financial Counselor and Associate Professor for USU Extension specializing in personal finance explains that it is not uncommon for your credit reports to contain errors, and these issues can pop up at any time. So it's a good idea to review your credit reports at least annually, of only for this purpose.

    How to Adjust Your 401K

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2020 0:59


    Amanda H. Christensen, an Accredited Financial Counselor and Associate Professor for USU Extension specializing in personal finance explains how it's important to adjust your 401K each year, both the amount (or percentage of income) you are contributing, and the type of individual funds or investing products to which you are contributing.

    1000 Safety Savings Plan

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2020 1:10


    According to Amanda H. Christensen, Accredited Financial Counselor and Associate Professor for USU Extension specializing in personal finance, everyone should have at least $1,000 extra saved up. Having that thousand-dollar cushion in your finances can do a lot for your feelings of security. It's also evidence that you are capable of living within your means, and (possibly more importantly) holding on to your savings.

    Understanding Risk and the Coronavirus

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2020 2:46


    Jonathan Swinton, Utah State University Extension Health and Wellness faculty, explains risk perception and the new coronavirus. 

    How to Protect your Social Security Number

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2020 2:31


    Utah State University Extension financial expert Amanda Christensen gives tips on protecting your Social Security identification. 

    7 Signs of a Healthy Relationship

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2020 2:53


    Utah State University Extension's Naomi Brower discusses the seven signs of a healthy relationship. 

    The Superpowers of Smiling

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2020 2:02


    Utah State University Extension's Dr. Dave Schramm explains the research behind smiling and happiness. 

    2 Tips in 2 Minutes to Improve Your Marriage

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2020 2:19


    Utah State University's Dr. Dave Schramm give two tips couples can use to improve their relationship. 

    2 Minute Tip on Expressing Gratitude

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2020 1:56


    USU Extension's Dr. Dave Schramm gives tips on expressing gratitude to increase happiness and decrease depression. 

    Make Time for Nine

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2020 2:04


    Utah State University Extension's Dr. Dave Schramm give two minute tips on parenting. 

    2 Things that Can Lift Your Levels of Happiness and Positivity

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2020 2:07


    Utah State University Extension's Dr. Dave Schramm gives two tips for raising your levels of happiness and positivity 

    3 Blocks to Remove from Relationships to Keep them Strong

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2020 2:23


    Utah State University Extension's Naomi Brower explains three blocks to remove from your relationships to keep them strong. 

    4 Tips on How to Say No

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2020 2:43


    Utah State University Extension's Naomi Brower gives 4 tips on how to say "no." 

    4 Tips on How to Increase Fun in Your Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2020 2:33


    Utah State University Extension's Naomi Brower give you four tips for keep the fun in your life and relationships. 

    5 Tips on How to Give and Receive Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2020 3:31


    Utah State University Extension's Naomi Brower offers five tips on how to better give and receive love. 

    Common Needs of Men and Women

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2020 1:57


    Utah State University Extension's Naomi Brower discusses the most common needs of men and women

    5 Tips to Help You Live a More Balanced Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2020 2:48


    Utah State University Extension's Naomi Brower presents five tips to help you live a more balanced life. 

    4 Tips on How to Strengthen Your Relationships

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2020 2:52


    Utah State University Extension's Naomi Brower give four tips that will help you strengthen your relationships. 

    4 Tips to Help You Practice Mindfulness

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2020 2:38


    Utah State University Extension's Naomi Brower gives four tips on how to practice mindfulness.

    4 Tips to Help You Become a Better Listener

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2020 2:11


    Utah State University Extension's Naomi Brower presents four tips to help you become a better listener.

    4 Tips to Help You Relieve Stress

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2020 2:26


    Utah State University Extension's Naomi Brower presents four tips to help you relieve stress. Click on the PDF icon for more information about stress relief.

    Three Tips on Managing Conflict

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2020 2:27


    Utah State University Extension's Naomi Brower offers three tips on managing conflict 

    Three Tips for Increasing Positivity in Your Relationships

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2020 2:19


    Utah State University Extension's Naomi Brower offers three tips on increasing positivity in your relationships 

    Three Tips to Winning Your Relationship

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2020 1:49


    Utah State University Extension's Naomi Brower gives three tips on winning relationships 

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