November 14, 2003 News Releases
Released 11/13/03
UTAH STATE NEWS RELEASES FOR 11-13-03
ASK A SPECIALIST:
DO YOU HAVE HOLIDAY BUDGETING TIPS?
LOGAN — Wise men and women plan before making holiday
purchases. To avoid overspending, consider these tips.
• If it is necessary to cut back on spending this year,
communicate that with your family. It doesn't mean the holidays
have to change dramatically. Families should discuss what is
important to them this season and be willing to make changes
if necessary.
• Set a holiday budget and keep track of what you spend.
Include all expenditures -- not just the cost of gifts. Figure
costs of food, entertainment, decorations, travel expenses,
holiday cards and postage as well as the cost of new clothes
for the season. If possible, look at how much you spent last
year to help set your budget.
• Set spending limits for each person on your list as
well as for the other items in your holiday plan. Write your
limit on an envelope and keep it handy. When you make a purchase,
subtract the amount from the limit and place the receipt in
the envelope.
• Decide how you are going to pay for holiday spending.
If you plan to use only cash, leave your credit cards at home
when shopping. If you write checks, record each check in your
register and figure the balance before writing another check.
This will help you stay within your limit.
• If you need or want to use a credit card, choose one
to use for all your holiday spending. You can control your spending
on one card much more easily than on three or four cards. Check
your latest statement for each card to determine the annual
interest rate. Use the one with the lowest rate. Only charge
what you can afford to pay off each month. Pay close attention
to your credit limit and understand the charge card guidelines.
• Avoid impulse shopping. Start shopping far enough in
advance that you will not be pressured to buy the first item
you see in the store or catalog. This allows you to compare
similar items and take advantage of sales.
• Talk with family and friends about drawing names for
a gift exchange, setting dollar limits on gifts or not exchanging
gifts among adults. Make gifts by hand or give gift certificates
promising your time or talents. Offer gifts for such things
as babysitting, car washing or a particular talent, such as
photography. Give family keepsakes or pictures as gifts to create
memories as well.
• If entertaining family and friends consumes a large
part of your holiday budget, consider pitch-in dinners instead
of shouldering all the work and expense yourself. You could
also invite people for dessert and coffee or a small luncheon,
brunch or breakfast.
• Though this holiday season is already under way, it
is not too early to start planning for next year. Think ahead
and take advantage of after-holiday sales. Good budgeting should
take place all year long, not just at the holidays.
Visit http://extension.usu.edu/cooperative/aska/ to see other
Ask A Specialist columns.
Direct column topics to Julene Reese, Utah State University
Extension, Logan, UT 84322-0500, 435-760-9302; julener@ext.usu.edu
Nov. 13, 2003
Answer by: Barbara Rowe, Utah State University Extension Family
Resource Management Specialist
GOT STRESS? HERE’S
A WAY TO MAKE IT PAY
LOGAN – A study currently under way by Utah State University's
Department of Psychology will not only provide you with personal
feedback about how your body responds to mild stress, it will
also pay you $20 for your time.
The negative impact of stress on your health should not be underestimated,
said Kevin Masters, associate professor in the department who
is heading up the research. His main research interests are
in the area of health psychology.
Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the
United States. It has been suggested that heightened physical
responses to stressful stimuli may exacerbate the risk of developing
heart disease. These responses could include your heart beating
stronger and your blood pressure increasing, Masters said.
The effect of stress on cardiovascular function is the focus
of the Utah State research. He said that information gained
from this study may benefit future psychological and medical
knowledge and treatment.
Masters has conducted several studies involving participants
from Cache Valley. Several of these studies have been published
or are currently under review.
If you are interested in participating in this study, call Andrea
Knestel at 797-8041 or e-mail andreak@cc.usu.edu. You can also
call the psychology community clinic at 797-3401.
November 13, 2003
Contact: Kevin S. Masters, 435-797-1463, kmasters@cc.usu.edu
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