VCE Virginia Beach - Family and Consumer Sciences

Virginia Beach Family and Consumer Sciences Karen Munden and 4-H Agent Desmyn Owens plant pinwheels in front of the Virginia Beach Agricultural Building to acknowledge Child Abuse Protection month.

Where does our money “leak”? Here are few ideas – think of those that apply to you and decide if you can PLUG THOSE LEAKS!

On-the-go
Beverages – coffee, sodas, bottles water
Candy & snacks
Meals
Cable TV
Multiple streaming services
Pay-to-watch movies vs free
Books
Clearance bins or impulse check-out line purchases
Pop-Up Ad purchases
Lottery tickets
Online games
Unused subscriptions & memberships
Toll roads

How to PLUG these leaks? Check your monthly bank statements for frequent small purchases (they add up) and recurring charges. Try to plan meals, beverages and snacks to bring with you and cancel unused subscriptions. Streamline your TV watching to one service and watch the free bees. Check out your local library for books and movies to borrow rather than purchase for one-time use. Walk past the clearance bins and check-out line “swag”, skip the lottery and take an alternate route vs a toll road! YOU can DO IT!

10 Way to increase your activity level daily
1 Start the day with a stretch or a walk!
2 Movement Breaks – set a timer and get up and MOVE!
3 Multi-Taslk with Movement – pace on the phone, calf raises while you brush your teeth..little bursts add up!
4 Make errands more active – park further away, take the stairs, etc.
5 Turn chores into workouts – vacuuming, scrubbing, mopping…put your ALL into it!
6 Dance!
7 Walk whenever possible!
8 Active Playtimes – take your kids or significant others to the park, go for a beach walk, walk a local museum!
9 Join a FUN fitness challenge – there are many online beginner-type challenges to try!
10 End the day with a stretch or a walk!

https://www.marthastewart.com/1524831/warm-lentil-salad-poached-eggs

Salad in January? YES! This is a WARM salad to warm your spirit and keep you eating healthy in the new year.

This Warm Lentil Salad Is the Hearty, Healthy Meal We All Need This warm lentil salad is a hearty and healthy meal. Lentils and vegetables are tossed with a lemony dressing and topped with goat cheese and poached eggs.

15 Credit Improvement Tips

1. Review your credit report once a year (www.annualcreditreport.com)
2. Pay your bills on time
3. Pay more than the minimum
4. Ask questions
5. Read the fine print on your bill statement and verify all charges
6. Contact your creditors
7. Pay down balances on credit cards
8. Do not close all unused accounts
9. Use cash to make everyday purchases
10. Don't take a cash advance on your credit card
11. Know your limits
12. Avoid using Payday loans
13. Keep a Spending Plan
14. Correct mistakes on your credit report yourself
15. Don’t ignore the little bills

We make resolutions but how do we stick to them? Write them down! Make them Attainable and KEEP Track of progress. Try this SMART Goals tracker to help you keep you resolutions on track.

Hearty and fiber-packed winter veggies are a great way to liven up your dinner table in the new year!

Sheet-Pan Roasted Root Vegetables These colorful roasted root vegetables are made in one sheet pan. Whip up this recipe to use in easy, healthy dinners all week long.