Author: Zoie Clay

Enjoy Your Wants

When it comes to money, most of us know the difference between needs and wants. Needs are basic items like housing, food, utilities, and transportation. Wants, on the other hand, are the extras that can make life more enjoyable, such as eating out, new clothes, subscriptions, or the latest gadgets. While there’s nothing wrong with spending on wants, the key is to keep track of them, to ensure they don’t take over your budget.

Tracking your wants helps you understand where your money is really going. It’s easy to swipe a card or click “buy now” without realizing how quickly those small purchases add up to big dollars. Coffee runs, takeout meals, or online impulse buys can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars each month. Writing them down or using an app to record these expenses makes your “want” spending visible, and visibility creates awareness.

Awareness then leads to control. Once you see the total of your wants, you can decide whether that money is truly giving you value. Maybe you’ll notice that you’re happier spending money on events or time with friends, rather than random online orders. Or perhaps you’ll decide to cut back in one area so you can save up for something bigger, such as a vacation.

Tracking wants also helps build healthy financial habits. Instead of feeling guilty about spending, you can set a budget for the wants you decide on. For example, you might give yourself $100 a month for coffee money. When you know you’ve set a budget, you can enjoy those wants without stress.

In the end, money should support both your needs and your happiness. By keeping an eye on your wants, you’ll avoid overspending, reduce financial stress, and make your money work in a way that truly matches your goals.

woman counting money with a planner in front of herSource: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.-b). Develop your budget. National Institutes of Health. https://grants.nih.gov/grants-process/write-application/advice-on-application-sections/develop-your-budget

Written by: Alisha Barton, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Miami County

Reviewed by: Zoie Clay, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Lawrence County

Nurture Your Nest: Room by Room Wellness

With cooler weather around the corner, our time spent inside our homes will continue to increase with the Fall and Winter months. We spend most of our time at home and work, so it makes sense the surroundings of our home can directly influence our mood and wellness – both physical and mental. Air quality, structure and design, neighbors, and accessibility can affect the impact our homes have on our health. There are many things we can do to ensure our homes support our health and wellness, such as checking the batteries in smoke detectors, clearing up clutter, testing for lead, and creating more time for family.

This September the OSU Live Healthy Live Well team is hosting a four-part webinar series that explores how we can nurture our homes to nurture our mind, body, and soul. Each session will focus on a different area of the home and how to nurture that area to feel your best!promo image for Wednesday wellness webinar series with dates for the 4 webinars, and the image shows a welcome mat that reads "home sweet home"

Week 1: From Sheets to Showers: Wellness in the Bed & Bath

Prioritize rest, mindfulness, and personal care by creating a supportive bedroom and bathroom environment. Learn practical tips to create a more calming, health-focused start and end to each day.

Week 2: Nurture Your Nest: Creating a Kitchen that Cares for You

Explore ways to help ensure your kitchen and pantry are working for you and your lifestyle. Learn tips and strategies to create a space that cares for you and your needs so you can enjoy your food preparation and dining experience more!

Week 3: Wellness for Family Life: Inside and Out

Discover how to transform your family and outdoor areas into a sanctuary of wellness for the whole family by creating healthy, connected spaces. Learn about simple changes and habits that support connection, movement, play, and overall well-being – both inside your home and out.

Week 4: Nurture Your Nest: Managing Your Home Workspace

Focus on ways to create a more functional, supportive home workspace – whether for remote work, studying, or household management. Learn strategies to organize better focus, reduce stress, and support tasks like managing finances, schedules, and important documents with ease.

Sessions are every Wednesday in September from 12:00 to 12:30pm. All sessions are free, but registration is required. Register today at go.osu.edu/lhlwwebinars

 

Written by: Zoie Clay, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Lawrence County

Reviewed by: Alisha Barton, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Miami County

Celebrating Older Americans Month

May is Older Americans Month – a time to recognize the contributions of older adults, reflect on aging trends, and reaffirm our commitment to supporting older adults. This year, the Administration for Community Living has chosen the theme “Flip the Script on Aging”, to encourage us to rethink how we view, discuss, and approach aging. It’s a call to challenge outdated stereotypes and celebrate the many opportunities of growing older.  There are numerous, valuable programs and resources to help older adults stay healthy, active, and joyful. Here are some services to support senior citizens looking to stay engaged, supported, and thriving!

An older woman dancing with a smile, with the text “Flip the Script on Aging” and the Older Americans Month logo.

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

The Ohio Department of Aging offers a wonderful program that provides eligible seniors with $50 to spend on locally grown fruits, vegetables, fresh-cut herbs, and raw honey. To qualify,  you must be age 60 or older; live in one of the 80 participating counties, and have a household income that falls within 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. You can apply online through Homegrown Benefits, where you’ll choose to receive your benefits either on a physical card or through a convenient mobile app. A list of participating vendors and additional resources is available on the Ohio Farmers Market Network’s page.

Local Senior Centers

Community senior centers are an invaluable resource to older adults, offering opportunities for socialization, engaging activities, access to resources, meal services, and much more! Senior Centers are one of the most widely used services for older adults, with more than 11,000 centers serving more than 1 million older adults each day. According to the National Council on Aging, seniors who participate in senior center programs report better health and higher levels of life satisfaction. Senior Center programs have been shown to delay the onset of chronic disease and contribute to meaningful improvements in physical, social, spiritual, emotional, mental, and economic well-being. Many senior centers also partner with other community organizations to expand their offerings and increase access to services and support.

Area Agency on Aging

In Ohio, there are 12 Regional Area Agencies on Aging covering all 88 counties, providing and coordinating essential support and services for older adults and individuals with disabilities. These regional offices lead a wide range of programs, including fall prevention activities, medication safety classes, transportation assistance, caregiver support, and much more! These Agencies also act as a vital link to other community resources, such as Community Action Organizations, Veteran Services, and medical services. To find your local Area Agency on Aging, visit the Ohio Department of Aging website.

These are just a few of the many valuable resources available to senior citizens. Local public libraries also offer a variety of events, classes, and services tailored to older adults. For even more opportunities, consider reaching out to your local extension office or senior center to learn about more programs in your community!

Written by: Zoie Clay, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Lawrence County

Reviewed by: Alisha Barton, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Miami County

Sources:

Get the Facts on Senior Centers. (2024, August 15). National Council on Aging. https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-senior-centers/

Ohio Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. (2025, April 16). Ohio Farmers Market Network. https://ohiofarmersmarketnetwork.org/senior-farmers-market-nutrition-program/

Older Americans Month 2025. (2025, April 14). Administration for Community Living. https://acl.gov/oam/2025/older-americans-month-2025