Healthy Finances

Smart Shopping and Staying Safe This Holiday Season

Wrapped gifts

The holiday season brings excitement, celebration, and gift shopping. Whether you’re buying for friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors, it’s important to shop smart, stay safe, and protect your budget. A little planning can reduce stress, prevent overspending, and keep your personal information secure throughout the season.

Creating a Holiday Budget

Before you start shopping, take time to outline what you want to spend. A budget can  help you stay on track and avoid financial stress in January.
This Holiday Budgeting 101 guide from ECU Credit Union offers helpful tips on breaking down expenses, planning ahead, and organizing spending. Consider all categories; gifts, wrapping supplies, party hosting, decorations, and holiday cards. As your plans change, your budget can change with you.

Make a Gift List and Shop Early

After building your budget, create a simple list of who you’re buying for and what you’d like to give them. This keeps your shopping focused and protects you from impulse buys. Shopping early also helps you avoid shipping delays, out-of-stock items, and last-minute overspending.

Shop Smart With Deals, Rewards, and Thrifting

Holiday sales can be tempting, so look for deals that match your list. Use reward points, coupons, or cashback apps whenever possible. Don’t overlook thrift stores, local craft fairs, or handmade gifts, these can be meaningful and budget friendly.

For more smart shopping strategies, check out Smart Gift Shopping for the Holidays from Farm Bureau Financial Services.

Be Aware of Scams

Unfortunately, cyber scams increase during the holidays. Protect yourself by:

  • Shopping only on secure sites (look for “https”)
  • Avoiding unfamiliar links in emails or social media ads
  • Watching for deals that seem “too good to be true”
  • Monitoring your bank or credit card for unusual activity

Safety is just as important as savings.

Holiday shopping doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a clear budget, a thoughtful gift list, discounts, and an eye out for scams, you can enjoy the season while protecting both your wallet and your personal information. A little preparation goes a long way, helping you stay focused on what really matters: celebrating, connecting, and enjoying time with the people you care about most.

 

Written by: Megan Taylor, Ohio State University Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences/4-H Youth Development Educator, Union County, taylor.4411@osu.edu

Reviewed by: Amanda Bohlen, Ohio State University Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Washington County, Bohlen.19@osu.edu

 

Holiday Budgeting: Giving the Gift of Experiences

The holiday season often brings financial stress, but meaningful gifts don’t have to break the bank. Experiential gifts—such as shared outings, classes, or memberships—can offer lasting memories and emotional value while supporting financial wellness. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends setting a realistic budget and exploring creative alternatives like homemade gifts or offering time and services. U.S. News & World Report notes that experience-based gifts often bring deeper satisfaction than material items.

DIY Experience Gift Ideas: •“Day Together” coupons for hikes or movie nights

•Skill-sharing certificates for cooking or crafting

•Memory jars filled with future activity ideas

•Service gifts like pet care or tech help

Shop Local: Support your community by gifting restaurant gift cards, event tickets, or locally made DIY kits. Extension programs encourage exploring farmers markets and small businesses for budget-friendly, meaningful options. Celebrate the season with connection, creativity, and financial mindfulness.

 

Resources: • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Three Ways to Enjoy the Holidays Without Going Into Debt
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/three-ways-enjoy-holidayswithout-going-debt/Offers practical budgeting tips and creative gift ideas to avoid holiday debt.
[www.consum…inance.gov]
• U.S. News & World Report
The Gift of Experiences: Why Memories Are Better Than Things
https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/family-finance/articles/the-gift-of-experiences-why-memories-are-better-than-thingsHighlights the emotional and financial benefits of giving experiences over material gifts.
[money.usnews.com]
• U.S. News & World Report
Fantastic Experience Gifts to Give
https://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/articles/fantastic-experien
ce-gifts-to-give
Provides a list of creative and budget-friendly experience gift ideas.
[money.usnews.com]
• Extension Foundation
Holiday Shopping with a Financial Mind$et
https://connect.extension.org/blog/holiday-shopping-with-a-financial-mind-et
Encourages budgeting, DIY gifting, and mindful spending during the holidays.

Halloween Fun while Saving Funds

Spooky season is upon us! The smell of decaying leaves, the feeling of cool, crisp fall air, and the variety of Fall festivities are all indicative, Halloween is here! This year, despite inflating prices of food and goods, Americans are expected to spend a record high of $13.1 billion on Halloween items (candy, costumes, décor, etc.). How do we celebrate the fall and Halloween traditions we love without breaking the bank?

Jack-o-lantern bucket full of bills.

Picture from: Picture from Adobe Express.

 

  1. Explore your closets for clothing items you already own and create your own Halloween costume out of different pieces of clothing, jewelry, props, etc.

Assemble a costume you can throw together yourself using what you already own! One year, I threw together an orange-knitted turtleneck, a brown skirt, glasses and a magnifying glass and voila! My very own Velma costume from Scooby-Doo.

  1. Take advantage of post-season discounted Halloween items.

Following Spooky season, check out the sales leading up to holiday and seasonal promotions to see if there are any items on sale or clearance that you would like to use next year.

  1. Fall farms and haunted houses can be pricey. Try these inexpensive, festive fall activities!
  • Bobbing for Apples

Try a healthier version of apple-bobbing by hanging the apples by strings and having guests select their apple by taking a bite without using their hands!

  • Halloween Eye-Spy

Venture around your neighborhood or town on a Halloween scavenger hunt! Prompt your children to search for specific fall or Halloween decorations, flowers, etc.

  • Pumpkin-Carving

The closer it is November, the more likely it is farmers have already harvested their pumpkins. If you see a field that has been harvested, there may be discounted or free pumpkins available. Check your local farms! Carve your pumpkins with your kiddos for a fun, inexpensive fall activity, then bake the pumpkin seeds for a tasty treat! Try this recipe for Spicy and Sweet Pepitas.

      4. Distribute healthy, inexpensive foods instead of candy during Trick-or-Treat hours.

Foods like apples, bananas, and oranges all come ready-to-go in their own natural packaging, making these fruits a healthy, delicious substitute for expensive Halloween candy. Pretzels, popcorn, and pencils are all thrifty substitutes, as well. Check out these  healthy, budget-friendly alternatives to candy.

  1. When Trick-or-Treating, walk from house to house or share a vehicle with family or friends to reduce fuel costs.

No need to drive multiple vehicles for groups trick-or-treating together, or in the same location. Build relationships and reduce fuel costs by carpooling or walking with family and friends when trick-or-treating.

Embrace your Halloween and fall festivities, cherishing these experiences without spending an arm and a leg!

Written by: Caitlin Smith, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Guernsey County

Reviewed by: Kate Shumaker, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Holmes County

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

The Cost of Subscriptions

A study in 2025 found that 80% of U.S. adults had at least one subscription in the past year. On average, those with a subscription pay $90 per month or $1,080 per year. In the same study it was also found that on average a person spends more than $200 on unused subscriptions every year. Now $200 a year may not seem much, but when budgets are tight these expenses should not be overlooked.

Think about these popular subscriptions and memberships. Do you have any of these? Are they worth the cost to you? Are they wants or needs?

  • Streaming services- In the study 61% had at least one streaming service. Streaming services include Hulu, Disney +, Netflix, Paramount +, Amazon Prime Video and many, many more. These services have become increasingly popular over the last few years. Ask yourself these questions: how many steaming services do you have? Can you wait until a show comes out in a different format to watch? Is it possible to share an account? Can you cut down the number of streaming services? What is available for free?
  • Music- In the survey 33% of respondents had a music subscription. This would include things like Apple Music, Spotify, Satellite radio, and paying to be ad free (like Pandora or Spotify). How often do you use your music subscription? Do you need to be ad free?
  • Gym memberships- These accounted for 14% of memberships-how many times have you used your gym membership in the past year? When you do use it, what specifically are you using? Is it something you can do at home? Are you getting the most from your membership?
  • Meal kit services-HelloFresh and Blue Apron have become popular, accounting for 12% of subscriptions in the study. With these subscriptions consider if you can buy your own ingredients at the grocery store for less? Are you using the food included or does it go to waste?
  • Monthly subscription boxes- In the study 9% of people in the survey had at least one of these subscriptions or services. These subscriptions are for just about anything you can think of, beauty products, coffee, snacks, clothing, pet products, and beyond. But are the products you receive of value to you? Are you actually using the products sent to you? How much are you giving away or throwing away?

For certain members, be wary of introduction rates or rate hikes, 67% of people saw an increase in the cost of subscriptions and memberships over the past year. If you have a trail period or introduction rate set a reminder on a calendar or phone to cancel before the price increases or call to negotiate a lower price. In the study 48% of respondents forgot to cancel a free trial or subscription.

Be aware of automatic renewal. Sometimes this is as simple as a box that was checked when you first signed up for the membership or service. These can show up as monthly charges or all at once for a large charge once a year. It’s a good idea to set a reminder to catch these charges before they happen to unsubscribe/cancel or negotiate the same/better price for the next year.

In a time when people are trying to cut costs, especially when money is tight, taking a close look at all of your memberships and subscriptions and making some tough wants and needs decisions can help save you money in the long run and help you in keeping with your budget.

Written by: Katie Schlagheck, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Ottawa & Sandusky Counties, schlagheck.11@osu.edu

Reviewed by: Emma Horstman, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Paulding County, horstman.124@osu.edu

Back-to-School, Back-to-Saving!

Summer break is coming to an end, and parents, grandparents, guardians and children are all preparing for the kiddos’ return to school. Although a new school year stirs excitement, back-to-school spending can really add up, causing stressful financial situations. Is there a way to purchase all of your back-to-school items without breaking the bank? Stress less for school success by considering the following tips and tricks for your next school shopping trip.

A hand putting a coin into a piggy bank in front of a chalkboard and school supplies.

  1. Establish your monthly budget.

Consider your monthly income, as well as all of your monthly expenses, including housing, transportation, food, healthcare, and “other” items, such as clothing, personal care, recreation, life insurance, retirement savings, education, etc. Determine how much money you are willing to spend on school supplies for each child.

What items are needed? Consider clothes, shoes, school supplies, backpacks, lunch boxes, school meals, technology, and extracurricular activities.

  1. Take advantage of coupons, deals, and Back-to-School sales.

Ohio Sale’s Tax Holiday is currently running from August 1st through August 14th, 2025. Goods of any kind priced at $500 or less are exempt from tax during the holiday period.

  1. Check out stores carrying gently used items and thrifting for supplies such as:
  • Textbooks
  • Uniforms
  • Sports equipment
  • Technology
  1. Create a back-to-school nest egg that you can contribute funds to each month to sustain your back-to-school trips annually.

Even contributing $50.00/month will accumulate to $600.00 of back-to-school funds in one year!

  1. Practice financial literacy with your children heading back to school.

Create their back-to-school list as a team, involving your child in the conversation and decision-making process about needs versus wants, allowing them to write the list, reviewing the list together, etc. Have a conversation with your children about money as you shop, highlighting topics such as over-spending, bargain-hunting, price comparison, prioritizing spending, etc. Recap the shopping experience with your child at the end of the trip.

Equip both you and your child for success this school year by practicing financial literacy strategies during your back-to-school shopping adventure. Super savings, super smiles!

Written by: Caitlin Smith, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Guernsey County

Reviewed by: Kate Shumaker, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Holmes County

You Think Your Car Was Stolen?

As parents, we rarely want to receive a phone call before 7 AM from our children. Those calls are usually like the one my husband and I received this spring from our daughter, who called to say her car wasn’t in the apartment parking space, where she had parked the night before. Right away, I started with the questions – did you call the police? Does the complex tow for any reason? Is there broken glass? Did you hear anything? As it turns out, she is like over 850,000 other Americans who had their car stolen in the last year.thief looking in car window at red bag

So, what can you do to protect your ride?

  • Always lock your car and make sure the windows are up.
  • Never leave valuables in the car, especially any that you can see. For instance, a few years back, a friend went to a state bowling tournament (and left thousands of dollars of expensive bowling balls in the back of an SUV). Evidently, even thieves pay attention to the bowling schedule and help themselves to all the equipment. It was a very costly trip.
  • Park in well-lit areas if possible.
  • Activate car alarms and vehicle manufacturer anti-theft systems.
  • Never leave your vehicle running, unattended. (How often do you hear of a car taken with a child in the back seat, and the parents just ran in the house or store to get something quickly?)

If you discover your vehicle has been taken, here are some steps to help with recovery or getting your insurance claim on the way:

  • Call local law enforcement as soon as possible. You will likely need a copy of the report for insurance.
  • Call your insurance company to report the theft within 24 hours.
  • Activate any theft recovery programs provided by your auto manufacturer.

Other considerations – think about hiding a Bluetooth tracker in your glove box or under a seat, so that if your car is taken, you can help the authorities recover it. It really is important to keep your vehicle tidy and never leave your work keys, computer bag, money, or other valuables in the car overnight. Thieves are window shoppers, just like you. They wonder what is in your gym bag or under the blanket in the back seat. If you are heading to an event, like a concert or game, and plan to stash some valuables in the trunk, do it before you get to the destination. Thieves may be hanging out in parking lots waiting for you to walk away, after they watched you stash your purse and tablet. At home, check into installing video cameras in areas that film where your vehicles are typically parked.

On the positive side for our family, after almost a week, my daughter’s car showed up at a tow lot. She actually found it before the police. It had minor damage but had to be taken to the dealer to have the keys reprogrammed and a few other minor repairs. While she got her car back, it took money out of her emergency fund to cover the deductible, and she lost a personal day while she waited for the police and arranged for a rental car.

Writer: Lisa Barlage, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ross County.

Reviewer: Laura Halladay, Program Specialist, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension.

Schedule your Financial Wellness Checkup

Each year, it’s a good idea to review your financial health, and summer can be a great time to check a few things off your list. Here are some ideas of tasks and accounts to check into to get you started:

  • Request your credit report. Check your report for errors and get an updated score.
    • You can check your credit report for free in a few easy steps. Here’s how:
      • Visit the official website
      • Go to AnnualCreditReport.com — this site is authorized by federal law to provide free credit reports from all three major credit bureaus:
        • Equifax
        • Experian
        • TransUnion
      • Fill out a request. You’ll provide:
        • Your full name
        • Date of birth
        • Social Security number
        • Current and previous addresses (if you’ve moved in the last 2 years)
        • Choose which reports to view. You can request reports from one, two, or all three credit bureaus.
    • You can get a free report from each bureau once a year, but through December 2026, you can get one free report from each bureau every week.
  • This can also be a great time to review your budget and spending habits to adjust for changes in income or expenses that may be coming up.
  • Reassess your savings goals, including emergency funds and retirement contributions
  • Evaluate your insurance policies (health, auto, home, and life) to ensure adequate coverage
  • Review your investment accounts
  • Confirm that your will and beneficiary designations are up to date
  • Look over your tax contributions to plan for deductions or changes

These tasks don’t have to be done in summer, but plan to complete them once a year.  Doing them once a year can help keep you prepared and on track financially.

Written By:

Alisha Barton, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Miami County, barton.345@osu.edu

Reviewed By:

Zoie Clay, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Lawrence County, clay.256@osu.edu

Sources:

Dohn, K. (2019, October 24). Get money smart. 25 tips to improve your financial well-being. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. http://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/get-money-smart-25-tips-improve-your-financial-well-being/

Home Page. Annual Credit Report.com – Home Page. (n.d.). https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action

 

The True Cost of Eating a Doughnut: The Perspective of a Person Living with Type 1 Diabetes

I live with Type 1 Diabetes and have to manage blood glucose by balancing insulin administration with food and physical activity. I have the privilege of having good health insurance and therefor able to afford state-of-the-art diabetes management supplies including an insulin pump, and a continuous blood glucose monitor (CGM). The pump provides a basal rate of insulin, and when I eat, I enter the amount of carbohydrate grams into the pump which calculates a bolus of insulin, in order that my blood sugar doesn’t spike. Through the CGM, I can see in real time if my blood sugars are in balance. The CGM also allows me to make decisions about insulin administration based on what my blood sugars are running. I can also look at patterns throughout the week to see if I need to take more or less insulin, or work in physical activity (i.e., take a walk after lunch). Although this technology keeps me healthy, there is a cost to it all. Every three days or so, I must change my insulin reservoir which consists of a disposable plastic tube and cartridge. Sometimes if I eat a lot of sweets and carbohydrates, I have to change the supplies more frequently. I also change my CGM every 10 days which I use the large single use plastic insertion unit. Overall, I use a tremendous amount of not only insulin, but single use plastics, which eventually wind up in landfills and are energy intense resources to produce. So, the point of this all is that decisions that I make about food, not only impact my health, but also the environment. If I eat a doughnut, for instance, I would require around 7–8 units of insulin. This isn’t ideal for my health, as it might contribute to weight gain, and it also consumes a significant amount of single-use plastic. Often, decisions about health and the environment are inter-related, even for a person without diabetes. Consider the following:

  • Drinking tap water versus soda. Tap water does not have any calories, doesn’t take as many resources to produce, and there isn’t any packaging that would need to be recycled.
  • Eating left-overs versus eating out. When you eat left overs, you are preventing food waste. In fact, 40% of all food is wasted, ends up in landfills, and contributes to greenhouse gases. Left overs are often healthier than food eaten out especially if you prepare food with less sodium or carbohydrates.
  • Eat a piece of fruit, rather than a snack that comes in a box, bag, or wrapper. The fruit is healthier and probably uses less resources to grow and produces less waste since there usually isn’t any packaging.

What other examples can you think of?

OSU Extension has resources to help you live more sustainably. So be green and be healthy!

Prepared by Dan Remley, PhD, MSPH, Associate Professor, Field Specialist, Ohio State University Extension

Reviewed by Heather Reister, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Butler County

Going Mad for Pancakes this March!

healthy pancakes topped with fruit

While pancakes have probably been a part of your mornings for as long as you can remember, these tasty mouthfuls of goodness have quite a history of their own. Did you know that pancakes may have been around since the stone age?

In honor of the religious season of Lent, some people may abstain from eating animal products like butter, eggs and milk. Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday has traditionally been a day of celebration prior to Lent, where people would use up these ingredients by making foods such as pancakes in order to prevent waste. Today, Fat Tuesday wraps up Mardi Gras and is celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday each year. There are many traditions surrounding the history of this season including king cakes, parades, parties, masks and of course pancakes!

While it is fun to indulge during your celebrations, try giving your pancakes a healthy twist by making them with whole grains or nuts. Whole wheat flour, oat flour, or almond flour can give your pancakes a kick of nutrients traditional pancakes lack. Rather than loading your stacks up with traditional syrups that often contain considerable amounts of sugar, try topping your flapjacks with fresh fruit (natural sugar), nut butter or plain yogurt.

Utah State University Extension suggests replacing oil with applesauce or mashed avocado and adding flaxseeds or chia seeds for a boost of fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. Costing around just $2.00, this recipe is also wallet healthy!

Healthy Breakfast Pancake Recipe 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup oats, blended
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 mashed banana

Directions:

  • In a blender or small food processor, finely blend oats (or use flour if this isn’t an option).
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the blended oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, milk, yogurt, honey, vanilla, and mashed banana.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined (be careful not to overmix).
  • Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease it with cooking spray or a little oil.
  • Pour batter onto the skillet for each pancake and cook for 2-3 minutes, until bubbles form on the surface. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes until golden brown.
  • Serve with fresh fruit, nut butter, or a drizzle of honey for a healthy topping.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, meal time is a great way for families to stay connected. However, busy schedules can often make it difficult to eat together. Don’t limit your routine to just dinner plans. Breakfast together can be just as rewarding especially when you consider families who eat together three times a week enjoy health benefits such as lower rates of obesity, depression, and substance abuse. Consider getting children involved in the meal preparation too. Pancakes are the perfect anytime meal to mix, measure, stir, and flip!

Author:  Heather Reister, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Butler County.

Reviewer:  Daniel Remley, Extension Field Specialist, Family and Consumer Sciences Nutrition/Wellness