53 publications were found
on Financial-Planning,-Housing-and-Consumer-Economics
- Be Aware of Your Indoor Air (C 2579) Did you know the air inside buildings is nearly always more polluted than outside air? Learn the types of indoor air pollution and what you can do. This publication was originally published by the LSU AgCenter and released for use in the state of Georgia by UGA Extension Housing & Environment Specialist Pamela Turner.
- Before You Invest (C 1110) Saving and investing are critical steps to achieving your financial goals. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they are quite different. Understanding the differences between saving and investing is the first step toward reaching your financial goals.
- Breathe Easy: Understanding and Controlling Asthma (C 1270) Asthma is a lung disease that affects millions of adults and children, and can be triggered by numerous indoor pollutants such as mold, cockroaches, dust mites, pet dander, and secondhand smoke. There is no cure for asthma, but it can be managed through medication and avoiding allergens that can trigger an attack.
- Building Radon Safe (C 1301) How Radon-Resistant New Construction can Make Homes Safer and Save Money. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms when uranium breaks down in soil, rock, and water. This naturally occurring radioactive gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall. The Benefits of Building a Radon Resistant Home are that it reduces a fam…
- Childproofing Your Home: A Room-by-Room Safety Checklist (C 1049) Nearly 2.3 million children are accidentally injured every year and more than 2,500 are killed, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since one of the biggest threats to children is an injury occurring at home, it is important to take preventative steps to childproof your home. While this may seem like a daunting task at first, this checklist includes basic tips, broken…
- Cleaning Healthy, Cleaning Green (C 1114) People spend an average of 90 percent of their time indoors. Studies conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show levels of several common organic pollutants to be two to five times higher inside homes than outside. Many of these pollutants come from the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from household cleaning products. Indoor pollutants can be reduced by limiting the numb…
- Do You Plan to Retire? Series: Ways to Save for Retirement (C 1112-2) Retirement is just around the corner, and it is important to begin planning and saving for retirement as soon as possible. In order to maximize your savings, it is important to understand the various types of tax-advantaged retirement plans available individually and offered by employers.
- Get Smart About Identity Theft (B 1435) Your personal identity cannot be taken from you, but your identifying information—your Social Security number and other details about you—certainly can be. If your identifying data is used without your permission for another person's dishonest objectives, you become a victim of an identity theft crime. In this digital age, it is more important than ever to protect yourself from identity theft. T…
- Health Insurance: What You Should Know About Preventive Health Care (C 1120) This circular provides a brief overview of health insurance and common terms associated with health insurance. The publication focuses on preventive health care, specifically common preventive health care services and wellness benefits provided through health insurance plans.
- Home Safety Checklist (B 1429) Falls are the leading cause of injury and injury death for people 65 and older. Trips and falls may be caused by a number of potential hazards, including clutter, rugs, furniture, and extension cords. You can reduce the risk of falling by conducting a simple home assessment. Use the checklist in the PDF to identify possible safety problems in your home and then take action to fix the problems. Sta…
- Household Water Quality Series: Coliform Bacteria in Your Water (C 858-7) This publication contains information about identifying and controlling coliform bacteria in household water.
- Household Water Quality Series: Disinfecting Your Well Water: Shock Chlorination (C 858-4) Shock chlorination is the process by which home water systems such as wells, springs, and cisterns are disinfected using household liquid bleach (or chlorine). Shock chlorination is the most widely recommended means of treating bacterial contamination in home water systems. This publication contains guidelines for safely and effectively using shock chlorination -- a standard treatment for sanitizi…
- Household Water Quality Series: Home Water Quality and Treatment (C 858-3) The quality of your water supply can have both an immediate and a prolonged effect on the health of your household. Many Americans, especially those dependent upon well water, assume that their water is safe and healthy. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. This publication contains basic information about home water quality and treatment.
- Household Water Quality Series: Household Water Treatment: Mechanical Filtration Methods and Devices (B 1523) Mechanical filtration removes suspended solids and dirt to greatly improve the clarity of water. Various kinds of mechanical filtration methods and devices are available for home water treatments. Primarily, the size of the suspended solids will determine the appropriate type of mechanical filtration device suitable for your unique situation. Consumers interested in filtration devices should discu…
- Household Water Quality Series: Household Water Treatment: Oxidizing Filters (B 1563) Private well waters often contain high levels of iron, manganese, and hydrogen-sulfide. While these contaminants are not considered to have any human health consequences, they can cause various issues such as staining, impaired taste, and odor problems once their concentration exceeds certain levels, and homeowners need an appropriate system to remove them—such as an oxidizing filter. Oxidizing fi…
- Household Water Quality Series: Hydrogen Sulfide and Sulfate (C 858-8) This publication describes hydrogen sulfide and sulfate and its effects on household water quality.
- Household Water Quality Series: Iron and Manganese (C 858-11) Elevated levels of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) are two of the most common water quality problems in Georgia's groundwater. This circular addresses problems associated with high levels of these two elements, levels considered to be a problem, and treatment options to remove the iron or manganese.
- Household Water Quality Series: Radon in Your Water (C 858-16) Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas formed from the decay of uranium and radium found in geologic deposits. Exposure to radon gas most commonly occurs through elevated levels in home air. However, in Georgia and neighboring states there is a lesser, though still significant, risk of exposure to radon dissolved in drinking water. This circular addresses the issues on its occurrence, hum…
- Household Water Quality Series: Removal of Hydrogen Sulfide and Sulfate (C 858-15) This publication explains how to identify and remove hydrogen sulfide and sulfate from household water.
- Household Water Quality Series: Testing for Water Quality (C 858-2) The quality and safety of drinking water is of great concern to many Americans today because of an increased interest in health and environmental quality. This new focus on water quality has led many Americans to consider testing their water. This publication is intended to help you understand water testing and to identify the tests needed.
- How to Get Out of Debt (C 1045) Learn about types of credit, how to assess your situation if you are in debt, and how to make power payments to get out of debt fast. Getting out of debt helps financial security and planning for the future.
- How You Spend Makes a Difference (C 1044) The average family can increase the money available for spending by as much as 20 percent just by paying more attention to where their money goes. Learn tips on how to determine where your money goes and how to develop a plan to rein in spending.
- Improving the Condition of Your Drinking Water Well (B 1152-03) About 95 percent of Georgia's rural residents depend on groundwater to supply their drinking water and farm needs. Wells are designed to provide clean water. If improperly constructed and maintained, however, they can allow bacteria, nitrates, pesticides, or petroleum products to contaminate ground water. These contaminates can put family and livestock health at risk. This assessment allows you to…
- Insurance: Necessity or Nuisance? (C 1111) If you need a particular type of insurance, it is better to have it even if you never use it. The hard part is knowing the difference between insurance you need and insurance you are better off without. Many people purchase insurance without knowing whether they need it or not. Unless you fully understand insurance, you may be wasting money on insurance products you don't need.
- Leasing Smart in Georgia (C 1217) This publication offers guidance on shopping for rental housing, leasing, moving in, handling repairs, dealing with problems, paying rent, moving out, and fair housing. For more information about renting, visit dca.ga.gov to see the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Landlord-Tenant Handbook, which provides valuable information about the responsibilities and rights of landlords and tenants in…
- Leave it at the Door: A Guide to Reducing Contaminants in Your Home (C 1070) There may be insect fragments, lead dust, pesticides, pollen, dust mites, animal dander, hair, human skin flakes, fungal spores, or cigarette ash in household dust. Around 30 to 40 percent of the contaminants inside your home are brought in from outdoors. Dust gets into your home on shoes and clothing, or pets can track contaminants in on their paws and fur. Not surprisingly, the greatest concentr…
- Mold, the Uninvited Guest Series: Preventing Mold in Your Home (C 1047-1) Mold in your home is not only unsightly, it can also cause health problems. If you have mold growing in your home, you may experience allergy-like symptoms, asthma attacks, or other negative health effects. No one wants to live in a home with mold, but unless preventative steps are taken, mold can go from being an unwanted visitor in your home to a permanent resident. Molds are fungi that reprodu…
- Mold, the Uninvited Guest Series: Removing Mold in Your Home (C 1047-2) Mold grows from spores, which are found naturally in the air and cannot be seen by the naked eye. Mold spores act like seeds, causing mold to grow under the right conditions. Mold itself is usually easy to detect. While testing is sometimes used to determine the presence of mold, it is generally not necessary or recommended. Usually a quick investigation with your eyes and nose can tell you if mol…
- Rethink Waste Series: Recycle (C 1050-2) In today's disposable economy, it often seems easier to throw away old products and buy new ones. Because everything we need can be produced so quickly and cheaply, we tend to ignore the repercussions of our waste stream. Within this publication are facts and strategies which will help you rethink the notion of recycling.
- Rethink Waste Series: Reduce (C 1050-1) Reducing your actual rate of consumption is the most efficient way to manage the worldwide waste problem. This publication provides strategies you can implement to reduce the amount of waste you and your family produce.
- Safe at Home: Preventing Lung Cancer by Reducing Radon in the Home (C 1296) Radon may be found in one out of every 15 homes and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. This gas can enter your home through cracks and holes in the foundation, or even underground well water. This publication provides information on radon-induced lung cancer and ways to reduce elevated radon inside your home. For more information on radon, visit ugaradon.edu.
- Spanish Series: Hogares Saludables: Cómo Eliminar el Moho en su Hugar (C 1047-2-SP) El moho crece a partir de las esporas, que se encuentran naturalmente en el aire y no se pueden ver a simple vista. Las esporas de moho actúan como semillas, haciendo que el moho crezca si las condiciones son adecuadas. El moho suele ser fácil de detectar. Aunque es posible utilizar pruebas para determinar la presencia de moho, por lo general no es necesario o recomendado hacerlo, usted puede dete…
- Spanish Series: La Vivienda: Su Mayor Prioridad: Cuando Disminuyen sus Ingresos (C 1041-6-SP) Cuando sus ingresos disminuyen o no alcanzan a cubrir sus gastos como antes, la planificación cuidadosa puede ayudarle a evitar el desalojo de su unidad de alquiler o la pérdida de su hogar.
- Spanish Series: Las Recetas de Limpieza Ecológicas para un Hogar Saludable (C 1117-SP) • Las siguientes páginas “Limpieza ecológica: Recetas para un Hogar Saludable”, deben imprimirse por las dos caras de un papel de calidad gruesa. • Las recetas con números impares se imprimirán en un lado de la cara del papel y las de números pares en el otro lado de la cara del papel. • De tal manera, cada receta puede cortarse y laminarse (o usted puede laminar la página completa y después corta…
- Spanish Series: Lista de Verificación para el Mantenimiento del Hogar (C 1082-SP) Al igual que su salud personal, la salud de su hogar se deteriorará sin un cuidado y mantenimiento regular. Mantener un ambiente interior saludable ayuda a aumentar su calidad de vida y la vida de su casa. Con unos sencillos pasos puede mantener su hogar saludable. Utilice esta lista de verificación como guía para sus evaluaciones periódicas de mantenimiento del hogar en primavera y otoño. Tenga e…
- Spanish Series: Lista de Verificación para Moho y Humedad (C 1083-SP) Las esporas del moho solo necesitan un ambiente favorable, alimentos (madera, papel, alfombra, etc.) y humedad para crecer. Si no se detecta o se trata, el moho puede provocar efectos negativos para la salud, como reacciones alérgicas, infecciones respiratorias y más. Use esta lista de verificación como una guía básica para inspeccionar su hogar en busca de señales de exceso de humedad y crecimien…
- Spanish Series: Planificar Sus Gastos: Cuando Su Dinero Disminuye (C 1041-3-SP) Cuando sus ingresos disminuyen, desarrollar un presupuesto no es una opción, es una necesidad. Aunque el proceso de desarrollar su primer presupuesto familiar puede ser incómodo, no es un castigo. Es una herramienta esencial para poder seguir adelante y para seguir progresando. El primer paso es hacer una lista de sus obligaciones financieras, junto con el mejor estimado de sus gastos mensuales y …
- Spanish Series: Seguir Adelante: Cuando sus Ingresos Disminuyen (C 1041-1-SP) Sobrevivir a la economía puede ser un desafío y mucho más cuando no hay dinero. En esta publicación le presentamos y explicamos las claves para sobrevivir a la economía: piense de manera positiva, examine las posibilidades, y establezca un plan.
- Spanish Series: Utilice los Recursos Comunitarios: Cuando sus Ingresos Disminuyen (C 1041-5-SP) Los recursos comunitarios pueden ser esenciales para sobrevivir periodos difíciles. Cada una de las comunidades donde vive, trabaja, se divierte, o practica sus creencias religiosas, puede ser una fuente de apoyo.
- Starting Your Own Business: Community Resources (C 1046) Starting a new business is an exciting and scary time. Georgia's business sector has an abundance of entrepreneurial spirit, but getting started can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are several community resources to assist small business owners. Learn how to get help with creating a business plan, making it legal and financing your business.
- Time Management: 10 Strategies for Better Time Management (C 1042) Learn 10 strategies for better time management, including knowing how to spend your time, setting priorities, using planning tools, getting organized, scheduling, delegating, and avoiding procrastinating, wasting time, and multitasking.
- When Your Income Drops Series: Housing: Your Top Priority (C 1041-6) Keeping a roof over your head is an important concern when your income drops or doesn't go as far as it used to. Careful planning can help you avoid eviction from your rental unit or the loss of your home.
- When Your Income Drops Series: Insurance Matters (C 1041-4) When times are hard, it is tempting to drop your insurance coverage. This may be OK for some coverage, but not for others. You do not want to put yourself in a worse financial situation than you are already in. Learn about the different types of insurance to help you make the decision about what insurance to keep, reduce, or get rid of.
- When Your Income Drops Series: Moving Forward (C 1041-1) Experiencing a loss of income can be devastating. Getting by with less may seem like an impossible task. Learn how to move forward by implementing the keys to success: thinking positive, considering the possibilities, and mapping out your plan.
- When Your Income Drops Series: Planning your Spending (C 1041-3) When your income drops, developing a realistic family spending plan is not optional—it is necessary. Learn how to reduce spending and pay debt so you can make sure essential costs can be covered.
- When Your Income Drops Series: Tap into Community Resources (C 1041-5) Community resources can make a big difference in your ability to make it through hard times. Learn about support networks and resources that may be available to help in your community.
- When Your Income Drops Series: What About Your Assets? (C 1041-2) Now that you are living on less, it is tempting to cash in your assets to pay the bills and make ends meet. Start thinking about the types of assets you have and the long-term implications of cashing them in.
- Your Good Credit Series: Managing Credit Wisely (C 1043-3) Carefully shopping for credit and avoiding credit dangers offer the best defense against credit problems. This publication covers credit dangers, the credit pyramid, and how to ensure you maintain good credit.
- Your Good Credit Series: Understanding Your Credit Report (C 1043-1) Learn what makes someone credit worthy and the importance of a credit report. This publication covers how to obtain a credit report and how to understand what it contains.
- Your Good Credit Series: Understanding Your Credit Score (C 1043-2) Learn what a credit score is and why it is important. This publication covers what is considered and average credit score and what factors influence your score.
- You've Got the Power Series: Financial Power of Attorney (C 1113-3) A power of attorney is a legal document that allows another person to act on your behalf. The individual who gives the power is called the principal, and the designated person who is given the power is known as the agent or attorney-in-fact. The agent does not have to be an attorney and can be anyone you choose. It is advisable to make sure to choose an agent who is trustworthy, honest, and compet…
- You've Got the Power Series: Living Will and Health Care Power of Attorney (C 1113-2) Your health could change at any time. In addition, your medical condition may prevent you from making decisions regarding your health care treatment. The good news is that there are legal documents that can be utilized to allow you to make choices regarding your health care if you are unable to do so. There are two main documents that can be utilized by you to make decisions about your health care…
- You've Got the Power Series: Where There's a Will, There's a Way (C 1113-1) A will is a legal document that is written by you (the testator or will-maker) that dictates how your property and assets will be distributed upon your death. A will also directs any estate taxes that you may owe, appoints a person to administer your estate based on your requests or state law (executor/executrix), and appoints a guardian for minor children among other things. If you have any asset…