Five Steps Toward Financial Wellness/Refresher on Egg Safety

Peggy R. Anderson

Extension Agent

April 13, 2011

Five Steps Toward Financial Wellness

April is National Financial Literacy Month, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Consumers are feeling more pinched each week with rapidly increasing gas and food prices and sluggish economic growth.  According to a recent survey by Career Builder, 77 percent of American consumers are living paycheck to paycheck.

Financial Literacy Month is the perfect opportunity for individuals and families to change their financial situation by learning about important financial matters like creating and managing a budget, paying down debt while saving for emergencies, and creating achievable financial goals.  The NDSU Extension Service cares about your financial future. We are committed to bringing you the financial education you need to reach your financial goals.   

The following five steps will help you on the path toward financial wellness:

1.      Make a commitment.  Changing your relationship with money is not an easy task; it takes hard work and a strong commitment. Visit FinancialLiteracyMonth.com and take the pledge to start on the path toward financial security.

2.      Assess your financial situation - A simple quiz can help you understand your current financial position.  Knowing where you are today will help you determine the best path toward meeting your financial goals.

3.      Get organized  - Getting your financial house organized is a great way to begin on a clear path toward financial wellness.

4.      Set priorities – Understanding the difference between needs and wants will help you establish financial priorities and set realistic goals.

5.      Live on a budget – Spending less than you earn is easier said than done, but a solid budget is the most important element of any successful financial plan.

Changing your financial habits and your relationship with money can be hard work, but the payoff is priceless. The important thing to remember while on your journey to financial freedom is to stay flexible. Revisit your financial plan often and make changes as needed.

Refresher on Egg Safety

Celebrations associated with Easter and the spring season usually involve eggs in some way or another.

But with these festivities, it is important to be aware of egg food safety according to Christeena Haynes, nutrition and health education specialist, University of Missouri Extension.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture makes the following recommendations on buying, keeping and preparing eggs:

• When buying eggs, get them from a refrigerated case, before the expiration date on the carton.
• Select eggs that look clean and uncracked.
• After leaving the grocery store, take the eggs straight home and refrigerate them immediately.
• Store eggs in their original carton in the main part of the refrigerator, instead of the door.
• Make sure the temperature in the refrigerator is at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Eggs should be used within three to five weeks from the date they were purchased.
• When preparing raw eggs, remember to wash your hands, as well as the surfaces and cooking utensils used, with hot soapy water, in order to prevent cross- contamination.
• Raw or cooked eggs should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours.

"When decorating eggs, hard-cook them and use food grade dye to color them if you intend to eat them," said Haynes.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture makes the following recommendations on hiding, keeping and eating eggs:

• During Easter egg hunts, hide eggs away from animals, dirt, and other sources of bacteria.
• Throw away any eggs that have cracked shells, because bacteria could get into the egg and contaminate it.
• Keep eggs in the refrigerator until right before the hunt, and put them back in the refrigerator right after the hunt.
• Make sure the eggs have not been at room temperature for longer than two hours total.
• Consume hard-cooked eggs in their shells within a week of cooking, and egg dishes, like deviled eggs, within three to four days

Schedule

Wednesday, April 13 – Bismarck

Thursday, April 14 – Bismarck

Friday, April 15 – Burke County

Monday, April 18 – Burke County

Tuesday, April 19 – Divide County