Information about...

1. Commercial Agriculture
2. Environment & Natural Resources
3. Fisheries & Aquaculture
4. Food, Nutrition & Health
5. Home, Lawn & Garden
6. Youth, Community & Economic Development

Fall 2010, Week 3

Sunday, October 17, 2010

The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. - Unknown

• Health: Avoid food portions larger than your fist. You'll eat less, cutting calories and food expenses.
• Wealth: Consider saving more in your 401(k) plan next year. You'll probably need to complete paperwork soon for changes to take effect in January 2011.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Whatever you do, do it with all your might. - Marcus Tullius Cicero

• Health: water before each meal. Avoid sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).
• Wealth: Consider saving 1% more of your pay in a 401(k) or similar plan. If you're 40 and earn $35,000, you could have almost $40,000 more at age 65 by kicking your savings up a notch.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got. - Janis Joplin

• Health: Increase the fiber in your diet.
• Wealth: Try this technique when you're tempted to buy something....calculate how many hours you need to work to earn the money to afford the item. Then decide if the purchase is "worth it."

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

If you can dream it, you can do it. - Walt Disney

• Health: Grill, steam, or bake your food instead of frying
• Wealth: Got mutual funds? Check their expense ratio (fee as a percentage of assets). The lower the percentage, the better (e.g., 0.25% versus 1.5%). The average ratio for stock funds is about 1.4%.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Make each day your masterpiece. - John Wooden

• Health: Wash the car by hand. You'll save money and get some exercise.
• Wealth: Has your employer added new 401(k) plan investment choices? Take the time to read their prospectuses and determine if there are better places to put your money.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Put all your excuses aside and remember this: you are capable. - Zig Ziglar

• Health: Take small trips and errands on foot to get your body moving.
• Wealth: Are your investments diversified? Use this Rutgers Cooperative Extension spreadsheet to do a portfolio analysis.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Don't wait for someone else to make your life terrific. That's your job. - Unknown

• Health: Reward and acknowledge your health improvement efforts.
• Wealth: To avoid locking in money at low interest rates for a long time, "ladder" CDs and bonds by making purchases with staggered maturity dates (e.g., 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months).