Financial Security for All - Personal Finance

Traveled to the four County Senior Citizen Centers (Logan, San Jon, House and Tucumcari) the Conchas Dam Baptist Church and spoke on a 20 minute radio program on Emergency Preparedness. The participants learned about the important papers they need to gather and how to store them to be ready to evacuate from their homes or incase a disaster damages their homes. The participants learned about keeping medical records, insurance records, titles to property and options for storing them safely. If a disaster occurs, having this information together will help a family get back on their feet quicker. 102 people participated in the workshop. Approximately 30 additional people picked up handouts from the Extension Office after the radio program.

The Home Economist provided programs that incorporated financial security. The programs were offered to the Eddy County Extension Homemakers as well as any community member who wished to attend. The topics for the programs that encouraged ways to save money included simple holiday ideas, reducing electrical use around the home, how to entertain on a budget, small scale gardening, and getting more from an old pair of jeans. Each program explained ways to reduce out of pocket expenses, as well as how to budget for things like large get-togethers and a backyard garden. Examples of how costs could be cut for each idea were also included. Approximately 170 participants attended these programs.

Knowing Your Credit Reports and Credit Reports was presented to 53 adults at the monthly program for Parkland Baptist Church. Attendees learned how to obtain a credit report, what is in a credit report, what affects a credit score and how it fluctuates, and what to do to improve credit scores. Credit card misuse was discussed in each of the sessions. Several participants acknowledged “I wish …My kids could hear this program.” Additional information was given to those who requested it for family or friends. Approximately 60% of the participants responded to the questionnaire that they are planning to obtain their credit reports.


Two Gingham Rose Quilt Workshops and a Crossing Pathways Quilt Workshop was presented to 49 ladies. This workshop included how to coordinate fabrics for the quilt, rotary cutting techniques, sewing instructions, and how to bind and quilt a quilt top. Each of the three workshops met four times to enable the participants to complete the project. Each participant gained knowledge in at least one quilting technique that none of them had acquired prior to this workshop. As a result the participants can save money by constructing their own quilts as compared to purchasing a handmade quilt. These workshops enabled the participants a way to make a useful item for their home and family.



This agent organized and presented the Annual Extension Showcase. The theme for this year was “Farm House Christmas”. The showcase was presented three times to approximately 411 people. The program gives a variety of ideas on gift giving, decorating, and food ideas with step by step directions on helping consumers prepare for Christmas and the holidays. Attendees receive a booklet with instructions on every craft and food item that was presented. 83% of the participants, on the questionnaire reported they gained information on how to manage their money and/or time in preparing for the holidays. This program has been a favorite for people in Curry County as well as the surrounding area for the past 25+ years.



A Money and Time Management program was present to the 12 Rain Dancers, (foster parents) along with 4 foster teens. Participants received information on how to keep a money and time log, to see where their money and time goes. Information was gained on how to set goals, plan, and prioritize. Through the oral evaluation about 95% could see a need in implementing goals associated with money and time management. About 75% thought they could actually make money and time management changes in their lives.

An annual holiday program in November 2006 was presented to over 350 participants. This program called “A Christmas To Remember” was based on collecting, preserving and protecting family memories. Many different items were made, displayed and demonstrated during the program, many could be used as gifts. These gifts can save the participants money and also provide meaningful gifts. Many of the participants have reported using the ideas they learned at this program to prepare gifts and items for their families. They say it has also helped them to realize the importance of saving these family keepsakes and memories. One segment was also about learning your Family Health History; it stressed the importance of finding out this information and compiling it into a usable format for all of your family members.

The home economist offered five programs in the area of financial security. These programs were delivered as Extension Leader’s Training and opened to the public. Program topics included legal issues, recycling, and make it take it workshops. Four hundred ninety participants were trained in these topics, which will result in knowledge gained and increased savings.