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technology children

Columnists

Creating healthy technology habits for families

Technology is a constantly adapting and growing form of communication, education, and creation. Children and families spend hours on screens every day. How can parents monitor their child’s technology usage while ensuring safety, learning, and development? Is technology all evil, or can we foster positive human-screen interaction? Illinois Extension Educator Tessa Hobbs-Curley and Extension Extra Help Erin Curley share that the online world offers opportunities to connect with people across the world, advocate for personal beliefs or values, learn new […]

todayJuly 24, 2026

saving business money investments summer spending

Columnists

Create a saving habit

Saving money can be a challenge for some people. Illinois Extension Educator Jamie Mahlandt shares some great information with us. Recently, with rising consumer costs, personal savings rates are just 3% of disposable personal income as of May 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Even when saving money is hard, it can be beneficial to work on building savings habits. Making a conscious decision to save money at every opportunity can build positive financial habits. So, even […]

todayJuly 18, 2026

mental stress farming farm

Columnists

Weathering the mental stress in farming

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this is a good time to review ways to reduce mental stress and where to get help. Illinois Extension Educator Doug Gucker wrote this great article on managing stress. First, if you or someone you know is suffering a mental health crisis, please call or text: 988 - Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24-hour) If you are a veteran, call 988 and then press 1 at the prompt Mental health awareness is especially important […]

todayMay 20, 2026

elderly people doing stretchings senior health

Columnists

Champion your health for Older Americans Month

Last week, I shared that May is Mental Health Month, but it is also Older Americans Month (OAM), led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL). Established in 1963, OAM is a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm commitments to serving older adults in our communities. This year’s theme, “Champion Your Health,” focuses on prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as cornerstones of healthy aging. It encourages older adults to take an active role in their […]

todayApril 30, 2026 2

email etiquette

Columnists

BURCHAM: Practicing good email etiquette

Even with all of the methods available to us for communication, email continues to be one of the most popular ways in the workplace to reach out to others. Although email has been around since 1971, it became more common in the 1990’s. It has been estimated that around 376.4 billion emails were sent DAILY in 2025. With all of these emails we send and receive, there are bound to be some good rules of thumb when creating, sending, and […]

todayFebruary 5, 2026

holiday leftovers

Columnists

How long do holiday leftovers last?

“How long has this turkey been in the fridge?” “Are these mashed potatoes still good?” “Will this stuffing last until Christmas?”These are common questions you might hear echoing from the kitchen after the holidays. Sharing food with family and friends makes great memories, but no one wants to remember getting sick from old leftovers. So, how long will holiday foods stay safe to eat in the refrigerator? Illinois Extension Educator Lisa Peterson has written this great article that should answer […]

todayDecember 25, 2025

technology disconnection physical health

Health

Disconnecting promotes physical health

Technology and electronics can help people communicate, find information quickly, and make certain aspects of life easier. However, their use can adversely affect individuals’ physical health. This resource sheet by Veronica Aranda shares the five areas in which technology use can affect our physical health: Less physical activity Wireless technology helps people do things while on the go so as not to interrupt their schedules. It gives them access to what they need on the spot, but sometimes what is […]

todayDecember 2, 2025

grocery shopping budget a family buying groceries in a supermarket

Columnists

BURCHAM: Grocery shopping on a budget

Have you been to the grocery store lately? Prices have gone up and up…what can you do about it? How can you feed your busy family well and stick to a realistic budget? Illinois Extension Educator Mary Liz Wright shares these tips on what you can do:  Here are a few tips: Watch what you are throwing away. If you are throwing the same things away over and over stop buying them. Also, do not throw things away according to […]

todayFebruary 28, 2025

elderly self-care routine

Columnists

BURCHAM: Starting a self-care routine

October is a busy time for many of us. Summer is over and we may find that various work and family responsibilities are taking up more of our time and energy. Illinois Extension Educator Kara Schweitzer has written this great article about why self-care is important and how to incorporate it into your busy schedule. Kara says:  In August, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents.  The advisory emphasizes the high levels […]

todayOctober 20, 2024

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