If your bills are piling up, you can't make all of your payments on time and you're thinking about paying one credit card balance with a cash advance from another, LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker says it's time to organize your credit payments and develop a plan for reducing your bills.

Independent spending decisions quickly become an everyday routine for college students, but that independence assumes a financial freedom that most young adults are not prepared to handle, according to LSU AgCenter family economics specialist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 01/15/08) The church and reception hall are reserved, the dress is selected, the invitations are addressed, the photographer and caterer are ready. You might even have your new residence “ready-to-go.”

(Distributed 01/15/08) You’ve taken good care all your adult life to pay bills on time and maintain a high credit score. You expect your high rating to continue after marriage, but it could drop if your new spouse has a low credit score.

A sudden reduction in family income can be a traumatic experience, both psychologically and financially. The hardship can be minimized with a proactive approach.

Spring is full of gift-giving opportunities, but the kinds of gifts have changed for many people.

Money values can cause conflict in relationships. Financial issues are among the leading causes of divorce. Stress and health problems can be cause by worry over money. We learn our money values from many sources. What does money mean to you? Test yourself now.

How much money will you need to retire comfortably? The answer depends on your lifestyle expectations and goals. Other factors to consider include the age at which you plan to retire, your life expectancy, the amount and type of employer benefits (if any) and the amount and growth rate of your savings and investments.

Account verification companies keep track of overdrafts and account closures for banks and credit unions. If you believe there are errors on your record, disputes can be filed with the companies.

Many taxpayers already have gathered their documents, filled out their forms and sent in their tax return, but many will wait until the last minute. And the tax deadline is looming. But there is good news for most taxpayers.

Do you know how much money you need to save for retirement? According to the 2005 Retirement Confidence Survey (RCS), only about four in 10 workers surveyed have tried to determine how much they will need to save for a comfortable retirement.

A number of tax benefits are available to volunteers. Donors and volunteers can deduct out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the services given to a charitable organization if they itemize deductions on their tax returns.

Financial security in retirement doesn’t just happen. It takes planning, commitment and, of course, money.

Although it takes years for children to develop a sound sense of money and how to use it, summer provides a perfect time for parents to lay a foundation for children to form positive money management skills.

It is possible to rebuild your credit record by taking steps to reestablish your credit, says LSU Agricultural Center family economist Jeanette Tucker. "People experience credit problems for a variety of reasons," Tucker says, adding, "Job loss, unexpected medical bills, divorce and money management mistakes are among the most frequent causes.

Family economics specialist Dr. Jeanette Tucker shares 12 principles every young person should know.

LSU AgCenter personnel surveyed parish-specific credit scores using Experian National Score Index of Feb. 2008. Louisiana consumers have an average credit score of 672. At 20 points below the national average of 692, Louisiana ranks near the bottom nationally, with 48 states having higher average credit scores.

More than one billion credit cards are in use in America today. Used wisely, they can be valuable tools for consumers, but their use represents a substantial portion of Americans' consumer debt problems. Taking control of one=s debt with a systematic plan for debt reduction is the key to success.

Direct deposit is easier and more convenient than getting a check in the mail. Yet, despite the advantages, many people who rely on Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) still receive their payments by check.

If you are financially responsible for the well-being of others, you have a very real need for life insurance.

For 2008, resolve to take control of your family finances. Make this the year that you will set goals, determine priorities and get your finances in order. Here are some hints from LSU AgCenter family economist Jeanette Tucker.

Preparing for retirement and potential long-term care costs takes planning, saving and debt control.

Problems occasionally occur with items purchased as holiday gifts, but being prepared to handle those problems can go a long way in making the season more festive for you, says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

'Investing for Your Future' is an 11-unit home study course developed to teach basic investing concepts to those with limited investing experience.

Many New Year’s resolutions are long forgotten by the first of February. However, resolving to take control of your family finances can have a positive effect on your financial position in the coming months and on your long-term goals, according to LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

Every year thousands of Americans go into debt over the holidays because Santa and his elves went a little over budget. With holiday shopping, rising gas prices and hosting holiday parties, it is no wonder we have trouble staying out of debt.

Consumers must be cautious of identity thieves when shopping during the holiday season, says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

It's that time of year when stores are luring holiday shoppers. But before you get caught up in the frenzy, you should take stock of how much money you have available for holiday spending.

Sixty-six percent of shoppers are planning to purchase a gift card this year, with sales expected to top $55.5 billion. Gift cards are great for holiday giving – recipients love the option to pick out the exact item, color and size that they want, and givers enjoy their one-size-fits-all convenience and easy availability.

Online shopping in the United States rises approximately 30 percent each holiday season, because it can save time, money and effort. But sizing up your finds on the Internet is a little different from checking out items at a mall or shop, says LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

The excitement and rush of the holiday season often lead people to overextend themselves financially. That means this is the season to exercise caution so you avoid getting caught in the "credit trap".

(Distributed 11/09/07) When Louisiana cooks shop for their Thanksgiving meal, they’ll find the cost of the basic dinner items will average $36.31 for 10 people, according to an LSU AgCenter survey of Baton Rouge-area prices. That’s down by $3.50 from last year’s average of $39.81 – a 9 percent drop.

Many consumers are under the impression that federal legislation allows them to learn their credit scores. This is one of the myths circulating among the public about obtaining credit histories, according to LSU AgCenter family economics professor Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

Marriage is a financial partnership. Divorce means more than separating a family physically. It also means separating a family financially. Suggestions for preparing for financial separation, dividing property, dealing with debt and dividing assets and property are included.

In recent years, there has been a dramatic growth in credit card usage among college students. How are Louisiana State University undergraduates using credit cards? Are LSU students managing credit card debt wisely? What can Louisiana State University do to offer the appropriate kinds of help to enable students to be financially literate? These are the issues addressed is this publication.

If you or a loved one are facing the loss of a job, it's important to keep a variety of factors in mind as you attempt to cope.

Uncle Sam is encouraging taxpayers to invest in energy-efficient home improvements and systems that use renewable sources of energy (like the sun). For tax years 2006 through 2008, the federal Energy Act is allowing tax credits (dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount owed) of up to $500 to reward certain energy-efficient improvements made over those three years.

The LSU Agricultural Center offers a computer debt reduction analysis called "PowerPay" that will calculate the fastest way to repay your creditors while paying the least amount of interest.

Over-indebtedness can lead to stress, family problems, repossessed property, garnished wages, and even bankruptcies. However, options exist to help families manage financial challenges when bills pile up and families are unable to manage them.

Almost 70% of Americans live from paycheck to paycheck, courting disaster if their income is suddenly reduced or stopped. This article offers advice on how to increase savings.

According to A.G. Edwards 2006 Nest Egg Index rankings, Louisiana residents do not save well in comparison to the rest of the nation. Louisiana is ranked 49th among the states, ranked higher only than Mississippi.

We have lots of choices to make about how to spend our money. These choices determine if we have the money to get the things we really need and want. Follow these tips to make the best spending choices for you and your family. PDF Format Only

Credit card use has grown dramatically among college students. This has generated concern that these students are overextended and unaware of the long-term consequences associated with severe indebtedness.

(Distributed 7/11/03) Moving away from home for the first time is a pivotal moment in life. It is one of the rights of passage from youth to adulthood, according to LSU AgCenter family economics specialist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

(Distributed 7/11/03) Financing a college education is often a partnership involving the student, family, school and lending agency. LSU AgCenter family economics professor Dr. Jeanette Tucker encourages college students to find out each partner’s responsibility.

(Distributed 7/11/03) Education is valuable throughout your life, and the achievements you make today can determine the salaries you earn over a lifetime.

Individuals who lost work due to recent hurricanes may qualify for disaster unemployment assistance, according to LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

Recent hurricanes may have obliterated your house, your job and likely even the property values in your area – leaving you with the feeling that the only things still intact are your mortgage and other debts.