(Distributed November 2005) 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.

(Distributed November 2005) Rising energy prices, low personal savings and the higher cost of borrowing are prompting unwanted mail for many consumers: Your bill is overdue!

(Distributed November 2005) Many family memories revolve around rituals. Rituals help us identify who we are as a family and individuals.

(Distributed November 2005) Trying times, like these after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, can test family and community resiliency. Having our families and communities around us for support can go a long way in helping recover from disaster, emotionally as well as physically.

(Distributed November 2005) Keeping the family operating smoothly, particularly during these trying times following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, requires a lot of effort. Each of us, though, can contribute to keep the family strong.

(Distributed November 2005) Even though Louisiana falls are usually dry, rain eventually comes. After long, extended wet periods, a sinister looking fungus or slime may appear, attacking lawns in the cooler season ahead.

(Distributed November 2005) Not much new happens in vegetable gardens during November in Louisiana. Mostly it’s a time for harvesting and cleaning up. A few crops still can be planted, however, particularly in south Louisiana, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

(Distributed November 2005) Middle-age adults who are now at a healthy weight need to be careful about maintaining energy balance to avoid gaining weight. This is the cautionary note of LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed November 2005) November is American Diabetes Month. This year the American Diabetes Association together with the American College of Cardiology are working to increase awareness of the link between diabetes and heart disease.

(Distributed November 2005) When Louisiana temperatures take a dip, many people start thinking about building a roaring fire in their fireplaces. What they don’t dream of, however, are the insects that too often come inside with the firewood, says LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet.