The nation’s financial crisis continues to put constraints on the holiday season. Unemployment rates are high, and budgets are tight. To cope, LSU AgCenter family economist Jeanette Tucker recommends approaching spending this season the way one should every year – with a plan and a budget, even if that budget is shrinking.

Pet care costs: Cost-to-own is a relevant consideration for pet ownership. Even a free and healthy pet can cost more than $1,000 a year to maintain. Be sure you can afford the ownership costs for the projected life time of the animal you are considering for a pet.

There are lots of ways you can stretch your food dollar. You can save by packing your own lunch, eating out less, and by bringing snacks, coffee or soft drinks from home. There are ways to save on groceries too.

We hear and read about Federal Reserve rate changes, but we don't always understand how they affect us as consumers. The Fed's rate changes take time to filter down through the economy to consumers. Rate changes can be good news / bad news scenarios. What's the bottom line for you as a consumer?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

(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.