1) Emergency Fund Can Reduce Stress

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Consumer Federation of America reports that two-thirds of unexpected expenses involve medical care or motor vehicles, said Carol Young, Kansas State University Research and Extension financial management specialist.

Last year, Americans spent an average of $2,000 for such emergencies, she said.

With savings in an emergency fund, consumers can typically pay the unexpected bills without having to borrow or run up a credit card bill, either of which can add interest and stress, Young said. 

If not in the habit of saving, setting money aside for an emergency fund may seem a monumental task. Saving as little as $10 a week, however, can be a good goal, said Young, who advised setting a reasonable goal – $250 to $500 – and then adding to it.

She recommends accumulating savings equivalent to one to two months’ salary.

“After reaching the goal, keep saving to reduce debt and build financial security,” Young added.

More information on managing money successfully is available at county and district K-State Research and Extension offices and on the Extension Web site: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/financialmanagement/.


 

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2) K-State Leadership Seminar to Focus on Ideas That Work 

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The 2008 K-State Leadership Seminar will focus on borrowing ideas from successful business strategies to add value to the workplace and an employee’s personal and professional life.

The seminar is titled “Entrepreneurial Leadership: Seize the Opportunity!” and scheduled from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. April 3 in the Kansas State University Union in Manhattan. It is the 12th in a series and is open to members of the campus community, Manhattan residents and others in the surrounding area and state.

Jeffrey Stamp will keynote the session with his interpretation of “Entrepreneurial Leadership: Creating a Culture of Opportunity.” Stamp is from the University of North Dakota in Fargo, N.D., and combines educational expertise with corporate successes.

Stamp also will lead a panel discussion to tie successful ideas from the boardroom to education; business; community and social issues, and attendees may choose one of four sessions to discuss entrepreneurial applications for their area of interest.

A special session will highlight speakers from Greensburg, Kan.: “When Change Isn’t a Choice.”

This year, the seminar also is scheduled to complement the Provost’s Lecture featuring Jeffry Timmons, who will offer ideas for “Cultivating the Entrepreneurial Mindset” at 3:30 p.m.

As an internationally known teacher of entrepreneurship from Babson College (in Babson Park, Mass.), Timmons is the founding author for “New Venture Creation,” (8^th ed. forthcoming from McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2008), the leading text on the subject.

Registration for the K-State Leadership Seminar, which includes a conference packet, buffet lunch, and refreshment breaks, is $60. Registration and information are available at www.dce.ksu.edu/conf/leadershipseminar. The cost also includes a parking permit for off-campus participants. The deadline for registration is March 26.


 

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3) Exercise Scientist: ‘Choose Socks for Comfort’

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Choosing athletic socks that fit the foot and shoe of choice typically make exercise more pleasurable, said Elizabeth Fallon, Kansas State University exercise scientist who this year, is consulting on K-State Research and Extension’s Walk Kansas fitness challenge, March 9-May 3. Here are her shopping tips:

* Match sock size to shoe size.

* Read fabric content and care instructions labeling before buying.

* Look for natural or synthetic fibers constructed to wick moisture away from the foot, making the foot more comfortable and less vulnerable to irritation, Fallon said. The concept is similar to the wick in an oil lamp, in which fibers (in the wick) draw fuel to the flame.

* Remove shoes and socks as soon after exercise as possible, and towel down feet; wash and dry socks completely after each wearing.

* To save when buying socks, watch for a sale or packages of two or more that offer savings.

More information on Walk Kansas, physical activity and healthy living is available at county or district K-State Research and Extension offices and on the Walk Kansas Web site: www.walkkansas.org or the Extension Web site: www.oznet.ksu.edu.


 

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4) Watch Costs When Determining Spring Nitrogen Rates for Bromegrass

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Given recent high nitrogen fertilizer prices and relatively flat hay prices, some producers may be wondering how much nitrogen to apply to bromegrass fields this spring, said Dave Mengel, Kansas State University Research and Extension soil fertility specialist.

K-State agronomists have conducted more than 100 studies on bromegrass fertilization since 1975. When examining the response of bromegrass to spring-applied N fertilizer, in particular, it has shown that hay yields range from 1.35 tons of dry matter per acre with no N fertilizer to a maximum of 3.15 tons per acre with 140 pounds of N per acre.

“Some simple cost-and-return calculations, using $60 per ton as the value of the produced hay and 55 cents per pound for the N, suggest the appropriate N rate this spring to maximize profit is between 80 and 100 pounds of N per acre,” Mengel said.

This only considers yield, however, not hay quality, he noted.

“The higher N fertilizer rates increase protein levels. So, in cases where producers are relying on high-quality hay as their primary protein source, they may want to push N rates a little higher or add supplemental protein to rations,” Mengel said.

More information on managing bromegrass pasture is available in the K-State Research and Extension publication “Smooth Brome Production and Utilization,” C402, available in Kansas county and district Extension offices and on the Web at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/crpsl2/c402.pdf.