National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 29

The Drug Enforcement Agency has scheduled National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 29, 2011, from 10am-2pm for persons who want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day approximately 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

Find a disposal site at dea.gov.

Pills, Potions and Profits begins today

The 11th Consumer Issues Conference begins tonight with a free showing of Big Bucks, Big Pharma at 7pm in the UW Union. The conference sessions begin Thursday morning in Laramie with speakers on business/legal, health and criminal aspects of drugs and consumers. Sessions include sessions on medical marijuana, alcohol and Wyoming law, the proliferation of drug ads targeted directly to consumers, alternative medicine, a panel of legislators focusing on policy issues raised during the conference, and more.

Details and registration are at www.uwyo.edu/consumerconference

Continuing education credits are available for attorneys, educators, health professionals, and family and consumer sciences professionals.

Banking on Mom and Dad

Forget the empty nest. According to a recent survey, 59% of parents are giving their adult children financial help, from housing (50%) to spending money (29%) to assisting with medical bills (28%). To bring boomerang kids into financial adulthood, the National Endowment for Financial Education suggests offering nonmonetary help, collecting rent to live at home, and charging interest on any loans you make them.

September is Preparedness Month

September is Preparedness Month -- is your family prepared for an emergency? How would you communicate? Do you have a three-day kit ready?

Information is at http://wyohomelandsecurity.state.wy.us/being_prepared.aspx and www.ready.gov.

Redefining the American Dream -- Nearly Half of U.S. Adults Say Top Financial Goal is Having Enough Money for Retirement

The National Endowment for Financial Education today released the results of a survey about what Americans' top financial goals are. They found that almost half of American adults say the financial goal that is most important to them is having enough money for retirement. Forty-seven percent of U.S. adults aged 18 and older say having enough money for retirement is their top financial priority, compared to just 17 percent who feel homeownership is their top financial goal.

Ted Beck, president and CEO of NEFE says, "Homeownership has been a traditional indication of achieving the American Dream. But whether it’s due to the decline in the housing market or because of challenges experienced during the economic downturn, people grasp the importance of planning for the future and seem to be having a shift in their approach—from physical to more financial security-based values."

NEFE found that, in thinking about their own financial situations, 57 percent believe they are achieving the American Dream. But the chase isn’t without its obstacles. A majority of US adults (70 percent) agree that a significant obstacle to achieving the American Dream is their inability to save enough, and 54 percent agree that managing their debt is a significant barrier.

Take the LifeValues Quiz

Understanding your financial values is one part to success in managing your money. NEFE has a LifeValues Quiz to help identify the values that drive their financial decisions. To take the quiz, visit www.smartaboutmoney.org/lifevalues.

For tips and information on money management, visit www.smartaboutmoney.org and www.myretirementpaycheck.org.

free webinar on debt management - Aug 16

In August, you can participate in a personal financial webinar offered by Cooperative Extension personnel from the University of Florida. Sign-up at the link below. These Webinars offer you the chance to improve your finances from home or office with live, interactive on-line classes.

Debt Management

August 16 – 10:30 to 11:30 PM (MDT)

Find out how to:

· Evaluate your level of debt

· Use Power Pay to become “debt free”

· Evaluate debt management options

· Avoid scams

Register at http://bit.ly/oB6b2z

Webinars are provided by the University of Florida Extension in partnership with Lake County Extension, Hillsborough County Extension and Okaloosa County Extension.

Wyoming Residents HUD Emergency Homeowners Loan Program - deadline July 22

The EHLP program is an opportunity for homeowners who are behind on their mortgage due to underemployment, unemployment, or high medical debt. HUD has a new program that offers unemployed or underemployed homeowners up to $50,000 in mortgage assistance, but you must act quickly. There are 36 applicant spots available in Wyoming through the Consumer Credit Counseling Service. Applicants aren’t necessarily guaranteed a spot, but it would be nice to fill the allocated 36 that are available across Wyoming. Applications are needed by July 22.

To learn how to apply, call RDI Consumer Credit Counseling Service. The deadline for applications is July 22, so you must act fast. Find more on the web at CCCSWYO.org or call 1.877-275-2227. Information is also at http://www.cccsmt.org/ehlp.