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Dear Homemakers,

Happy July, 

We are now in the umpteenth week of Covid-19. I am feeling it! I hope all of you arehealthy and well. I know some of you have been sick, and you have definitely been in mythoughts and prayers. In this newsletter, you will find information, along with guidelinesabout in-person meetings. As of right now, we do not have a schedule for events. Mostof you know, and for those who do not, at this time, our office does not have a full-timecustodian. With that being said, we are not ready to hold in-person meetings. We arecurrently following CDC/UK guidelines regarding the sanitation process. The KentuckyExtension Homemakers Association has also issued guidelines.   Until further notice, our Knott County Homemaker events will be conducted throughan online, or a mail out method for the next few months. I would like for you to bethinking about which way would be best for you to receive the upcoming information.

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Knott CountyFamily and Consumer Sciences

 Newsletter

July 2020

Knott Co Extension149 Parks Br PO Box 462

Hindman Ky 41822P: 606-785-5329

lrcombs@uky.edu

Linda Combs

UK-CEA for FCS

WHAT TO READ INSIDEHomemaker News Page 1-2Budgeting Tips to Navigate Covid-19 Page 3Covid-19 Guidelines for KEHA Page 4Healthy at Home Newsletter Page 5-8Heat Stress/Stroke Page 9-10Summer Hydration Page 11

For PAID Homemakers ($6.00 dues to be paid later and information will be sent out inAugust/September) options are: 

1. Receive a monthly informational packet – from the lessons provided from theQuicksand area FCS agents. All members will receive this.

Your club will also have the option to:2. Online – Zoom or Facebook messenger classes – you register for the program and Iwill send you a link to join. We could also have club meetings this way. 

Extra choice classes - you can choose one or both.  You will need to fill out anevaluation for these programs.(The next newsletter will consist of a ballot for you to rank your choices).

1. Cooking Packet - You will receive various recipes and other cooking tips and hints.This packet will be mainly consist of written information, with a possible onlinedemonstration in some format.

2. Crafting Packet – You will receive the crafting project directions, and some projectmaterials. It could be an activity such as crocheting, quilting a small project, making athrow pillow top, jewelry, etc. 

I know that staying mentally and physically active is very important during theseupcoming days, as you try to stay safe and continue to social distance as much aspossible. Your input and ideas on how I can support you are vital to me. Please send mea message through email (lrcombs@uky.edu), Facebook messenger, or call and shareyour ideas with me.  

Our office has been busy sharing educational information with 700 of our schoolfamilies. We have connected with these families by participating in the school's SummerFeed Program. We created packets of health and nutrition information. Next, we areputting together a back-to-school pack to be distributed to these same families.  

Thank you for being the special people you are.   

Linda

July 2020Page 2

Source: Kelly May, senior extension associate 

Over the past months, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected many aspects of our lives, including our

finances. Some have lost jobs or have had hours reduced. Others have seen changes in expenses with

some payments increasing while others have decreased. The pandemic has even changed some of our

attitudes about money. Developing and sticking to a budget can help you work through any hardships

caused by the pandemic, gain control of your finances and get you back on track to achieving your

financial dreams. 

To help you get started, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service has a basic budget

sheet available online at https://bit.ly/spending-savings. The first step in any budget is to evaluate

your monthly income. If you have lost or changed your job because of the pandemic, this part of your

budget may be different than it was a few months ago. You may have temporary sources of income,

such as unemployment benefits, that you need to include. Next, think about your monthly expenses.

Some of these are going to be fixed expenses, which means you pay the same amount each month.

These expenses include things like your mortgage, car payment or insurance. Other payments like

your utilities change every month and are called flexible expenses.

Evaluate whether your flexible expenses have changed because of the coronavirus. For example, if

you are working from home, you may be using more electricity now than in the past. With many

people at home and businesses shut down the past few months, you may have saved some money in

areas like child care, entertainment, dining out and gas. Were you able to save these funds, or did you

spend it in other areas? If you find you have saved some money, you can allocate it to areas of your

budget to help fill in gaps. You may want to use it to pay down some debt or build your savings

account to help pay for future emergency expenses. As businesses reopen and more people return towork, you may need to count on some of these expenses increasing within your budget, while there

could be others you may not need anymore. 

If you are struggling to have your income cover your expenses, look for areas you can trim or

eliminate. Common places where people find they can trim expenses are communication and

entertainment. For example, bundling your internet and television may be cheaper than paying for

each separately, or you may be able to reduce your streaming service subscriptions. You can also

reduce the number of times you dine out, or you can start meal planning to help you lower your

grocery bill. If you are struggling, evaluate whether each potential purchase is a need or a want and

buy only what you need. Try to avoid impulse purchases, whether they be in the stores or online. If

you find online shopping too tempting while you are at home, you may consider staying off internet

shopping sites altogether.

July 2020Page3 Budgeting Tips to Help you Navigate Through the

COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond

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Knott CountyPO Box 462Hindman, KY 41822

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