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Family Life Blog Posts

Credit cards laying on a table.

July 26, 2024

Many people love the idea of credit cards. You’re able to purchase goods or services when you want or need it, even if you don’t have the money on hand to cover the costs.

A room full of clutter.

July 24, 2024

Almost everyone has a little bit of clutter somewhere in their homes at times. However, letting small amounts turn into large amounts can not only interfere with the lifestyle you want, but it can also be a health hazard. If you find that you can’t use your rooms the way you’d like, then it’s time to start getting rid of some clutter. But what if some of these items are sentimental? We have some tips that can help.

July 18, 2024

School is right around the corner! For those whose children are in schools with year-round schedules, the first day of class is coming up sooner rather than later. 

Kids jumping in a lake

May 24, 2024

With the temperatures rising, many people are heading to the pool, river, or lake to beat the heat. It’s important to keep water safety in mind when out with friends and family.

Closeup of a dial on a pressure canner.

May 17, 2024

Home canning is an economical way to preserve the bounty of your garden. This Q&A may answer some questions for you, whether you’re new to canning or you’ve been canning for years.

Several types of plastic and other waste surround a green chasing arrows emblem.

April 22, 2024

Whether you recycle or not, you probably are familiar with the “chasing arrows” emblem found on plastic products. But many consumers don’t know that this symbol denotes only the type of plastic an item is made from, not its ability to be recycled. Check out these tips that can help you reduce your plastic waste.

A group of seven rabbits from different breeds.

March 27, 2024

Rabbits are a quintessential symbol of spring, representing fertility, rebirth, and resurrection since ancient times. But did you know that these small animals have recently been added to the Mississippi 4-H livestock show list?

4-H clover on MSU Campus

March 16, 2024

The four-leaf clover has become associated with quite a few things, including St. Patrick’s Day, good luck, and 4-H! Who remembers trying to find a four-leaf clover as a child?

Clovers are weeds that usually have three leaves. Every now and then, a rare fourth leaf will be produced. The chances of finding a four-leaf clover are pretty slim. You’ve got about a 1 in 10,000 chance of finding a four-leaf clover, and if you do, it’s your lucky day! 

Our favorite four-leaf clover is the 4-H clover emblem. The four Hs, each on one leaf, stand for head, heart, hands, and...

Person washing a stain out of a white piece of clothing.

March 8, 2024

There’s nothing more annoying than getting something on your shirt and it leaves a stain. I know the feeling all too well.

A pile of gifts wrapped in various papers and ribbons.

December 15, 2023

When you think about the holidays, all the food, gifts, holiday décor, and gatherings with friends and family likely come to mind. What you may not think about is how much garbage we create during this season. Check out these tips that can help you recycle this holiday season.

a closeup of a person taking $20 dollar bills out of a wallet

November 13, 2023

If the gift-giving season is more stressful than cheerful for you, don’t panic. Get prepared! These tips can help you manage your spending this holiday season.

Students in green shirts posing for a picture.

October 6, 2023

One of the best kept secrets out there is 4-H!

A kale plant grows in a garden.

August 25, 2023

Fall is around the corner, but you don’t have to give up fresh produce from your garden.

Boy with blue backpack.

August 14, 2023

Now that school is back in session for many of us, everyone is getting back into the swing of things.

A man sits with his chin proped on his hand

May 11, 2023

Life can be overwhelming sometimes, and stress is a normal part of life. Too much unchecked stress can lead to physical and mental health challenges that must be addressed. Know the signs to watch for and learn what to do when you or someone you know needs help.

Close up view of a person ordering merchandise from a laptop computer in front of a Christmas tree.

November 28, 2022

‘Tis the season for giving and receiving. But beware of scammers who want to steal your holiday joy and money – and maybe even your identity. Watch out for these common scams during the holidays.

Close up of a space heater sitting on a hardwood floor

November 17, 2022

The temperatures have dropped drastically in the last week. If you’ve taken out your space heater or you’re using your fireplace, it’s important to use some safety precautions.

Heaters and fireplaces are nice ways to help keep you comfortable during cold weather. However, you should also be aware that heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

So, make safety a priority and take precautions when you use any type of heating equipment. Whether you use a fireplace or an electric or...

Woman on an exercise machine

November 8, 2022

With all the upcoming holiday get-togethers around the corner, it can be easy to move less, sit more, and gain weight. This year, join our Walk with Extension 12 Days of FITMAS Challenge, which emphasizes moving more and eating more vegetables.

collage of cornucopia designs

October 31, 2022

The cornucopia, or horn of plenty, is most often associated with Thanksgiving. It is generally depicted with the fruits of harvest overflowing its horn-shaped form and serves as a reminder to be thankful and grateful. If you like do-it-yourself projects, making your own cornucopia is an easy project.

Campfire

October 6, 2022

Fall is the perfect time to enjoy fire pits and camping trips! Firewood is a necessity for both activities, so it’s important to know how to properly collect and manage it. Be sure to get your firewood within 50 miles of where you will burn it whether that’s in your backyard or at a campground several miles from home.

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About Extension for Real Life

Extension for Real Life is a product of the MSU Extension Service’s Office of Agricultural Communications.

That’s a long way of saying we are professional communicators who get to talk about food, families, 4-H, flowers, and farming for a living. Pretty good gig, right?

The three main writers for the blog are Ellen Graves (Seamstress of Social Media Strategy), Susan Collins-Smith (Content Connector) and Keri Lewis (Captain Cat Herder). But we get by with a lot of help from our friends in Ag Comm and Extension!

You can reach us at 662-325-2262 or extreallife@msstate.edu

Recent Posts

Credit cards laying on a table.
Think through how much money you can realistically and safely budget towards credit card debt.
What to Conder When Using Credit
A room full of clutter.
Parting with sentimental clutter can be difficult, but a new program available through the Mississippi State University Extension Service can help people identify, sort and part with sentimental clutter. (Photo by Brebca/stock.adobe.com)
How to Unload Sentimental Clutter
Two black chickens in a garden.
Owning backyard chickens is fun and rewarding, but it can also be challenging.
Backyard Chickens