Lunch ‘n’ Learn Workshops
From Kim Harkness, Human Resources: This October, faculty and staff participated in two Lunch ‘n’ Learn workshops held for KSC employees and sponsored by KSC Human Resources.
The first, presented by Public Service of New Hampshire, provided information about how to make your home more energy efficient. Here are three great tips PSNH shared with KSC folks:
• Use energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs if you’re lighting particular areas for over three hours a day. Compact fluorescent bulbs come in a variety of sizes and should help to lower energy costs.
• A programmable thermostat lets you control the temperature in your house automatically and can make a significant impact on your household expenses. You can program the thermostat according to your schedule, and it will automatically turn the heat down during the night or when you are not at home and turn it up just before you get up in the morning or come home from work, so your house is comfortable only when you need it to be.
• PSNH also suggested that you consider having an energy audit. PSNH offers Energy Saver Audits through the Home Energy Assistance Program. For those who qualify, PSNH will help you identify and understand your high electric use and recommend how to use energy more efficiently, which includes insulation, air sealing, electric hot water measures, health and safety measures, and more. More information on cost savings and the many programs offered by PSNH can be found on their website.
Consumer Credit Counseling Services of NH & VT conducted the second program. The presenter challenged folks in these tough economic times to be prepared by making a budget and sticking to it. The “budget do’s” include budgeting for savings, establishing long- and short-term financial goals, and reviewing your budget regularly. The best place to start is to track your expenses for a full month to learn where your money actually goes.
We also learned about credit scores: what can help improve a score, what can hurt your score, and how doing something to improve it isn’t always in your best interest financially. The CCCS rep recommended that anyone choosing to use a credit counseling service make sure that the counselor is licensed by an organization such as the New Hampshire Banking Department. More information and helpful financial tools can be found on the CCCS webpage noted above.
Watch for more Lunch ‘n’ Learn opportunities, including sessions on Wills and Estates, Elder Law, Real Estate Law, and Parenting Issues.
