The course is interactive and breaks down money management into five key steps including goal setting, evaluating current spending, and making and following a spending plan. Each step provides one or more tools for participants to use in completing that step for themselves. The five steps are logically connected and it is easy to advance from one to another. It is possible, however, to jump around in the material according to individual needs and interests.

"The Take Control of Your Money course is especially useful for people whose finances are changing, who are just starting out on their own or who want to turn over a new leaf with stronger financial management," Wollan said. "It also can help people who are having financial difficulties, although it is not designed to solve serious financial crises."

Special topics covered in the course include dealing with debt, building financial security and family communication about money.

"Take Control of Your Money is practical and adaptable," said Wollan. "It isn't a strict regimen you have to follow. Rather, it's a set of strategies and an overall philosophy you can adapt and personalize."

To enroll in Take Control of Your Money, a free Web course, please visit www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/take-control.

October 21, 2015    Roadside, Forest, and Aquatic Pest Management, Scott County Extension, 9-11:30 am

October 27, 2015    Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office, 7 pm

October 29. 2015    Mosquito and Public Health Pest Management, Scott County Extension, 9-11:30 am

November 6, 2015    Pesticide Applicator Testing, Scott County Extension Office, 10-2 p.m

November 11, 2015    Ornamental & Turf Applicators Pest Management, Scott County Extension, 9-11:30 a.m.

November 17, 2015    Fumigation Pest Management, Scott County Extension, 9-11:30 a.m.

November 18, 2015    Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease Mgmt Pest Management, Scott County Extension, 9-11:30 a.m.

Visit our events calendar at our web site:   http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/

Growing Along the River - Focus on Fall Gardening Conference benefits all gardeners, both novice and seasoned, with an opportunity to learn, mingle, and share ideas on all aspects of gardening in the Quad-Cities. This year's conference will be held Saturday, October 3, 2015 at Scott Community College, 500 Belmont Road, Bettendorf, Iowa from 8:00am-4:00pm.

Keynote speakers are Jason Delaney and Laura Christensen. Jason is the Bulbs Collection Specialist at the Missouri Botanical Garden and will speak on "Success with Bulbs in Midwest Gardens." Laura is a landscape architect and owns her own business, Design with Nature, in Wheaton, Illinois and will be presenting "A Landscape Love Affair: A 25-Year Relationship with My Garden."  

In addition to the keynote speakers, four breakout sessions will be offered with participants choosing from 20 additional gardening topics presented by Iowa State University (ISU) professors, horticulturalists, and local experts. The cost is $40 and includes lunch.

The conference is presented by ISU Scott County Extension Master Gardeners. Complete conference information is online at www.eicc.edu/focusonfall and search course #159012. You can also find us on Facebook at ISU Scott County Extension and Outreach and on the web at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/scott or call 563-359-7577 for more information.

Visit our events calendar at our web site:   http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/

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