Okaloosa Saves and the University of Florida will host the Eco-Nomic Living Expo 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Santa Rosa Mall. Admission is free.
In 2016, a Federal Reserve study found that "Forty-six percent of adults say they either could not cover an emergency expense costing $400 or would cover it by selling something or borrowing money."
What that means is if someone's oven broke, or their air conditioner was on the fritz, they would not be able to repair or replace it because they don't have enough money saved. Okaloosa Saves is a non-profit organization committed to educating youths and adults about saving money and supporting them along the way.
The Eco-Nomic Living Expo is one way we can do this. The expo will have over 45 vendors, all with a focus on health, home, environment and money. In addition to vendors, Gulf Power is bringing in their fuel-efficient vehicle and the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension will offer seminars throughout the day on topics such as lawn care, GMOs, micro-plastics, heart health, investing, identity theft and more.
4-H and the Family Nutrition Program will be there all day featuring activities for kids. While you're there, don't forget to vote on your favorite youth and corporate piggy bank.
We have limited space in the Rain Barrel workshop! Create and take home your very own rain barrel to use in your home garden and save your wallet. Pre-registration is required at economicliving@eventbrite.com.
Did we mention all of the door prizes we have? Some of these include a television, lots of baskets filled with goodies, and even money! A donation-based drawing will be held for an original, hand-painted rain barrel by local artist Rafi Perez (www.rafiperezart.com) and there will be goody bags for our first 350 guests who sign up to be Okaloosa Savers. Set-up will be available for the #imsavingforcontest; the first 50 people to complete a video at the expo will receive a gift card and be entered into the national contest to win $1,000.
Okaloosa Saves cannot wait to see you at the Eco-Nomic Living Expo on Feb. 11 at the Santa Rosa Mall. Check out economiclivingexpo.com for more information and visit our Okaloosa Saves Facebook page. Contact me at jbreslawski@ufl.edu or 689-5850 for more information.
Jill Breslawski is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Ways to save at this weekend's expo