If you’re part of “Generation X” — the age cohort born between the mid-1960s and the early 1980s — you’re probably in one of the busiest phases of your life, as you’re well into your working years and, at the same time, busy raising a family.

But just as you’re “multi-tasking” in your life, you’ll also need to address multiple financial goals. In seeking to accomplish your key objectives, you may be asking yourself a variety of questions, including the following:

Should I contribute as much as possible to my IRA and 401(k)? In a word, yes. Your earnings on a traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and a 401(k) grow on a tax-deferred basis, so your money can accumulate faster than it would if placed in an investment on which you paid taxes every year.

Plus, since you typically make 401(k) contributions with pretax dollars, the more you contribute, the lower your taxable income. And your traditional IRA contributions may be tax-deductible, depending on your income.

If you meet income guidelines, you can contribute to a Roth IRA, which provides tax-free earnings, provided you meet certain conditions.

Should I put away money for my kids’ college education? It’s not easy to fund your retirement accounts plus save money for your children’s college education.

Still, college is expensive, so if you feel strongly about helping to pay for the high costs of higher education, you may want to explore college funding vehicles, such as a 529 plan, which offers tax advantages.

Should I pay down my mortgage or invest those funds? Most of us dream of freeing ourselves from a mortgage someday. So, as your career advances and your income rises, you may wonder if you should make bigger mortgage payments.

On one hand, there’s no denying the psychological benefits you’d receive from paying off your mortgage. However, you may want to consider putting any extra money into your investment portfolio to help as you work toward your retirement goals.

Work with your financial adviser to determine what may be most appropriate for your portfolio.

Do I have enough insurance in place to protect my family? You may hear that you need seven or eight times your annual income in life insurance, but there’s really no “right” figure for everyone.

You may want to consult with a financial adviser to determine how much life insurance is appropriate for your needs.

Am I familiar with my parents’ financial situation and estate considerations? Now is the time to communicate with your parents about a variety of issues related to their financial situation and estate plans.

The more you know, the better positioned you’ll be to provide assistance and support if and when it’s needed.

Just to name one example, you should inquire of your parents if they’ve designated a durable power of attorney to make financial decisions for them in case they’re ever incapacitated.

By answering these questions, you can get a handle on all the financial issues you face at your stage of life. It may seem challenging, but taking the time now can help you better position yourself to reach your financial goals.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SHANKLIN: Generation X'ers juggle a variety of financial issues

Did you know there is an array of musical resources available to you at the Crestview Public Library?

Whether you are a novice wanting to learn how to play the piano, or you would just like to listen to local musicians perform, there is a bit of everything for music lovers.

We have CDs available for checkout as well as musician biographies in traditional and audio formats. There are DVDs of live musical concerts and books to instruct you as you learn to play piano, guitar, drums or even the banjo.

In our website’s electronic resources, you can access the Fine Arts & Music Collection with a valid library card. With hundreds of full-text magazines and journals covered in databases such as the Wilson Art Index and RILM, this collection will provide you with resources to support research in areas such as drama, music, art history and filmmaking.

In addition, local musicians can play in the main area of the library from 6-8 p.m. every Monday and Tuesday.

If you are ready to show off your musical abilities in front a small audience, please contact Sandra Dreaden, 682-4432 to book an appointment.

Acoustic guitarist Ian Gomez is our most recent local talent. His next performance at the library is July 25.

Marie Heath is the Crestview Public Library's director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HEATH: Musical resources abound at the library

There are many external parasites that affect horses. Some are just annoying, but some transmit deadly diseases.

The world’s deadliest creature is also a menace to horses. These creatures transmit Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis, Western Equine Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis and West Nile viruses. This deadly creature is the mosquito.

Our best defense against these deadly diseases is vaccination. The most effective mosquito control measure is reducing breeding sites (standing water). Clean water buckets and troughs regularly since mosquitoes will lay eggs in these water sources. Mosquito control sprays also help to decrease populations.

There are many biting flies that can also transmit diseases such as anthrax, equine infectious anemia, and anaplasmosis. Horse, deer and stable flies are vicious biters and strong flyers. Like mosquitoes, horse and deer fly females are the biters, while both stable fly sexes bite. The use of repellents can be effective for decreasing bites on horses but should be applied daily.

Another annoying pest is the biting midge also called the no-see-um. These pests cause horses to lose their hair where they are bit. Often this is on the neck, head, tail, and belly. There are no effective control measures for these pests. No-see-ums are most active dusk and dawn and prefer to be outdoors in calm winds. An effective strategy for horse owners is to stable horses before dusk until after dawn.

We have non-biting flies that are problems as well. These include house flies, eye gnats and blow flies. House flies can transmit diseases and internal parasites.

Control includes removing manure from the stable area and applying larvicide to the manure. Also, space sprays are effective but must be reapplied frequently.

Eye gnats are annoying and cannot be effectively controlled. Blow flies are problematic for open wounds and control focuses on proper wound care and disposal of soiled wound dressing.

Another fly that buzzes around your horse is the bot fly. This fly is an external and internal parasite. The adult bot fly lays its eggs on the hairs of the horse. The egg hatches and the larvae enters the horse when the horse licks or chews the area where the eggs are attached to hairs.

The larvae burrows into the lining of the mouth and lives there for 3-4 weeks. It then migrates to the stomach and intestine, where it remains until the next summer.

It then is passed in the manure and burrows into the soil. In one to two months, the adult fly emerges and begins immediately laying eggs.

Control of this pest involves breaking the life cycle. Use a warm water wash (110-120 degrees Fahrenheit) with an insecticide to remove bot eggs. The warm water signals the bot egg to hatch and the larvae is killed when it contacts the insecticide.

Only use insecticides that are labeled for external treatment of horses. Treatments should be applied weekly during August and September. Also, dewormers containing ivermectin and moxidectin are effective against internal bot larvae.

Controlling external parasites on horses can be a challenge but is important. They transmit diseases and internal parasites. They can also make horses sick or weak due to blood loss. They can cause horses to lose weight and hair due to irritation from the flies.

The use of repellents applied daily to your horse is helpful against horse, deer and stable flies. Proper manure management and the use of a larvicide will reduce house fly populations. Breaking the bot fly life cycle will help control this external and internal parasite.

For more information on these external parasites and others, see ENY-283, a University of Florida article on horse parasites at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig139.

Jennifer Bearden 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: BEARDEN: Are flies bugging your horses?

I recently read an article in Psychology Today that discussed the “dumbing down of America,” something I have witnessed for quite some time. Believe me when I tell you I am not an intellectual snob, although I do love to be around individuals that are interested in developing their mind. I am a very curious person and was brought up by a mother who encouraged me to broaden my horizons. She always advocated for finding people that could bring me to a higher standard of consciousness rather than those who might bring me down. It reminds me of a quote I once heard by a motivational speaker: “You can fly with the eagles or soar with the turkeys.”

Bill Keller, writing in the New York Times states, “Reality TV and pop culture presented in magazines and online sites claim to provide useful information about the importance of the Housewives of Wherever that can somehow enrich our lives. After all, how else can one explain the insipid and pointless stories that tout divorces, cheating and weight gain? How else can we explain the Kardashians or Paris Hilton, who are known for being famous without actually contributing anything worth discussing? The artificial events of their lives become the mainstay of populist media to distract (us from) the real issues and concerns facing us.”

I know that if my grandmother had laid her eyes on one of the myriad of Kim Kardashian’s “almost dressed” photos, she would have immediately grabbed her rosary beads and prayed for her. I realize that times have changed but what are we thinking? Basically I don’t think we are.

Numbers of people now consider themselves experts in some area of life. Blogging, vlogging, YouTube and Twitter are loaded with misinformation for information's sake. Want to know if gorillas get pimples? Just look it up on Google or wherever and you’ll find someone who knows not only the answer, but the cure. You’ll be seduced into their site with some soundbites and then they begin their sales pitch. For only $25 a month you can get all you ever wanted to know about gorilla acne, and special creams to eliminate it. Some of which have been found to eliminate wrinkles on human skin.

There is more acceptance of information that is spewed night and day that often does not have much basis in fact. The misinformation becomes valid in lieu of getting it quickly. The more it becomes the status quo, the more we will see intellectual complacency grow.

As the author of several books, I was at the mercy of editors, fact checkers, and lawyers. My Sicilian mother and grandmother could have had their jobs. I’m glad they demanded critical thinking and common sense rather than fostering a mentality that seeks millions of Twitter followers who are following the proverbial lemming off the cliff.

Loretta LaRoche is an author, humorist, PBS star and Fortune 500 trainer.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LAROCHE: Fly with the eagles or soar with the turkeys

Next week, we observe the Fourth of July with sparklers, picnics and parades.

And living in a country that offers so much freedom, we have a lot to celebrate.

But on a more personal level, you may still be working toward another type of independence — financial independence.

What can you do to speed your progress toward this goal?

Here are some ideas to think about:

Free yourself from excessive fear. As an investor, it’s not hard to find something to fear. Oil prices, interest rates, political squabbles, even natural disasters — at any given time, each of these factors (and many more) might be blamed for volatility in the financial markets.

In response, many people take a “time out” from investing.

Don’t let fear hold you back. It takes discipline and some mental toughness to stay invested in all economic environments, but if you’re constantly jumping in and out of the market, you’re almost guaranteed to miss out on the kind of continuity and opportunities you need to move toward your financial freedom.

Liberate your investments’ growth potential. Many investors avoid investing too aggressively, wishing to lower their risk level. And that’s certainly not a bad idea.

On the other hand, you can easily slip into investing too “safely” by keeping the bulk of your portfolio in investments that protect your principal but offer so little in the way of return that they may not even keep up with inflation.

So, try to always maintain a reasonable percentage of growth-oriented vehicles in your portfolio. The exact amount may depend on your age and tolerance for risk, but at virtually every stage of your life, you need some growth potential.

Avoid the tyranny of debt. It’s not easy to stay out of debt. But carrying a heavy debt load is truly a burden — you’re not only concerned about making the payments, but you’re also depriving yourself of dollars that could be used to invest for your future.

Try to do everything you can to live within your means and avoid racking up more debt than is necessary.

And when you do whittle down your debts, put that “found” money to work. The more you put in your investment portfolio, the more opportunities you have to reach your objectives.

Free your thinking about the future. Here’s another roadblock on your journey toward financial independence: short-term thinking

Instead of seeking quick gains (which are notoriously hard to achieve), strive for steady growth. Instead of reacting to the news of the day by making impulsive moves, chart a long-term strategy that’s appropriate for your needs, and stick to it.

Instead of focusing on losses you might see on one month’s investment statement, look back over the progress you’ve made over the last five or 10 years.

In short, worry less about today — and plan for tomorrow.

It will take a lot of time, effort and patience to ultimately achieve your own Financial Independence Day. But once you do, you’ll have reason to rejoice — and you won’t even need the fireworks.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SHANKLIN: Here’s how to declare your financial independence

For many people, hurricane preparedness is not at the top of their to-do list. Most families have to juggle multiple, competing priorities.

But the Okaloosa County Extension office wants you to remember why preparedness matters  — it saves lives.

Now is the time for families and individuals in Okaloosa County to build an emergency kit and create a plan for their household.

One element of a hurricane emergency kit is establishing a food supply inventory. Each family member will need enough food and water to last for a minimum of three days.

And let’s not forget our furry family members! They will need food and water as well.

You should take in consideration that the power will most likely be out, and foods to include in your emergency kit should include shelf-stable items. These non-perishable items are foods that don’t need cooking and that are easily prepared. Try to pick food that appeals to more than one family member.

Foods that are calorie- and protein-rich will help household members maintain energy and strength.

Foods needed to meet special dietary needs, such as for babies, toddlers, the elderly, diabetic and sick need to be considered when making your kit.

Single serving or one-meal canned foods are good choices to avoid leftovers. Dried fruits, peanut butter and jelly, ready-to-eat canned meats, beans, fruits and vegetables are great items to store.

Avoid items that contain a lot of salt. Salty foods will increase your thirst during a time when water will most likely not be safe to drink.

Avoid glass jars and bottled foods that are heavy, bulky and breakable. Foods packaged in cans or solid plastic containers will be more secure.

Let’s not forget the most important ingredient of life — water. Each member of your family should have 1 gallon per day in an unbreakable container.

Consider that hurricane season usually occurs during the peak of hot weather, and water will most likely be consumed at a faster rate. Additional water will be needed for pets, food preparation and sanitation requirements.

Items most often forgotten are utensils. Make sure you have a non-electric can opener, plastic cups, plates, cutlery and a heating source for cooking.

Rebecca Catalena 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: CATALENA: How to get a food pantry ready for the storm season