Champaign County Extension Education Foundation Board member Dot Hunt has been inducted into the inaugural class of the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame. The 4-H Hall of Fame recognizes individuals with a record of extraordinary service to 4-H.

Dot began her 4-H career as a member of the Montmorenci Home Ec and Montmorenci Ag 4-H Clubs in Tippenacanoe, IN. She enjoyed 21 years as the Urbana Town & Country 4-H Club leader, enlisting help of the parents. She noted that at least one parent of the forty club members was present at every 4-H meeting.

Dot has given countless volunteer hours to Champaign County Extension as Co-Chairman of the Tax Referendum Commitee, serving on Extension Councils and organizing the local Champaign County Extension Education Foundation. The Foundation's financial growth resulted from Dot's dedication to developing donors and has resulted in hundreds of youth receiving financial scholarships to 4-H camps.

Dot is an Extension advocate, graciously assuming leadership, working tirelessly to accomplish tasks, and encouraging all she encounters.

For many college students, credit cards are as common as football games and late-night pizza. So, what can parents do to keep their kids from falling into the credit card trap?

"First, understand that credit card offers roll in as soon as students hit campus," says Lois Smith, consumer and family economics educator with University of Illinois Extension. "Students may be tempted to open an account to buy books and supplies, spiffy up the dorm room, or buy the latest fashions. Talk with your student about credit and decide together whether a credit card is really needed. You may find that a checking account with a debit card is a better option."

If your student does decide to open a credit card account, talk about how the credit card should be used. Is it for emergencies only? Is it for school supplies?

The following tips can help prevent common credit problems:

• Compare card offers. Avoid cards that charge an annual fee. Also, choose one that has a low interest rate and minimal finance charges.

• Use only one credit card.

• Consider a low-limit or prepaid credit card. These options can help keep spending under control.

• Never spend more than you can quickly repay.

• Avoid borrowing money on a credit card. These cash advances quickly build up fees and interest charges.

• Don't max out your credit limit–only charge what you can afford to pay back.

• Carefully review monthly statements and save all receipts for reference.

• Strive to pay the full balance every month to avoid finance charges. If that is not possible, always pay more than the minimum to help control debt.

More helpful tips are found in the Parent Smarts series available. For a copy, call 333-7672 or e-mail your name and address to champaign_co@extension.uiuc.edu. Or, download the fact sheets at: http://www.ace.uiuc.edu/cfe/credit/parentsmarts/index.html

Do you have a college-bound student who needs a crash course on how to use a washer and dryer? Or, are you just tired of being the only one in the house who does the laundry?

The handy fact sheet, Laundering Guide for Beginners, outlines step-by-step instructions for sorting clothes, preparing the load, using detergent, and using the proper fabric settings on washers and dryers.

"Clothes last a lot longer if you care for them properly," says Lois Smith, consumer and family economics educator with University of Illinois Extension. "Simple things like closing zippers and removing pins and buckles can keep clothes from getting snagged or torn in the washing machine. And when clothes last longer, students can save money."

The Laundering Guide for Beginners is available free of charge from the Extension office. Call 333-7672 or email your request to champaign_co@extension.uiuc.edu.

College-bound students may even want to laminate a copy and tape it to the bottom of their laundry basket. That way, they'll have the information where they need it, when they need it.