Personal Finance

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Multi-generation family reviewing estate documents.

Trusts Explained: What They Are and Why You Need One

Trusts are powerful estate planning tools that help individuals protect assets, provide for loved ones, and ensure their wishes are carried out.

Professional portrait of Heather Gessner

SDSU Extension to discuss estate tax at Sustaining the Legacy conferences

December 03, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension will continue to assist farmers and ranchers with long-term planning through its Sustaining the Legacy conferences across South Dakota this winter.

Person reviewing and marking up documents with a pen and post-it notes.

Organize this! Why Clear Handwriting Matters for Legal and Financial Documents

When preparing legal and financial documents, it’s essential to write letters and numbers clearly to avoid potential errors. Learn about some commonly confused letters and numbers in handwriting to avoid mix-ups and mistakes in your own records.

Old barn and windmill with the sunset in the background

SDSU Extension hosts Sustaining the Legacy Conferences

November 03, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension will continue to assist farmers and ranchers with long-term planning through its Sustaining the Legacy conferences across South Dakota this winter.

Old barn and windmill with the sunset in the background

SDSU Extension hosts Sustaining the Legacy Conferences

October 28, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension will continue to assist farmers and ranchers with long-term planning through its Sustaining the Legacy conferences across South Dakota this winter.

A stack of paperwork that needs to be organized.
Jan 13

Organize this! Legal and Financial Must-Haves

SDSU Extension will host a 10-month program to help you navigate the process of organizing your information and documents and preparing to ask others to serve as your fiduciary. This dynamic program will host four interactive sessions from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. CT on January 13, April 14, July 13 and October 13, 2026.

Husband and wife reviewing financial resources.

Resources for Consumers Whose Income is Interrupted

An interruption in income can make a well-planned spending plan a useless financial tool. If you do not have a savings buffer to get you through an income interruption, there are resources available to get your spending plan back on track.

Man reviewing insurance information with a social services agent.

SDSU Extension offers farm planning programs in Winner

October 15, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension will offer additional Whole Farm Planning workshops on Nov. 12 and 19, 2025, in Winner.

Savings notebook and budgeting materials on a tabletop.

Financial Tips for College Students

College is both an exciting and challenging chapter of life—especially when it comes to finances. Learn some expert tips for setting yourself up for financial success throughout college and beyond!

Zebra mussels on a rock along a shoreline.

Has a New Pathway for Increased Mercury in Fish Been Found?

There is growing evidence that zebra mussels may be affecting the level of mercury in fish tissue by altering contaminant cycling in inland lakes. While the mechanism of this increase needs to be further studied, it likely means that fish consumption advisories will increase for those lakes invaded by zebra mussels.