News Benton, Jones and Linn County 4-H members accept the $15 Challenge

In 2010, households spent, on average, $1,700 on apparel, footwear, and related products. In today's economy - and the fact that fashion changes so quickly - learning to stretch those dollars is very important to today's youth.

All youth enrolled in the Iowa 4-H Program in Region 10 (Benton, Jones and Linn counties), had the opportunity to learn good consumer skills to help stretch their clothing dollar further and use those skills through the $15 Challenge Workshop. This workshop helped combine the need to be a savvy consumer as well as learning basic clothing selection tips, knowing where a few local stores are located and working on a 4-H project all while having fun and meeting fellow 4-H’ers.

Over 20 4-H ‘ers from Benton, Jones and Linn counties participated in the March 1st workshop. They learned basic tips from Benton County 4-H member Liz Fischer and Diane Hagarty, Linn County Extension Director in making the most of your dollar by shopping at consignment clothing stores and looking for basic pieces of clothing that can be versatile. Youth were challenged to find a basic outfit for $15. Accessories such as necklaces, earrings, etc. and shoes are not included in the $15 budget which helps in the selection process.

After learning a few basic tips, 4-H members than visited local consignment stores Stuff Etc. and Plato’s Closet and included a visit to Goodwill. Having a goal for what to look for such as a formal outfit for a specific occasion such as graduation or a casual outfit that could be dressed up or down, depending on what accessories you use is a challenge that the 4-H’ers gladly accepted.

Benton County 4-H member Matti Thomsen said, “I loved the workshop because I like to shop and to finding outfits that are in the price range. It’s fun and challenging. The only thing I didn’t like is that we didn’t have enough time.”

To learn more about 4-H, please visit our website www.extension.iastate.edu/benton .

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach programs are available to all without regard to race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity and Compliance, 3280 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.4-H is an educational program open to all youth in grades K-12 regardless of ethnic, etc. Iowa State University Extension programs are available to all without regards to race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital sex, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquires can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity and Compliance, 3280 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.