AMES, Iowa –- Americans are becoming increasingly concerned with losing their retirement funds, investments, jobs and even the roof over their heads. But now they have another resource to turn to -- eXtension.org, a multi- university research-based Web site.
University experts from across the United States worked to compile a new section on eXtension.org with free, easy-to-access financial management information. These experts address questions facing Americans during the current economic distress and encourage consumers to be proactive in their financial situations.
University financial management experts from cooperative extension units have collaborated for three years contributing information and research to this one national extension Web site. The financial management group has nearly 300 members from 52 state and territory land-grant institutions. Patricia Swanson, Iowa State University Extension family resource management state specialist, takes over as chair of the group in January 2009. (Debra Pankow of North Dakota State University chaired the group during the start-up years.)
eXtension's Financial Crisis content, found at http://www.extension.org/financial_crisis, is organized into five areas: business, family, farm and ranch, individual and youth. The reports and articles found on this site reflect the "best of the best" information from university experts on financial matters today. More articles and resources will be added to the site as they are developed.
Not only do eXtension’s experts provide consumers with tools to help them cope with stress, practice positive spending habits, manage their debt and stretch their dollar, but they also are available to answer specific consumer questions. With an easy-to-follow form, Web site viewers can identify a specific category, ask their question and expect to quickly receive an answer from an industry expert. Likewise, viewers can post comments about articles and resources on the Web site, as well as rate the postings they read.
The eXtension.org site has numerous articles from “Surviving Economic Downturns” to “Becoming Financially Secure in Tough Times" to “Cost Saving Tips for Equine Operations.”
Web site viewers can find other resources about nutrition, consumer credit, lifestyle transitions, retirement planning, saving and investing, communicating about money, children and money, home ownership and health finance. The newest resource area is “Money Management in Times of Disaster.”
For more information, visit http://www.eXtension.org or go directly to http://www.extension.org/financial_crisis.
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About eXtension: eXtension.org is part of the Cooperative Extension System and is unlike any other search engine or information-based Web site. It's a space where land grant university researchers and educators produce new education and information resources. eXtension helps solve real-life problems in real time.