Managing Tough Times

Families Find Valuable Information at Managing Tough Times Website

AMES, Iowa – Each day more people face the challenge of paying bills on less income. An Iowa State University Extension website can be their guide to resources and affordable answers.

Managing Tough Times , a one-stop shop at www.extension.iastate.edu/answers, addresses financial questions, stress related issues and ways to eat nutritiously on a limited budget. The website was launched March 9 by ISU Extension.

Coming at a time of increasing unemployment numbers, the website offers a wealth of information at no cost – print materials, hot line numbers, program offerings and contact with experts through blog entries, video demonstrations and short interview clips. Many of the print materials linked in the page text and on the resource page can be downloaded for free. Additional low-cost publications are available from the online store.

Money Mechanics – Credit, PM 1459a, is one free downloadable publication that has become popular in counties with high unemployment rates like Winnebago County. “We have had an increase in requests for credit card related information since our unemployment rates hit some of the highest numbers in the state in December 2008,” said Carol Peterson, ISU Extension education director in Winnebago County.

“People want to know how to use credit wisely, manage credit card debt and protect their privacy when using credit cards online.”

Power Pay, a computer analysis program, is an example of an interactive resource visitors will find at www.extension.iastate.edu/answers. Margaret Van Ginkel, ISU Extension families resource management specialist, recommends Power Pay as a tool for anyone striving to get out of debt.

“The Managing Tough Times website links to a Power Pay page that offers a couple of ways to participate,” said Van Ginkel. “People can complete a worksheet on the Extension website and submit it for an analysis, or they can visit https://powerpay.org to enter the information and receive an analysis. Both options are free to Iowa residents.”

The Managing Tough Times website was created with input from extension field staff, like Van Ginkel and Peterson, who are in direct contact with Iowans’ most immediate needs. Extension campus and field staff helped frame the Families and Households section of Managing Tough Times by identifying topics of interest to Iowans and the corresponding resources.

Jeannie Warning, ISU Extension to Families interim program director, describes resources and her department’s involvement in creating material for Managing Tough Times. The Warning video is in the blog area of the website; under the title Meet an ISU Extension Expert.

Managing Tough Times website visitors, whether employed or unemployed, will find material to make challenging decisions more manageable. The website www.extension.iastate.edu/answers is one way ISU Extension provides research information to families in a timely manner.

Contacts:

Margaret Van Ginkel, Field Specialist, (515) 727-0656, vangin@iastate.edu

Carol Peterson, Winnebago County Extension, (641) 584-2261, carolp@iastate.edu

Jeanne Warning, ISU Extension to Families, (515) 294-6622, jwarning@iastate.edu

Willy Klein, Extension Communications and External Relations, (515)294-0662, wklein@iastate.edu

Hampton Today made possible by sponsors like: Michelle Hartman – Tupperware –641-373-8880 Denise Passehl – Watkins – 641-579-6227 Long Branch Supper Club – 641-458-8027 Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234 Seven Stars Restaurant - 641-456-5378

picture courtesy of cloud nine

Interactive Website for Tough Times

Extension Launches Interactive Learning Website for Managing Tough Times

 Hard times are hitting families, farmers, businesses and communities that are struggling to stay on their feet. Iowa State University Extension can help put some balance back into these times. At Managing Tough Times, www.extension.iastate.edu/answers,  ISU Extension brings together facts, tools and experts so individuals, businesses and communities can answer the hard times with solutions. Most of these resources are no cost or low cost.

“ISU Extension can help Iowans weather and survive the economic challenges facing our state and our nation,” said Jack Payne, vice president for ISU Extension and Outreach. “We’re bringing together many ISU Extension resources on one Web site so Iowans can take advantage of ‘one-stop shopping’ when they’re looking for help. This multiplies the outreach of our campus, county and field staff.”

The Managing Tough Times Farming in Today’s Changing Economy section offers calculators, articles, videos and expert contact information for the traditional farmer, as well as transitioning farmers and small scale farmers. Farmers who want help creating an in-depth financial plan to guide their decisions can connect with ISU Extension associates through the Web site. Farmers considering transitioning out of farming can watch a video that explains the help available through the Beginning Farmer Center.

Help lines, interactive Web sites, experts and publications that address family issues are available under the heading For Families and Households. Help is categorized under finances, nutrition and health, and coping with stress. Use the recipes, tips and expert blogs to provide nutritious meals on a limited budget. Find out how to connect with a listening and understanding ear through help lines like Iowa Concern (800) 447-1985 and Teen Line (800) 443-8336.

Businesses and communities experience special challenges during tough times, but knowing where to go for assistance makes it possible to manage those times. Managing Tough Time’s Surviving Economic Uncertainty link lists resource centers, experts, Web sites and current programs that can make a difference any time, but especially right now. Businesses that want to understand the market potential of government procurement or reduce the barriers inherent in government contracting are linked to contacts. A survey that can be used to better understand residents’ food security needs is linked to the site. It isn’t impossible to develop community and business leaders during these times; go to the site for a list of ISU Extension leadership programs.

Continually updated to meet changing needs, the Managing Tough Times Web site www.extension.iastate.edu/answers delivers the best available resources from Iowa State University Extension, land-grant universities and other reliable resources. With links to eXtension, Managing Tough Times is an interactive learning environment delivering the best, most researched knowledge from the smartest land-grant university minds across America.

Contacts:

Willy Klein, Extension Communications and External Relations, (515)294-0662, wklein@iastate.edu