New Web site helps Nevadans cope with financial troubles

A nationwide educational network affiliated with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension has created new Web resources to help Nevadans deal with the financial crisis.

The financial crisis Web site from eXtension can be accessed through the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Web site at www.unce.unr.edu or by going to www.extension.org/financial_crisis.

According to their Web site, eXtension is "an Internet-based collaborative environment where Land Grant University content providers exchange objective, research-based knowledge to solve real challenges in real time."

The American Psychological Association's 2007 Stress in America survey found that money and work are two of the top sources of stress for almost 75 percent of Americans. To address those concerns, eXtension provides contact to more than 3,000 cooperative extension offices with professionals who can answer questions on personal finance or provide background on economic issues.

Specific articles and resources include: how to avoid a mortgage crisis, debt management in tough times, making extra money, how job loss affects children, ways to cut personal spending, and how to stretch a dollar.

Experts from eXtension.org 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 quickly receive an answer from an industry expert.

Some resources, for instance, provide creative suggestions for inexpensive social activities for individuals and families or on ways to stretch nutrition dollars at the grocery store.

The cooperative extension is the college that extends knowledge from the University of Nevada to local communities. Faculty and staff offer research-based information on agriculture, horticulture, natural resources, health and nutrition, community development and children, youth and families.