NMSU Extension offers live online series on financially navigating the COVID-19 outbreak

NMSU Extension offers live online series on financially navigating the COVID-19 outbreak
DATE: 03/30/2020
WRITER: Jane Moorman, 505-249-0527, jmoorman@nmsu.edu
CONTACT: Bryce Jorgensen, 575-646-1889, brycej@nmsu.edu
CONTACT: Susann Mikkelson, 575-461-0562, susannm@nmsu.edu
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused financial uncertainty for many people with the closure of nonessential businesses and guidelines restricting gatherings to five people.

The U.S. Congress passed an unparalleled $2.2 trillion economic rescue package steering aid to businesses, workers and health care systems engulfed by the pandemic. But what does that mean to the individual’s financial situation?

New Mexico State University Quay County Cooperative Extension Service will host a free virtual workshop series, “Financially Navigating the COVID-19 Outbreak” each Thursday in April. The workshop will be available via Zoom, at https://nmsu.zoom.us/j/335743117.

“We want to provide a message of hope amidst all the turmoil and incorrect information out there,” said Bryce Jorgensen, NMSU Extension family resource management specialist. “People living paycheck to paycheck are unsure what to do with no income. We will provide many of the answers they are looking for.”

Beginning Thursday, April 2, people from across the state may join the one-hour online session at 11:30 a.m. Following sessions will be April 9, 16 and 23. The sessions will be interactive, allowing participants to ask questions.

“This workshop is an effort to demystify all of the information that people have heard,” said Susann Mikkelson, NMSU family and consumer sciences agent in Quay County. “We will provide information people will need to access resources and adapt their household budget and practices to their short-term or longer-term income changes.”

Jorgensen will provide the latest information on how to access stimulus and emergency fund opportunities offered by the federal and state governments.

The session’s topics will include understanding financial impact of COVID-19; accessing stimulus and emergency funds; how to defer credit card, auto, mortgage and other payments; deciphering interest rates; and creating a spending plan to maximize current income and savings.

“We are excited to inform families of their financial options and to provide some hope that comes in terms of making wise financial decisions with the funds made available in the stimulus package,” Jorgensen said.

For additional information, contact Mikkelson at susannm@nmsu.edu.