Agriculture News

April 1, 2020

Maintaining financial control during the COVID-19 pandemic

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. —Many are experiencing unanticipated loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Purdue Extension Health and Human Sciences (HHS), located in the College of Health and Human Sciences, has created nine fact sheets outlining the steps that individuals should take to maintain financial control and minimize hardship amid a reduction of income.

HHS Extension suggests that people in such situations assess the scenario and take control of what they can to minimize stress. It is important to manage well-being by taking it one day at a time and keeping mentally and physically healthy.

The fact sheets outline how to determine a person’s net worth and recommend thinking about non-financial resources — such as skills and talent — that may be helpful in this uncertain time. Once someone has a clear view of family or individual resources, they should consider using available community, state or national resources. The fact sheets include a list of these resources, with contact information.

After assessing these additional resources, set priorities for spending and create a budget. Prioritize expenses such as housing, food and medicine, insurance, utilities, and lender payments and eliminate any nonessential expenses. HHS Extension recommends reaching out to lenders and creditors to ask if they have any relief available during the pandemic.

Be aware of fraud and scams and know your rights. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb also ordered the suspension of residential eviction proceedings or foreclosure actions, and providers of essential utility services are prohibited from discontinuing service to customers during this state of emergency.

The fact sheets can be found at https://extension.purdue.edu/article/36749.

Writer: Abby Leeds, mayer36@purdue.edu 

Sources: Naomi Bechtold, nbechtol@purdue.edu

Denise Buhrmester, buhrmest@purdue.edu

Agricultural Communications: 765-494-8415;

Maureen Manier, Department Head, mmanier@purdue.edu  

Agriculture News Page


Ag News

Purdue University, 610 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907, (765) 494-4600

© 2015-22 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Copyright Complaints | Maintained by Office of Strategic Communications

Trouble with this page? Disability-related accessibility issue? Please contact News Service at purduenews@purdue.edu.