Financial Preparedness Fair offered by LDS by Saturday

The Church of Jesus of Christ of Latter-day Saints will host a free Financial Preparedness Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the LDS meeting house, 411 N. Saliman Road.

"Staying Afloat in a Changing Economy" features classes and exhibits focusing on finances. Classes begin at the top of each hour, with each being repeated four times so attendees can attend all of them. The exhibits will be displayed in the gym throughout the event.

"The classes help people understand what to do financially, like if you lose your job not to panic, and what's available in the community to help them," said Fran McDowell, church member.

Classes are:

- Financial Awareness: Sink or Swim. Budgeting, savings, and how to handle debt and credit wisely, taught by Carson Valley CPA David Steele.

- Frugal Living: Treading Water Until Help Arrives. Creative ways to cut expenses to live within your means.

- Employment: Your Financial Flotation Device. Taught by the staff of LDS Employment Resources, based in Reno. They'll share resources and information about finding a job, creating a good resume, upgrading job skills, interviewing and networking.

- Strengthen Your Family: Who's Your Lifeguard? Ideas for fun things families can do together, teaching children the value of work, and improving communication skills.

"We may all someday find out we've lost our jobs or our money," McDowell said. "They can learn how to save their money, not extend their credit, the basics."

Exhibits at the fair will give additional information about employment resources, food storage and pantry planning, emergency preparedness, 72-hour emergency kits, water storage and safety, financial calculators and aids, putting family first, information from the LDS Dry Pack Cannery in Reno, and various services available through community organizations.

"The church is always telling us bad times are coming and to prepare " food storage, put money away. And all of a sudden things fell apart for us," McDowell said. "If you're not in this situation, it's good to know (this information) if it does happen to you. We want to help take the fear away."

Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food to benefit local food banks.

McDowell said a similar fair in Gardnerville recently drew about 300 people.

"We learn to share with our neighbors and this fair is just one way we can share and help our neighbors," she said. "We all belong to a neighborhood, so why panic?"

Spanish translation services will be available. For information, call 882-5173.

- Contact Rhonda Costa at rcosta@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.