Military Saves campaign kicks off

Military Saves Week kicks off Sunday and lasts through

March 2.

The Military Saves program is a Department of Defense campaign adopted by the U.S. Air Force to promote personal financial readiness among all Airmen and their families to enhance mission readiness.

Information and events are available during Military Saves Week to educate Airmen and their families on how to avoid debt and create a savings plan.

“I believe that the Military Saves campaign will reenergize and refresh financial readiness in people’s minds,” said Stacy Nichols, Airman & Family Readiness Center financial core compliant expert. “It is important to take personal ownership of your financial future and saving is an integral part. This campaign is hoping to educate and remind people on how to plan for the future through saving.”

The focus areas of the program are saving for an emergency, paying off high-cost debt, buying a home, contributing to the Thrift Savings Plan or a 401K and saving through the Department of Defense Deposit Program while deployed.

Participation in the campaign is voluntary and all Airmen and their families are eligible.

“The program is a great way for Airmen and their families to create a financial plan, decrease financial-related stress, avoid the downward spiral of debt and remain focused on the mission,” said Chief Master Sgt. Dave Spector, 435th Air Base Wing command chief.

Military Saves Week, sponsored by the Airman & Family Readiness Center, events include:

Munch-n-Learn Series:
• Monday, noon to 1 p.m. Budgeting and Beyond
• Tuesday, 7 to 8 a.m. Credit Management
• Wednesday, noon to 1 p.m. Planning for Retirement
• Thursday, 7 to 8 a.m. Saving for College
• Feb. 29, noon to 1 p.m. Traveling on a Budget

Bring breakfast or lunch to enjoy and learn about the fundamentals of financial planning. Each session will have a drawing for a $25 travel voucher and the Feb. 29 session will have a $50 travel voucher − all courtesy of the USO.

Managing Your Money:
There will be a financial class from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday at the Airman & Family Readiness Center, Bldg. 2120, Room 105 covering the topics of account management, budgeting, saving money and investment basics.

AFN Financial Question Game:
There will be financial questions asked on air Monday to Thursday during the morning and afternoon broadcasts. The participants who answer the questions correctly will be entered into a drawing for savings bonds to be awarded Feb. 29.

Community Bank will also donate three $100 savings bonds to be awarded to those who win the AFN Financial Question Game.

For more information, contact the Airman & Family Readiness Center at 480-5100.