Military Saves Week begins soon

The Military Saves Week campaign encourages participants to take the Military Saves pledge and for organizations to promote savings year-round and during Military Saves Week.

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — Military Saves Week kicks off here Feb. 27 – March 3.  The DoD-wide financial readiness campaign encourages the military and civilian communities to meet immediate needs and build long-term wealth through saving and debt reduction.

The theme, “Start Small, Think Big,” highlights the value of saving even small amounts to reach long-term financial goals.

The campaign is part of the broader, nation-wide America Saves Campaign. The target audience includes service members from all branches, their family members, and civil service employees.

The Airman & Family Readiness Center has workshops available throughout the week for that audience, to help them better understand how to save money, reduce debt and build wealth.

The Military Saves Week campaign encourages participants to take the Military Saves pledge and for organizations to promote savings year-round and during Military Saves Week.  Saver Pledge cards, used as encouragement toward personal financial responsibility, will be available at the A&FRC.  They can also complete a card at http://www.miltarysaves.org. 

Holly Newton, the A&FRC’s personal financial readiness program manager, said financial readiness affects mission readiness for active duty and civilian members here.

“Financial stress directly impacts mission readiness,” she said.  “Whether a member is home or abroad, they can’t focus on the task at hand if they are worried about debt, bills and/or a lack of savings. Financial independence can be difficult to achieve but it’s simple if you start with setting a goal, making a plan and saving automatically.”

A kick-off event is scheduled for Feb. 27 at the A&FRC from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.  Attendees can complete a social media challenge and/or take the Savers Pledge for a chance to win this year’s grand prize.

Prior to the kick-off, A&FRC representatives offered Military Saves information at the Economic Living Expo, Feb. 11, at the Santa Rosa Mall in Mary Esther.

The following is a list of A&FRC personal financial readiness workshops happening during Military Saves Week:

Feb. 27 –

Marriage & Money, 1 – 3 p.m.

Feb. 28 –

99 Problems and Debt Ain’t One, 2-3 p.m.

March 1 –

Thinking Money, 9 – 11 a.m.

March 2 –

Money 101, 1 – 2:30 p.m.

March 3 –

Crack the Code: Blended Retirement System, noon – 1:30 p.m.

Cash giveaways will be offered at each workshop.  For more information, call the A&FRC at 882-9060.

Article by Kevin Gaddie, Team Eglin Public Affairs

PHOTO: Military Saves Week kicks off at Eglin Feb. 27 – March 3. The DoD-wide financial readiness campaign encourages the military and civilian communities to meet immediate needs and build long-term wealth through saving and debt reduction. The theme, “Start Small, Think Big,” highlights the value of saving even small amounts to reach long-term financial goals. (USAF graphic/Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)