Financial expo begins 6th annual Military Saves campaign

  • Published
  • By Minty Knighton
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla --  The Eglin Airman and Family Readiness Center kicked off its 6th annual Military Saves campaign with an informational finance expo, Feb. 23. The expo focused not only on saving money, but financial education and resourcefulness for all.

"This year we focused on financial fitness, resiliency and readiness," said Suzette Ellington, coordinator for Eglin's Military Saves Campaign. "We not only invited local area banks to participate, but state and private businesses also."

The state's Office of Financial Regulation and the Okaloosa County Sheriff's office participated.

"We work closely with the Okaloosa County Sheriff with issues like mortgage fraud and identity theft, but we also educate." said Ronn Hoover, area financial manager for the OFR. "We're out of Pensacola, but we offer home buying education classes for Eglin members."

Spc. Brian Negrette, an explosive ordnance disposal trainee, wasn't sure what to expect from the expo, but was pleased.

"They had excellent credit classes and debt counseling," said Negrette. "They helped show that with fiscal wellness, you can focus more on your career."

In addition to promoting fiscal wellness, the expo provided other opportunities.

Gina Tucker, a Mary Kay consultant, spoke to both women and men during the expo.

"We help wives with jobs, but we also promote men in our business," said Tucker. "We have men who are directors, in fact one guy I spoke to is interested in doing skin care for men. It's not so much about working hard, but about working smart."

Brenda Smith of the Okaloosa Saves program also came to promote saving smart; not just for adults, but for children.

Our "Teach Children to Save" program is an advocate for children 18 and younger to set goals and get into the habit of saving," said Smith. "Kids are impulsive, so we want kids to control the impulse and begin saving as a life habit."

In the past two years, the "Teach Children to Save" program has over 300 participating with them saving in excess of $90,000.

The Military Saves expo is one of several events throughout the annual campaign .