Military Saves Week begins soon

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gaddie
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  
Military Saves Week kicks off here Feb. 22-27.  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. 

Mark Wilke, Eglin's Airman & Family Services Flight chief, said the Airman & Family Readiness Center has workshops available throughout the week for service members, their families and civil service employees to attend and better understand how to save money, reduce debt and build wealth.  

Military Saves 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 to enforce personal financial responsibility, will be available at the A&FRC.  

Wilke said personal financial readiness contributes directly to mission readiness for Eglin's active duty and civilian members.

"When people are worried about their finances or don't have funds available to deal with an unexpected emergency, they can lose mission focus, resulting in safety mishaps and mission failure," he said.  "Studies have shown financial problems are a contributing factor to suicides and divorce.  Helping service members, their families, and civilian employees achieve and maintain financial stability now and into the future is a personal readiness force multiplier."

A kick-off event is scheduled for Feb. 22 at the enlisted hall from noon to 12:30 p.m.  Attendees who fill out a Saver Pledge card there can enter a drawing for a cash prize and/or a portable media device.  They can also enter by attending a personal financial readiness class at the A&FRC; going to the A&FRC and filling out a card; or by completing a card here.

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

Feb. 22:
Financial Planning for a Successful PCS, 9 - 10:30 a.m.
Planning for Retirement, 12:30 - 2 p.m., enlisted hall
Investing II, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Feb. 23:
Debt Free Series, 2-3 p.m.
Couples & Money, 5:30- 7 p.m.

Feb. 24:
Thrift Savings Plan: TSP A to Z - 9 - 11 a.m. and 1 -3 p.m., enlisted hall
Tips on Finding Work-at-Home Jobs, 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Feb. 25:
Lunch and Laugh: Deployment & Money, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Money Habitudes, 1-3 p.m.
Feb. 26 - Singles & Money, 12 - 2:30 p.m.

For more information, call the A&FRC at 882-9060 or go to the Force Support Squadron/AFRC web page here.