Make the most of your money

By Staff Sgt. Delia Martinez, 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs / Published August 24, 2017

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Rebecca Burbach, Malmstrom personal financial counselor, displays one of many budget resource tools available for customers Aug. 21, 2017, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. The Airmen and Family Readiness Center can assist Airmen and their families with budget planning and money management. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Delia Martinez)

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Rebecca Burbach, Malmstrom personal financial counselor, reviews a personalized financial worksheet for a customer Aug. 21, 2017, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Financial counselors can help Airmen and their families come up with individual financial plans based off of their pay, current situation and financial goals. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Delia Martinez)

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Rebecca Burbach, Malmstrom personal financial counselor, fills in a spending plan financial worksheet for a customer Aug. 21, 2017, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Burbach assists Airmen and families with budgets, money management, home buying, credit card and debt elimination, transition to civilian life, deployment readiness, estate, home sales and retirement planning. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Delia Martinez)

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Tracie Faulk, 341st Force Support Squadron Airmen and Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant, displays a summary of the Thrift Savings Plan Aug. 21, 2017, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. The AFRC offers advice and education on all financial matters, including the Blended Retirement System and TSP contribution options. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Delia Martinez)

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --

Do you have a financial plan or a budget?

Financial planning can benefit anyone whether they want to get the most out of each paycheck, save for the future, plan for a major life event or career transition.

The Airman and Family Readiness Center at Malmstrom offers personal financial counseling for anyone with base access.

“I can assist with anything from money management, home buying, credit card and debt elimination, transition to civilian life, deployment readiness, estate, home sales, and retirement planning,” said Rebecca Burbach, Malmstrom personal financial counselor.

The personal financial counselors help Airmen and their families maximize income and provide confidential financial education and advice.

“A lot of times individuals are a little intimidated to talk to someone about their finances but we have a great approach to helping individuals improve their financial situation or reach financial goals,” said Tracie Faulk, 341st Force Support Squadron AFRC community readiness consultant.

While the A&FRC offers financial workshops and basic budgeting classes, it’s more beneficial to make individual appointments to develop a plan for each person, their situation and financial goals.

“We help Airmen come up with budgets and eliminate debt by looking at their overall spending behavior and identify areas that they can make changes if they want to,” said Faulk. “We are not here to tell you how to spend your money, we are just another set of eyes to look over your budget and what you are doing to eliminate debt.”

According to Faulk, a financial counselor charges around a hundred dollars an hour, the services offered at the AFRC are free.

Financial readiness can impact a person’s career and personal life. Not only does it affect security clearances and retention but it also affects loan percentage rates which can make a difference in the total amount individuals pay over the life of a loan.

“Having a financial plan allows for Airmen to be more focused on other aspects of their lives because once they have figured out how to best manage their money to reach their goals they aren’t burdened with that stressor,” said Burbach.

The financial counselors also offer advice on saving, investing and the upcoming blended retirement changes.

“We offer lunchtime blended retirement question and answer sessions to help Airmen make a decision on what’s best for their family,” said Faulk.

For more information or to make an appointment call Tracie at 731-3686 or Rebecca at 210-0471.

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