Military Saves week focuses on building wealth, not debt

  • Published
  • By 341st Force Support Squadron staff
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  How much money did you save last year? Did you know that saving just 50 cents a day over the course of a year will allow you to save nearly 40 percent of a $500 emergency fund?

You and your family can learn more about saving and debt elimination by taking part in the Military Saves week from Feb. 22 to March 1. This annual event is sponsored by the 341st FSS Airman and Family Readiness Center and Youth Programs.

Military Saves is a DoD-wide financial readiness campaign to persuade, motivate, and encourage military and civilian members and their families to increase personal savings, decrease debt, and develop financial fitness habits that lead to improved financial stability and ultimately to mission readiness. Saving regularly can eliminate the need for high-cost, short-term loans and ensure long term financial security, particularly through such military savings programs as the Thrift Savings Plan and Savings Deposit Program.

The Airman and Family Readiness Center along with Youth Programs is encouraging Malmstrom active duty military, retired military and civilian personnel and their family members to be a part of the Military Saves Week.

The Airman and Family Readiness Center is offering the following informational sessions from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. - please be sure to call the A&FRC at 731-4900 to reserve your space.
· Feb. 23.........Build a Better Budget
· Feb. 24.........Eliminating Debt NOW
· Feb. 25.........Investing in the Thrift Savings Plan
· Feb. 26.........Financing your Relationship
· Feb. 27.........Getting the Car of My Dreams

In addition to the financial informational sessions, military members are encouraged to fill out the "Saver Pledge" cards available through the squadron, at the commissary or A&FRC. The "Saver Pledge" card will enroll you in the Military Saves Programs and you will receive monthly e-newsletters and a quarterly America Saves newsletter to help you "Build Wealth - Not Debt." Return the filled out card to A&FRC by noon on Feb. 27 and not only will their staff enter your information on-line for you, but you will be entered in a drawing for a "Saver Pledge" gift bag. The drawing will be held at the Military/Youth Saves Celebration later that day, starting at 3:30 p.m. at the Youth Center.

The Youth Center is offering the following programs during the week: 

· "It's a Habit Sammy Rabbit" story readings for pre-school age children.
o Feb. 17......Base Library during preschool story hour at 10 a.m.
o Feb. 23......CDC Part Day program at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
o Feb. 23......CDC Room 12 at 9:30 a.m. following at 9:45 a.m. for Room 13
o Feb. 24......CDC Part Day program at 9:30 a.m. 

· "Will Sammy Ride the World's First Space Coaster" story reading for elementary age children on Feb. 23 at 4 p.m. at the Youth Center. 

· Junior high and high school youth are encouraged to attend "Money Matters" on Feb. 25 at 4 p.m. "Money Matters" promotes financial responsibility and independence for youth. Learn how to manage a checking account, prepare a budget, save and invest. The class taught by 1st Liberty Federal Credit Union. 

· Going for the gold: Youth Center members can put in an entry a day from Feb. 23 to 26 by counting the gold coins in the big piggy bank. The winner takes all. The winning entry will be announced at the Military/Youth Saves Celebration Feb. 27. 

· Decorating for dollars: All children and youth who took part in the Sammy Rabbit story readings will receive a FREE piggy bank courtesy of the Malmstrom Recycling Program. Take the bank home and decorate it or make your own unique bank then bring them to the Youth Center by 7 p.m. Feb. 26 for entry into the Decorating for Dollars contest. A winner will be selected in each of the following categories: pre-kindergarten, grades K-6 and grades 7-12. The winners will be announced at the Military/Youth Saves Celebration Feb. 27 and each winner will receive a savings bond. 

· Military/Youth Saves Celebration: Feb. 27 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Youth Center. 

This event is open to all military and civilian personnel and their families. There will be informational booths, refreshments and more. Winners of the "Saver Pledge" drawing will be announced along with the Going for the Gold winner and Decorating for Dollars winners. You do not need to be present to win.

Anyone needing further information can contact: Tracie Faulk at A&FRC at 731-4900 or Becca Crusselle at the Youth Center at 731-4634.

Saving is a great habit to BUILD WEALTH - NOT DEBT. Be sure to get involved.