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A&FRC to host Military Saves Week
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 30th Space Wing, along with the rest of the Department of Defense, will promote financial readiness through Military Saves Week from Feb. 20 - 26 here.
As part of the national America Saves campaign, the DOD program is meant to persuade military service and family members, as well as the wider military community, to reduce debt and save money.
"Financial stability is about a lot more than knowledge -- it takes consistent action over time," said Sue Voshell, a Vandenberg Airman and Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant. "Most of us do better when we have a supportive environment. Military Saves is a campaign to make Vandenberg that supportive environment."
Although Ms. Voshell says reaching this goal will take a long-term approach, the A&FRC will get started with a week full of financial planning seminars and classes. The event will kick off Feb. 22 with a First Sergeants' Breakfast at the A&FRC at 6:30 a.m. A personal financial counselor will be on hand to provide one-on-one services. On Feb. 23, the A&FRC will hold a TSP seminar from 11 a.m. to noon. The center will then host an investment planning seminar from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 24, while Feb. 25 a real estate manager from a local credit union will hold a briefing on home buying from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the center. Military Saves week will finish up Feb. 26 with an identity theft prevention class from 11 a.m. to noon at the A&FRC.
Besides reaching out to adults, the Youth Center will also host its own financial responsibility class called "Money Talks" from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Feb. 22 - 26.
"Encouraging our youth to have an understanding of basic financial literacy gives them a great start on wise use of their resources now, and develops a life-long appreciation of how important saving (and investing) can be for their entire life," Ms. Voshell said.
Another avenue through which Military Saves encourages financial fitness is the "Saver Pledge." When the pledge information is entered at www.MilitarySaves.org or by a Youth Center staff member, the person will be enrolled as a Military Saver and will receive financial advice e-newsletters at the e-mail address he or she provided.
"Meeting our personal goals can be hampered by high cost of living and high unemployment of spouses in this area," Ms. Voshell said. "Taking a proactive approach to saving and recognizing needs versus wants will help us build the desired wealth to reach our goals."
For more information on Military Saves Week, call the A&FRC at 606-2152 or go to www.militarysaves.org.
Save the Money You Earn
Monthly Yearly
Save .50 cents a day in loose change $15 $180
Drink one less soft drink a day $22 $264
Bring lunch to work $120 $1440
Eat out two fewer times a month $30 $360
Buy store brands $10 $120
Rent movies instead of going to a theater $12 $144
Use fewer cell phone features $10 $120
Conserve gas (share rides with friends) $20 $240