Everyday value helps build long-term wealth Published Feb. 19, 2010 By Staff Report Army & Air Force Exchange Service DALLAS -- America's desire for financial responsibility can be traced back to our founding fathers. In fact, it was Benjamin Franklin who is credited with coining the phrase "a penny saved is twopence dear," which over time has evolved to the more familiar "a penny saved is a penny earned." This common sense advice takes on an even greater meaning when military shoppers see the savings their Base Exchange has in store for them. In addition to the tax-free shopping that military families enjoy, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service has two additional cost-cutting measures that can really make the pennies add up: - We'll Match It! program is a last line of defense in delivering the lowest price to troops and their families. If a shopper sees a price differential of less than $10, they can simply tell the cashier who will match it on the spot. Anyone who reports a price difference of $10 dollars or more need only bring a current local competitor's ad to receive the reduced price. - Market Price Coordinators conduct periodic checks at local convenience and big box stores, comparing AAFES' prices on key items. This information allows for pre-tax shelf prices to be set at a comparable, if not lower price, than the competition. As another venue to assist military members and their families, AAFES is joining other DOD agencies in supporting the 2010 Military Saves Campaign with Military Saves Week from Feb. 21-28. "Military Saves represents an opportunity for military leaders at all levels to encourage, motivate and educate service members and their Families to save," said Charles R. Lowery Jr., the acting director of Military Saves. "By ensuring military families are financially ready, they will also be mission-ready, enabling commanders to support both current and future military operations." Military Saves is a national campaign to persuade, motivate, and encourage military Families to save money every month, and to convince leaders and organizations to be aggressive in promoting automaticsavings. Patrons can set a savings goal and take the saving pledge by registering on www.MilitarySaves.org.