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Scott participating in Military Saves campaign

  • Published
  • By Airman Daniel Garcia
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Il. --  The Military Saves Week campaign, a social marketing campaign to encourage people to change their spending routines and save money, is scheduled to take place here Feb. 22-26.

The campaign promotes and teaches important financial habits for Airmen and their families, said Lona Berndt, Airman and Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant, who also stated that Scott AFB has one of the best financial support programs in the Air Force.

"It's not OK to be broke," said Berndt "It's not OK to be in debt up to $10,000, which is what the average American family carries. Now is the time to take a proactive approach to do something positive in the name of readiness for our military population."

As part of the campaign, several classes will be held, which are open to all:

· Investing Strategies (by USAA Education Foundation)--9-11 a.m. Feb. 22 at the Library Auditorium;

· Retirement Planning (by AFC from Zeiders)--1-3 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Library Auditorium;

· My Honey & My Money for Couples (dinner served)--5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at the A&FRC;

· FICO Credit Scores (walk-ins)--1:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at the A&FRC;

· Thrift Savings Plan--1-3 p.m. Feb. 24 at the A&FRC;

· Home Buying--3-5 p.m. Feb. 24 at the A&FRC;

· Youth Center Teens & Money--4-6 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Youth Center;

· Dorm Residents Fun Night--5-7 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Mascoutah Dorm.

In addition to these events, squadron leaders are encouraged to request unit specific financial education options with their Community Readiness Consultant from the A&FRC.

Berndt said she feels leaders should help their Airmen prioritize financial well-being by educating them about the Military Saves Campaign and how it applies to the individuals within their command.

"An Airman's financial well-being has a direct impact to unit readiness and mission success. What we find with young enlisted is that there is a deficit in basic financial information. It's important to build that foundation at this level, and continue as different financial issues arise," she said.

According to the Federal Reserve, the average person doesn't start saving aggressively until age 34. Berndt said, "saving $10 a month when you're 18 could be more important than $500 a month when you're 34."

Airman 1st Class Simon Evans, USAF Band of Mid-America, recently began working with Berndt and said this was something he'd like to continue throughout his military career.

"I was really happy with my services here (at the AFRC)," said Evans. "I would recommend this to everyone. The campaign reinforces personal finance responsibility and encourages long-term financial success."

In addition to the classes offered during the Military Saves Campaign, Airmen may make individual appointments with an accredited financial counselor to discuss budgeting, debt reduction, tax considerations, retirement planning, investment strategies, and more.

To learn more about the MSC, call the AFRC at 256-8668 or www.scottafrc.com. Additional financial information can be found at www.militarysaves.org.

Tax season is here and the base legal office is available to assist E-1 through E-5 until the tax filing deadline, which is April 18.