Military Youth Saves Campaign to kick off Feb. 24

  • Published
  • By Clayton Moore
  • 355th Mission Support Squadron
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  You've probably heard the old adage 'a penny earned, is a penny saved.' That wise saying rings true in this current age of spend, spend, and more spending. In fact, our nation has become more of a spending and borrowing nation than a nation that saves. This results in having more debt in America than savings. Our military personnel are not immune to the problems that are experienced in the larger society. Economists and financial counselors alike have known for years that one of the remedies for the endless debt that consumers amass is the creation of a savings account.

To help military personnel change their attitudes concerning savings for the future, the Department of Defense has established Military Saves Week Feb. 24 to March 2. This is an opportunity for the entire DoD to encourage servicemembers and their families to establish savings goals and habits that will allow them to set money aside for emergencies and future wants and needs.

This campaign is part of a larger effort by the Consumer Federation of America and the America Saves Campaign. America Saves encourages people to avoid debt and build wealth through saving.

How can you get involved? It's simple. You can learn how to eliminate debt and take the savers pledge by setting goals on the military saves website at www.militarysaves.org. Membership is free and open to everyone - service and family members, retirees, veterans, civil servants, contractors, NAF employees, and friends. The Airman and Family Readiness Center is kicking off the campaign by having a 'Building Savings for Today and Tomorrow' seminar Feb. 29, from 9 to 11 a.m. Call 228-5690 to sign up for this class and start saving today.

The DoD is also focused on ensuring our military youth are involved in the savings campaign and have established Military Youth Saves program running concurrently with the military saves campaign. The website for the youth is at www.militaryyouthsaves.org. Additionally, the A&FRC will provide a class on savings at the Youth Center Feb. 27 from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. for grades K through eighth. High school students may attend a class from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Military and Youth Saves Resource kits can be obtained on the respective websites. Contacts for the Military Saves and Military Youth Saves Program are Jeffrey Halstead, Clayton Moore, and Karlene Williams.