Week helps Airmen, families save money Published Feb. 15, 2013 By Donovan Jackson Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- As part of a national initiative to inform military members on debt and financial management, the Airman and Family Readiness Center will be hosting events for Military Saves Week from Feb. 22 through March 1. Military Saves Week is a Department of Defense-wide financial readiness campaign to persuade military service and family members to save money every month. The week is part of America Saves, the larger nationwide campaign. Military banks, credit unions, federal, state and local sources will come together during Saves Week to assist military members with debt and financial solutions. "Although I am new to the program, from my research, Military Saves Week has been a very successful approach in helping military members manages their finances," said Fran Jackson, personal financial readiness consultant at the Airmen and Family Readiness Center. "Military saves week was established in 2003 and since then, there has been over 128,000 individuals who have taken the military saves pledge." An active-duty member or spouse can take the pledge online at www.militarysaves.org. There, they will be directed to a link where they can receive a free electronic copy of their credit score. Jackson encourages those who commit to the pledge to take it seriously in order to notice an improvement in their financial situation. "It's nice to have nice things, however, the things we want usually always cost substantially more than the things that we need. This is what pushes a lot of us into debt. If you discipline yourself to only spend within your means, I can guarantee this will help you begin to accumulate wealth, enabling you to make more debt-free, want-driven purchases in the future," she said. For more information, concerning Military Saves Week or to take the pledge, visit www.militarysaves.org or call 953-2353. Events Kick-off event - Set a goal, make a plan and to save automatically is the mission of Military Saves Week. The kick off is from 11 a.m.- noon Feb. 22 at the Aviation Inn, and includes Financial Wheel of Fortune to quiz Airmen on their financial knowledge. There will be a gift card winner every 30 minutes. Teen money matters - Gunter Youth Center will teach youth the concepts of budgeting, investing, saving and distinguishing between wants and needs Feb. 22. Real estate lunch and learn - Barbara Lancaster from the Alabama Real Estate Commission will discuss ways to use real estate as an investment from noon-1:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Airmen and Family Readiness Center. Social Security benefits - The Airman and Family Readiness Center will host a question-and-answer session on Social Security benefits from noon-1:30 p.m. Feb. 26. Guest speaker Kyle Mckinney from the Social Security Administration will discuss the ins and outs of Social Security retirement income. Free lunch for the first 25 people to register. Financial management principles - Chris Glenn from the United Services Automobile Association Educational Foundation will discuss financial management principles from noon-1:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. There will be free lunch for the first 25 people to register. Let's go shopping - The Maxwell Youth Center will host "let's go shopping," an event geared to teach youth the importance of saving money and planning for the future at 4 p.m. March 1.