Military Saves: start small, think big Published Feb. 25, 2011 By Senior Airman Chad Warren 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The Airman & Family Readiness Center supported the Military Saves Week kick off Feb. 20, by providing Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen with the knowledge, tools and techniques to maintain financial readiness. Although the Military Saves Campaign is a year-long endeavor, Military Saves Week is a seven-day period when more emphasis is placed on the importance of savings and financial security. The campaign is made possible by the joint efforts of the Department of Defense and the Consumer Federation of America, a financial readiness non-profit organization, which runs the larger America Saves Campaign. The campaign provides valuable information and services to active-duty, National Guard and Reserve members regarding financial responsibility. "Military Saves is a national campaign to persuade, motivate and encourage military families to save money every month, and for leaders and organizations to promote automatic savings," said Stephanie Reyes, A&FRC chief. The center has two accredited financial counselors and one part-time personal financial counselor on staff. A&FRC offers many monthly financial workshops including Renting off Base, Finance 101, Talking Money with My Honey, Financial Matters for Women and Money Club for Singles. Military Saves Week was an opportunity to emphasize the importance of saving to troops and families by encouraging good fiscal habits such as developing a personal financial plan, establishing good credit and saving a portion of each paycheck. In addition to the financial services offered year round by the A&FRC, Military Saves Week provided special opportunities that may not be available to members throughout the rest of the year. "In the last four years, we have offered various programs from Basic Budgeting to Life Cycle Financial Planning and Investing," said Clark Millar, A&FRC personal financial manager. Military Saves Week was packed full of special programs and seminars, including a program called Financially Fit Kids, which is an interactive program meant to teach children the importance of good spending habits. This week was an opportunity for members of team Barksdale to ensure they have the most accurate and up-to-date knowledge regarding finances and savings. "We have brought in guest speakers on saving and money management over the years with excellent success and it has created a positive impact," said Mr. Millar. "I think Military Saves Week was an overall success at Barksdale." Although Military Saves Week has passed, the A&FRC offers monthly courses and year-round financial support to Barksdale's Airmen and their families.