Last modified Wed., February 18, 2009 - 05:18 PM
Originally created Thursday, February 19, 2009

Join Military Saves Campaign

From Fleet and Family Support Center

MCSA Cristina Gabaldon looks over some financial information at the Military Saves Week table at VyStar Credit Union on Feb. 13. Military Saves Week runs from Feb. 23-26. (Photo by Kaylee LaRocque)

"Military Saves" is a DoD-wide financial readiness campaign to persuade military service and family members to reduce debt and save money to ensure personal financial readiness.

Military Saves strategies include the "Saver Pledge," a commitment to exercise good financial habits and encourage other Americans to do the same. Savers who enroll online receive electronic newsletters and e-banks to aggressively promote automatic deposits to savings accounts, and to promote saving and debt reduction. Military Saves encourages: - Developing a personal financial plan

- Establishing good credit

- Saving a portion of each paycheck

- Enrolling in SGLI, TSP, and (when eligible) SDP

The Fleet and Family Support Center of NAS Jacksonville announced the following schedule of events for Military Saves week:

Monday, Feb. 23

- 8:30 - 10 a.m., Saving with Sammy the Rabbit at Child Development Center

- 11 a.m., Partnering with VyStar Credit Union. Tips on budgeting, saving, borrowing, investing and asset protection.

- 3:30 p.m., Financial Fitness For Teens at Youth Development Center

Tuesday, Feb. 24

- 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Build Wealth Not Debt Topics at VP-30 Auditorium.

Topics include: Military Saves (Rufus Bundrige, Financial Educator), Thrift Savings Plan (Capt. Ret Dave Faraldo), Real Sense for Prosperity (Jeff Winkler, Associate Director), Small Steps to Wealth Anita (McKinney, Duval Extension Center), Identity Theft (Tiffany Reeves, State of FL Fin Services), Savings Without Sacrifice (Brian Pippin, JEA), Consumer Awareness (Jametriss Roulhac, State of FL Fin Services), Navy Mutual Aid (Capt. Ret Andy Anderson), Credit Management (MCPO Ret Mike Ross), What NMCRS Can Do (Capt. Ret Dave Faraldo), Stretch Your Dollars (John Moore, Commissary Director).

Wednesday, Feb. 25

- 9 a.m. - noon, Big Shred Truck at NEX Commissary parking lot to prevent ID theft.

- 11a.m., Partnering with VyStar Credit Union. Tips on budgeting, saving, borrowing, investing and asset protection.

Thursday, Feb. 26

Money, Debt and Credit Management.

For more information, call Rufus Bundrige at 542-2766 ext. 132.

All four services and the U.S. Coast Guard participated in the 2008 campaign, enrolling more than 25,000 individuals and stimulating more than 100,000 positive financial actions - such as putting money in savings or investment accounts. More than 80 credit unions and military banks participated in a wide variety of activities to promote personal financial readiness. All active duty, National Guard and Reserve servicemembers, DoD civilians, retirees, veterans, defense contractors, and family members of all ages are eligible. For more information visit www.militarysaves.org.