Financial Fitness: Millionaire shares success secrets Published Jan. 25, 2007 By Meredith March 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Hanscom AFB -- Retired Master Sgt. Randy Hatem, now with the Hanscom Education and Training Center as base training manager, does not have a degree in finance, nor has he ever won big on a reality television show. He did, however, become a millionaire -- and he did it as an active-duty servicemember. "If I can do it, anybody can do it. It's just a matter of passion and consistently sticking with a plan that works for you," Mr. Hatem said, and who will speak at the first in a series of the Airman and Family Readiness Center's Financial Lunch and Learn classes Feb. 2 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Minuteman Club. "I built a portfolio through experience and trial and error, but I never went to school to get an actual financial planning credential. It's all self-taught," he said. Mr. Hatem became interested in investments and savings as a young staff sergeant facing a reduction in force during the early 1990s. Though he was able to remain in the Air Force, the experience left him concerned about his credit card debts and lack of savings. "If I had separated with that debt, it would have been a bad thing. I buckled down and decided that I would never be at that disadvantage again -- that I would be staying [in the Air Force] on my terms and become financially independent," he said. To gain financial independence, Mr. Hatem studied the stock markets on Wall Street, savings plans and strategies outlined by successful investors. He invested and saved, eventually paying back his debts and building a nest egg for retirement. Mr. Hatem achieved most of his financial success as a staff and technical sergeant. "Active duty is the best time to save," he said. "As much as people want to say they can't do it, they have that steady income, they have things provided to them and they get to live in base housing. The problem is that Americans generally tend to see saving as doing without, and we want our stuff now. "The thing to remember is that the party doesn't last forever; we're going to need some money later on in life, so we need to hold something back," he said. While acknowledging that money making and savings strategies vary for different ages and ranks, Mr. Hatem hopes that those attending his seminar will be inspired to improve their own financial situations. "Everyone should do what they can do to live within their means. Some people may not be able to save a lot, but there is no excuse not to save something; we just need to make it a priority," he said. Upcoming Financial Fitness classes: How I Became a Millionaire While On Active Duty will be held Feb 2. from noon to 1 p.m., in the Concord Room at the Minuteman Club. Credit Score Enhancement will be held Feb. 26 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the A&FRC. This class will be presented by Hanscom Federal Credit Union. Jr. Officers Financial class, will be held Feb. 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the A&FRC. Budgeting and Savings Planning will be held Feb. 28 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the A&FRC. This seminar is presented by Hanscom Federal Credit Union, Purchasing a Home Using a Commercial Lender will be held March 19 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the A&FRC. To learn more about the Financial Lunch and Learn series, call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at (781) 377-4222.