Military Saves Week scheduled Feb. 24-March 1

  • Published
  • By Airman and Family Readiness Center
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- --  As part of Military Saves Week 2014, scheduled Feb. 24 through March 1, organizers are encouraging the community to spread the savings message by participating in the week-long events planned.

Organizers also encourage the community to recommit to saving by completing the Military Saves Week pledge.

The Department of Defense Financial Readiness Campaign partnered with Military Saves to create Military Saves Week in 2007 to motivate servicemembers and their families to improve their financial situations. To date, more than 128,000 individuals have taken the Saver Pledge, a commitment to begin the journey toward financial freedom.

"Military Saves Week is a great opportunity to help servicemembers and their families in the Hanscom community to 'set a goal, make a plan and save automatically,'" said Col. Lester A. Weilacher, 66th Air Base Group commander, quoting the 2014 Military Saves Week theme.

To help servicemembers save more successfully and encourage them to save, the Airman and Family Readiness Center is partnering with Hanscom Federal Credit Union to offer military families and Defense Department civilians' services and information on money management, goal setting, credit scores and more.

Military Saves provides helpful tips for successful saving, establishing credit, paying down debt, planning for retirement and much more.

During Military Saves Week, those taking the pledge can opt to receive a free subscription to the monthly Military Saves e-newsletter, a quarterly e-newsletter from America Saves and free access to the savers tracking tool to help reach saving goals.

To get additional tips, savers can follow Military Saves on Facebook and Twitter and by reading the Military Saves blog from www.militarysaves.org.

The Airman and Family Readiness Center is partnering with the Hanscom Federal Credit Union to provide workshops and a Military Saves Fair during Military Saves Week.

Feb. 24: An Emotional Spending Workshop is scheduled from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. Emotional spending occurs when you buy something as a result of feeling stressed, bored, under-appreciated or other emotional feeling. This workshop addresses retail therapy and its dangers, how to tell if you have a problem and suggestions for resolving the issue. If trying to find cash to pay bills or pay down your credit card debt, learning to recognize and curb your emotional spending can be an important tool.

Feb. 25-27: Military Saves Fair is scheduled from 10:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Hanscom Federal Credit Union. Attendees will receive information on special savings products; credit counselors will be available, credit score reviews and take the pledge prizes.

Feb. 26: Youth Saves Activity is scheduled from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at School Age Building and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Youth Center. Kids will learn about savings while painting piggy banks. This free event is appropriate for kids of all ages.

Feb. 27: Spouses and Family Appreciation Day is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon at Hanscom Federal Credit Union. Free saving resources and financial information are among the events planned.

Feb. 27: Become a Successful Couponer Workshop is scheduled at the Airman and Family Readiness Center from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Attendees will learn easy and fun ways to save money on groceries and household items by as much as 50 percent.

For questions or to register for workshops, call 781-225-2765 or email 66.fss.fsfr.cmb@hanscom.af.mil.