Military Saves Week: Airmen focus on savings, getting debt free Published Feb. 6, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Chad Thompson 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- With the fluctuating economy, and an ever increasing war on terror, finances play a big role in day-to-day operations and getting out of debt is an important way to stay mission ready. One way for Airmen to jump-start their finances is during the Air Force's third annual Military Saves Week from Feb. 22 to March 1. "This is the very best time to start increasing regular savings and decreasing debt," said Sarah Shirley, director of Military Saves. "Military Saves is a campaign to engage military leadership, banks, credit unions and non-profit organizations in promoting this message to military members and their families throughout the world." Military Saves is a Department of Defense financial readiness campaign to persuade military service members and family members to reduce debt and save money, said Shauna Lacey, 90th Force Support Squadron. "Financial readiness goes hand-in-hand in promoting mission readiness," Mrs. Lacey said. "If Airmen deploy having substantial debt or money issues it will be harder for them to focus on the mission." Every year the Military Saves Week encourages messages like "build wealth, not debt," and this year is no different, she said. Mrs. Lacey said some desired outcomes of Military Saves Week are for Airmen to: --reduce debt. --start a savings for emergencies. --increase short- and long-term household savings. --promote a culture that supports and understands budgeting. --understand their finances better. According to research in the two previous years, more than 25,000 individuals enrolled during the Military Saves campaign nationally, and it stimulated more than 100,000 positive financial actions such as putting money in savings or investing. Military Saves Week is just the beginning, Mrs. Lacey said. Along with the saves week, Airmen and Family Readiness Center's around the world will be holding quarterly programs throughout the year on saving and investing, military youth, debt reduction and retirement. "We want to coach people to financial success and reinforce some basic financial principles," Mrs. Lacey said. Basic principles can't be taught without classes and the A&FRC staff has a full schedule during Military Saves Week. "Our goal is to increase the savings rate and decrease consumer debt load of military members and their families, ultimately shifting our cultural values to financial stability," Mrs. Shirley said. For more information about Military Saves Week visit http://www.militarysaves.org, or call the Airmen and Family Readiness Center.