Military Saves Campaign

Sharon Proctor, 39th Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant and the Incirlik Military Saves Campaign coordinator, and Esra Fasoldt, Pentagon Federal Credit Union branch manager, give advice to a young Airman at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Feb. 23, 2011, during the Military Saves Campaign. Military Saves, which ran from Feb. 20-27, is a financial readiness initiative endorsed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and implemented by the Air Force. This campaign promotes healthy financial habits for Airmen and their family members by creating awareness of the importance of saving to help them reach their financial and personal goals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Anthony J. Hyatt/Released)

Military Saves Campaign

Incirlik Military Saves campaign staff members set up tables at the dining facility and The Exchange Feb. 22 and Feb. 25, in support of the Military Saves Campaign at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The financial readiness initiative ran from Feb. 20-27, and was endorsed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. The campaign promotes healthy financial habits for Airmen and their family members by creating awareness of the importance of saving to help them reach their financial and personal goals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Anthony J. Hyatt/Released)

Military Saves

Sharon Proctor, the 39th Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant and the Incirlik Military Saves Campaign coordinator, presents Wendi Kitsteiner a certificate and gift bag for being the biggest percentage winner during the Incirlik’s Biggest Saver Competition March 9, 2011. Contestants were required to keep all their base receipts for the month of February. Military Saves, which was held Feb. 20-27, is a financial readiness initiative endorsed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and implemented by the Air Force. The campaign promotes healthy financial habits for Airmen and their family members by creating awareness of the importance of saving to help them reach their financial and personal goals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Clayton Lenhardt/Released)

Military Saves

Sharon Proctor, 39th Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant and the Incirlik Military Saves Campaign coordinator, presents John Parton a certificate and gift bag for being Incirlik’s Biggest Saver during the Incirlik’s Biggest Saver Competition March 9, 2011. Mr. Parton saved more than $200. Contestants were required to keep all their base receipts for the month of February. Military Saves, which was held Feb. 20-27, is a financial readiness initiative endorsed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and implemented by the Air Force. The campaign promotes healthy financial habits for Airmen and their family members by creating awareness of the importance of saving to help them reach their financial and personal goals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Clayton Lenhardt/Released)

A&FRC promotes saving money to military families

Published March 7, 2011
By Senior Airman Anthony J. Hyatt
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- The Incirlik Airman and Family Readiness Center concluded the Military Saves Campaign recently by providing Airmen and their family members educational programs and events to promote financial resiliency.

Military Saves, which ran from Feb. 20-27, is a financial readiness initiative endorsed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and implemented by the Air Force. This campaign promotes healthy financial habits for Airmen and their family members by creating awareness of the importance of saving to help them reach their financial and personal goals.

2011 marked the fifth year of the Military Saves campaign and the third year for its accompanying Military Youth Saves campaign. The MYS provides financial literacy education to the military youth ages.

"You don't want to live paycheck to paycheck. The Airman and Family Readiness Center can help point you in the right direction in saving money and reducing debt," said Sharon Proctor, 39th Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant and the Military Saves Campaign coordinator here. "It's not hard to become a millionaire."

The A&FRC staff set up Military Saves tables were set up at the dining facility and The Exchange Feb. 22 and Feb. 25 for Airmen to sign up to take the Military Saves pledge.

Some other programs and events for the Military Saves Campaign included a Piggy Bank Decorating event during the after-school program in the Youth Center Feb. 23 and a course titled, "I want to be a millionaire. How about you?" Feb. 24, at the A&FRC, taught by Sharon Proctor.

The A&FRC also conducted a "biggest saver" contest. The individual who saved the most money shopping during the month of February will win a certificate and prize, officials said. Contestants were required to keep all their base receipts for February. The winner will be announced once results are calculated.

Even if you missed the official event, you can still take the Savers Pledge: "I will help myself by saving money, reducing debt and building wealth over time. I will help my family and my country by encouraging other Americans to build wealth, not debt."

For more information on the Military Saves Campaign, contact the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 676-6755 or visit www.militarysaves.com.