Set a goal, make a plan. Start small, think big.

Military Saves Week is an annual opportunity held in February for installations and organizations to promote good savings behavior and a chance for service members and their families to assess their own saving status.

The campaign dedicates a week each year to encourage people to reduce debt, have a plan and be successful in their finances. This year, Military Saves Week is being held from Feb. 27 to Mar. 3.

"Military Saves Week provides Airmen the opportunity to learn financial skills for a lifetime of financial success," said Melissa Still, 92nd Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant. “It is important to empower military members and their families to become financially independent and successful.”

The most important aspect of MSW is showing the importance of being proactive about personal finances. Some of the key saving strategies that will be covered include paying off high-interest debt, saving for emergencies and saving monthly through automatic deposits, Still said.

"I guarantee Airmen and families will learn something about finances they didn’t already know," Still said. "Set a goal; make a plan; save automatically; start small, think big.”

MSW will also offer several classes on the new Blended Retirement System, giving Airmen the opportunity to get educated on the differences between BRS and the Legacy Retirement System and the decision to opt out in 2018.

There will be several classes offered throughout the week held at the Airmen and Family Readiness Center.

Feb. 27
9:30 a.m. CDC Money Activity
10:30 a.m. Military Spouses – Get the 411 on Leave and Earning Statement, Blended Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan
2 p.m. Tax Questions Answered

Feb. 28
8 a.m. Credit Reports, Scores and ID Theft
12 p.m. Couponing 101

Mar. 1
8 a.m. Tax Questions Answered
1 p.m. Blended Retirement System Overview
2 p.m. Moving Off Base Brief
4 p.m. Good Credit Game

Mar. 2
10 a.m. Thrift Savings Plan
11:30 a.m. Social Security 101
2 p.m. Meal Planning Pt. 1
5 p.m. Car Buying

Mar. 3
8 a.m. Blended Retirement System Overview
11 a.m. When I’m 65: Retirement Planning
3 p.m. Meal Planning Pt. 2

For more information about the classes offered, information about the Savers Pledge or Military Saves Week, call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at (509) 247-2246, or visit www.militarysaves.org.