Fairchild Military Saves Campaign 2012 kicks off next week Published Feb. 16, 2012 By Scott King 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Fairchild kicks off the sixth year of the Military Saves Campaign Sunday through Feb. 26. DoD conducts the Military Saves Campaign in cooperation with the Consumer Federation of America, a financial readiness non-profit, which runs the America Saves Campaign nationwide. The campaign's slogan, "Start Small, Think Big," talks to the long-term benefits of saving even a little each month. While Military Saves is a year-long effort, Military Saves Week is a dedicated opportunity for the Fairchild community to come together with appropriate federal, state, and local resources, to include military banks and defense credit unions on the installation. The goal is to emphasize the importance of saving to Airmen and families and encourage them to take action by; developing a personal financial plan, establishing good credit, saving a portion of each paycheck and enrolling in Servicemen's Group Life Insurance, Thrift Savings Plan and (when eligible) Savings Deposit Program. "All members of Team Fairchild, including spouses and youth, will be more financially prepared for life's big and little financial "bumps in the road,'" said Christopher Marble, 92nd Airman & Family Readiness Center director. "Whether it is an unexpected car or home repair, sudden notice to move out of the dorms, loss of income, devalued housing market at Permenent Change of Station time, or any of the numerous financial setbacks that are bound to occur, getting on solid financial footing before an emergency happens is vital. Being debt-free and having money in savings can alleviate the financial stress that accompanies these emotional events." This Campaign is particularly important to engage military spouses and dependents. Spouses play a vital role in ensuring the financial well being and stability of Fairchild families. In addition, youth are the future and learning good financial habits early can only strengthen their financial stature. There are classes scheduled throughout the week. Some of them include; "Savings 101" Tuesday, "Investment Basics, Identity Theft, Scams & Credit Reports" and "The Path to Home owning" Wednesday, "TSP-Making It Work For You" on Thursday and "Grocery Shock" on Friday. For a complete schedule of events or to register for these seminars, call the A&FRC at 247-2246. Active duty, National Guard and Reserve service members, DoD civilians, retirees, veterans, defense contractors and family members of all ages are eligible to attend any of the classes. "People who have good information prior to making financial decisions will be able to avoid bad debt, meet their financial goals and build wealth for their future," Marble said. "Even in these troubled financial times, there is much that can be done to build a successful financial future. Military Saves is a campaign to persuade, motivate, and encourage military families to save money every month, especially by automatic savings, to provide for their immediate and long term financial needs." Last year's Military Saves Campaign was s huge success with people saying "I learned so much." "The week helped me think about my finances in a new way," and "Glad you offered information on college financial aid." For more Military Saves information access www.militarysaves.org, take the "Saver Pledge" and support the 2012 theme "Set a Goal, Make a Plan, Save Automatically."