Military Saves is About Readiness

By Carol Kando-Pineda

February 25, 2010 - A firm financial footing certainly helps service members – but it’s also a big boost to the armed forces as a whole. Financial readiness helps the military stay focused on its mission. But financial stability takes knowledge plus consistent action over time. So DoD and its non-profit partner, Consumer Federation of America, sponsor Military Saves Week to focus service members’ attention on saving and investing. The Federal Trade Commission is one of DoD’s partners in Financial Readiness and encourages all service members and their families to participate in

Military Saves – during Military Saves Week and beyond.

Military Saves Week runs from Feb 21 through 28. This year’s theme — Start Small, Think Big — encourages everyone in the military community to save – at whatever ever level they can. The goal for this year’s campaign is to give service members and their families the tools to avoid common financial pitfalls — overreliance on credit, spending beyond their means, and not being able to retire comfortably.

Ultimately, Military Saves Week is meant to ensure that service members and their families are financially stable and prepared to support military operations.

Visit www.militarysaves.org and register to take the “saver pledge” to develop a personal savings plan, establish an emergency fund and enroll in the Thrift Savings Plan. And stop by the Financial Readiness Fair at the Pentagon until February 26. The office of Military Community and Family Policy sponsors this informative exhibit – on the 2nd Floor at the 9th and 10th Apex. The FTC and many other DoD financial readiness partners will be there with free information to increase your financial fitness.