A&FRC joins Military Saves to help Team MacDill save big

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Saving money has always been something of a challenge for many, but the task is doubly daunting in these times of a tough economy and historically low interest rates. How to overcome those challenges is the aim of the Airman & Family Readiness Center's Personal Financial Readiness team, and an effort to help gets under way this month.

The A&FRC will coordinate a series of events and learning opportunities with the annual Military Saves campaign, which runs Feb. 19-26. Various stations and displays around base, along - clinics and fairs to improve awareness of financial options - will be held throughout the period, said Mark Stanford, a financial counselor with the A&FRC.

"We advise young military families to do things like pay off debts and credit cards so they don't have to struggle so much, and to use cash for purchases," said Stanford.
In addition, the A&FRC advisors will present strategies for saving and maximizing the return on money saved and invested. The A&FRC cannot give specific investment advice on investments, but will serve as a guide about ways to approach the savings and investment options available to provide security through diversity, while getting the most for their money, said Stanford.

Military families and Department of Defense employees have some distinct advantages, Stanford noted, including access to the Armed Services Bank and its array of services and options, as well as access to the Armed Services Thrift Savings Plan. In addition, there are is the low-interest Air Force Falcon Loan program, as well as loans designed to get Air Force families through tough times, such as those through the Air Force Aid Society, said Stanford.

All this information and more, along with the details of utilizing the tools available, will be available at the following series of Mini Fairs:
Feb. 21, 9 to 11 a.m. MacDill Clinic Lunch Area; 1:15 to 2 p.m. - Bx Shopping area; 2 to 4 p.m. - SOCOM
Feb. 22, 9 to 11 a.m. 6th MXG; 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - CENTCOM
Feb. 23, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - CENTCOM
Feb. 24, 9 to 11 a.m. - Fitness and Wellness Center area

In addition, two financial clinics will be held:
Base Chapel Feb. 21, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. - Savings and Investments
Base Chapel Feb. 23, 2:15 to 3:45 p.m. - Thrift Savings Program