JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Five workshops focusing on credit management, investments and retirement planning are the centerpieces of the 2015 Military Saves Campaign next week at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph.
Military Saves Week - an annual opportunity for installations and organizations to promote good savings behavior - begins Monday with the evening workshop "Credit When Credit is Due" and continues through Feb. 27 with the class "Wise Investment Strategy." All classes are at the Military and Family Readiness Center, building 693.
Criselda Smith, 802nd Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant, said last year's Military Saves Week was more "foundational" while this year's campaign will "open new possibilities" to active-duty members and their families, retirees, Department of Defense civilians and contractors.
"We've been fortunate that we have a lot of families with a strong financial foundation," she said. "We want to enhance what they're already doing. This week will go a step further than the basics."
Bob Williams, 802nd FSS community readiness consultant, said this year's campaign will be facilitated by representatives from JBSA-Randolph's financial institutions, Broadway Bank and Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union.
"The banks are stepping up to facilitate these classes," he said.
Williams said community readiness consultants from the M&FRC will also be on hand to offer their perspectives.
Smith said representatives from JBSA-Randolph's financial institutions support Airmen and DOD civilians, and will provide their professional expertise at the classes.
Classes during the week will include evening sessions and "Lunch-N-Learn" workshops that allow participants to bring their own bag lunch.
The first workshop, "Credit When Credit is Due," is the only class that will continue past the end of Military Saves Week. Set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday as well as March 2, 9 and 16, the class will enhance the credit management skills of attendees through topics such as financial decision-making, establishing and rebuilding credit, auto loans and leases, mortgage loans and bankruptcies.
Williams said one of the advantages of this four-part workshop is that students will have a positive statement added to their credit reports and will be registered nationally for completing the credit education course.
Other classes during Military Saves Week are "Thrift Savings Plan," 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, which focuses on the TSP and its advantages for military members and DOD civilians; "Retirement Planning for Military and GS Employees," a Lunch-N-Learn class from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and an evening class from 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday; "Understanding Your Credit Report and Credit Score, 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday; and "Wise Investment Strategy," a Lunch-N-Learn class from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and an evening class from 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 27.
A workshop for teenagers Jan. 21 at JBSA-Randolph Youth Programs served as a prelude to Military Saves Week, Williams said.
"This was a one-time workshop to touch base with the youth in our community," he said. "We want them to understand the value of money and begin to think about how they spend it and how it adds up over time."
Also during JBSA-Randolph's Military Saves Week, active-duty members and their families, retirees, DOD civilians and contractors will have an opportunity to sign the campaign's Saver Pledge at the classes and in the M&FRC. They may also sign the pledge at http://www.militarysaves.org.
Military Saves Week is part of the America Saves campaign coordinated by the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America.
For more information about Military Saves Week, or to register for any of the classes, call the JBSA-Randolph M&FRC at 652-5321.