Courtesy graphic.
Military Saves Week starts Feb. 25
CHIÈVRES, Belgium -- The U.S. Army Garrison Benelux community will recognize Military Saves Week from Feb. 25 to March 1 by educating people on healthy financial habits. The week focuses on debt reduction, financial management and future savings with help from military programs such as Army Community Service.
The ACS Financial Readiness Program is hosting classes aimed at teaching the military community on some of the many ways they can reach their financial goals in areas such as; budgeting, retirement planning, the thrift savings plan, investments and wealth management.
"This week is dedicated to encouraging people to think about saving money," said Mike Doorbal, the Financial Readiness and Army Emergency Relief Program Manager.
"The earlier you start saving, the better off you will be in the future. You can also get the family involved in reaching financial goals by attending classes offered at ACS."
The following classes are scheduled:
• Thrift Savings Plan: Feb. 25 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at SHAPE
• Savings and Investments: Feb. 26 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at SHAPE
• Creating a Livable Budget: Feb. 27 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at SHAPE
• Retirement Planning: Feb. 28 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at SHAPE
SHAPE Classes will be held in the ACS Conference Room in Building 318. All classes are projected via VTC so people at other locations can attend these classes at their local ACS. Registration is recommended but not required. For more information, call ACS at DSN 314-366-6824 (SHAPE), DSN 314-368-9783 (Brussels) and DSN 314-360-7500 (Schinnen).
In addition to the classes, ACS and Andrews Federal Credit Union employees will be on-site at the Post Exchange, or PX, mall food court at Chièvres Air Base from Feb. 26 to March 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., passing out financial information and asking our folks to take the Military Savings Pledge.
At Schinnen, people can stop by the commissary Feb. 28 and March 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and take the Military Saves pledge. ACS will also have a booth at the Schinnen Thrift Store on Feb. 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In addition to Military Saves Week, ACS will kick-off the Army Emergency Relief Annual Campaign, on March 6 at 1 p.m. in the Caserne Daumerie Bldg. 30 Auditorium. Unit AER campaign workers are highly encouraged to attend as the AER staff will conduct training and hand out of campaign materials.
AER scholarship applications are still being accepted through April 1 for the 2019-2020 academic year. All applications must be submitted directly to AER. Please visit the Army Emergency Relief website for more information on all scholarship opportunities.
Military Saves is component of the nonprofit America Saves and a partner in the U.S. Department of Defense’s Financial Readiness Campaign. The object is to encourage financial literacy throughout our military communities. This campaign seeks to motivate, and encourage military families to save, reduce debt and build wealth. Classes in financial literacy are offered throughout our military communities during the last week of February each year with the goal of enhancing good money management throughout the Department of Defense.
ACS Financial Readiness Program services are offered year-round for U.S. service members of all branches, family members, retirees and civilian employees. Classes are offered on financial topics that are of interest to the Benelux community and can be tailored to meet changing needs as requested. The ACS also offers classes to units as part of their training days curriculum as requested. For more information, visit Benelux Family and MWR.
Jessica Ryan, USAG Benelux Public Affairs