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Military Saves campaign

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn Brewer
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  With February coming to an end and the arrival of tax season, America Saves pushes a campaign called "Military Saves", meant to put an emphasis on service members saving money. The Airman and Family Readiness center supports this campaign by having all of their members able to assist with setting-up a budget plan as well as a certified financial planner who teaches Team Shaw how to invest.

The Airman and Family Readiness Center has a certified financial planner who can pull free credit reports and assist Airmen with their budget plan. They also explain how to improve credit scores, as well as educate people on their thrift savings plan.

"I tell people a budget is only as good as the information put in it," said Erica Brown, AFRC community readiness specialist. "A budget is flexible, but if you stick to the goal we have set up for your savings plan, you can go on that dream vacation. This really helps people."

For people who need to learn how to save money, Arra Thomas, AFRC personnel financial readiness counselor, is responsible for helping a variety of service members. She assists both first-term Airmen, and all other Team Shaw members with setting up and fixing budgets.

"You don't need to be in trouble or have an issue with your finances to come in here,” said Thomas. "We would love to have people come in and learn about investing and growing their money."

Thomas said all dorm Airmen come in to ensure they are fiscally responsible enough to live off base. Their goal is to get more people in, especially those who aren’t required, so more Team Shaw members set themselves up to be financially empowered.

They also offer $50 oil change vouchers with the mechanic shop on base as an incentive for people to come in.


"Some folks come in feeling a little hopeless and I want them to know we've all faced that situation where our bills were higher than our income," said Thomas. “It’s exciting to know I could be looking at someone who is in a situation I used to be in and know I am guiding them away from making bad decisions."

There is a written schedule on the front of the AFRC with a list of budgeting and investing classes for Shaw members interested.

The AFRC is open on weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with all of their employees available to set-up a budget plan. There is also one certified financial planner, Kimberly Love, who is available to teach people how to invest and double their savings, as well as come to a proper conclusion on how to invest their Thrift Savings Plan.