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Airman and Family Readiness Center teaches money management

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Krystal M. Jeffers
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The Airman and Family Readiness Center hosted a budgeting class here, Feb. 6.

Every month the A&FRC holds a budgeting class which is open to Department of Defense personnel and dependents and is usually held on the first Wednesday of the month.

"A lot of E-4s and below are not financially aware, do not budget and do not save or invest," said Carolyn Bridges, 20th Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant. "The class teaches financial discipline, budgeting, financial goals and how to save."

Airman 1st Class Troy Hodge, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 55th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief and a participant of the class, said he joined because he wanted tips on how to save and not over spend.

"I wanted tips on budgeting because I noticed that I was spending a little too much money," he said. "The class helped me realize my goals. It showed me the different kind of stuff that comes up in life that I am going to have to save for and how much money I can spend on myself during a pay period."

It was a budget plan outline he received during the class that helped him calculate where his money was going and how much he could spend on himself, Hodge said.

The class provided many materials which the participants could take home to help them acquire a better understanding of money management. This included a budget plan outline and several educational booklets such as "Get Creditwise," "Managing Credit and Debt," "Financial Planning and Goal Setting," and "Get Moneywise."

During the class, Bridges covered many topics including how to create a budget plan, creating a financial goal, how to save, and investing with a Thrift Savings Plan, or TSP.

"It was pretty good," Hodge said. "There was a lot of interaction and I learned a lot of information."

In addition to the group budgeting class, the A&FRC offers one-on-one sessions with financial councilors who will help members tailor a budget plan specific to their needs. The councilors work with members as often as needed.

A&FRC has councilors who work with people from payday to payday. They also help members clear up credit scores which could take multiple sessions, Bridges said.

Service members that are E-4 and below are able to receive a free oil change if they participate in a one-on-one budgeting session for one hour, courtesy of Air Force Aid.

To sign up for either a budgeting class or a one-on-one session, call A&FRC at DSN: 965-1253 or 803-895-1253.