Save, save, save Published Feb. 27, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Rebekah Phy 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- Ready, set ... save! The Air Force recently implemented the Military Saves Campaign, endorsed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, to improve financial readiness of Airmen and enhance mission readiness. According to the Web site, Military Saves is a social marketing campaign to persuade, motivate and encourage military families to save money every month, and to convince leaders and organizations to be aggressive in promoting automatic savings. The campaign is a growing network of organizations and individuals committed to helping and supporting military members and their loved ones build personal savings arsenals to provide for their immediate and long-term financial needs. "In response to lower savings rates, predatory lending and subprime mortgages affecting the United States as a whole, the Consumer Federation of America recognizes that Airmen and their families could benefit from a campaign specifically targeted to them," said Betsy Conzo, Airman and Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant. The focus areas of Military Saves are saving for an emergency, paying off high-cost debt, buying a home, contributing to the Thrift Savings Plan or a 401(k), and saving through the DoD Savings Deposit Program when deployed. To become part of a global movement dedicated to personal financial stability, the Military Saves Web site first encourages everyone to make "The Saver Pledge": "I will help myself by saving money, reducing debt and building wealth over time. I will help my family and my country by encouraging other Americans to build wealth, not debt." The Airman and Family Readiness Center is here to assist Airmen in a variety of areas, including financial management and planning. The AFRC staff encourages all Airmen and their families to become involved with the Military Saves Campaign. "Military Saves encourages Airmen to plan for their future," Ms. Conzo said. "Setting financial goals is the first step to becoming financially free."