Blog

Overwhelmed is a word I hear frequently as a financial counselor and with good reason. When our finances are out of control, we feel “overwhelmed.” And, oftentimes, it can feel even more overwhelming to reach out for help only to receive advice with unfamiliar terminology or a plan we don’t...

February 25, 2020

 I am fascinated by the field of behavioral economics, which is a good thing since my job at Military Saves revolves around motivating service members to save. Recently, while researching something else entirely, I came across an interesting chapter on mental accounting -- “Addition by Division: Partitioning Real Accounts for...

July 22, 2019

Dealing with an emergency is stressful, but not having the money to pay for it is even worse. Luckily, you can take steps to build an emergency savings fund so you’ll always have a financial safety net. Here are three easy ways to financially prepare for the next time you’re...

February 05, 2019

Times of separation are hard on a family and relationships in many ways. One of the most challenging aspects of separation is how to handle the finances – how to budget and continue to make progress toward your financial goals. Service members (SM) experience this challenge on a regular basis...

December 17, 2018

As a personal financial counselor, I am often asked to give an overview of the services I provide to Soldiers and Airmen in my area. Although I am grateful for the opportunity, I often find it difficult to persuade service members that they can benefit from financial counseling. Most of...

October 15, 2018

An Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) or Financial Fitness Coach (FFC®)Can Give You an Edge Many things go into the making of an Olympic champion.  Skill, hard work, dedication, sacrifice – and often a coach to help the athlete realize his/her full potential. Becoming a champion saver requires the same. A commitment to...

March 02, 2018

With so many obstacles to saving, how do we help bridge the savings gap for individuals and families, helping to turn savings goals into successful realities and small steps into lasting financial well-being? On Tuesday February 27, @AFCPE hosted a Twitter Chat to discuss ways to overcome obstacles to successful savings...

February 28, 2018

My family and I were sitting around the dinner table after Christmas, talking about the future. Where would we go when we retire one day? Where would my millennial children live and work? (The oldest embarked on her career about a year ago. The other two are in college.) Would...

January 29, 2018

America Saves and Military Saves Week is an annual promotion for good saving behavior. Organized by America Saves and American Savings Education Council, every year, thousands of organizations participate and millions of people are reached through this important initiative. America Saves motivates and supports both low and middle-income households to increase their savings...

February 27, 2017

Saving for retirement has always been a challenge, but it's harder than ever for many Americans today. One in three people have no retirement savings at all, and more than half of all adults have saved $10,000 or less. When it comes to millennials, however, the news is more mixed. According...

January 27, 2017

Client SupportWhen working with clients in a classroom setting or during a one-on-one session, it’s great to have tools and resources available to help support them in their journey toward their goal. It provides the client with an opportunity to take their future by the reigns and consider solutions that...

August 24, 2016

Most people know that saving for retirement is important, but many Americans don’t have an easy way to get started. A recent report from the Pew Charitable Trusts found that more than 30 million full-time employees in the United States don’t have access to retirement savings plans at work. Other barriers, like...

July 18, 2016