It's America Saves Week!
BOSTON (CBS) - Today starts a national campaign for Americans to save more money. And seeing that our national savings rate is about 4% we all need encouragement to save more.
It's America Saves Week!
America Saves Week is an opportunity to do just that, promote good savings habits. Also it is Military Saves Week. We could use a Congress Saves Week, but that's probably not going to happen.
You can log on to either of the sites and take a pledge to save more. They will send you text messages with saving tips and they offer several different newsletters you can sign up for. I do think small reminders help us keep on track when trying to reach a bigger goal.
We all want to save more but we get caught up in the day-to-day stuff in our lives. Doing small things differently can produce some real savings though.
Let's start with your morning routine, getting your caffeine jolt. What can you do to save money here? Get up a few minutes earlier and make your coffee or tea?
Today you can get your favorite brews, Dunkin' Donuts or Starbucks at home. How about convincing your boss to have your favorite coffee at work for everyone to enjoy during the day?
How about eating breakfast at home instead of heading to the drive thru? Try the easy stuff; cereal, yogurt, fruit, English muffins, toast, hard boiled eggs, sandwiches, even last night's leftovers. How hard is it to grab a container of yogurt, a banana and a mug of tea which is what I have in the morning? Cost: about $1.
Average saving for making coffee and breakfast at home: $3 a day, that's $15 a week, now multiply that by 50 weeks it equals $750.
Use the money to increase your 401(k) contribution and if you assume an 8% return in 20 years you could possibly have an extra $35,000 in your retirement nest egg.
Military Saves week
Massachusetts State Treasurer's Office will be co-sponsoring an all-day free seminar for the military.
OPERATION MONEY WISE
A FREE financial empowerment conference open to veterans, service members and their families.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Mass Bay Community College
McKenzie Auditorium
50 Oakland Street, Wellesley MA
REGISTER TODAY: www.mass.gov/treasury/operationmoneywise
If you are a service member, veteran, or are related to one, join us to sharpen your financial skills and better understand your military benefits at the Operation Money Wise conference! This FREE, first-ever event is geared toward military and their families and will feature dynamic keynote speaker, Dick Power, CFP and retired Army Colonel.
The day will also include over a dozen other expert speakers on a variety of diverse financial topics, as well as an interactive learning lunch with local celebrity radio personality Dee Lee, CFP. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a Certified Financial Planner, Credit Counselor and/or Career Counselor.
Breakout sessions provide lessons and materials in:
- Budgeting & Setting Financial Goals
- Dealing with Debt
- Retirement Readiness
- Money & Disability
- Basics of Investing
- Home Ownership 101
- Using Your Education Benefits
- Bridging The Financial Gap to College
Complimentary continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.
We hope to see you there!
A Joint project of:
Massachusetts State Treasurer's Office
Massachusetts National Guard and Reserve
Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services
Massachusetts Financial Literacy Trust Fund
Inter-Service Family Assistance Committee
