America Saves Week, which began Feb. 24, is a chance for individuals to assess their saving status and take financial action.
Having a savings plan with specificgoals can have beneficial financial effects, even for lower-income families. Next week is an opportunity for organizations to promote savings behavior and a chance for individuals to assess their own saving status.
Okaloosa Saves, which promotes the effort, is the local coalition of the America Saves initiative.
America Saves is offering a five-week challenge that will help you meet your goals by providing daily encouragement and assignments. There will be weekly prizes and final challenge awards at the end of program.
You can enroll at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension website, http://rutgers.ancc.net.
Set up a user name and password and download a one-page user’s guide with instructions about how to proceed.
Select the option to enroll in the “2013 America Saves Challenge.” This option will be among a list of names of online challenges currently available.
When people track their behavior and measure their performance, they are often inspired to do better and achieve positive results.
Participants in the America Saves Challenge are on their honor to report their activities accurately.
The America Saves Challenge is based on the performance of 10 recommended financial practices. Ten points are given for performing each one, with a maximum of 700 points per week.
Participants will receive daily motivational messages. Paper tracking forms are available for self-monitoring your activities.
Doing even one of the 10 recommended daily financial practices is a great way to get started on your financial goals. The more America Saves Challenge activities you do, the better your financial progress.
Elaine Courtney is a Family & Consumer Sciences Extension agent at the Okaloosa County Extension office in Crestview.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EXTENSION CONNECTION: Celebrate America Saves Week