A key factor to mobility airpower is the ability to responsibly manage personal finance in order to fully aid the mission. Personal financial readiness for Airmen is important when dealing with daily activities on and off-duty.
The Air Force has several programs to aid personal financial readiness. One of these programs assisted a first term Airman with saving enough money to buy a car, tag, title, six months of insurance extra money in the bank-all in the same day.
“After getting stationed here, I started saving up money every month to buy myself a car,” said U.S. Air Force Airman Amanda Edwards, a logistics planner assigned to the 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron. “I learned the importance about saving money from my family, so my goal was just to save as much as I could.”
Most Airmen entering into the Air Force undergo an adjustment period when they finally arrive to their first duty station. For some, it can be a culture shock moving from a long period of restriction to being self-reliant.
During a class at the First Term Airmen Center (FTAC), first-term Airmen receive instructions on personal responsibilities. Through this process, Edwards was able to meet Jerome Davis, the community readiness consultant assigned to the 97th Force Support Squadron, which taught her more about finances and more pressing for her, car buying.
“When I was listening to Davis, I could tell he was well informed about finances; it reminded me about skills I learned and was already doing,” said Edwards. “I asked him questions about how I should save and spend my money; he was able to help me out a lot in that department.”
The Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) has programs to assist with personal finance and hosts Military Saves Week Feb. 24-28, 2020. This year’s events hosted by the A&FRC are: Burgers and Budgets, Debt Reduction, Car Buying 101 and Retirement Planning Starter.
Through Edward’s connection with the A&FRC, she was able to find members who were selling their cars for a lower price than what she saved up for.
“I’m really glad I waited because I found a car that was cheaper than what I saved up for and I was able to still get a car in nice condition,” said Edwards. “My advice to other people in my situation, or just trying to buy something big is, you waited this long, why not wait longer to make a solid plan.”
Through committing to a budget and purchasing a car, Edward is now able to travel more and still has money saved to invest in larger purchases for the future.
