FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM
THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Contact
Lyn Peters, Director of Communications
PH (360) 349-8501 or CommunicationDir@dfi.wa.gov

02/17/2012
Washington joins national campaign aimed to help residents "Build Wealth, Not Debt"

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) is working with the Washington Jump Coalition and many other state agencies, non-profit organizations and financial institutions to promote Washington Saves Week as part of the sixth annual national America Saves Week campaign.

"In a time when we all are having to make our dollars do more and go farther, it’s more important than ever to ensure we are setting aside funds for tomorrow,” DFI Director Scott Jarvis said. “Making savings automatic makes sure it happens, makes it easier to plan around and makes it easier to continue. Even if you have to start small, with five or 10 dollars, that small start can make a big difference later."

America Saves is a national campaign involving more than 1,000 non-profit, government, and corporate groups that encourages individuals and families to save money and build personal wealth. Organizations throughout Washington are coordinating Saves Week activities aimed at offering Washington residents savings resources and education.

Understanding that having emergency savings, retirement funds and being able to manage one’s debt are crucial to Washington residents’ personal financial security, Governor Chris Gregoire has proclaimed Feb. 19-26, 2012 Washington Saves Week.

This year’s campaign theme "Set a Goal. Make a Plan. Save Automatically." is aimed at reminding consumers to utilize the automatic payroll deduction options at their place of employment to begin building an emergency fund, create a retirement fund or develop a targeted savings fund for their future.

As part of America Saves Week and Military Saves Week, more than 800,000 copies of the second edition of the "Financial Field Manual: The Personal Finance Guide for Military Families" will be distributed on military bases around the world and directly by state securities agencies, under a partnership of the Investor Protection Trust (IPT), the Investor Protection Institute (IPI), the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine.

The January 2012 guide from IPT, IPI, CBBB and Kiplinger’s focuses on the key issues that can help military families make informed investing decisions, protect their money and their families, and take charge of their financial lives. More than 800,000 of the updated guide have been printed. The first 710,000 print copies of the guide are being distributed directly to military bases in the U.S. and around the world. In addition, 29 states and the District of Columbia have ordered 100,000 additional copies to use as part of education programs with service members and their families in their states. An online version of the guide is available: Financial Field Manual: The Personal Finance Guide for Military Families.

We invite all Washington residents to participate in Saves Week, Feb. 19-26, 2012 by visiting www.americasavesweek.org and enrolling to be an American Saver.

If your organization wants to support Washington Saves and promote the campaign, the Saves Week organizers offer a variety of promotional materials at www.americasavesweek.org.

A few ways your organization can get involved include:

  • Distribute America Saves fliers and brochures and display America Saves posters
  • Set up display/area for reading/research and Web access to saving, debt reduction and wealth building
  • Host motivational workshops and topic seminars for patrons and employees
  • Encourage enrollment as a Saver
  • Place America Saves Week article(s) in employees newsletter and patron news
  • Enclose an America Saves flier as a payroll stuffer
  • Place a link to America Saves/Washington Saves on Web site and internal network

To learn more about the campaign and register, visit the national Web site www.americasavesweek.org.