| Announcements |
In This Section |
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 1. Personal Financial Counseling. The Military & Family Life Consultant (MFLC) Program now includes Personal Financial Counseling to help you and your family manage your finances, resolve financial problems and reach long-term goals. Read more about what they can do for you.
2. FREE Online MoneyWi$e Financial Education Resources. MoneyWi$e, a Consumer Action-Capital One Partnership, has launched new, interactive financial education eLearning modules for consumers. The courses offer case studies, interactive tips and exercises along with a variety of resources based on the MoneyWi$e financial education materials. Read more about the five interactive courses available.
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Military Money Magazine is now available in a Digital Format. From the GI Bill to VA loans, frequent moves to deployment preparation, military readers deserve financial information and planning tools designed with their unique needs in mind. InCharge Education Foundation, Inc. (www.inchargefoundation.org) developed Military MoneyTM to provide an authoritative financial resource for military families. Military Money shares information on educational opportunities, education funding, saving, banking, investing, retirement and credit as well as empowering career and lifestyle resources. Click the image to the left to view the latest edition or you can come into our office to pick-up a copy. |
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• ID Theft/Scam Alerts
• Military Discounts
• Consumer Tips
• ID Theft/Fraud
• Credit Scores & Reports
• Budgeting
• Car Buying & Selling Links
• Home Buying/Selling/Renting Links
• Financial Assistance for Parents
• 2009 Tax Resources
• Classes, Briefings, & Workshops
• Financial Links
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| Latest News |
1 March: States may ban credit checks on job applicants
Associated Press - It's hard enough to find a job in this economy, and now some people are facing another hurdle: Potential employers are holding their credit histories against them. With that mind, state legislators in Illinois and 15 other states have proposed bills to ban credit checks on most job applicants, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Hawaii and Washington already have such bans in place. Read more of the article on the Chicago Breaking Business News web site.
TSP: It may be 2 years before Roth is offered
The top executive overseeing the Thrift Savings Plan said it will take a “minimum of one year, more likely two” to get a Roth investment option in place. Read more online at the Air Force Times. |
| Personal Finance Roundup |
• Top 10 Credit Score Misconceptions. To help consumer’s better understand how credit works, Ken Lin, CEO of Credit Karma, has put together a list of the top 10 credit score misconceptions. Read the article on the Budgets Are Sexy web site...
• 10 First Time Homebuyer Mistakes [The Wisdom Journal] "When first time home buyers finally get into their home, they can easily fall prey to several serious mistakes that can cause a large amount of financial harm later." Read more of the article online...
• Things you think will make money but don't [Smart Spending] "When asked, readers listed going to college, buying gold, and cooking at home, among other things. Not everyone agreed." Read more of the article online...
• Should You Buy or Rent? [Kiplinger] "Renting may be smarter if home prices in your area will fall further." Read more of the article online... |
| Other Resources |
• Defense Finance and Accounting Service
• Military Pay and Benefits Web site sponsored by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
• SaveAndInvest.Org - A free service of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation
• Microsoft Home Use Program - Eligible Air Force personnel can purchase Microsoft Office for approx $10 (plus tax).
• MilitarySaves.Org
• Bankrate.com - News, tips and advice to compare mortgage rates, home equity loans, CDs, car loans, credit cards and money market accounts
• Powerpay.org - Helping debtors become savers
• Federal Trade Commission - Protecting America's Consumers
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - Preserves and promotes public confidence in the U.S. financial system
• Consumers Union - Nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports
• Financial Privacy Now - From Consumers Union
• The USAA Educational Foundation - Provides free financial education and publications
• Better Business Bureau Air Force Line - BBB Air Force Line, in partnership with the USAF Airmen and Family Readiness Centers (A&FRCs), encourages Air Force personnel (including Reservists and National Guard), retirees, and their family members to use the free consumer services and materials offered by BBB.
Resources on Social Media
Facebook
• Defense Finance and Accounting Service - DFAS on Facebook
• Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine on Facebook
• Bankrate.com on Facebook
• MilitarySaves.org on Facebook
• Military Money Magazine on Facebook
Twitter
• Bankrate.com on Twitter
• MilitarySaves.org on Twitter
• Military Money Magazine on Twitter
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| Scheduled Briefings, Classes & Workshops |
Check out our calendar for the next financial classes.
Or view the list of classes that we offer.
Please call (605) 385-4663 to register for briefings, classes or workshops.
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| Main Articles |
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Don’t be Lured into the Debt Settlement Companies See your Airman & Family Readiness Center Community Readiness Consultant/Technician or the Personal Financial Counselor MFLC for a debt reduction plan
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning financially troubled families to beware of misleading debt settlement companies that claim they can easily reduce or eliminate credit card debt. Since the start of the recession, BBB has received more than 3,500 complaints from individuals, including many who paid hundreds of dollars in upfront fees to debt settlement companies but only fell deeper into debt.
“The debt settlement industry is flourishing and many families are being lured into believing that debt settlement is an easy fix and that their credit card debt will just disappear,” said Stephen A. Cox, President and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “The truth is that the process doesn’t work for many consumers, it has potentially serious negative consequences, and should primarily be used as a last ditch effort to stave off bankruptcy.” Click here to read the rest of the article...
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Click the image above to go to their web site! |
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Read more about issues with mortgages, overdraft, credit, & other issues or voice your concern to lawmakers. Click the image below to go to their web site.  |
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