Residents asked to participate in Alabama Saves week

Franklin County residents are encouraged to increase personal and household savings which is most important to Alabama’s stability and vitality, something they can begin working towards this week as part of Alabama Saves Week.

Feb. 19-26 has been designated as Alabama Saves Week and the Franklin County Extension System is working to promote a weeklong series of savings challenges.

America Saves is a national social marketing campaign to persuade, encourage and motivate Americans to take financial action in building wealth through saving money and reducing dept.

The Franklin County Extension System is asking Franklin Countians to Celebrate America/Alabama Saves Week with the following daily challenges.

• Sunday, February 19, 2012- Ask yourself the following questions: Where is your money going?

Are you dependent upon others for money? Where do you see yourself financially down the road?

Do you blame others for financial problems?

• Monday, February 20, 2012- check your credit.

• Tuesday, February 21, 2012 – commit to save and stop by one of the following financial institutions locations to pick up a Money Management Calendar: Russellville Financial, CB&S Bank (Jackson Avenue, Highway 43, Red Bay and Phil Campbell); Valley State Bank (Highway 43, Jackson Avenue, Wal-Mart and Red Bay); Bank Independent (Jackson Avenue, Village Square, Red Bay); Community Spirit Bank (Red Bay, Russellville); Listerhill Credit Union.

• Wednesday, February 22, 2012 – Join Alabama Saves – AlabamaSaves.org

• Thursday, February 23, 2012 – Sign up for budgeting classes through your local county Extension Office with Lelia Wissert, Regional Extension Agent who services Franklin County-Consumer Science & Personal Financial Management, email: wisselc@aces.edu office :256-766-4846 or 256-366-9747. She can help you get financially organized, develop a budget and create a spending plan.

• Friday, February 24, 2012- Open Up a savings account for your children or yourself. If you already have a savings account add to it just in case there is an emergency or large purchases need to be made. Also, start working on a college savings account or a retirement account.

• Saturday, February 25, 2012- Track how much you spend on the following (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and cigarettes). For example, eat out one less evening each week and invest the money you save. In 20 years, you will have almost $50, 000. (Calculated at 5% yield)

• Sunday, February 26, 2012- Sit down with the family and talk about the changes that need to be made concerning the family budget and have everyone keep track with how much they are spending . Schedule meetings to see where you are going with the family finances.