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A&FRC helps Airman with finance management
By Senior Airman Joshua Eikren
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
Regardless of the situation the Scott Airman and Family Readiness Center has a wide range of financial programs to assist Airman and their family’s financial preparedness.
The A&FRC has a comprehensive financial education program is developed to help military members and their families identify and resolve immediate financial concerns, gain a deeper understanding of critical issues related to their unique situations, and move forward toward long-term financial stability, while accomplishing financial goals.
“The curriculum consists of a wide-range of courses to meet people where they are at with their finances,” said Lona Berndt, 375th Force Support Squadron Community Readiness Consultant. “These services include education in all personal financial life-cycle stages, from initial entry to transition.”
These programs look to educate those who know their currently in need of financial advice, but also look to prepare people before situations arise.
“From a proactive stand-point, my hope is that Airmen and their families will understand the importance of financial education, and take part in the plethora of financial education that is available at the A&FRC,” said Berndt. “However, if people are feeling the pressures of their current financial situation and would like some intervention and support they should consider meeting with an accredited financial counselor through our office.”
Airman 1st Class Kassandra May Manimbo is one Airman from Scott who taken advantage of the programs the A&FRC has to offer.
“Berndt provided me with financial advice when entering a marriage. Among the many valuable topics she shared with me, an extremely important piece of advice I received today was that communication in finance within married couples is vital for a healthy relationship,” said Manimbo. “She also discussed with me potential financial issues that may occur at some point in the marriage that I would have not thought of and some resolutions for them.”
One example Berndt gave her was: after each pay period, each member in the relationship has a set amount of money (i.e $50) to spend without having to consult the other member. This is to maintain healthy spending habits within the budget. She also explained that both parties must be involved in being informed with the money spending for a sense of equality in the relationship.
“I believe that this information has empowered me to approach financial obstacles that I have been intimidated of or never would have thought of,” said Manimbo. “I also feel more prepared because I am more aware of the resources that are available to me. My perspective in finance in my future marriage has widened and I feel excited to share it with my partner to blossom in our relationship.”
The different programs the A&FRC offers Airman and their families are:
For someone like Manimbo, learning from one of the programs can open up ideas on how utilize others and further expand the financial understanding for their future.
“If an event were to ever occur that I may need to take advantage of the FALCON loan, I would because I have been informed (Of course, this is for extreme emergencies only.),” said Manimbo. “If I were to need a month's pay in advance, I would inquire about it because I am aware it is available to me in time of need.”
Berndt, who was also named June’s Innovative Educator of the Month by Practical Money Skills, looks to continue helping Airman by giving them advice from her own understanding of military life.
“Military life can have some extra challenges, such as deployment and frequent moves, and those challenges sometimes may have powerful financial repercussions,” said Berndt. “Financial education and responsibility are critical to the type of work we do in the Air Force. Not having your “financial house’ in order can result in significant consequences, such as the loss of a security clearance; ultimately causing a liability to our mission.”
The A&FRC program also offers:
For more information on the A&FRC Financial Program contact 256-8668