By Amy Miller, AFC®
Since 2007, America Saves Week has been an annual celebration as well as a call to action for Americans to commit to saving successfully.
Collaborating with over 3,500 partners and organizations, America Saves works through daily themes and events to encourage and inspire people to save successfully, reduce debt, and build wealth. Each day’s focus encourages individuals to complete a financial review, gain a clear picture of their resources, make a commitment to themselves, set savings goals, and create a plan to achieve them.
This year’s events will start next Monday, February 27, 2023 and will focus on the following daily themes:
Monday, February 27, 2023: Saving Automatically
Auto transfer from your direct deposit or checking account is the easiest way to save!
America Saves believes that “savings is a habit, not a destination” and will start the week by encouraging behaviors that develop savings habits through messages, strategies, and tips to overcome mindset blocks and help individuals save confidently.
You can join the conversation by attending their virtual townhall, “Real Ways to Save Today.” The event will kick off the week with the America Saves team joined by financial experts discussing strategies you can use right away to get a clear view of your finances and start saving. You can register to attend here.
Tuesday, February 28, 20223: Saving for the Unexpected
Having short term savings (aka an emergency fund) is essential to being financially stable and secure.
This day will be all about how having funds set aside for any unexpected opportunities or emergencies can give your financial confidence a boost. The focus will be on the importance of having an emergency fund and setting realistic goals.
Tuesday will debut new episodes of The America Saves podcast, Think Like a Saver. Tune in to hear tips and strategies to help you save successfully.
Wednesday, March 1, 2023: Saving for Major Milestones
It’s important to save for life’s major milestones like taking a vacation, buying a new house, or retirement.
The focus will be on strategies and resources that will assist you in planning for those milestones.
The America Saves Team has put together a Spending & Savings Plan Workshop that you can attend virtually to learn how to put together a plan that works for you.
Thursday, March 2, 2023: Paying Down Debt is Saving
Reducing debt and eliminating the interest and fees that come with it IS saving!
Thursday’s focus is all about building your financial confidence by learning strategies to pay down debt and starting to save by re-directing those funds toward something else.
Friday, March 3, 2023: Saving at Any Age
Saving is a life-long habit – one that you are never too young or too old to start!
To end the week, the focus will be on ways to introduce savings at a young age, releasing negative emotions and beliefs about money, and how to jumpstart your savings journey and take control of your finances.
How to Get Involved
For Individuals: You can take the America Saves Pledge. Pick a savings goal and they’ll help you along the way by sending you tips, resources and information to keep you motivated to meet your savings goals.
Every year, thousands of organizations participate in America Saves Week. You can find one in your area by searching here.
For Organizations: It is not too late to participate. Organizations can sign up to participate and receive the America Saves toolkit that will help you plan activities that promote saving successfully.