Nationally, America Saves Week is an annual opportunity to promote good personal savings behavior!

More locally, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is collaborating with America Saves in a campaign to help Floridians build wealth, not debt! The Florida Saves, (floridasaves.org) statewide initiative has been officially endorsed by Jeff Atwater chief financial officer for the state of Florida. Why? Because research shows that, too many households with an unexpected expense of just $400 could be thrown into a financial crisis! This means a clog in the sink or a broken freezer could easily send a family into debt.

 

During Florida Saves Week, February 27 to March 4, 2017 UF/IFAS is urging residents to pledge to set a goal and start saving! Like our Florida Saves Facebook page to keep up with the latest info.

 

Saving money for an emergency makes good sense. Families with money saved for an emergency are less likely to face financial stress, less likely to fall behind on their bills, and less likely to deal with subprime alternative money sources that have higher costs than conventional options.

 

Make a commitment to yourself and take the Florida Saves pledge to help you reach your savings and debt reduction goals. Additionally, Florida Saves will motivate you with periodic information, advice, tips and reminders sent by email or text message to help you reach your savings goal. Paying yourself first, saving your tax refund, and saving automatically are just a few ways that Florida Saves encourages you to build wealth and reduce debt.

 

Plus, this year Floridians who pledge to become a saver can enter to win $50 to be put toward reaching their financial goals by completing a short survey after setting a goal and signing the Florida Saves pledge.

 

Want to win more? Take a video or photo to share your savings story and follow the link to enter to win a national prize of $1,000 in theAmerica Saves http://www.americasavesweek.org/imsavingfor/  contest.

 

Take the pledge at floridasaves.org Set a goal and make a plan!