Financial counselor relays message of fiscal responsibility to 188th Wing members

Don Rodgers, personal financial counselor and certified financial planner, speaks June 4, 2015 to Airmen of the 188th Wing at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Fort Smith, Ark., about managing credit and debt, financial planning for deployment and the thrift savings plan. Rodgers visit was planned in conjunction with the 188th Airman and Family Readiness Program to highlight the financial planning services available to military members. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Cody Martin/Released)

Published June 6, 2015
By Senior Airman Cody Martin
188th Wing Public Affairs

EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. -- The 188th Wing Airman and Family Readiness office welcomed Don Rodgers June 4, 2015, to speak to the Air Guardsmen about managing their finances and retirement planning.

Rodgers is a personal financial counselor certified financial planner who specializes in military fiscal responsibility.

Topics that Rodgers covered during his visit with wing members included managing credit and debt, financial planning for deployment and the thrift savings plan, which is a government-sponsored retirement plan open to all uniformed military service members.
Michelle Pike, 188th Wing Airman and Family Readiness program manager, believes Rodgers provided important real world information about Airmen needing to save and invest their money and to take good care of their credit.

"I thought his presentation was wonderful," said Pike. "He had a great audience and very relevant information, both for the members that will be staying here and for those that are getting ready for deployment."

For the Airmen that were not able to attend, Rodgers wished to impart a message to be fiscally aware.

"Save your cash and create a short-term cash savings investment plan so you are prepared for emergencies," Rodgers stated. "Take care of your bills and your credit and look long term to make sure you are building wealth for the future."

The 188th Airman and Family Readiness program provides individuals, families and leadership with policy, programs and services that strengthen communities and promote self-sufficiency, mission readiness and adaptation to the Air Force way of life.