Articles

Team Andersen becomes financially savvy at seminar

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Carissa Wolff
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  More than 70 Team Andersen members attended a financial management seminar at the Palm Tree Golf Course Conference room here Feb. 3.

The two-hour seminar  takes place twice a year, focuses on investing, insurance debt and budget management. Guest speaker James Dickie Jr., a United Services Automobile Association military affairs representative, led the seminar.

"Most financial problems stem from a lack of planning, not a lack of money," Mr. Dickie said.

The leadership portion of the seminar is designed to foster self-improvement among Airmen and civilians alike.

"It's a personal inventory of where you are in your financial management," said Master Sgt. Isaura Walker, Andersen's career assistance advisor. "It gives you the tools to be better prepared for the future, and they're simple to implement."

Additionally, the seminar focused on helping military families overcome financial stressors, such as deployments and frequent changes in duty stations.

"This seminar helped me realize that you don't have to invest large sums of money to have a retirement plan," said Staff Sgt. Ashley Sakurai, 36th Force Support Squadron fitness center staff member. "The only person who can change your financial health is you; that might sound too easy, but it really is." 

Mr. Dickie echoed her sentiments.

"To invest and get the best results, you have to start out as young as possible," Mr. Dickie said. "There's no way to catch up if you don't start investing when you're young."

The financial management seminar will be held on Andersen again in early June. For more information, call Sergeant Walker at 366-7829.

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