As part of America Saves Week (Feb. 22-27), the Cooperative Extension system launched a 15-Week America Saves Challenge that’s designed to motivate individuals to get started on the path to increased personal wealth and financial security. The challenge, which ends on June 4, is free and is funded by an America Saves Week mini-grant provided to the University of Florida IFAS Extension and Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) by the Consumer Federation of America, with funding from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation.
“Saving any amount of money as part of the 15-Week America Saves Challenge is better than none,” says Barbara O’Neill, RCE specialist in financial resource management and distinguished professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
Participants must register online, set a personal savings goal and choose between the Basic or “Hard Core” challenge or another personal savings goal. Participants will receive weekly motivational messages by email and will keep track of their weekly savings. Those who complete the personal savings challenge will be asked to submit a photo and information documenting their results, and will be eligible for prizes at the end of the program. Winners will be announced and prizes awarded during the week of June 6.
America Saves Week is coordinated by the American Savings Education Council and America Saves, a national campaign involving more than 1,000 non-profit, government, and corporate groups that encourages individuals and families to save money, reduce debt and build wealth.
