The Greenback Mile: An Airman's journey to financial freedom Published Feb. 15, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Nestor Cruz 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- Imagine having three cars, two motorcycles and $60,000 worth of debt. That was the situation Staff Sgt. Shane Maere, 53rd Airlift Squadron, was in when he was a single Airman stationed at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. "I was young and made more money than I ever did, so I started spending," said Sergeant Maere. "I also needed to start building credit." It started with one credit card then another. In less than four years, he had financed three cars and two motorcycles and accumulated $60,000 in debt. Being in debt had a negative impact on Sergeant Maere's professional and personal life. "I developed quite a bad reputation within my shop and my relationship with my girlfriend," he said. "I was on thin ice in my career, and I needed to change." Sergeant Maere said he decided to take charge of his spending habits. He searched for information on the Internet and in books but realized he needed to develop a plan. Sergeant Maere spoke with his first sergeant who suggested he seek financial advice from the Airman and Family Readiness Center at Luke AFB. "I checked it out, and they helped me with a budget," said Sergeant Maere. "The key to my success was staying goal oriented the whole time. I had short-and long-term goals with my finances." Sergeant Maere's short-term goals included paying off a credit card and a motorcycle, which led to his long-term goals of getting rid of debt and being able to buy a house. Reaching these goals demanded self-discipline. "When I was struggling with money I asked myself, 'What is important? Do I go out tonight and not make the payment or is it more important to stay home and pay my bills off?'" said Sergeant Maere. It took approximately a year and a half for things to turn around for Sergeant Maere. He sold his three cars and two motorcycles and managed to get rid of his credit cards. "All those bills that piled over me for so many years were gone," said Sergeant Maere. "I was sleeping better, my career was looking brighter, and I was building a solid foundation for the future." Sergeant Maere's financial troubles happened before the creation of the Military Saves campaign, but he was still able to find help through the Airman and Family Readiness Center and worked to get himself out of debt. "It was a long hard road, but my outlook on money has changed," Sergeant Maere said. "I'm more responsible with my finances and I do more investing than spending." Today, Military Saves Week is held every year to help military members and families take control of their finances. "Military Saves Week is a Department of Defense-wide financial readiness campaign to persuade military service and family members to reduce debt and save money," said Julia Noe, a 19th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center. The purpose of Military Saves is to encourage and motivate people to take a Savers Pledge and make a commitment to positive financial choices such as developing a personal financial plan or enrolling in a Thrift Savings Plan, said Ms. Noe. Military Saves Week is Feb. 22 to 25. It's never too late for people to make a decision to control their finances. For more information on Military Saves or to make a pledge, visit www.militarysaves.org. Military Saves Week activities Feb. 22: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Opening event and free lunch at Hangar 1080 Ten Minute Topics Credit use and credit cards - Joe Holladay Understanding your credit score - Linda Tucker Power pay - Julia Noe Budgeting - Chris Strong Identity theft - Tim Edwards Retirement planning - Ed Summers Thrift Savings Plan - Monica Jones Mortgage financing - Donna Dean Investing - Phillip Carlisle Money personalities - Gretchen Goreline Student loans - Corey Libhardt Teach your children to save - Rhonda Banks Feb. 23: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Savers Tree prizes and free lunch with first sergeants at Airman and Family Readiness Center. Take the pledge, pick a prize. Feb. 24: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Information and savers pledge tables are set up at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Hangar 1080, base exchange, commissary, dining facility and library for people to make pledges and have questions answered. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. "Avoiding the Debt Trap" guest speaker Joe Holladay from the Consumer Credit Counseling Service. Enjoy a free lunch at the Thomas Community Activity Center. Feb. 25: 7 a.m. - "Invest Quest, a Base Race" base wide race at the Airman and Family Readiness Center For more information, call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 987-6801.