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Show B February 24, 2005 Control spending: By U. Col. Grant Bishop 4 th Fighter Squadron commander Commanders often talk about preparing for war, improving war fighting capabilities or arming yourself with the right leadership tools, but most commanders steer away from a sensitive topic that is just as important as the previously mentioned onesproviding financial stability in your household. As a commander, I find it frustrating to discuss financial stress with my Airmen. In most cases, the individuals could have prevented distressful financial situations. At one time or another, everyone has gotten into financial trouble; we've all known the painful feeling in our gut associated with not knowing how to pay the upcoming bills. Financial distress is not unique to the military, but rather it is an American problem. On average, Americans save less than four percent of our income. Japanese, on the other hand, save about 20 percent of their income, which is just slightly higher than the Europeans, who average 18 percent. In 2004, Americans spent 115 percent of our earnings. Simply stated, we spent more than we earned. For the average American though, it isn't a big deal; they use stall tactics with collection agencies until repossession actions start and then they downsize. Not a brilliant move, but it is a realistic strategy for some. But, as military members, we aren't average Americans. We are responsible for the defense of our nation and its principles, and are generally held to a higher standard, which explains why writing bad checks or failing to pay bills in a timely manner are offenses that can be punished under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Knowing that, it is important all Airmen take steps now (before getting into trouble) toward financial independence. The first and most important step to financial independence is to set financial objectives. Ask yourself, "Where do I want to be financially in five, ten, or 20 years from now?" Once armed with those answers, calculate how much you'd need to earn and how much you'd need to save and invest. Next, set a monthly budget to meet your financial objectives. It takes discipline to adhere to a budget but if you want financial independence, it is absolutely necessary. It is not different than when you are learning a new task on your job - it's hard at first, but with practice, it gets easier. Here are a few tips to help you obtain and maintain financial independence: Livewithinyourmeanst0 avoid financial distress away during winter. So unfortunately, after you've spent five years paying off your large loan for the privilege of watching this process, you've only spent 100 days in your car. Additionally, no one will be impressed by your great car if it comes to light that you can't afford to drive it. Avoid credit card purchases and high balances. Credit cards are a trap. Credit card companies make it " When our enemies are easy for people to get a credit card and spend money looking to infiltrate us using that they may not have. They want you to keep a balance, so they can continue to assess finance charges one of our own, and collect more money from you. The money you pay in interest is money you could be using for something the first vulnerability else. If you have credit cards and use them, pay off the they look for is an balance in full every month. Don't use the additional individual under financial credit to live above your means. Generate additional income. You could get a partduress." time job, but as busy as we are in the 388th Fighter - Lt. Col. Grant Bishop, Wing, you may not have time. There are other ways to 4th Fighter Squadron generate additional income without working for anothcommander er employer. One way is to use the web sites that allow people to sell their goods (used and new) on-line. These websites offer simple processes for selling items Live within your means. If and you can earn a steady income without too much of your free you have a $1,000 monthly salary, you shouldn't have a lifestyle time being used. that exceeds $1,000 a month. Pay yourself first. The first bill you pay every month should be Pay your bills on time. Most companies will charge you a fee into your savings account. For starters, set aside ten percent of for not paying your bills on time. Don't let your money slip through your fingers because you are tardy. Whether or not you your monthly income. As you get raises for promotions and pay raises, add the additional income to your savings account instead pay your bills on time and how often you are late is also reflected of adding it to your spending money. Most importantly, don't withon your credit report which other agencies use to decide if they draw from your savings account. Your savings should continue to give you a loan for a house or a car. grow over lime. By putting that initial ten percent in an account You are probably asking yourself, why would your budget and that you don't touch, you will learn to live using the remaining 90 financial independence be so important to a fighter squadron compercent of your income mander? There are a few reasons, but one is clear: When our enemies are looking to infiltrate us using one of our own, the first Don't buy expensive new cars. Historically, the biggest mistake vulnerability they look for is an individual under financial duress. I have seen is new car purchases. Don't get me wrong, I love new They use the individual's financial duress to gain access to inforcars ... it's a great feeling to drive around in the latest model with mation to use against us. all the gadgets, but that feeling can come at a significant cost to your financial-future. Years ago, my father gave me this example: If you are, worried about how your family is holding up finanThe average car is driven 15.000 miles per year. If your average cially while you are in combat, how truly effective can you be as a speed while you are in the car is 30 miles an hour, then you end war fighter? Will you be watching my back when I need you the up spending a total of 20 days per year in your car. The rest of the most or will you be taking bribes from the enemy? Get ahead year, your car sits in the parking lot baking in the sun or rusting financially now and the rest will fall into place. Commentary Airman says dark days don't have to last forever ommentary There are days when my greatest accomplishment is getting out of bed in the morning; days when every ounce of my soul is focused on just making it ——=^==^=—=^^= through the day. There are days when I struggle to keep from ramming my car into a telephone pole or off the side of a bridge; days when the sight of a razor blade puts unthinkable pictures in my mind. ;^=ii=^==^= healthy. When we have an unusual pain or physical symptom, it's nothing to pick up the phone and make an appointment at the base medical facility. When my mental health starts to take a downturn, I make a phone call to the local mental health clinic and get the help I need. Very few people know about my condition =-=^^==—===^== (at least until now). It's just not something that comes up in normal conversations. And, I'd be willing to bet, not many would guess. From the outside, my life probably looks pretty good. I have a wonderful " husband, two great children, a nice home and a rewarding career. -- Anonymous But depression ~ ~ doesn't always correlate to any particular problem in your life. Sure, personal or professional problems may trigger depressions, but the underlying cause might not be anything that can be identified by non-profes.sionals. Just like a sharp pain in your side needs a medical professional to diagnose appendicitis, a pain in your soul may need a professional to diagnose. If I wake up in the morning with a high fever, nausea, intestinal distress and aches and pains, I go to the medical clinic to find out what's wrong with me. I tell the doctor the symptoms; he or she may request a medical test be performed. Congratulations on the third star " It's not the feelings of anger or sadness that worry me the most - it's the huge black hole within the very core of my being that consumes my ability to feel any normal emotion at all that scares me" It's not the feelings of anger or sadness that worry me the most - it's the huge black hole within the very core of my being that consumes my ability to feel any normal emotion at all that scares me. I've struggled with this for more than 10 years - two-thirds as long as I've been in the Air Force. At first I tried to "get over it" and get on with my life. After years of living in absolute misery, I finally sought professional help. I've been diagnosed as suffering from depression. It runs in my family much like diabetes or high blood pressure run in other families. And, just as if I were diabetic or had high blood pressure, I get professional help to stay alive, to stay (U.S. Air Force pholo) LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. - Gen. Donald Cook, commander of Air Education and Training Command,, and Bev Fraser pin the third star on her husband, Lt. Gen. William Fraser III, during a promotion ceremony at the officers' club Feb. 3. General Fraser took over as Air Combat Command's vice commander Feb. 6 and will serve as the command's acting commander. See PAIN page C Published for People Like... Airman 1st Class Sabrina Mandrell Unit: 388th Component Maintenance Squadron Job: Aerospace propulsion apprentice Time In Service: Eight months Most recent accomplishment: Graduated from the First Term Airmen's Center Goals: To become an officer If I could change one thing at Hill AFB, It would be: Better parking for flight line workers FigfitertmCountry Editorial .Stuff Col. Charlie Lyon Commander Capl. Monica Bland Chief. Pit hi if Affairs Aimum Sic Tunic Torres Editor The l-'iifhrtT Country K a supple men I to (he Hilltop Times, published hy M or Media. Inc.. a private firm in no way twitiv-cieii wuh ihc V.S Air l;orcv. wider exclusive written contract uith lit? Opden Air 1-ngistics Center Public AI fair* Office. Tlni nnluiti enicrpriw Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication lor members of the VS. military icrvicev Cnnienii of Fighter Country are nut necessarily the oll'icial views, of. cvr endorsed by. IIK- U.S. Government, (lie Department of IX'fcnse ur the fh'pannieiil of ilic Air Force. Unlc,* oihvrw KC indicital, all photo* are U.S. Air Forte photos. Advermenu'nis cnm.iltK-d Iwrcin do not LOIIMIIUIC endorsement by ilk; Department of Defense, the U.S. Air I-'iwee or Hill Al-li. E-Aeryihinp Jtlverti\«1 i* m-sil.ihk without rep.ud to r.Kc, color, religion, sex. or wrier nonment factor of the purcluwr. user or patron. The Fighter Ctiuntr\ i% edited, prepared and provided by itte .'SHtri Fighter Wmp Public Affairs Office, SS87 DAvc, Suuc H.MIillARl UT. 8-1056-5017. .Siory iubmiviioni for tic fighter Country can Ix- brought by the office, e-mailed to the editor J( fi ghtc r. count ryfa .hill.iif.mil orfjxed to 777-2923. Deadline for submissions lo Fighter Country is no laler than Monday, noon, two weeks; prior to publicjticni. For more information, call the public affairs office oi 777-3200. |