IMPACT MATTERS

Utah Saves Week Encourages Utahns to Be Savers

Research shows that there are “savers” and there are “spenders” in all income classes. The goal of the Utah Saves campaign is to convince all Utahns, regardless of income level, that they can become savers and build wealth, reduce debt, and create lifelong financial security.

Utah Saves Week is designed to increase awareness of this campaign. The week is February 25 through March 1. Statewide workshops, events and activities will help educate Utahns about the importance of saving money and encourage financial action. During Utah Saves Week, there will also be opportunities to enroll as a Utah Saver. Zion’s Bank is offering special rates on new savings accounts. AAA Fair Credit Foundation offers credit counseling, financial education, debt management and will be conducting classes during Utah Saves Week. For more information about Utah Saves Week visit the Utah Saves Web site: www.utahsaves.org.

Through the Utah Saves Web site, Utah Saves Week, and the many support services provided,, the campaign hopes to teach participants the importance and benefits of:

• Buying a home and paying off the mortgage before retiring.
• Taking full advantage of any employer-related retirement program.
• Contributing regularly to an IRA.
• Planning and saving for the costs of higher education.
• Maintaining liquid savings for emergencies.

The Utah Saves campaign, in conjunction with Utah Saves Week, integrates and centralizes many great financial education and wealth-building programs. It provides specific tools and information that complement existing programs to help savers reach their goals. In fact, participants in Utah Saves can receive:

• Fee-free savings accounts at 12 area financial institutions.
• Free one-on-one planning sessions.
• Membership in savings clubs.
• Connection to asset building programs and financial education available in the community.
• Invitations to quarterly Saver events, wealth-building workshops, and how-to seminars.
• A monthly newsletter with savings tips and strategies.
• Help through the Utah Saves Moneyline: 1-800-350-9899. Available Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. and on Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Savers can call with any financial question, seek referrals to additional resources, or to enroll in Utah Saves.

The Utah Saves Web site is an amazing resource. It features savings tips and strategies for: buying a car, saving at work, saving for emergencies, saving and investing, saving for a home and getting out of debt.

What’s more, the Web site’s Personal Wealth Estimator helps participants establish their current financial condition and estimate future wealth, based upon variables such as the growth of financial assets, debt, and income.

Want to help the employees at your business become savers? You can join the Utah Saves campaign by establishing a Utah Saves site at your place of employment or organization. For more information, call 2-1-1 or 1-800-350-9899 or e-mail info@utahsaves.org.

Utah Saves is directed and supported by a broad-based coalition of community partners bringing their talent, energy, influence, and resources to empower all Utahns to build lifelong financial security. Everyone is invited to take part: nonprofits, financial institutions, credit counseling organizations, employers, government agencies and faith-based groups.

Founding partners represent every county in the state of Utah, and include: 2-1-1 Info Bank, AAA Fair Credit Foundation, Utah Community Action Partnership Association, Utah State University Extension, and United Ways of Utah. Utah Saves is paid for in part by two generous grants from Intermountain Healthcare and the Kem C. and Carolyn Gardner Family.