America Saves Week is Feb. 23 to March 1. University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service is encouraging people to save money for their financial security and this week we’ll tell you how.

First, to get involved with America Saves Week participate on Facebook and Twitter. Check out the main Extension pages (https://www.facebook.com/AlaskaExtension and https://twitter.com/UAFExtension). We will be sharing saving tips all week so check back daily.

Additionally there is a drawing for a $200 savings account. To be entered in the drawing simply fill out the form found at http://www.uaf.edu/ces/americasaves.

On this site we are asking people to tell us what they are saving for whether it is college, retirement, a car, or something for the home just to name a few ideas. Using the poster on the website people can take a picture of their poster or with their poster, and submit it to our facebook page. You do not need to do this to be entered in the drawing, it is simply a way to share what people are saving for and to participate in America Saves Week.

Here is one savings tip. If you save $10 a week, over the course of a year it adds up to over $500. Consider giving up a purchase each day and saving that money. It might be a soda ($450 a year), latte ($1,387) or lunch one day a week ($520). Cutting out any one of these expenses and putting the equivalent amount in a savings account will get you a long way toward reaching your savings goals.

Get saving Kenai Peninsula!

Submitted by Linda Tannehill, UAF Cooperative Extension Service, Health, Home and Family Development, Kenai Peninsula District.