Experts to provide free financial education Published March 17, 2017 By Amy Rollins Skywrighter Staff WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- A free Heroes at Home Financial Education event scheduled for March 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. will provide information on ways to pay off debt, build savings and get more for less. Hosted by the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Airman & Family Readiness Center, the USAA-approved program for military families, civilians and retirees will be held at the Base Theater, Bldg. 1239, Kittyhawk Center, Area A. The event will feature Ellie Kay, a nationally recognized family financial expert who has worked for 25 years with numerous Fortune 500 companies and has presented her program at dozens of military bases in five countries. She will be accompanied by several other speakers who will discuss developing a spending plan, learning how to talk about money with a significant other, buying a car, improving a credit score and planning for retirement. Emcee Bethany Bay-less will hold a simultaneous “Twitter party” during the event, Kay said. Bayless will impart tips aimed at millennials, including the latest apps and the newest ways to save money on entertainment and travel. Kay and Bayless will be joined by Ron Griffin with Experian and JJ Montanaro with USAA. There will be information applicable to anyone who attends, Kay stressed. “While we’re targeting the military audience and the military community for the purposes of military readiness, we’re giving something for civilians, retired veterans and spouses as well,” Kay said. Information will be presented in a variety of engaging ways so no matter someone’s learning style, they will leave smarter than when they arrived, she said. Handouts will be provided, and dozens of Kay’s books – she has published 15 – and other items will serve as door prizes. Kay understands the demands of the military lifestyle. She is the daughter of a retired chief master sergeant, wife of a career military officer and the mother/stepmother of seven millennial-age adult children. Three are currently serving in the military, including one in the Air Force. At one time they were $40,000 in consumer debt, then learned how to dig out of debt and began to pay cash for cars, fund college investments, take debt-free family vacations and live a comfortable lifestyle. “I’ve been able to take our problems – our challenges – and the fact that at one time we had all our credit cards charged to the hilt and didn’t have enough money for food, and we turned that around. We have lived it,” she said. Kay added her concern for members in the military community who must have healthy finances for security clearance. “You cannot hold a top secret clearance if you don’t have your money in order,” she said. “We tell the young Airmen in training ... of the importance of taking care of their finances if they want to continue to serve in the military.” Kay has received positive feedback from previous presentations, she said. “One of the things we consistently hear from audience members is that they have learned something and they are going to take action,” Kay said. “That is the most gratifying part of what we do – not only have people heard the information, but they’re planning to act on it.” She gave the example of a young Airman who told her he had planned to buy a vehicle using the largest loan he could obtain, then thought about Kay’s tips and purchased a much less expensive one so he could pay it off more quickly. She also heard from a family who attended her financial event two years in a row and bought a house after the first event because they had implemented her tips, they told her. The final segment of the event will explore the top 10 characteristics of a hero at home. Kay will discuss how to manage relationships while separated, raise successful kids while in the military, and maintain a sense of humor in the midst of challenge. The event will conclude with a 30-minute meet and greet and autograph session. For more information, contact the A&FRC at 937-257-3592.