Thank you to America Saves for giving me this opportunity to participate and talk about America Saves Week. I’m proud to say that Washington is a leader in financial education and asset building. For the fourth year in a row Governor Gregoire issued a proclamation declaring Feb. 20‐27th Washington Saves Week.
My job as State Treasurer is to be fiscally responsible with state dollars so that we can make sound investments for the future and not incur more debt than we can afford. We need to save today for investments we want to make in the future; whether it is for college education, buying a new home or retirement. You don’t have to make a lot of money to have the ability to save. When they sit down and do their budgets, families can, in effect, pay themselves first. Saving five dollars a week over time can help provide the financial security needed for the future.
My office is committed to providing avenues for financial education, asset building, and pathways to saving. We are actively involved in Washington Saves week, Money Smart Week and Bank on Washington efforts; and we are working with the Department of Financial Institutions and Jump$tart to provide the financial education and other resources needed to help Washington families “Build Wealth, Not Debt.”