MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Ward
The check “float” at the BX/PX is going the way of rotary phones and dot matrix printers as the Army & Air Force Exchange Service converts to a paper check conversion (PCC) system this year.
“PCC scans and instantly converts paper checks into electronic debits to the check writer’s account,” said Chief Financial Officer Harold Lavender. “This technology has been operational in contingency locations for roughly ten years now and commercial industry for about five; it’s an extremely efficient system.”
Rollout of the PCC program will begin in AAFES CONUS locations on March 7 and will be totally implemented in all facilities by June 6. Concurrent rollouts of Pacific and European exchanges will begin early April with complete implementation by June 6.
In the spirit of being a part of the online military community, this blog will spread the word about other military family inspired programs and initiatives.
The SpouseBUZZ crew is getting ready to hit the road for our 2010 tour, and they couldn’t be more excited about it!
Tour dates and locations are as follows:
- March 20: Fort Hood, Texas
- May 1: Nellis AFB (Las Vegas, Nevada)
- October 2: Mountain Home AFB (Idaho)
- November 8: Ft. Shafter (Honolulu, Hawaii)
The SpouseBUZZ LIVE program has been revamped and includes some fun, new surprises yet it will still retain its famous interactive format. We hope to see you and all of your friends at one of the above locations this year.
Every year SpouseBUZZ LIVE brings hundreds of military spouses together to celebrate the women and men who serve on the homefront. The conferences include:
A team from AAFES will be exhibiting at all four events. Look for us there!
We’re starting a new series on the blog all about parenting, called Mommy Babble. We’ll bring you tips and information on different topics of interest. I’m super excited about these posts, as I am a mom of two.
You’ve had a baby and now you’re ready to put your running shoes back on and hit the road but just then, a thought occurs to you. Why not bring along the little one as you enjoy the great outdoors?
Children as young as three months old have been shown to enjoy an outing in a jogging stroller, however a child should be able to fully support their own head before starting this activity. Besides running, a benefit of most jogging strollers over traditional strollers is their suitability to many terrains.
Prior to beginning, check with your pediatrician and get the green light to begin a running program with your new tiny running partner. Once you’re clear consider the following before running out to get a new jogging stroller.
1. Child Safety. First and foremost, a baby jogger should include a five-point harness to keep the child safely secure inside the stroller seat.
2. Breaks. The jogger should have a reliable breaking system and as a backup precaution, many models even include a safety leash just in case of break failure or “runaway strollers” on a steep downhill.
3. Construction. Check the stroller for loose nuts and bolts and shake it to see if the mechanics are well designed. Your stroller should make you feel confident that it has been well constructed and will keep your child safe.
4. Weight. All of the strollers are relatively heavy averaging about 20 lbs or 9 kilos. Add the weight of the child and any gear you may be bringing on your run, and you’ve got a sizeable load. Check the carrying capacity of the stroller to ensure that your child will be safely supported, as they grow heavier, but go for the lighter models if possible.
5. Storage. Remember, a jogging stroller will not replace your lightweight everyday stroller! You may decide you need a quick release model that folds up quickly and takes up precious little closet space or you may opt for a sportier model with a cotter-pin release and larger wheels that requires more storage room. Think about how much space you have in your home and car before making your purchase.
6. Carrying capacity. Consider the weight and age of your child when selecting a model. Does the stroller have enough space for your other gear? Is there room for water bottles, diapers, extra blankets, etc. that you may want before, during or after your run?
Finally, don’t forget to maintain your stroller like any other piece of sporting equipment.
- Keep the wheels inflated
- Check the brakes periodically
- Every so often, lift the stroller up and shake it to see if things are moving around, then tighten the loose nuts and bolts on the stroller
(Image courtesy gabi_menashe)
From the Military Saves website:
What is Military Saves?
Military Saves is a social marketing campaign to persuade, motivate, and encourage military families to save money every month, and to convince leaders and organizations to be aggressive in promoting automatic savings. The campaign is a growing network of organizations and individuals committed to helping and supporting military members and their loved ones build personal savings arsenals to provide for their immediate and long term financial needs.
Military Saves was developed and tested by its non-profit sponsor, Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and the military services from 2003 to 2006 and launched throughout the Department of Defense (DoD) on February 25, 2007. It is part of two larger campaigns — the DoD Financial Readiness Campaign, and the national America Saves campaign.
There’s a place for everyone in Military Saves…If you need more financial security, join for encouragement, support and knowledge because worrying about money is just no fun. Or if you’re already set for life, help your neighbors by promoting the campaign.
The campaign will get kicked off next week with Military Saves week, 21-28 February. Each quarter of the year will have a different theme, starting with saving and Investing for 1st quarter. Military Youth is the theme for second quarter, debt reduction for third and retirement for fourth.
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