Kentucky Saves is led by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service as part of the national America Saves campaign. The initiative, which culminates during  Kentucky Saves Week the last week of February, encourages individuals and families to save money and build personal wealth. 

Research suggests that those who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them. The Kentucky Saves Pledge is a tool to help consumers visualize their goals by writing down what they’re saving for and how much they plan to save. The Meade County Cooperative Extension office challenged consumers to take the Kentucky Saves Pledge and make a personal commitment to save.

Meade County had 82 consumers who pledged to save a total of $86,082 over the next 16 months or less. Monthly savings pledges ranged from $1 to $1,000. The average savings goal was about 12 months, and participants pledged an average monthly savings of $124.88. Most are saving for general savings (29%) or emergency fund (28%). Others are saving for a vacation or special event (16%), homeownership (11%), debt repayment (7%), education (5%), retirement or long-term investment (3%), or large purchase (1%).

Meade County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent Jennifer Bridge said the number of Meade County savers who signed up can be attributed to a multi-faceted approach. Bridge shared information about the pledge in her FCS Newsletter in late January/early February, which reached more than 900 people. She also created 85 Extension Program to Go bags on financial management to promote Kentucky Saves Week. The bags included publications on money management, a list of upcoming classes, and UK Extension branded coin keepers. 

Research shows that sharing goals can help consumers stay on target toward success. Another benefit of the Kentucky Saves Pledge is that those who sign up can choose to become a part of national America Saves campaign’s community of savers to receive email or text reminders and resources. Three of Meade’s savers opted to receive text reminders, and all have access to resources online.