N.C. State Treasurer

Janet Cowell, North Carolina State treasurer, speaks to Airmen from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., about the importance of financial knowledge during a Financial Fair Feb. 12, 2010. Before Cowell became the first female treasurer of N.C., she served as a member of the North Carolina Senate. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Whitney Lambert)

N.C. State Treasurer

David Fox, North Carolina Department of Justice military liaison consumer protection, speaks to Janet Cowell, North Carolina State treasurer, during a financial Fair on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Feb. 12, 2010. Fox and Cowell discussed the importance of monitoring finances and identity protection. Federal identity theft convictions increased 26 percent in 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Whitney Lambert)

N.C. State Treasurer

Airmen log onto militarysaves.org during a Financial Fair on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base N.C., Feb. 12, 2010. At the website the Airmen pledged to save or invest their money throughout the year. Making a pledge, they are entered into a drawing for a money tree. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Whitney Lambert)

N.C. State Treasurer

Senior Airman Lee Mathews, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron lead firefighter, talks to Nakeea Hieke, Bank of America senior personal banker, about the benefits of having a checking and savings account during a Financial Fair on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base N.C., Feb. 12, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Whitney Lambert)

NC treasurer opens SJ financial fair

Published Feb. 17, 2010
By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The North Carolina State treasurer provided opening comments during the Airman & Family Readiness Center's annual financial fair here Feb. 12.

Janet Cowell, the state's first female treasurer, talked to the Seymour Johnson community about financial responsibility, income tax returns and debt counseling.

"I have to manage my money just like you do," she told the crowded room, despite the fact she is responsible for the state's $67 billion pension fund.

The fair provided an early launch for Military Saves Week which runs Feb. 21-28. It also featured several financial experts from various local institutions to help Airmen and civilians gain insight on services ranging from simple savings accounts to retirement investing.

Cowell is an advocate of financial literacy and events designed to increase people's financial knowledge.

"I care about financial literacy for everyone in North Carolina," Cowell said. Her office staff directs people toward financial resources and educates them about their availability.

Despite the free financial services available to Airmen through the A&FRC, Cowell recognizes the challenges that come with flexing paychecks due to deployments and permanent change of station moves.

"I think military service is a pretty stressful job in many ways," she said. "We want to make sure you are able to complete your service, focus on the mission and not have to worry about your finances. In a world where credit has been pretty easy to get, it is very easy to get in trouble with debt and very hard to get out of it. Even someone who is employed and has a paycheck through the military can quickly find themselves in over their head."

Cowell encourages those who find themselves in this situation to seek assistance from a financial consular.

"I think there are good free services (out there), particularly if you are a military member," she said. "You can utilize the experts on how to best mange debt and how to best control your monthly expenses so you can meet your goals -- get professional advice."

For more information about financial readiness or set-up a counseling session, visit or call the A&FRC at 722-1123. For information about the North Carolina treasurer's office, visit http://www.nctreasurer.com/dsthome.