TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis along with Governor Rick Scott and members of the Florida Cabinet today signed a resolution declaring January 14-20, 2018 as “Florida Thrift Week.” The resolution was done in partnership with the James Madison Institute (JMI), a Florida-based research and educational organization with the mission of keeping Floridians informed about their government, to renew the study and teaching of thrift to Floridians.

“Fifty percent of Americans lack a rainy-day fund and nearly 20 percent spend more than their income,” said CFO Jimmy Patronis. “The importance of saving money is deeply rooted in American history and I am proud to sponsor a resolution that renews this historic educational movement. I encourage Floridians to practice thrift each day and strive for financial success.” 

The Department of Financial Services has a selection of financial education programs developed to help Florida’s consumers build financial independence. The most recent financial literacy program, Finance Your Future, is a free, interactive online course designed to educate Florida’s middle and high school students to use core money management concepts. The Department recently launched the Finance Your Future app. It is free and available for download in the Apple and Google Play stores.

In addition, JMI offers a free curriculum guide, “All About the Benjamins: Understanding the Value of Thrift”, that has been used extensively in Florida high schools to teach students about the importance of thrift and other American values.

“National Thrift Week” was first observed January 17, 1916. The YMCA hosted the event on Benjamin Franklin’s 210th birthday to honor his devotion to promoting one of the oldest American values - thrift.  Considered as a true thrift advocate, Benjamin Franklin believed in the American people’s ability to collectively achieve financial independence through hard work, frugality and generosity.