Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, along with Governor Rick Scott and members of the Florida Cabinet, signed a resolution declaring January 17-23, 2018 as “Florida Thrift Week.” Since 2012, when The James Madison Institute (JMI) first brought “Thrift Week” back to the state, this resolution has been signed to renew the teaching of thrift to all Floridians, with a focus on how to wisely earn, save, spend, and give one’s resources.
“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 thrift education movement began in 1916 during World War I. National Thrift Week became an annual celebration in honor of the birthday of Benjamin Franklin, America’s foremost thrift advocate.
“It’s important for Floridians to embrace the founding principles and timeless wisdom that our forefathers wove into the tapestry of the American Dream,” said JMI President and CEO Dr. Bob McClure. “Benjamin Franklin recognized that it is just as important for citizens to have economic independence, from the burdens debt and financial uncertainty, as it is to have political freedom if they wish to experience the reality of our nation’s dream.”
Throughout January, JMI will be sharing Benjamin Franklin’s thrift-related wisdom. At the month in celebration of thrift, JMI will visit area schools in North Florida with Lloyd Wheeler, an accomplished Ben Franklin reenactor, who will educate students in Benjamin Franklin’s timeless principles of thrift and economic freedom.
Florida Thrift Week
CFO Patronis Sponsors Resolution Recognizing Florida Thrift Week
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.
