By: jackie.sauter

These days it seems like every ethnicity, race, effort and disease has its own day, week or month to remind Americans to celebrate these various things during their designated time.

With all of the other deserved items we observe in February — Black History Month, American Heart Month and American History Month — and not so worthy — International Friendship Month or National Embroidery Month — you may have overlooked that we just entered into America Saves Week, which runs through March 1.

I understand the importance of highlighting each culture or educating folks about cardiovascular diseases, the nation’s No. 1 killer, but picking a week to remind people to save their money seems slightly ridiculous.

If people are only reminded to save their money during this week each year, will that really translate into the “financial cushion” that the Independent Community Bankers of America says every American needs?

Don’t get me wrong, the idea that Americans need to put money away to prepare for tough times or save for college tuition is right on, it just seems that the sentiment behind America Saves Week might be better for Americans if it lasted long enough for anyone to take notice.

DANIELLE ULMAN, Business Writer