in fact, today, more than a quarter of americans have no savings at all but derrick kilmer has been working to change that. >> the problem with not saving, it can often mean you're a crisis away from, as we've seen in some cases, living in your car or losing your home or having your lights shut off. >> reporter: as a washington state senator, kilmer sponsors legislation in 2011 to allow credit unions, which are regulated by the state to offer save to win. why isn't just the reward of compounding interest enough to make people save? i mean, why do you actually need to prize to get people to save? >> why do people play the lottery or gamble period? you know, it's with the hope of winning something more. there's a sense that this actually makes savings fun. >> reporter: as a full-time student studying to become an aircraft mechanic, saving isn't usually fun for crystal rose huddle son. she's paying for school on her own. >> the most i've ever had in my savings account now that i think about it is probably $500. >> reporter: cheryl hall is the ceo of express credit union. they are one of six un