Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life

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Love to Hit the Slopes? All About the Epic Military Pass

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Love to Hit the Slopes? All About the Epic Military Pass

Do you love skiing or snowboarding? If so, you need to check out the Epic Military Pass. It’s quite a military discount and will allow you to save on sking and snowboarding all season long.

What is the Epic Pass?

The Epic Pass is a ski resort pass for the entire season. The pass gives you access to a big network of ski resorts across the US as well as a few international locations. Vail Resorts offers this pass.

The Epic Pass includes: Vail, CO, Beaver Creek, CO, Breckenridge, CO, Keystone, CO, Crested Butte, CO, Park City, UT, Heavenly, CA/NV, Northstar, CA, Kirkwood, CA, Stevens Pass, WA, Whistler Blackcomb, BC, Stowe, VT, Okemo, VT, Mount Sunapee, NH, Mount Snow, VT, Attitash Mountain Resort, NH, Wildcat Mountain, NH, Crotched Mountain, NH, Hunter Mountain, NY, Liberty Mountain Resort, PA, Roundtop Mountain Resort, PA, Whitetail Resort, PA, Jack Frost, PA, Big Boulder, PA, Seven Springs, PA, Laurel Mountain, PA, Hidden Valley, PA, Afton Alps, MN, Mt Brighton, MI, Wilmot, WI, Alpine Valley, OH, Boston Mills, OH, Brandywine, OH, Mad River Mountain, OH, Hidden Valley, MO, Snow Creek, MO, Paoli Peaks, IN, Europe: Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis, Crans-Montana, Australia: Perisher – 2026 Access, Falls Creek – 2026 Access, Hotham – 2026 Access.

History of the Epic Pass

Back in 1957, Pete Seibert, who had served in the 10th Mountain Division during World War II, and Earl Eaton, who had served as an Army engineer, returned to the same mountains where they had trained during the war. They came back with a new mission: “to create the most beloved mountain resorts in the world.”

In 1962, Vail Mountain opened with two chairlifts and one gondola. It would later become Vail Resorts.

The Epic Pass was launched in 2008, and the Epic Military Pass was introduced in 2018.

What are the Different Epic Pass Options?

There are several different Epic Military Passes depending on your military status. Keep in mind that the regular Epic Pass is $1,051 for adults and $537 for children for the 2025/2026 season.

With the pass, you will also receive 20% off food, lodging, group lessons, rentals, and more. Plus, discounted tickets for your friends and family.

Active duty military, active duty dependents, both adult and children, retired military, and dependents, adult and children: $185! What a deal!

Military veterans as well as dependents: Adults: $601, Children 5-17: $321

The Liberty Pass gives you unlimited access to ski and ride Keystone all season and also includes the 20% off food, lodging, group lessons, rentals, and more. It is for active duty personnel, retirees, veterans, and their dependents. Adults: $321, Children (5-17): $225.

You will need to verify your military service during the checkout process. Visit the Epic Military Pass page for more information.

Love to Hit the Slopes? All About the Epic Military Pass

To the Seasoned Military Spouse

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the seasoned spouse

The truth is, you might be a seasoned military spouse, you might have advice to offer and you have definitely been there before, but you are also a human being.

You have done this before, deployments aren’t a new thing, and you feel like you have to be strong, for all the new military spouses around you.

But the reality is, after the FRG meeting is over, after you get home and crawl into bed, your heart still worries over this upcoming deployment. You wonder how you will get through another nine months apart. You wonder if this will be the deployment something bad happens, how many times can someone go over there and come back the same?

Just Because You Are a Seasoned Military Spouse…

Even as a seasoned military spouse, you have the right to miss your spouse too.

You have the right to not have all the answers.

You have the right to be the one that needs the shoulder to cry on instead of the other way around.

No Matter How Long You Have Been A Military Spouse

Because no matter how long you have been a military spouse, no matter how long you have lived a military life, you might never be fully prepared for your own emotions during the difficult parts.

As a seasoned spouse, you know that you can’t spend the whole deployment complaining, but it is okay to share with your close friends that you are having a hard time.

As a seasoned spouse, you probably look back on everything you have been through and wonder how you got to where you are today. You remember when you were the brand new spouse, walking onto your very first military installation, unsure of what the future held.

Looking for Deployment Advice?:

19 Solo Parenting Hacks to Use the Next Time Your Spouse Deploys

Sharing Your Personal Story is Important

As a seasoned spouse, you know you can help other military spouses and sharing your personal story can help them more than you might realize.

I know for myself, I have always looked at those who have been doing this longer than I have, and have been able to learn what worked for them, and even what didn’t.

There is this idea that in order to support your military service member you have to appear as an unmovable tower of strength. And maybe you don’t always feel like you are. Maybe you too need some encouragement.

It’s Okay to Ask For Help

So, to the seasoned military spouse, know that you have a lot to offer but you can also be the one asking for help. You can be the one that needs to vent, and you can be the one that just needs a night off from the stress.

The military changes over time and what things were like in 1999 were different than in 2009 and different even more here in 2019.

You might start to feel that what worked for you 10 years ago won’t work again now, and maybe that is true. However, you are resilient and you will find ways to cope, even if this new age of the military.

Be kind to yourself, take breaks when you can, and know that you can get through this too. Learn your strengths and be aware of your weaknesses. Reach out to others for help, and help those around you that might need that little extra support.

Do you consider yourself a seasoned military spouse?

To the Seasoned Military Spouse

Living the Crazy Military Spouse Life, One Day at a Time

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Living the Crazy Military Spouse Life, One Day at a Time

I can’t help but look back over the years as a military spouse and think about the people I’ve met. How some of them have this military life down pat, and others struggle a little bit more. My heart is with the military community and will always be, no matter how many years take me away from my personal experience with this life.

From when their spouse first leaves for boot camp until they try to make their way through the transition back to civilian life, we military spouses have to go through situations that others do not.

We put our spouse on an airplane and send them off to one of the most dangerous places in the world. We do this, holding the hands of our children who don’t quite understand why Daddy or Mommy has to be away for so long. We do this knowing they have a dangerous job and they might not come back. We do this because deep down we know that support our spouse is what we must do, through this crazy military life.

We, military spouses, make friends with people from all over the country and the world. We might be coming from different places with different backgrounds but we have one thing in common, the love of our service member and the desire to support them throughout their career. I might have grown up in California and you might have grown up in Alaska but we can bond over our love of books and the craziness of raising children in the military world.

We, military spouses, might have to move to the middle of nowhere, away from anything we have ever known.

We might have to give up our own career, even if just for a few years. We might feel a bit lost not knowing what we should be focusing on during this time of our lives. But this just gives us a reason to think outside the box and figure out a way to make our dreams come true, even within the military lifestyle.

We, military spouses, have to learn how to adjust even when we really don’t want to. We might love where we are stationed and then one day our spouse comes home and tells us we are moving to the other side of the country, in a place we never wanted to go. We have to bloom where we are stationed but sometimes that is easier than others, especially if there is a beach nearby.

Living the Crazy Military Spouse Life, One Day at a Time

We, military spouses, get to go places and see things we would never have had our spouse never joined the military.

I have a child that was born in Germany! Another country! Sometimes I think about that and take a step back in this crazy life that we made just because of my husband enlisted one day in 2005.

We, military spouses, have seen hardships. We have seen friends lose their husbands, either to war or years later to something else. We have seen marriages that seemed so strong fall apart.

We, military spouses, have seen our own husbands act differently than we ever thought they would. The fact is, war changes people and when your husband has been to war, he will change. Some service members handle these changes better than others. Some don’t handle them at all.

And yet, the military spouse tries her best to support her spouse through everything, even as things do not go as planned.

When I meet new military spouses, I want to hug them. And I am not a big hugger. I want to let them know that this life they started is going to be a crazy one but in a lot of ways, it will also be a good one.

They might not be the same person five or ten years from now but because of this crazy military life they will grow and will most likely become a better person through everything they have to deal with. That this military life will not always be easy, that they might cry a lot and that friends will come and go. That their faith will be shaken and made stronger. That their ideas about marriage and even motherhood will be shaken to the core.

Living the Crazy Military Spouse Life, One Day at a Time

If you are a new military spouse, know that you are now a part of a strong community that wants to help you through what you will encounter in the years to come. If you are not such a new military spouse, know that what you have been through has made you stronger and will allow you to help others in the future. Don’t be afraid to share your stories and your experiences, they can help.

Living the Crazy Military Spouse Life, One Day at a Time

As you are living your military spouse life, take it one day at a time if you need to. And remember, you are stronger than you think.

9 Ways To Save Money On A Super Tight Budget

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9 Ways to Stretch Your Budget When Money’s Really Tight

There are many reasons why a military family could be on a tight budget. They could be saving for a PCS, paying off debt, or simply hit by the economy, where everything seems to be going up in price.

There could be times during military life when you need a super tight budget and when you can spend a bit more. Whatever the reasons, there are things you can do to help you save money, not overspend, and be able to stick to your budget.

Here are 9 ideas for saving money on a tight budget:

Cut Down On Eating Out

Eating out will get you. We are a family of five, and sometimes even fast food costs between $50 and $60. Yikes! If you do this too many times a month, it can add up. If you go out to eat, try to find coupons and use your military discount. Look for kids eat free nights, and be smart about what you order. Try to look at eating out as a treat, not an everyday thing.

Use Coupons

If you don’t already coupon, you should. There are many different ways to do so, from clipping the coupons that come in the mail to using an app like Ibotta. You should also do your research about whether the Commissary is truly cheaper than another grocery store in your area. Sometimes it’s not.

Meet friends for coffee

Going out to lunch or dinner with friends can sometimes cost a pretty penny. If you meet for coffee, you can spend a lot less and still have a good time. And if you have kids, look for coffee shops near a playground. We have a few here at Fort Campbell that have been lifesavers for me over the years.

Shop thrift stores

Thrift stores can be fantastic places for finding deals, whether it is clothes that you know your kids are going to grow out of in less than a year or replacement dishes for your kitchen. Some thrift stores have days when specific items are on sale or when they offer certain discounts. Make sure to check to see if you have an on-post thrift store, too.

Find free events

Almost every community will have something free for you to do every weekend. You just have to look for what they are. You can search for events by city, topic, and date on Facebook. If you want to do something fun with your family, look and see what is going on and what you might want to do. You can have a lot of fun at free events and save money by going to them.

Cut Your Bills

Do you have many unnecessary subscriptions? It’s time to audit them and only keep the ones you really want. Check your other bills to see if you can lower them. Even $50-100 a month can make a difference.

Simply Say No

Saying no is powerful. You don’t have to say yes to everything. I know this is hard for some, but if you can say no sometimes, you will save yourself some stress and some money.

If someone invites you and your kids out to a movie and you don’t want to see it, say no. You could invite the friends over for a playdate instead. Don’t feel like you have to say yes to everything, especially when the more you say yes to the more money you will spend.

DIY vs Hiring Someone

If you can do a DIY project instead of hiring someone, do it. There is a lot of advice and ideas out there for learning how to do things around your home. Check out YouTube and Pinterest for ideas.

Use your library

With a good library, you never really have to buy books. You can get paperback and hardback books, as well as Kindle and audiobooks, using apps like the Libby app. Check with your library to see what they offer. In addition to books, your library might have a lot of community events going on such as movie nights, or even classes.

What creative ways have you been able to cut back on your spending and save money when you are on a tighter budget?

Alaska Airlines Military Discount: What You Need to Know

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What you need to know about the Alaska Airlines Military Discount...

What you need to know about the Alaska Airlines Military Discount…

Most airlines offer a discount of some kind to military members. But they all differ, from offering free bags to discounts on tickets. If you are planning a trip or just want to know, here is what Alaska Airlines offers service members and their families as a military discount.

What is the Alaska Airlines military discount?

  • Alaska Airlines offers military fares to active duty members with valid IDs, their accompanying spouses and dependent children in specific markets.
  • You do have to call 1-800-252-7522 to get this discount. You can not get it online.
  • Service members must be:
    • Traveling on an official excused absence
    • Discharged from active duty military service in any one of the US military agencies (Discharged military personnel must complete all travel within 7 days of discharge.)
    • Military reserves on active duty
  • Immediate family members of US active duty military personnel must be:
    • Spouse/dependents 10 or older with dependent ID
    • Children (aged 2-9) of active duty US military personnel

Make sure to visit the Alaska Airlines Website for the most updated information!

What else does Alaska Airlines offer the military?

  • Complementary Alaska Lounge day passes are available for current active duty personnel traveling on official government-sponsored travel booked through SATO and departing within three hours. All others can get a day pass at the discounted rate of $30.
  • 15% discount on food during the flight.
  • Current service members can board the plane early.
  • Trained service animals travel free with proper documentation.
  • Save 5% off airline tickets with WeSalute.

Does Alaska Airlines Offer Free Bags?

Yes, current service members and their accompanying spouse and children may check two standard checked bags free of charge.

What is the History of Alaska Airlines?

Alaska Airlines dates back to the 1930s when two companies started flying in Anchorage. McGee Airways and Star Air Service. In 1935, the owner of McGee Airways, Mac McGee, sold his airline assets to Star Air Service. Many other carriers merged with it, and in 1944, it became Alaska Airlines. In 1948, Alaska Airlines was a part of the Berlin Airlift. Then, in 1949, Operation Magic Carpet. Today, you can find their headquarters in SeaTac, Washington.

What you need to know about the Alaska Airlines Military Discount...

How Military Spouses Can Chase Their Dreams During Military Life

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How Military Spouses Can Chase Their Dreams During Military Life

One of the hot topics in the military spouse world is how we, as military spouses, can chase our dreams during the craziness of military life. There is always a reason not to move forward, and there always seem to be obstacles in our way. But does it have to be this way?

Here are a few things you can do to still chase your dreams as a military spouse:

Go to School

Going to school is something you can do to further your own career. You can go back to school, and finish a degree you have already started. You can look to get another degree or to start college in the first place. You have a lot of options for what you can do to further your education.

Sit down and think about what you would want to do. Look at the different programs that are out there and figure out what will work for you. Take the first step and look into applying to get started. You will be glad that you did.

Write a Book

Do you know much about a topic you want to share with the world? Are you a fiction writer, ready to start putting your stories down on paper? Maybe now is the time for you to write your book. If nothing else, get your ideas out on paper and see where that leads.

These days, you don’t have to go with a traditional publisher. Many writers self-publish their own Ebooks, and that can be an option for you. Do your research on writing a book and follow your book writing dream.

Start a Business

Military spouses love to start businesses. There are different ways to do this too. You can join a direct sales business and skip some of the steps to get started. You might be a creator and can start to sell your own homemade products. For some, selling advice or career help can be a way to get going on a business.

There are so many options these days, and you are not limited by what is available locally. The whole internet is at your fingertips. Military spouses are rocking it as successful entrepreneurs and that might be the right direction for you too.

Find a new job

Maybe you are a SAHM or maybe you are in a job you are not too excited about. Finding a new job could be the answer. You can find a job that will get you closer to where you want to be in the long term.

How Military Spouses Can Chase Their Dreams During Military Life

For example, if you are good at managing your money, you might consider a career as a financial advisor. First Command explains a bit why in this article.

Don’t get discouraged about finding a job and keep looking until you find something. Sometimes this might mean thinking outside the box. You might not always end up with your dream job, your current duty station could make that impossible, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find something that will work for the current season of your life.

Sign-up for LinkedIn

LinkedIn is more than just a place to search for jobs. LinkedIn is filled with networking opportunities. You never know who you might connect with or what that relationship will lead to.

Volunteer

There are always plenty of volunteer opportunities in your community. Some might be on base or post, and some might be off. If you want to work on a particular career in the future, look at what you can do that is similar or will help you later on. Volunteer work can look excellent on a resume and can fill in gaps if you are unable to find another type of job.

Whatever you decide to do, remember, your dreams are important too. While there could be certain circumstances when you can’t do exactly what you want to do for your career or your future during certain seasons of life, that does not mean this will be the case forever. Don’t be afraid to dream big, know that you can follow your own heart, and figure out how to make things work during your spouse’s military career.

How have you worked on your own career during your time as a military spouse?

Cicis Pizza Military Discount For Your Next Night Out

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Cicis Pizza Military Discount For Your Next Night Out

If you are in the middle of a deployment, don’t want to cook dinner, and need an easy place to take the kids, try Cicis Pizza. They offer a pizza buffet with chicken wings, pasta, salads, and soups. You can also find dessert. And it is all you can eat!

They also offer a Game Zone, a fun arcade for the kids, and a break for mom. They can be a great place to have a low-cost birthday party! We had my youngest son’s 7th birthday party there. And all-you-can-eat pizza? Kids will love that!

Cici’s also has a military discount to save a little on dinner.

What is the history of Cicis Pizza?

Cici’s Pizza, or Cicis, which it is now called, was opened in 1985 in Plano, Texas. Although we do call it Cici’s Pizza, in 2015, they dropped the “pizza” and became just Cicis. They also promoted “Beyond Pizza” to show they have more than just pizza. Today, they operate more than 300 restaurants in the United States.

What is the Cicis Pizza military discount?

Cicis offers a military discount, but since most of its restaurants are individually owned, the discount could differ depending on where you are. Make sure to ask at your local Cicis.

Many different restaurants offer military discounts. If you are unsure if the one you are at does, politely ask. Sometimes, only certain ones do, even within the same chain. You can find military discounts at places like Outback, Chuck E Cheese, and Hard Rock Cafe.

Soldier’s Wife, Crazy Life is looking for guest posts! ✍️ Have something interesting you want to write about the military spouse community? 🌻 Have advice for new military spouses? 🌸 Want to share about your duty station? 🏡

If so…head on over to my Soldier’s Wife, Crazy Life Guest Post Form to get started.

5 Truths About Finding Community When You Feel Alone

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5 Truths About Finding Community When You Feel Alone

Moving every few years means you have to find a new friend base every few years, which can be complicated. You can and should keep in touch with friends across the miles. These friends might live in your phone the rest of your life, but those relationships are important. However, finding your people where you live is important too.

But getting out there, getting rejected, or feeling like you might be alone can make finding friends more difficult. The truth is, finding your people isn’t always easy. Sometimes, it can take a lot of time and work, and that can be emotionally exhausting.

Here are some truths about finding community when you do feel alone:

It won’t look the same every time

At some duty stations, you might find your people right away. Only to move and have it take forever to do the same somewhere else. This is just how life works. Don’t give up hope if it is harder than it used to be. Your people are still out there.

You’re allowed to grieve your last community

Leaving a community you love is disappointing, and it’s okay to grieve that. You don’t want to let it keep you from trying in your new home, but it is okay to be sad about having to move away from it.

You might have to make the first move

I know, I know. This is the hard part. But you might have to make the first move with a potential new friendship. You may need to reach out and ask if you want to meet for coffee, a playdate, or even a night out without the kids. This can be hard to do, but it can also be the opening to a wonderful friendship.

Friendships for a season

Some friendships might be for a season. What happens if you meet someone with only a few months left at your new duty station? They can still be worth friending even if you won’t live in the same place for long. Making friends can lead to other friends and connections. And even just a few months is enough time to make fun memories.

People are always coming and going in the military community, so don’t shy away from meeting people who might not physically be around for long. You can still keep in touch, and you might be surprised by how your friendship can develop, even across the miles.

You are worthy of friendship, no matter who you are

You are worthy of finding friends, your people, and your community. You won’t always connect with everyone, and that’s okay. You may have to put yourself out there more than you want to, but finding those people can all be worth it.

Military life is hard, and being able to do it with people by your side makes it all so much easier. Even if it doesn’t look how you want it to look for a season. Remember, things change, and you never know what the next day, week, month, or year might bring.

5 Truths About Finding Community When You Feel Alone