Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life

Julie

Secrets to a Happy Military Marriage, in GIFs

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Secrets to a Happy Military Marriage, in GIFs

Being in a military marriage can be pretty unique, depending on your situation. Moving every few years, saying goodbye for months at a time, and living in a military community has its ups and downs.

What is the secret to a happy military marriage?

Well, here you go…in GIFS!

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Even though they can’t seem to ever put their clothes IN the laundry basket.

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Be forgiving. Even if they have to go away for training during your kid’s spring break, for the third year in a row. Remember, the military is making them do this.

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Have a regular date night. Even if that means having a special dinner after the kids go to bed because you just finished a PCS and don’t know a single person to watch your kids.

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Write love letters. Just don’t forget to actually put them in the mail and send them. Sure, they can read them when they get home, or four years later when you are cleaning out your desk.

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Remember, both of your careers matter. Even if the military makes it hard to follow yours. Through five different states in eight years. Can I transfer my license here?

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Listen to each other, even if the connection isn’t the best and you can only talk for 5 minutes at a time during a deployment.

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Remember, deployments don’t last forever, even if it seems like they have been gone for 43 years.

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Don’t compare your relationship to the highlights of other relationships. You never know what is really going on behind an Instagram filter.

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Seek extra outside help if you need it. I know TRICARE can be a pain sometimes, but they do cover counseling to help you and your spouse out.

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Be honest. About what you are dealing with, about your career path, and about how you feel when they hog the bathroom. Oh wait, would you consider that “small stuff?”

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Talk to one another about your finances. You have to get on the same page about how to spend your money, and you need to let them know that the Walt Disney World military discount is an amazing one!

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Learn your spouse’s personality. This is something that can take some time to figure out. The longer you are married, the easier it will be to figure it out. And if you are stuck, you can always take a Buzzfeed quiz about them.

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Help one another out. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. For example, you hate to cook, they love the kitchen. You are handy with tools, they would rather hire someone to fix whatever is broken. You love finding a new place to live after a PCS, they got sick of that years ago.

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Keep your promises. For example, if you say you will wait for them to watch the next season of Blue Bloods, wait for them. If you don’t, they will know. They always know.

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Knott’s Berry Farm Military Discounts and More

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Knott's Berry Farm Military Discounts and More

Growing up in Southern California meant we went to amusement parks all of the time. As an adult living in Tennessee, it is so strange to me that we actually have to travel somewhere to go to one. My growing up experience was so different.

One of my favorite places, besides Disneyland, is Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA. I have so many memories there. From going with my 4th-grade class on a field trip to meet up with friends to have fun on all the rides. I remember my brother riding some of the rides over and over again and having so much fun doing so!

Military Discount at Knott's Berry Farm
My brother and I, Knott’s Berry Farm, around 1985

I have been able to take my own boys a handful of times over the years and we are due for another trip sometime soon.

Did you know about Knott’s Berry Farm’s amazing deal they have going on for military service members this fall? In fact, Buena Park is honoring the military this year with not only a promotion for Knott’s Berry Farm but discounts at some of the local restaurants and other attractions nearby.

Here is what you need to know:

Knott’s Berry Farm is offering active and retired military and one guest free tickets from November 3-November 21, and December 2-December 19th, 2019. You can also bring up to 6 friends for a discounted rate. If you are stationed in California or will be visiting, make sure to take advantage of this offer!

Military Discount at Knott's Berry Farm

If you are looking for an interactive dinner show, check out Pirates Dinner Adventure, where you can get adult tickets for $35.11 or children’s tickets for $30.11 when you purchase your tickets online or over the phone using the code, “Military.” Past and present military will receive free admission with a paid adult admission on November 10th and 11th with code, “PDAVET19.”

Medieval Times is also close by and I remember visiting when I was about 7. One of the knights threw me a rose and I still remember this all these years later. You can receive a free Royalty Package update when you purchase discounted tickets on-base at the ITT/ITR/MWR office or get discounted tickets when you book online at www.medievaltimes.com/celebrate-with-us/military.html. 

Military Discount at Knott's Berry Farm
My son’s first roller coaster ride at Knott’s Berry Farm, 2009

Porto’s Bakery and Café offers a complimentary box of pastries to all active and retired armed forces with a US military ID on Veterans Day only.

Rock & Brews offers a 10% off savings on wings, barbecue, burgers, and more.

You can also find a military discount at Santa Maria BBQ, Pizza Studio, SUP Noddle Bar, The Cauldron, Buffalo Wild Wings, Fuddruckers, Chili’s, Denny’s, IHOP, Outback Steakhouse, Olive Garden, Claim Jumper, TGI Friday’s, Black Bear Diner and Dickey’s BBQ Pit in Buena Park!

Are you looking for a hotel in Buena Park?

Here is a list of participating hotels where you can find exclusive military discounts and upgrades, free parking, no resort fees and complimentary shuttle service to local attractions.

If you do visit Knott’s Berry Farm or the local area, make sure to check out Heroes Hall, which is a year-round free museum that features exhibitions, performances, and educational programs that celebrate the legacy of Orange County veterans. Also, make sure to stop by Knott’s Independence Hall, which is an exact brick-by-brick replica of the original. We always used to go over there first before we headed to Knott’s Berry Farm.

You can also find military discounts at other locations in Orange County and Long Beach. Add the Aquarium of the Pacific, Discovery Cube OC, the Richard Nixon Library, the Queen Mary, the Lyon Air Museum, and Bowers Museum to your list.

And of course, don’t forget about Disneyland and the amazing military discount they offer to service members and their families. We got to use it in 2017, and 2018!

Visit www.visitbuenapark.com/Military for a list of all the amazing offers going on during this time of year for members of the military!

With a Little Help From My Military Spouse Friends

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With a Little Help From My Military Spouse Friends

We all need our military spouse friends…

As I have walked through this military life, there have been ups and downs.

I have had good days, filled with excitement and hope. I have had bad days, where I just wanted to curl up into a ball and fall asleep until the next day. But no matter what is going on, knowing I have people who have my back has been a lifesaver.

Knowing I have friends I can talk to when the deployment doesn’t seem to want to end, allows me to figure out ways to make it through.

Knowing I have friends I can vent to about a bad deployment day, helps those days not seem so awful.

Knowing I have friends who get this life, and that we can help each other is so very valuable.

These other women, who I have been able to walk this life with have been truly amazing. I am not sure how I would have gone through everything without them. I am not sure how I could have made it to the finish line of deployments in one piece without them.

Sometimes this was meeting up weekly, just to check in after a weekend. Other times this was getting our kids together to play, so that they could have fun, and that we had another adult to talk to. Or maybe this was having someone to talk to about how hard things were getting, and working to help each other out.

I recently returned from MakeHer19, and within this group of 30 military spouses, I saw so much love and support.

I saw people helping other people, answering questions, and sharing what might help.

I saw cheerleaders, helping their new friends have the confidence to go forward with a new idea.

I saw smiles when others chose to step out of their comfort zone, knowing that they have people in their corner, ready to help them along the way.

We need a little help from our military spouse friends. We need that support. We need that support whether we are talking about the stress of a deployment, the craziness of a move, or the challenges that can come about when we are focusing on our careers.

We need people that have our backs when we can feel so alone.

We need people who either understand what we are going through or who are willing to listen to us, even if they don’t.

We need a circle of trust, of people we can depend on, and people we can return the favor to.

And man, it can be hard sometimes.

I remember sitting with a group of my close military spouse friends a few years ago. We had met up for a playdate lunch and as we sat around the table chatting, I had a thought. This is not going to last forever. Everyone will eventually PCS and the dynamic will change.

And that is excatly what happened…everyone moved away eventually and our friend circle fell apart. I still keep in touch with these ladies over the miles, but it will never be the same. And that’s just apart of the military life I have come to accept.

I also know, that there is always someone new out there. There are always new people moving to this area, and some I can connect with. This might take more time than I would like, but if I am in need of a new friend, putting myself out there will eventually result in new friendships.

In this military life, it can be easy to want to pull back and stay away from everyone. You can tell yourself that the friend search isn’t even worth the time since you will only be there for a few years.

But…

Friends can be what we need to get through the challenges of military life. Friends encourage. Friends help us stay busy when we might not otherwise know how to make time pass.

We all need a little help from military spouse friends, especially when things seem so difficult.

Here are some additional articles and resources to help you find your people:

When You Can’t Make Friends at Your Duty Station

How to Make Awesome Friends in Military Life

How to Make Friends: 3 Ways to Find Your Tribe

8 Ways to Find Your New Best Friends

Finding Friends in a Military World

Instant Friendship: A Gift From Military Life

When An Introverted Military Spouse Needs To Make Friends

Joining the Sisterhood

Don’t give up. You can find friends. That journey isn’t always going to be easy, and saying goodbye isn’t going to be fun, but being able to walk with other spouses during your time in military life is a must.

5 Tips For Being a Military Influencer On Social Media

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5 Tips For Being a Military Influencer On Social Media

This is a sponsored post for T-Mobile with Sofluential Media!

Social media can be such a fun way to connect with other people. I have been in the military spouse blogger space for almost 10 years now and I can hardly believe it. Twitter was the first place I shared my blog posts and started building my community. Soon after I started a Facebook page, and later a group. And a few years after that, Instagram became part of my social media space. 

After being a military influencer on social media for so long, I wanted to offer some tips for others who would like to do the same.

Have a plan for each platform

Whether it is Instagram or Facebook, have a plan for what you want to do and what you want to accomplish. Each platform works a little differently so make sure to keep that in mind when creating a social media plan for yourself.

Memes help 100%

Memes can help grow your following, and they are fun to make. You can use photos, and create captions or put a quote on a pretty background. A meme can go viral and boost your numbers rather quickly.

Use social media to connect with your followers

Use your accounts to connect with your followers. Respond to comments, and answer questions – a little engagement goes a long way! You can really build your community and build credibility by maintaining a conversation with the people that follow your channels.

Start with one post a day

If you are not sure how to get going, start with just one post a day and go from there. You might not even need to do more than that. Routines can be good, and scheduling out what you want to post can make social media feel a bit less overwhelming.

5 Tips For Being a Military Influencer On Social Media

Use a good phone

If you want to post regularly on social media, having the right smartphone is really the first thing you need. To capture meme-worthy content you want a phone with a good camera. The iPhone 11 features a dual-camera system with all-new Ultra Wide and Wide angle cameras that produce the highest quality video a smartphone can offer, plus major improvements in low-light photography and Portrait mode — making it even easier to capture picture-perfect social media content. Ready to upgrade your phone? Right now, T-Mobile customers can get 50% (or more) off a new iPhone – including the new iPhone 11 – via bill credits with a qualified trade-in.  

If you aren’t on T-Mobile already, consider making the switch. T-Mobile has long been a champion for the military community through employee programs — the Un-carrier was named one of the Top Military Friendly Employers by Military Friendly®  for the 12th time. And, T-Mobile’s Magenta Military plan makes it easy for military spouses to keep up with social media and family:

  • Update your social media at home or on the go with unlimited talk, text and high-speed data, plus unlimited hotspot with 3GB high-speed data per month.

Magenta Military offers military, veterans and their families one of the best prices in wireless. For one line, it’s just $55 per month with AutoPay (normally $70 on T-Mobile’s popular Magenta plan). If you need more than one line, the discount gets even better at just $25 for the second line and $10 per line for lines 3 through 6. Plus, monthly taxes and fees are included so the price you see is the price you pay.

There’s never been a better time to get in on the Magenta Military Plan and take advantage of the best iPhone deal on the market. With T-Mobile, it’s easy to up your social media game, stay in touch with family and friends and connect with others the way you want to. 

Is the Regal Unlimited Pass Worth it?

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Is the Regal Unlimited Pass Worth it?

Last year I bought a MoviePass. At first, that meant that I would pay around $10 a month to see unlimited movies. I could watch one movie a day, every day for the whole month. This sounded SO amazing!

I love going to the movies. It’s one of my favorite things to do. I will even go by myself, and I find doing so very relaxing. But the cost of tickets, even with a military discount, can add up. But MoviePass was going to solve that problem. And I was here for it.

I got my MoviePass in May of last year, and it worked well at first. But then, sometime in July, things fell apart. That was the beginning of the downfall of MoviePass. After that, they kept changing how the pass worked and would only let us see movies from a list. At first the list idea wasn’t too horrible, but eventually, when the movie for each day was the same all week long, I knew I was done.

I also had heard that Regal was going to add their own subscription plan. I couldn’t wait, and then, about a month ago, it finally happened! I signed up the first day I could.

I am now at the month mark and I am in love with this Regal Unlimited Pass. I saw eight movies during the first month, and I hope this is going to be around for a long time.

I do have to pay almost $20 for my pass. Depending on where you live, you might have to pay a little more. I can see any movie I want, even more than once. I also get 10% off of concessions.

I can easily buy my ticket on my app, and pay a $.50 charge or I can buy the ticket at the theater, showing them my app. I can also buy tickets for my family or friends when buying my own ticket. They make it all super easy.

If I want to see an RPX or 3D movie, I just have to pay a small fee to upgrade my ticket. If I go to Nashville, or even home to California where the theaters are more expensive, I would just have to pay a $1.50 charge for them. If I lived near those places and went often, I could upgrade my pass to pay a little more each month.

For us here in the Fort Campbell area, once I see two movies a month, I have paid for my ticket. I go a lot more often than that, and with the pass, I can go even more than I usually do.

You do have to be 16 years old to have a pass, but hoping they might come out with a family plan in the future. I don’t receive Regal Rewards points for my movie, but I do for any other tickets I buy as well as concessions.

So what did I see in August?

Here is my list:

  • Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (saw this twice)
  • Ready or Not
  • Aladdin
  • The Kitchen
  • Where’d You Go, Bernadette?
  • The Art of Racing in the Rain
  • Angry Birds 2

I am looking forward to this fall and all the amazing movies coming out. I love love love having a Regal Unlimited Movie Subscription Pass and think it is 110% worth having.

Should YOU get one?

Well, how often do you go to the movies? Is cost an issue for you? Check out how much your local Regal Unlimited Pass would be and decide for yourself. It quickly pays for itself if you are a movie lover like me.

If you don’t have any Regal Theaters nearby, AMC also has a pass. The AMC pass is a little different but could be worth getting if you like going to AMC. Keep in mind too that both AMC and Regal has a small military discount of $1 off. At our local theater, it is a special, military ticket.

Now, go enjoy some movies! I know I plan to 🙂

16 Memes For When You Are Struggling Through A Deployment

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16 Memes For When You Are Struggling Through A Deployment

Your spouse left a few months ago and you are not even halfway through this deployment. You told yourself before he left that you were going to rock this deployment. But here you are, struggling, trying to get through.

I have totally been there myself. I have had days where I just wasn’t sure how I was going to make it through the end of the month without completely breaking down. I would have to stop and remind myself that I could get through this deployment, that I could handle the time apart. That I could get through this challenge.

Some memes are pretty funny, they make you laugh and can help you feel like you got this. Other memes are more serious, but they hit you hard and can help you not feel as alone as you might feel during your deployment.

Here are 16 memes for when you are struggling through a deployment. Hopefully, they can help you during this part of your military spouse journey.

You don’t have to follow every single piece of deployment advice you hear. Some of the tips might not work for you and your family. That’s okay 🙂

16 Memes When You Are Struggling Through A Deployment

Staying busy and making friends is really going to go a long way in helping you through a deployment.

16 Memes When You Are Struggling Through A Deployment

Yes, some days will definitely be one hour. That’s okay!

16 Memes When You Are Struggling Through A Deployment

Sometimes you just have to think of the positives. Like the remote. If he is gone, it’s all yours. Unless your kids steal it.

16 Memes When You Are Struggling Through A Deployment

Yes! We are military spouses! And we stand by and support the members of our military. That isn’t always easy to go but we love them, so we do it.

16 Memes When You Are Struggling Through A Deployment

Remember, no matter how badly you might be feeling or how hard you are struggling, there are always things you can do to get to a better place.

16 Memes When You Are Struggling Through A Deployment

The weather during a deployment can really mess with you! Whether it is a snowstorm, hurricane, or endless tornado warnings. Try to prepare yourself before the weather comes, and they will be easier to deal with.

16 Memes When You Are Struggling Through A Deployment

Daydreaming about homecoming always put me in a better mood during a deployment. Homecoming gave me hope.

16 Memes When You Are Struggling Through A Deployment

Wine and chocolate 🙂

16 Memes When You Are Struggling Through A Deployment

Yep, that first month and that last month will take the longest! That’s a fact!

16 Memes When You Are Struggling Through A Deployment

Sometimes thinking about what you have been through in the past can help you focus on the future.

16 Memes When You Are Struggling Through A Deployment

Just, just keep going. You got this!

16 Memes When You Are Struggling Through A Deployment

Some days are going to be better than others. Remember, each day is a brand new day and anything can happen. Try not to get stuck on the bad days.

16 Memes When You Are Struggling Through A Deployment

Yes! Get out there and try something new. See what happens. You might find a new hobby or make a new friend.

16 Memes When You Are Struggling Through A Deployment

Those phone calls are the best 🙂

16 Memes When You Are Struggling Through A Deployment

I know it can be hard to believe sometimes, but each deployment will make you stronger. You will find ways to make it through and will find yourself at the end.

What is your best tip for surviving a deployment???

How To Have a Date Night When Your Spouse is Deployed…in GIFs

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How To Have a Date Night When Your Spouse is Deployed...in GIFs

Your spouse is deployed, but you want to try to plan a date night anyway. This could work you think, even though you are 6,000 miles apart. You need that time with your spouse, and setting up a “date night” over video chat is the best way to do it.

Here is how to have a date night when your spouse is deployed…in GIFs:

Step One: Figure out when they will be able to talk and when you can talk at the same time, for longer than 5 minutes.

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Step Two: Put the date and time in your calendar, knowing it might change.

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Step Three: Put the kids to bed early that night, hopefully, they won’t give you any trouble. Being a solo parent is hard work!

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Step Four: Get ready for your “date.” Do your hair, make-up, and put on a fancy dress, just for fun and to make things more date-like. Pour yourself a glass a wine, everything is perfect!

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Step Five: Put kids back to bed after they keep getting out of bed. Pray they fall asleep before 8 pm, the time you have scheduled for your deployment date.

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Step Six: 8:05 pm. No word from the kids, no word from the husband. Just wait.

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Step Seven: 8:35 pm. Still waiting on your spouse, and you are getting quite sleepy.

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Step Eight: 8:55 pm. Debating on if you should call it a night, figuring he got held up somewhere. That happens, you know. But you can’t help but feel a little disappointed.

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Step Nine: 9:15 pm. Decide that your deployment date is a bust for the night. Get ready for bed, maybe tomorrow will work out better? Check your phone one more time, just in case.

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Step Ten: 9:45 pm. Crawl into bed, close your eyes, and fall asleep.

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Step Eleven: 9:55 pm. The phone starts to ring, he finally made it. Your phone wakes you up, but you don’t care.

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Step Twelve: You finally get to have your deployment date. You are in your pjs, but you don’t care. You finally get to talk to the love of your life and all is well in your world, at least for now.

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As military spouses, we sometimes have to make the best out of what we have, go with the flow, and hold on to the good moments among the more difficult ones.

Have you ever tried to have a date during a deployment?

5 Things Military Spouses Can Do To Make Some Extra Money

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5 Things Military Spouses Can Do To Make Some Extra Money

One question military spouses often have is how to make some extra money. Sometimes that military paycheck just isn’t big enough, or something the spouse is in-between careers, or unable to work a full-time job.

If you ask this question in a military spouse Facebook group you are bound to get plenty of MLM/Direct Sales ideas. While these can work for some people, I don’t want to talk about those money-making opportunities in this post.

I wanted to bring up a few ideas I have either personal experience with or have friends who have used these methods to make some money. They won’t all work for everyone. For example, you will never catch me wanting to drive for Uber. Nope. I hate driving and would not be able to do that job, but I do know about freelance writing.

So, if you are looking for ways to make some extra money, here are 5 ideas that might just work for you:

Uber/Lyft

Do you like to drive? Don’t mind taking people places? If so, you might want to check out driving for Uber or Lyft. While both companies are a rideshare service, they can be a little different in how they work.

Basically, you would apply to drive for them, some drivers do both. Then, when you are approved and up and running, you would turn the app on when you wanted to work and pick up people using the service and take them where they want to go. You would need to have a reliable vehicle and keep it clean and in good shape.

Door Dash

If you don’t mind driving but don’t want to take people places, Door Dash can be a good option. You would pick up people’s food and restaurant orders and deliver them. Some orders would already be called in and you would just pick them up and others you would need to place the order yourself. Grubhub, BitSquad, and UberEats are similar companies.

Substitute Teaching

Do you have a degree? Do you love children? Always wanted to be a teacher but don’t want to do so full-time? You might consider becoming a substitute teacher.

How much you make will depend on where you live and your educational background. Check with your local school district to see what your options are. The best part is, if you have school-age children, you would work when they are in school too.

Freelance Writing

I accepted my first freelance writing job about 7 years ago and been moving forward ever since. I love the flexibility of my job. There are so many options out there too.

Want to get started with freelance writing yourself? Your first step would be to make sure you have your own blog or website to show your own work. You want people to be able to see what you have written.

You can find jobs by pitching to websites that pay writers, finding jobs through networking, or applying for jobs on websites and jobs boards such as Problogger, All Freelance Writing, or even LinkedIn Jobs.

Babysitting

So many military spouses are looking for babysitters. Some may just want someone so they can run to the Commissary by themselves during a deployment. Others might need someone more long term.

You can also look into becoming an FCC provider through your military installation. If you go this route you will be vetted and will need to comply with the regulations. Keep in mind that if you live on a military installation you will be limited in the number of hours you can babysit without becoming an FCC provider.

Have you used anything of these methods to make extra money? What has worked for you?