Money

Let AAFMAA’s $5,000 CAP Loan Help with Your Summer Bucket List

July 15, 2019 by Julie

This is a sponsored post by AAFMAA!

Let AAFMAA’s $5,000 CAP Loan Help with Your Summer Bucket List

By Charlene Wilde

AAFMAA Assistant Secretary

MilSpouses are nothing if not resourceful. With school out and summer in full swing, it’s time for planning family fun, hustling kids to camps and activities, or tackling projects around the house. Personally, I can hardly wait for a break from the frenetic hum of lunch packing, homework, book orders, and running for the bus so I can enjoy a lazy morning with nowhere to be.

But money doesn’t grow on trees, and we all know that even summer days become tiresome, giving us a renewed focus to plan activities with friends, family trips, and other ways to fill the longer days. So, what are the options to get the funds needed to fuel your goals and summer bucket list? AAFMAA not only understands the military lifestyle, we’re living it right alongside you — and we can make it even easier than you think.

AAFMAA offers a $5,000 CAP Loan that lets MilSpouses take control and keep their family finances on track. It’s reliable, affordable, and able to help Active Duty military families achieve that secure financial future we all strive for. With a host of other benefits, you won’t get from any other financial solution, it’s our way of continuing to thank you for being part of our AAFMAA family.

Here’s how our $5,000 CAP Loan stacks up against other options, such as credit cards and other consumer loans:

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If you’d like to hear more, check out this video on the $5,000 CAP Loan from AAFMAA’s Chief Operating Officer, Carlos Perez. He discusses how you can use the loan any way you want, with a low 1.5% APR and 5 years to pay it back. There’s no credit check, no collateral required, and no prepayment penalties — making it simple to apply and get started on checking off your summer goals.

Whatever the season has in store, we at AAFMAA are here to help you make it fun, affordable, and part of your ongoing plans for a secure financial future.

Ready to get started? Visit us online at www.aafmaa.com/cap or call us at (800) 991-0268 with your servicemember spouse to start their application for AAFMAA’s $5,000 CAP Loan today.

7 Truths About Money and Military Life

April 17, 2019 by Julie Leave a Comment

Having a career in the military can be a great way to provide for your family with a steady paycheck. In addition to basic pay, your service member will also receive BAH, BAS, and other special pays based on what they are doing during their military career. If they deploy, they might earn extra military pay, and when re-enlisting, they might earn a bonus.

Money can be a sticky subject but there are some things to be aware of when it comes to money and military life. Here are a few things to keep in mind whether you are new to military life or have been a military spouse for some time.

Usaa and NavyFed pay a day early

Both USAA and NavyFed will pay a day early. This can get a little confusing when the 1st or the 15th falls on the weekend or even a Monday. There always seems to be some questions about when you will actually be paid. Here is a list of 2019 USAA Paydays and 2019 NavyFed Paydays.

Raises might take time

Your spouse comes home and tells you they got a raise. You re-do the budget to reflect the raise, but then, the next time they get paid, you don’t see the extra money. Raises are not always going to happen in a timely manner. The good news is, they will receive back pay based on the date they did get the raise, once it goes into effect.

If the military screws up pay, you will have to pay it back

Is your spouse still getting extra deployment pay after they get home? Does it seem like you are getting extra BAH? If you notice anything like that, please know that eventually, the military will figure it out, even if you don’t tell them.

And when they do, they will take that money back quickly. If you or your spouse notice an issue, your service member should talk to Finance, and make sure not to spend any of that extra money or you will find yourself in trouble when the military takes it back.

Saving money is always a good idea

Savings during military life is always a good idea. You never know when you might need that extra cushion. A PCS might cost you more than you think, military pay could get messed up and your spouse might end up with a less than normal paycheck, or you might need to take an emergency trip back home.

Setting up automatic savings is easy. You can usually do so with your bank. Even if you can only save $20 extra dollars a month, that can add up. Take a look at your budget and figure out where you can start saving.

You 100% need a budget

If you don’t already have a budget, start today. Having a budget is going to help you stay on top of your money. You need to take a look at all the income you and your spouse are bringing in and where all of your money goes.

Keeping a budget will also help you stay on track at the grocery store, what you spend on fun, and for clothing and other items your family needs. USAA has free budgeting tools and Mint has some free budget templates you can use.

Moving back to the US can shock your budget

If you have been stationed overseas, and move back to the US, you can be in for some sticker shock. There are a lot of expenses that can come up when you move back to the states from overseas.

You might end up living in a hotel longer than you thought you would, and could be tempted by all the stores and restaurants you have been without during your time in another country. Be smart with that and try not to go too crazy when you first move back. You will also be losing COLA, which you might have gotten used to receiving each month so make plans to redo your budget, even before you arrive back in the states.

Use a bonus wisely

During your service member’s time in the military, they might be able to earn a bonus. If they do, you are going to want to make sure to use that bonus wisely. Think about what would be best for your family.

You can use a bonus to pay off debt, put towards a new home, take a trip, save for retirement, or pad your savings. While spending a bonus upgrading all your electronics or buying a brand new car can be tempting, make sure to make wise choices with any extra money that comes into your home.

What Military Spouses Need to Know About Military Discounts

April 5, 2019 by Julie Leave a Comment

I love finding military discounts. My favorite military discount is the one you can get at Disneyland. I feel like you are able to save so much money! Many different places have military discounts, from home stores to your favorite restaurants.

But…

There are some things that you should know going in where military discounts are concerned. Different businesses offer different types of discounts and knowing what they are is important.

Not all businesses offer them to spouses

One thing you should know is that not all military discounts are for military spouses, but many of them are. This can get a bit confusing. And sometimes this depends on who is giving you the discount on that day.

Usually, they will state that they only give the discount to the service member in the fine print. Typically, free meals on veterans day are only for the veteran. If you present your dependent ID and they let you know that the discount is only for the service member or veteran, be polite with your response.

Not all businesses offer them to the national guard and the reserves

This can get a little frustrating. Not all businesses give a military discount to the national guard or the reserves. However, in my own experience, most of them do. Again, this is where you want to check the fine print.

I would encourage any business giving a military discount to include the national guard and the reserves too. This part of the military often gets overlooked, even though they are also putting on the uniform, deploying, and spending time away from their families. While I understand sometimes they can’t extend the discount to that many people, adding this part of the military would be a nice idea.

You might not be able to use them on everything

In most cases, there is something you won’t be able to use the military discount on. Usually, buying a gift card, or certain products. Make sure to double check if you are not sure. Sometimes, you can find out this information on their website or where they have the military discount posted.

You might be able to combine the military discount with another promotion

One reason you might not be able to use a discount is if you have a store coupon or if you want to use the discount for something that is on sale or clearance. However, there are some places that will allow you to do so. For example, at Rack Room Shoes, they offer a 10% military discount that you can use with BOGO 50% off deals, sales prices, other coupons, and promotional offers.

You should check your options when you do have to decide to see what can get you a better deal. While 10% can be nice, a business might have a coupon that is for 20% off that would be a better deal. With the Southwest Airlines Military Rate, you can often find a better deal with their Wanna Get Away specials available to everyone.

Not all locations have the same discount

Another thing about military discounts to keep in mind is that different locations for the exact same business might offer something different. For example, here in the Fort Campbell area, Cracker Barrel does offer a military discount but it isn’t that way everywhere. When I lived in Lexington, they offered one at their Chick-Fil-A but the ones here in Clarksville don’t.

In some cases, it is hard to get a clear answer on what their discount is because they often are up to the management of that specific location. Asking is your best bet, because they know what they are going to do at your local location.

Sometimes the military discount isn’t advertised

While some businesses display that “10% off for service members” sign, others do not. Some places don’t even talk about the discount on their websites.

When in doubt, ask. That might be the only way to find out. And remember, just because the military discount isn’t listed, it doesn’t mean they don’t have one.

Where is your favorite place to get a military discount?

9 Ways To Save Money On A Super Tight Budget

June 15, 2018 by Julie

9 Ways To Save Money On A Super Tight Budget

There are many reasons why a military family could be on a tight budget. They could be saving for a PCS, trying to pay off debt, or trying to make their paycheck stretch a little further. There could be times during military life when you need to have a super tight budget, and times 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:

Eating out

Eating out will get you. We are a family of five, and sometimes even fast food is between $25-30. If you are doing this too many times a month, it can add up. If you do 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.

This post contains referral/affiliate links!

Coupon

If you don’t coupon already, 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 if the Commissary is truly cheaper than another grocery store in your area.

Meet friends for coffee

Going out to lunch or dinner with friends can sometimes cost $20-25. If you meet for coffee, you can spend less than $5 and still have a good time. And if you have kids, look for coffee shops by 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 were specific items are on sale or where 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 is going to have something free for you to do every weekend. You just have to look for what they are. On Facebook, you can search for events by city, topic, and date. 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 can save money by going to them.

Cut your bills

Do you have cable? Cut it and get Netflix. Using too much data? Get a smaller package and save on your cell phone bill. There are different ways you can get your current bills a little lower. Even $50-100 a month can make a difference.

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 didn’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. Not only can you get paperback and hardback books, but you can also get Kindle and Audiobooks using apps like the Overdrive 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?

It’s November! Let’s Go To Outback!

November 10, 2017 by Julie

This is a sponsored post!

It’s November! Let’s Go To Outback!

One of my favorite places to go out to eat is Outback Steakhouse. I love their steaks, the atmosphere, and the Bloomin’ Onion. I discovered this amazing restaurant in college and have been a fan ever since. If you want to take me out to dinner, taking me to Outback will make me very happy.

Veterans Day Special

With Veterans Day coming up this week, Outback would be an excellent place to go. They will be thanking Veterans this year with a free Bloomin’ Onion and a beverage on Veterans Day, November 11th.

November Specials

In addition to Veterans Day, they will also be offering another special from November 12th-November 16th. Military members will be able to receive 20% off of their check. This would be the perfect time to take the family out to dinner.

More Specials

And for the rest of the November, starting on November 17th, all Military, Fire, and Police Heroes will receive 10% off of their checks.

Operation Homefront

Outback Steakhouse is also partnering with Operation Homefront, which is a non-profit whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families. They will be launching the “At Outback, We Serve Those Who Serve” year-long campaign.

Starting on November 8th until January 2, 2018, Outback customers will be able to demonstrate their support for the military and military families through their purchases when they eat at Outback.

For every purchase of a Foster’s Lager Big Bloke, MillerCoors will donate $1 to Operation Homefront.
For every purchase of Outback’s New Patriotic Punch, Outback will donate $1 to Operation Homefront.
Customers can also add $1 to their checks which will be donated directly to Operation Homefront.
Customers’ donation of $5 or more will be used to purchase Outback gift cards that will be shared with military families by Operation Homefront.

As you can see there are quite a few reasons to go to Outback in November, or even later this year. Plan a date night, take the kids out for lunch, or enjoy a family dinner and help give back to those who serve.

Favorite Military Discounts That Military Spouses Love

September 18, 2017 by Julie

Favorite Military Discounts That Military Spouses Love

Military discounts are the best! Whether it is 10% off at your favorite restaurant or a buy one get one free pass at a local establishment. There are such a variety of military discounts out there, and not all of them apply nationwide.

Some military discounts are more popular than others but they are a way for military families to save money, even if it is just a few dollars. When businesses offer these discounts, they are saying thank you to the military community and their kindness is very much appreciated.

Here are some favorite military discounts that military spouses love:

Shoes

What growing military family doesn’t need shoes? The good news is quite a few stores offer a military discount on shoes. Payless and Rack Room Shoes offer you 10% off, and the Foot Locker offers you 20%.

Blue Star Museums

A collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and Museums Across America has created Blue Star Museums. They offer free admission to active duty military personnel and their families to include the National Guard and the Reserves. This offer is from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and you can see a list of participating museums here.

Home Depot and Lowes

Need to work on a home project? Spouse deployed and you want to paint that room you keep putting off. Home Depot and Lowe’s will offer 10% off at their stores.

Disney

Disney is one of the best discounts you can find. They offer the Armed Forces Salute at both Disneyland and Disney World. You will be able to save a lot of money this way. There are also select military discounts at hotels near the parks that would be worth checking out.

Sea World/Busch Gardens

You can get in on the Waves of Honor discount at Sea World’s nationwide, Busch Gardens, and Sesame Place. Each service member can receive one free ticket as well as three other free tickets for their dependents. Visit the Sea World page for more information on this military discount. This discount is valid for Active duty, National Guard, and the Reserves.

Michael’s and Joann’s

Into crafting? Want to buy some decorations for the upcoming fall and winter seasons? Check out Michael’s, who offer 15% off and Joann’s who offer 10% off.

National Parks

You can get a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass just by showing your ID at your local National Park. The pass is good for a year.

Old Navy/The Gap

Your local Old Navy and The Gap should have a military discount too. Usually, it is about 10%. Some places offer the discount every day, others every Monday or a few times a month. Make sure to ask when you are at your local store to find out what they offer.

Hotels

Finding a discount on a hotel for your vacation can save you some money. Check out Marriot, Embassy Suites, Choice Hotels, or anywhere you plan on staying to see if they offer a discount too.

Your favorite restaurants

Restaurants are a bit tricky as they can depend on the management at the specific locations. Most restaurants that offer a military discount give you 10-20% off depending on their discount. Make sure to ask before you pay if you are unsure about their discount or have heard that they have one.

What are your favorite military discounts? Which ones do you use all the time?

We Went to Knott’s Berry Farm and Got a Military Discount

August 18, 2017 by Julie

We Went to Knott’s Berry Farm and Got a Military Discount

Growing up in Southern California, Knott’s Berry Farm was a huge part of my childhood. I have so many fun memories of that place too. Like Disneyland, my mom would take us there during our school breaks, for birthdays, or really whenever she found a good deal. We even went there for our 4th-grade field trip to learn about the history of the area and the gold rush.

When we were in California this past July we decided to plan a family trip to Knott’s Berry Farm. My mom, dad, brother, and boys would all be going, and we planned to meet up with my best friend and her kids who live in the area.

Where to get your Knott’s Berry Farm military discount

I knew Knott’s Berry Farm had a military discount. We have always been able to use one since my husband joined and the amount of the discount has been different every time. This trip, I went to my local MWR Leisure Travel Services to buy my tickets here at Fort Campbell.

I was able to purchase tickets for my boys and me as well as my mom. When I bought them I didn’t know my dad and brother were going to come too. I paid $40 for each ticket. Regular price is $75.00 for adults and $45.oo for adults, although sometimes they do have sales on their prices.

If you go to the gate to buy your tickets with the military discount, they will be $48. If you buy them online through Knott’s Berry Farm, they would be $43. On the website they state that the service member has to be there to get that discount, that wasn’t the case when I bought my tickets at MWR.

So if you are planning a trip to Knott’s Berry Farm and you can easily go to an MWR to get your tickets, that would be your best bet. They also have had months where they offer free admission for the military, but that will depend on the year. Last year it was a few weeks in November and then again in December.

If you have never been to Knott’s, know that it is a different place from Disneyland.

Knott’s doesn’t have all the magic that Disney has, but really, who does? But Knott’s can make for a fun day just the same.

My favorite ride is the Timber Mountain Log Ride. My kids were trying to say they copied Splash Mountain but the log ride has been around since 1969 and I have been riding it for as long as I can remember. When Splash Mountain was built, I remember thinking how great it was that Disneyland would now have a log ride too.

There are more roller coaster rides at Knott’s and some parts of the park have a very Six Flags feel to it. There is Camp Snoopy for the little kids and quite a few shows to take in. They also have a water park now that would be an extra ticket. I have never been but heard that park is quite fun too.

Ghost Town is a lot of fun, and we always tend to go there first. They have people dressed up and in character from that time period. Don’t miss talking to the man in jail and visit the old school house.

Food at Knott’s Berry Farm

I have never been too thrilled with the food choices at Knott’s, although I do love their ice cream. We ended up eating lunch at Johnny Rocket’s which cost more than a regular Johnny Rocket’s but felt like we were getting better food than we would at some of the other places in the park. There is also a TGI Friday’s outside the gate that we have been to before.

If you have the time and the money, eating at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Resturant can be a good choice. This is right outside the gate. You can also get a meal from there at the Chicken-To-Go place next door.

Shopping

There are also quite a few fun shops to look at inside the park as well as outside the gate. Make time for those to buy a survivor or to just look at what they have to offer.

If you are trying to decide if you should go to Knott’s Berry Farm, think about what your kids like to do. If you have smaller children your day could be spent in Camp Snoopy and watching some of the shows. If you have older children, you can do more of the big rides and roller coasters.

Have you ever been to Knott’s Berry Farm?

We Went to Disneyland Using the Armed Forces Salute

August 10, 2017 by Julie

We Went to Disneyland Using the Armed Forces Salute

I love Disneyland. I have been over 100 times. I had a pass from the time I was ten until I was eighteen year’s old. Disneyland is one of my favorite places.

I was able to go with my best friend back in February. It was a random, last minute visit and I am so glad we did it. I thought that would be my only 2017 Disneyland experience, but I was wrong.

I was planning a trip out to California with my boys when my husband mentioned that I should take them to Disneyland. My six-year-old hadn’t ever been, and it was time. I realized we could use the Disney Armed Forces Salute to buy a three-day pass.

I started doing my research and found out all about the discount. And man, the discount was a good one. We could get a three-day park hopper pass for just $156. I paid over $100 for my one day pass back in February. I also found out I could buy a ticket for my mom. My brother was going to come to, but he had an annual pass.

On July 11th, we headed to my favorite place to start our Disneyland adventure. Being the nervous person I am, I was a bit anxious about buying the tickets. I was told that at Disneyland, you should just buy them at the park (this is different from Disney World.) I had my ID, and when I got to the window, that is what I did.

I paid $780 total for five of the three-day tickets. I could have gotten six if I needed to. I did not need my husband (the service member) with me. We are also a National Guard family and still qualify for this discount.

Once we got the tickets, we headed into the park. At the gate, they needed to see my military ID one more time, and then they took photos of all of us. After that, no one needed to be with me to use their ticket. My mom only spent two days with us and will use her other day another time with my brother.

Day one, we went to Disneyland. We spent the whole day there. We figured out Fast Passes, which had just switched to a new type of system. We rode a bunch of rides like Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, the Matterhorn, and Pirates of the Carribean. And although my son with Asperger’s got pretty worn out by the end (he had a melt down on Main Street,) overall the day was good.

Day two, we started off at California Adventure. I ended up running into an online friend that day. I knew we were both going to be at Disneyland and just by chance we ran into one another. We met online back in 2001 and had never met in person, so that was fun.

We did the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride, which was pretty amazing but came close to making me sick. We had an ice cream break at Ghiradelli’s, yum. Cars Land was amazing, and we got to see the Pixar parade.

After dinner, we went back over to Disneyland for the Main Street Electrical Parade. I love that parade and so glad they brought it back and that I got to watch it twice this year. Pete’s Dragon is my favorite float.

Day three, we started off at Disneyland again riding a lot of the rides we did the first day. In the afternoon we went back over to California Adventure for more Ghiradelli’s and some rides. Then we ended our day.

This trip to Disneyland was different from any other trip I had taken there. For one thing, we had a lot more time. Usually, we just go for one day. For another, my six-year-old wasn’t a huge fan of the rides like his brothers were.

Luckily we had Grandma and my brother there to be with him some of the day. It was busy, being July, and hot. Usually, we do not go in the summertime.

I am not sure when we will go again. It depends on when we will be in Southern California again, if there is an Armed Forces Salute, and what we can afford to do.

We are all excited about Galaxy’s Edge: Star Wars Land that will open in 2019, so thinking 2020 could be an excellent year for another big trip. But we will see. I was thrilled to be able to share my love with my boys this summer 🙂

Have you used the Disneyland or Disney World Armed Services Salute discount?

47 Ways to Save Money in the New Year

January 2, 2017 by Julie Leave a Comment

47 Ways to Save Money in the New Year

New year, new goals? Right? We all have them and for a lot of us our goals include saving more money, paying off debt and just being smarter about how we spend the money that we make. I know I always feel much better when I save a little money here and there and have a little bit extra to spare each month.

As a military spouse, know that your military service member will be getting a 2.1% raise in the New Year. You should see this on the 2nd paycheck in January. BAH might have also gone up for you too. You can check the new BAH rates here. If your BAH rates went down, don’t worry. You will be grandfathered in with the old rate. Until you, PCS or your spouse moved up in rank. But if they do move up in rank and the BAH is lower for that new rank, you still get to keep your old BAH. Thank goodness for all of that!

When it comes to budgeting, you want to make sure you do so on a daily or regular basis. One of the first things I do every morning is check our bank account and pay any bills that need to be paid that day. I even check on Sundays because once we found out that someone had hacked our account and charged up some things on a Sunday. You have to always be aware of what is in your account.

If you are looking at 2017 and wondering how to save a little extra each month, this post is going to be for you. Here are 47 ways to save money each month in the new year:

Shop sales- Let’s face is, you save money when what you buy what is on sale.
Shop at the Commissary- In some areas, you will save more than in others but usually, shopping at the Commissary can save you money. Do some of your own research to see where certain products are the best price in your area.
Shop thrift stores- A pair of pants for just $2? Score! Thrift stores have the best stuff!
Hand me downs- I have 3 boys so there is always stuff that I can save for the next kid.
Meal plan- When you plan ahead you will be less likely to eat out or pick something up on the way home.
Make coffee at home- I love my Starbucks but it is a lot cheaper to just make coffee at home.
Skip the fast food- For our family of 5 to eat at McDonald’s it is at least $25. Eat out less and save some money.
Skip the soda- If you do go out to eat, skip the soda. Some places can charge up to $3 for one soda. If you and your spouse go out and skip it, ordering water instead, you could save between $4-6 on your meal. That adds up over time.
Have a yard sale- Either plan one at your house or use the yard sale sites and Facebook groups.
Don’t buy because you feel bad– Feeling sad? Don’t go shopping. You are more likely to buy something just to try to make you feel better.
Be honest about what you can spend– Friends going out for the 2nd time in a week? Let them know you can’t and plan some coffee dates instead.
Get your books from the library- I love book deals but most of my books I get from the library. Yes, I have to wait sometimes but there are so many books to read I can usually always find something good, and for free.
Look for deals on books- Look for book deals. I recommend getting on Modern Mrs. Darcy’s list. She sends out an email every day on what is on sale for your Kindle.
Go to free events- See what is going on in your community, both on and off post.
Set a budget for food at free events- Even at free events, you might want to eat. Set a budget ahead of time and stick to it.
Buy passes- Love the zoo? Think you will go often? Get a yearly pass!
Use the passes- If you get a pass, make sure to use it. At least figure out how many times you need to use the pass to break even.
Use coupons- It can be a pain to cut coupons but using them will save you money.
Take advantage of military discounts- Take a look at military discounts in your area. That 10-20% can help.
Watch your boxes- Monthly boxes are in right now and there are so many good ones to choose from but be careful. Don’t keep paying for a box if you don’t like most of what comes in them. You can skip months too.
Set up automatic savings- Set this up with your bank. Then money will automatically go to your savings accounts.
Drop cable- What do you use cable for? Think about if you could do without. You could save yourself a lot of money by dropping cable and using Hulu and Netflix.
Make lists before you shop- Making a list will always save you.
Try a “buy what you need” challenge- See if you can go a month or two without buying anything you don’t need.
Adjust your heat/ac settings- Adjust your settings just a little bit. You might see a change in your monthly electric bill.
Cancel what you don’t use- Go through your monthly bills and cancel what you no longer lose. These random costs can add up.
Save all loose change and cash in- Put all loose change in a bottle. Cash in the bottle every 6 months or so. Use the money for some family fun.
Fly Space-A- Living overseas and want to visit home? Try Space-A. Space-A isn’t for everyone but can save you money, especially when flying home from overseas.
Stay in Military hotels- Staying in military hotels can save you quite a bit of money and they are all over the place.
Exchange babysitting with a friend- Find a friend you trust and swap babysitting.
Use Parent’s Night Out– There are a few churches in the area that offer a regular parent’s night out. Use these. For date nights or just to have some time for yourself.
Bring your lunch to work- Try to bring your lunch to work most days. Cook a little extra for dinner and bring the leftovers in.
Watch your ATM fees or use USAA- Watch those ATM fees. Now if you have USAA, they will pay you back once a month which is super handy.
Put your tax return to good use- Getting a tax return? What is the best way to spend it this year?
Downsize- Feel like you have too much space? It’s okay to downsize and move into a cheaper home.
Use Rewards cards- Use rewards cards for the stores you shop at the most. The rewards can add up.
Shop around for big purchases- Need to buy a new washing machine. Shop around for the best deals. The PX is tax-free but Lowe’s and Home Depot offer a 10% military discount.
Shop with a purpose- Shop with what you are looking for in mind. Always have a purpose and you can avoid spending extra money.
Dollar Spot- Check out the Dollar Spot at Target. They always have things cheaper there, especially when it comes to office supplies and small toys for the kids.
Keep driving that car- Don’t give up your car just yet. Try to get as many miles out of it as you can.
Drop your home phone- Do you need your home phone? Most people don’t anymore.
Use your leftovers- Have a leftovers night where you use up any extra food you have made. Don’t let it go to waste.
Eat before you go- If you can, eat your meals before you go somewhere. That way you won’t be as tempted to buy there.
Garden, cheaply- You can spend a lot of money on gardening supplies but you don’t have to. Shop around and create a simple garden growing veggies you would normally buy.
Gas Rewards- Use gas rewards.
Ask for gift cards for Christmas and birthdays- Receiving gift cards for Christmas and birthdays means you have places to go without having to spend any money.
Shop or save for Christmas- Plan out your Christmas, even in January. Shop sales during the year and stick to your budget.

I hope your 2017 is off to a great start! Have a good year and have some fun saving money 🙂

What is your best tip for saving money in the new year?

Pay Down Debt After Active Duty Life

May 20, 2016 by Julie 67 Comments

Pay Down Debt After Active Duty Life

I am working with Credit Karma® to bring you this #Sponsored Post.

In June of 2014, my husband went from active duty Army to the National Guard. This was a big step for us. This meant that he would no longer be bringing home his paycheck on the 1st and 15th of the month. This meant that we would pay more for insurance and we would no longer receive BAH. This also meant finding a new job and taking a pay cut.

Getting out of the military is no easy task.

Finding a new career and a new purpose can take a lot of time. This is exactly how things have been for us. Trying different jobs and trying to figure out what works. This is all a process and I know things don’t happen overnight but being patient is difficult.

During the last few years, we have had to make some hard choices when it comes to spending our money. We want to eventually be out of debt and we want to be able to give our children a good childhood. The balance of that while trying to find a new job can be difficult.

One of the best ways to get out of debt is to know what your financial situation is. Knowing how much debt you have, how much each of the payments is and when they are due is important. Tracking your credit health will help you know where you are and how far you are from where you want to be financially.

We want to get out of debt so we can eventually make a move back to the West Coast to be closer to family. This will require a lot of work but I know we can eventually get there.

Using an app like Credit Karma® is going to help us get there. We can use this app to track how we are doing and follow-up on our debts and credit health.

Credit Karma has a few tools that make doing this pretty easy.

After setting up an account you should be able to see what is called your VantageScore 3.0. This is what you can track over time as your credit improves. Using this score you can see that you are improving.

Credit Karma is a great app for military families, no matter what stage of life you are in. I know this app will help us in our after Army/ Guard life and it can also help families as they go through other changes during their military careers.

Did you know that 20% of Active Duty families have over $10,000 of credit card debt? This means that so many would benefit from a tool that can help them track their debt and get back on track.

Here are some other features of Credit Karma that will help you track your financial health:

Credit Factors

In this section, you can check on how well you are doing with your credit card utilization. This is how much credit you are using vs how much credit you have access to. If your balances are too close to your limit, you are going to have a higher percentage. You can also track your payment history, any derogatory marks, age of accounts, total accounts and hard inquiries.

Credit Score Simulator

The credit score simulator is such a helpful tool. You can plug in different numbers to find out what your score would be when you have less debt. This is an encouraging tool to use as you work towards your goal.

Direct Dispute™

If you ever see anything wrong on your credit report you can use this tool to dispute the mistake. This tool will notify a credit bureau of the errors. As many as 1 out of 4 credit reports can contain errors. If you are one of them you want to fix it as soon as possible.

Credit Karma will provide access to your credit reports from two major bureaus. They will update every week as well. This credit monitoring can help families catch fraud early as well as understand where they are financially at any time. And best of all, Credit Karma is free.

I plan to use Credit Karma to help track how we are doing as we work on our debt and work towards our future goals.

You know what can help with debt reduction? Winning a giveaway 🙂 I will be giving away a $50 Visa Gift Card to one of my readers. Just enter the giveaway below…

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now, go check out the Credit Karma app and see how you can start tracking your own credit to get you to your financial goals.

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Pay Down Debt After Active Duty Life

Getting out of the military is no easy task.

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