Four years ago, my husband and I PCS’d for the…’I-don’t-even-know-which’ time. We were newly married, and I had to quit my job to move across the country, but our money situation was alright. However, after 6 months of bad luck in the job hunt, I decided to go back to school. I started looking for […]
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Whether it is by necessity or by choice, military families often live off only one income. A recent survey by the Department of the Defense found that 24 percent of military spouses were unemployed while the national unemployment average at that time hovered around 4 percent. Frequent moves, the military lifestyle, and parenthood all contribute to this […]
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Editor’s note: The following article was contributed by CentSai. The content may be edited for clarity, style and length. Find more at https://centsai.com/learn/. Transitioning out of the military can be tough on some service members’ bank accounts. But a careful approach to finances can make a world of difference. When we purchase an item, we know why […]
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The government does not lend you money to buy a home when you get a loan through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Instead, the government guarantees your loan so your lender can give you a lower interest rate and relaxed borrowing terms. For many vets, a VA mortgage can generate thousands of dollars in savings […]
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I was 7 months pregnant, working full time and searching for a child care provider. As a first time parent, I was terrified to bring my daughter home (can you believe they let you leave the hospital with a newborn and no instruction manual?), but finding someone I trusted enough to leave her with all day while I […]
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All retirees have to accumulate the resources to last for the rest of their lives, but early retirees (before age 65) have two daunting challenges: paying for healthcare and contending with decades of inflation. Health insurance is largely a workplace benefit, and many civilian workers feel “locked in” to their jobs by it. Health insurance can be hundreds of […]
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Most of my e-mails this month has been about military retirement and disability compensation. Three different readers write: Reader #1: I am a Reserve member with 18 yrs 10 months of qualifying service. 12+ years are active duty time. I was just mobilized and was injured during training. The injury is listed as a grounds […]
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Please send this post to your accountant. Perhaps kids’ Roth IRAs are unusual because parents don’t realize it can be done! In our case, it wasn’t just about the money. It turned out to be long-range planning– both financially and for raising a money-smart kid. Before I get into the details and how you can […]
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The military’s retirement system has a number of advantages for retirees, but if so few veterans seek early retirement then you may rightfully hesitate. What are you missing? One element is the approval of society. Test this yourself by telling a few shipmates, neighbors, or relatives that you’re considering early retirement. You’re going to retire […]
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Mention virtual business or portable careers in the military community and typically you think of the military spouse, veteran, or military retiree jump-starting their own business – – keeping in touch with clients, colleagues or a combination of both. How? Electronically of course. The evolvement of home office technology presents a wealth of opportunity for […]
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