As the News 6 Correspondent here at Army Wife Network, I’ve been seeing more news related to financial struggles that many American families have been facing. Military families are also feeling the pinch as they find their paychecks are not stretching as far as they used to.
In fact, one in five military families experienced food insecurity in 2021 which is up from one in eight in 2019, reported Military.com. Some of this can be attributed to inflation, but studies also point to high rates of spouse unemployment, moving costs and child care shortages.
A survey by Blue Star Families found that the spouse unemployment rate in military families is at 20 percent and more than 63 percent are underemployed.
What happens when you have an unexpected emergency cost like a trip to the vet or something breaks on your vehicle? And if you are PCSing this year, we all know how those costs add up… and are not all covered by the military.
Congress has ordered a new report to “shed more light on the scope of the issue” which is due to be released October 1. While we wait for the results that may or may not offer help, there are some things you can do to help stretch your budget just a bit further.
First things first, if you are struggling with food insecurity, there are many resources to help you. It’s okay to get help.
The first place CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies) recommends is applying for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also called SNAP.
- To apply, check to see if you are eligible in the state that you live in by visiting the Food and Nutrition Service website.
- You also may be eligible for a Summer Food Service Program to help bridge the summer gap between school sessions.
- Check with your local churches, your chaplain and for food banks and programs. Feeding America has a search by zip code or state. Food Pantries.org lists by city and state.
- Some Armed Services YMCAs offer food pantries. In fact, ASYMCA reports that 29% of junior enlisted military families say they are food insecure.
Once you have your basic grocery needs met, you can take another step to stretching those dollars.
Stretch your paycheck
- Review your budget!
- Don’t have a budget?
- Create one!
I like these seven budget templates from Clever Girl Finance to help get you started. Ask yourself where you have been struggling to stay within your budget
- Fuel
- Groceries
- Unexpected expenses
- Utilities
- Check out a MEM from Chrissy Gibbs, our Content Curator, where she specifically talks about staying on budget
Ask yourself where can you cut costs?
- Recurrent expenses such as subscriptions, streaming services, free trials that you never canceled, memberships you don’t use…
- What about habits that make you feel good. Can you reframe these experiences to be lower cost or less frequent? Can you find ways to recreate a similar experience for less?
Shop your pantry, freezer and refrigerator!
- Build your meals around what you already have.
- Don’t forget to take meat out and let it thaw!
- Sometimes it’s looking at what’s in your refrigerator that needs to be used up. Do you have some cheese? Maybe you plan grilled cheese and salad for dinner. Perhaps it’s a pile of vegetables that are starting to wilt.
This never happens to me. Just kidding! It happens all the time! Can you roast or grill them? Maybe they’re too far gone for that, so turn them into a soup or chili. I know now is not exactly the season for that, but you could still make soups or chilis and freeze them for fall if you’re really ambitious!
Shop your paycheck at multiple stores
- The Commissary can save you an overall 23.7 percent on grocery costs for the average shopper, but sometimes it doesn’t feel like we’re saving much.* Although I just read that this number might be slightly high…
- Military Times wrote a good piece in 2021 to help you understand how the Commissary can save you money—if you are conscious shopper
- But you don’t have to shop the Commissary to save. It often takes more time, but shopping multiple stores might be the best way to save:
I do not shop ALL stores weekly, but we do shop at Aldi, Walmart, the Commissary, Harris Teeter, Food Lion and Costco throughout the month. Sometimes it’s exhausting, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been tempted to buy a particular item at Harris Teeter, only to see the price and leave it on the shelf knowing I can purchase it for a much better price in the next week or two (I’m look at you Gluten Free Oreos!).
Clip coupons
- Family Magazine distributes to commissaries around the world with money saving coupons and promotions
- When shopping online, use an extension like Honey to help find promo codes. I’m not a huge online shopper, but I have not only saved money, but sometimes I get a small percentage back which Honey eventually doles out to me in gift cards. I usually accrue my points and redeem when I’m doing my Christmas shopping.
- Because we’re in the thick of summer, at least stateside, farmer’s markets across the country are likely bursting with fresh produce. Buying locally can save you money because produce often lasts longer!
I also grow my own herbs because those tiny plastic pouches from the produce department are expensive and not nearly as flavorful!
Get it for less
- Shop thrift stores, yard sales, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, consignment shops, estate sales.
- Get new quotes on renter’s or homeowner’s insurance as well as car insurance.
- Go to the library! If you’re not using the library, you are missing out!
- Plus you can check out the DoD’s BRAND NEW Library website to access the following:
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- E-books and audiobooks
- Movies and music
- Newspapers and magazines
- Academic support (prep tests and online tutoring)
- Professional development
- Reference and research
- DIY activities and projects
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Before you spend, ask yourself: Do you really need it? This is maybe the most important question of all and only you can really answer this!
Entertainment is important!
Don’t neglect having fun and making memories – but get creative! Make a competition or game for the family! Who can plan a fun night on a specific budget! Free? $5? $20?
Some ideas of low cost entertainment:
- Blue Star Museums
- Local parks, hiking, biking
- Shop your closets! Dig out forgotten games, toys, fitness equipment, puzzles, craft materials!
- Plan a fun night:
- Movie Night—fun frozen foods or appetizers (instead of takeout!), get cozy with blankets and pillows and your PCS air mattresses, make fun flavored popcorn, build your own concession stand and use play money to buy treats
- Dinner Picnic in the Park—we often picnic for lunch during the summer, but step it up a notch and picnic for dinner!I find a simple charcuterie-styled dinner works well for this (and when I say simple I mean dig out the odds and ends from your refrigerator and pantry! You’ll be surprised what you can create!) A good blanket, a good view and some bug spray will be all you need.
- Game Night—pull those games or puzzles out and make a night of it!
- Arts & Crafts Night / Wine & Paint at Home—chances are you have some craft supplies in your home. Not super crafty? There are so many easy tutorials on YouTube and Instagram
My personal favorite artist who I totally love with Andrea Nelson Art gives super fantastic tutorials that almost anyone can follow along with!
Saving on A/C and Heating
- Turn up the heat. No really. Crank that temperature up a few degrees.
- Thankfully I hate being cold, and working from home I will turn our thermostat to a warmer temperature during the summer to help save a bit on our A/C costs—the reverse is true in the winter.
Although I’m less thrilled about having cooler temps in our house in the winter, I wear a lot of layers.
Pay off debt
- I’m not a financial expert, but if you need help, I’d encourage you to reach out to one of the many resources available including our partners at First Command who can walk you through financial coaching (they also hire military spouses if you’re looking for a dependable gig!)
- I want to pause here and again thank today’s sponsor, First Command Financial Services. Did you know that four out of five financial coaches come from the ranks of military spouses or veterans? They’re uniquely qualified to help you pursue financial security. Visit www.firstcommand.com to learn more and find a financial coach near you.
Ways to increase your paycheck dollar
1. Get a side gig.
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- Childcare and pet walking or sitting are often in great need near military bases
- There are the usuals: Lyft, Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates, Care.com, Rover, Tutor.com, Instacart, StoreAtMyHouse, Peerspace, Turo, TaskRabbit, Fiverr, UpWork—depending on your skills and experience, you could find something that pays well and meets the demands of your schedule
- Here’s a great big list of ideas from Dollar Sprout
2. Sell some stuff.
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- We all have items in our house we don’t need, use, or want anymore – so sell it! Put it online, have a yard sale, or take it to a consignment shop – and pat yourself on the back for making some cash while also prepping for your next PCS
3. Ask for a raise.
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- Are you working? Maybe it’s time to ask for a raise. Two articles on how to ask for a raise and Forbes: How to ask for a raise
- If you asked for a raise and the answer was no – maybe it’s time to look for a new position. The Great Resignation is still in full swing and you might find a more competitive offer if you look around.
4. Don’t forget to save! I love this tip from our Command Team member, Brooklyn:
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- I write down everything that we spend for a month and budget based on how we actually spend
- If we have anything left over, I split it in half… Half for saving and half for fun
