During Month of the Military Child, we pause to recognize the sacrifices and highlight the resiliency of military children. As we celebrate their unique experiences, take a moment to consider how their exposure to big life events, like a PCS, impacts their understanding of financial well-being. The money lessons we teach our children while they’re young — both in what we say and what we do – can set them up for financial success as adults. Age-appropriate lessons can begin as early as three years old by introducing coins and paper money with basic counting. You can use a piggy bank to start t ..read more

Stay Financially Fit for Summer Fun It’s March, the time of year I start dreaming about warm beaches, longer days and vacation travel. I know I need to plan now for that getaway and other things summer brings like camps for kids, possible vacations and maybe even a PCS. Here are some planning resources that can help you enjoy your summer while keeping your budget on track. School’s out: Summer camps and child care When the school year ends, the Department of Defense offers programs to keep your kids busy and well cared for with a variety of fun summer camps and child care resources — some ava ..read more

If someone offered you free money, would you take it? Of course you would! If your service member has a Thrift Savings Plan account or you have a 401(k) plan through your employer, you may qualify for “matching contributions” — money that the government or your employer kicks in when you contribute to your retirement account. Taking advantage of matching contributions can maximize your retirement savings. Here’s how it works:   Thrift Savings Plan If your spouse is covered by the Blended Retirement System (BRS), they are automatically enrolled in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and can hav ..read more

Improving financial fitness is more than a money matter — it can also help reduce the stressors that can negatively impact your physical and mental health. Research links financial stress to health conditions like high blood pressure, migraines, anxiety, sleeplessness, and depression. Money can’t buy happiness, but being in control of your finances goes a long way toward your well-being, health and quality of life. So, I’m dedicating this month’s blog to highlighting some of the numerous resources available to help you and your family improve your financial and physical health. You’ll see you ..read more

October is known for pumpkin spice lattes, changing leaves and sweater weather. It’s also Financial Planning Month — a perfect opportunity to take a holistic look at your money matters. So, before you start carving pumpkins this month, carve out time in your schedule to review your finances. Here’s a checklist to help you get started: Review financial goals. Think back to what you wanted to accomplish this year. Are you on track? Did any major purchases surprise you? Did you have enough in your savings to cover them? As you look toward the new year, begin thinking through your wish list and ..read more

You wouldn’t prepare your holiday meals without your favorite recipes, so start this season with a savings plan. Think of it as your very own recipe for financial success. It may seem early to be talking about the holidays, but as a mother and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, the best tip I can offer is to start planning and saving now. It’s one way to help better manage your budget and time, prevent you from running up credit card debt and help protect your emergency fund. Here are four key ingredients I rely on for a fun and affordable holiday season: Set a budget AND stick to i ..read more

If you’re like me, I had thoughts of chilling my favorite beverage in preparation for the first day of school when my girls were younger. I was also thinking about all the money I’d have to spend getting my kiddos ready. Back-to-school shopping is so much more than buying pencils, notebooks and rulers. It’s the lunch bag, backpack, clothes, and equipment for extracurricular activities where kids often have strong opinions about what’s “in style” and acceptable. The costs can quickly add up. While I don’t enjoy the money spending part of this season, I do value the time I spend shopping with ..read more

Few things are more annoying than that “potential spam” call that pops up on your phone or when you answer a call to hear a recorded voice trying to get information from you. We’ve learned to adapt by ignoring the calls or hanging up. But when job hunting, you’re often eager to answer all calls in case it’s a potential job offer. Frequent moves and job searches that are part of military life can make MilSpouses uniquely vulnerable when it comes to employment schemes. What’s more, today’s technology and artificial intelligence tools make scams more tailored and believable. But scammers haven’t ..read more

By: Robyn Mroszczyk I love PCS season! After 10 moves in the last 19 years, I still thrive on turning my type-A, task-driven mind into a weapon of mass organization. Last spring, my dear husband came with orders for a cross-country move. Due to the logistics of having to coordinate multiple travel plans over five weeks, we chose to do a full Personally Procured (or do-it-yourself) Move. This would give us the flexibility we needed to make a door-to-door move, avoid waiting on delivery appointments, make a little extra money and have more control. This was especially helpful due to the summer p ..read more

As a military spouse, you may not wear a uniform, but you strengthen our nation and our military every single day. You do so by serving as a rock for your family, your service member, our military and our country. You build community and hold us together. In my time as a military spouse, I had the experience of having to sacrifice my own career to support my family. To this day, I take great pride in the choices our family made and hold our military community in high esteem. On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, May 12, my desire is for you to feel seen and valued (which, of course, you are ev ..read more