Digital Resources
MilSpouse Money Mission empowers military spouses to lead their families to stronger financial futures. Download these products and either print (8.5 x 11) or save as a PDF to distribute them to the military spouses you support so they have resources at their fingertips.
Raising Financially Fit MilKids
We all want healthy, strong and resilient kids — and that includes financial fitness!
Download this flyer and distribute it to the military parents in your network for access to valuable tips and tools to establish good money habits from a young age. This is a great resource for Child Development Centers and DoDEA schools.
Strengthen Your Family’s Financial Future
MilSpouse Money Mission offers financial resources with MilLife in mind.
Download this flyer for the military spouses you support, so they have access to insightful tips from blogs, eNewsletters, videos, calculators and more.
Employment Resources for MilSpouses
Over the last 16 years, I have faithfully relocated my family nine times in order to support my active-duty husband’s career in the Army. But I also have my own dreams and aspirations! I have always felt a calling to work within the federal government as a public servant, and I know the struggles of having to leave that “perfect” position when new orders are cut.
Each time we PCS, I look on usajobs.gov and apply for positions under the Military Spouse Non-competitive Appointing Authority. I have used Military OneSource’s Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program, Army Community Service, and the local Civilian Personnel Advisory Center (CPAC) to assist me with my resume and job search. As a military spouse, I have had to figure out ways to highlight my Family Readiness Group (FRG) experience while balancing multiple moves in a year and employment gaps while raising our children.
Click the plus sign to hear from our team of experts.
MilSpouse Money Mission
Thank you for sharing your experience, Robyn! Your tips highlight several resources that can help pave the way for other military spouses seeking employment. It can be a challenge to achieve and maintain professional goals in the midst of your spouse’s military career.
Frequent moves, training and deployments, family responsibilities, and licensure requirements are just a few of the obstacles military spouses may face. The good news is that you are not alone and there are resources available to help you navigate your military life and professional aspirations. Your branch of service may have specific programs available at your installation. Reach out to your local family support center for details.
There are several programs supported by the DoD that provide education assistance and professional development resources. Visit the following websites to find support that best fits your needs:
- Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program (SECO) – Offers educational and career guidance (skills assessment, coaching, resume assistance, and more) to military spouses all over the world
- MyCAA (My Career Advancement Account) – Scholarship program that offers money to eligible spouses to pursue a license, certification or associate degree in a portable career field
- Military Spouse Licensing Reimbursement Program – Offers partial licensure reimbursement due to PCS orders
- Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) – Program to connect military spouses with corporate and nonprofit organizations
Be proud of your accomplishments in supporting your military family. Also know that resources are available to help you obtain and maintain meaningful employment, contribute financially to your family, and grow professionally.
Cancelled Services to Trim Expenses
When I am looking to save some money easily, I check for unneeded expenses. I find it helpful to see the subscriptions you have in one place in case there are some you may have forgotten you have. There are apps to help you find subscriptions you have and keep track of them.
I was subscribing to a streaming service, but we were barely using it. I bought an antenna instead, so we were able to cancel the streaming service and save some money! We also buy a lot of movies on sale during Black Friday, so we watch the hundreds of movies we have instead of watching them on a platform I have to pay for monthly. Here is me holding one we recently bought and enjoyed.
Click the plus sign to hear from our team of experts.
MilSpouse Money Mission
There are so many streaming and subscription services out there, it can be overwhelming and hard to keep up with what you’re spending and on what service. Brittany did a great job reviewing her subscriptions and deciding where she could make adjustments. Consider other “extra” expenses like gym memberships, magazines and other recurring expenses. If you do not have a spending plan in place to track money coming in and going out, now is a great time to set one up. Check out this worksheet to get started and learn more in our Money Ready 101: Budget section. Like Brittany, decide if you are really using the service and if there is a less expensive option available.
Saving for My Child’s Education
When my son was born, I opened a savings account for him that we use to set aside money for college. I opened it at the same bank that I use so that it is easy to transfer money.
Any time he receives money from birthdays, holidays, or just because, I transfer it to his savings account. I also set up an automatic payment weekly to his account. You can start with whatever amount you are comfortable with and increase from there!
By the time my son is ready for college, our goal is to have at least $10,000 in his savings account for him to put toward his education.
Click the plus sign to hear from our team of experts.
MilSpouse Money Mission
This is a great tip Brittany, and what a great photo of your son! It looks like he is ready to head out the door to school. Way to go on starting early to save for his college education. Maria, an Army spouse, also shares her tips on the importance of starting early and saving what you can in this short video. A savings account is a good place to start and setting up automatic payments is a great way to stay on track. Check out College Savings Plan Choices for more information on other types of accounts, some of which offer special tax and savings benefits. College is like other major purchases and there are several ways to plan for this expense. Money Ready 301: Paying for College has even more information to help others get started!
Turning Around Credit Mistakes
I had a credit card in default when I was 19 years old. Because of this, it took me seven years before I could get an auto loan. I began to focus on rebuilding my credit and the most important key to that was paying off my debts in a timely manner. Looking back now that I’m in my 40s, it was a dumb mistake by me to default, but I learned my lesson the very hard way and won’t ever let it happen again.
In the past couple of years my wife and I have purchased a home and also a parcel of land for our retirement. This was all possible because we both have excellent credit scores now!
Click the plus sign to hear from our team of experts.
MilSpouse Money Mission
Thank you for sharing your story. The great news is that, like Brian, you can learn from past missteps, start from where you are and build positive financial habits moving forward. Understanding credit and managing debt are two key pillars of a strong financial foundation.
Check out our section Understand Credit 101 for more on responsible credit use and how to build a positive reputation. Debt management often goes hand-in-hand with understanding credit. Proper management of debt is key to achieving your financial goals. The resources available in our Managing Debt 101 section will help you get started. Make a plan to attack your debt using the snowball or avalanche calculators to help you build your unique plan.
Don’t Get Caught off Guard by Mother Nature
As much as none of us want another monthly expense, insurance (no matter the form – auto, home, renters, medical, or dental) is a necessity nowadays. My wife and I have had what would have been multiple financially devastating losses in the past couple of years because of hail damage to our home and automobiles. This picture shows our car after a big hailstorm!
Without insurance, we would have spent over $40,000 out of pocket to repair her vehicle and our house (roof, skylights, siding, fencing) in order to have a safe car and a house that wasn’t falling down around us. Instead, we have only paid our deductibles for each at a total of less than $2,500.
Click the plus sign to hear from our team of experts.
MilSpouse Money Mission
Wow, Brian! That must have been a severe storm! Your experience highlights the importance of having insurance to protect your finances from a devastating loss. Insurance is all about risk management. You pay a certain amount each month (called the premium) and if you have to make a claim to the insurance company, your loss will be covered according to the terms of your policy. Visit Money Ready 201 - Insure Your Family for an overview of why you need insurance and how to choose a company. There are several different types of insurance including life, auto, health, renters and homeowners. Make sure to evaluate your coverage annually and when you experience major life changes. A PCS is a perfect time to ensure your policies are up to date and appropriate for your current needs and location. Hailstorms may be common in Colorado, but for your next location, flooding could be more of an issue. So, be sure to do your homework, get the right insurance coverage and don’t let Mother Nature wreck your finances.
Budget for the Fun Things in Life
Budgeting is crucial to ensure that all of your important expenses are accounted for accordingly. We have a written-out budget that we strictly follow! One thing that helps me is to use the notepad on my phone so I can make notes of any purchases in the moment so I don’t forget about them later.
After all of our bills are budgeted out, we ensure that we add in extra “fun” money and savings into the budget. We set aside our “fun” for small and large activities, like the family photo shoot we did (pictured here).
Click the plus sign to hear from our team of experts.
MilSpouse Money Mission
What a beautiful family photo! It is a great idea to budget for fun and entertainment in your family spending plan, as Brianna suggests. The key to a successful spending plan is to find the right system that works for you. Brianna uses the notepad in her phone to keep her family on track. There are lots of options out there: spreadsheets, pen and paper, budgeting apps. The most important factor is your commitment to stick with it and find the tracking method that works best for you. If you’re new to budgeting or need a refresher, check out our Money Ready Budget 101 section. Your spending plan can help you save for big and small goals. This sample worksheet is a great place to start.
Resources to Help Pay for My Education
Going to college is tricky as a military spouse with children. I take all of my classes online since it works best with my busy schedule. Plus, we don’t have to be concerned with child care for our kiddos since I’m taking classes online. Paying for tuition along with the cost of books can be stressful – especially if you aren’t provided financial aid.
One of the things that helped me a TON along the way was Army Emergency Relief (aerhq.org). They give out scholarships to military spouses simply for being spouses. Many spouses don’t know about this wonderful resource! Army Emergency Relief along with MyCAA made saving for classes quite simple when the time came for me to get started. I am currently training to be a certified doula.
Click the plus sign to hear from our team of experts.
MilSpouse Money Mission
Congratulations Brianna on your studies AND the flexibility in making your professional development a priority while balancing the demands of family and MilSpouse life. You know the phrase, “Learn More, Earn More”? Well, investing in your education can help you reach your financial and professional goals and support your family. Check out our Funding College section for more on how to cover college costs for you AND your children.
Brianna highlights two important resources that help military spouses achieve educational and professional goals. Military aid and relief societies are nonprofit organizations that offer a wide range of supportive services to military families, including scholarships. Check our page with the links to your service’s aid and relief society and find out how they may be able to support your educational goals. My Career Advancement Account Scholarship (MyCAA) is a workforce development program that provides up to $4,000 of tuition assistance to eligible military spouses through the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program. Visit the linked resources for more.
Here you may find other great resources Brianna found helpful. These career-focused programs can help cover the cost of in-demand and portable certifications, licenses, or associate’s degrees. Also, take a moment to watch this short video of Caitlin, an Air Force spouse, sharing how MyCAA can help you.
We Had a Baby!
Babies are expensive! My husband and I just had our first baby this year and while we did a good job of buying on sale and thrifting, it still adds up. My advice is to plan for items they might need a year in advance, as once you have the baby, you will need more diapers, clothes, and baby gadgets than you think. Once you learn of your pregnancy, use those nine months to plan, set aside money, and readjust your budget for when the baby is born.
Click the plus sign to hear from our team of experts.
MilSpouse Money Mission
Congratulations on your first child! Welcome to parenthood and, yes, the realization of how expensive children can be. You bring up a great tip to pass along so others are not as overwhelmed. Get started early and plan during those pregnancy months! Your spending plan will be impacted, so here is a worksheet to help you start thinking through some potential changes. Know that you are not alone as you prepare for your new child’s arrival. You may want to listen to another spouse share some resources she wished she had known about early on in this short video.
Visit the New Child milestone for a more in-depth look at how to plan for all the financial changes a new child can bring.
Investing in Our Future
Invest, invest, invest! Even if it’s only a few dollars, invest and leave the money; do not touch it. My husband and I have , and while we know the risks of investing, we believe the reward is greater, just like getting to the top of the mountain! The apps out there today also make it fun, as you can easily watch your money and have greater interaction with what you’ve invested!
Click the plus sign to hear from our team of experts.
MilSpouse Money Mission
One of the best things you can do is pay yourself first! It’s wise to consider building your emergency fund with three to six months of living expenses, and consider investing as a way to help build wealth. If your Service member is part of the Blended Retirement System (BRS), we recommend you save at least 5% into the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) to take full advantage of the matching contribution. That’s FREE money to help you build wealth! For more on that, watch this short video. As Katie mentions, even if you have to start small, it really does add up over time. Everyone has a unique risk tolerance when it comes to investing, so it is important to learn more and communicate with your spouse about your goals and objectives. A great place to start for all things saving and investing is our Money Ready 201 section. Here you will find easy-to-understand resources to break down these sometimes-complicated topics. You can even take a quiz to learn about your money personality to help you get started.
Whether you want to build an emergency fund, increase your TSP savings, or invest in stocks and mutual funds like Katie, we’re here to help. We suggest watching one of our most popular videos on how time builds wealth.
On the Move with the Military
PCSing is a stressful time in a military family's life and can be made worse when financial hardships occur during a move. When planning for your next PCS, always expect things to go right, but also plan for things to go wrong.
My husband and I do our best to try and plan out every aspect of the move, but it always seems like unexpected costs or unforeseen events come up. We always make sure we have $1,000 in our budget to cover car issues or other unexpected incidents during a move. If you don’t have $1,000 readily available, you may be able to request a money advancement before your move through your installation’s Transportation Office.
If you do a Personally Procured Move (PPM), also called a DITY or do-it-yourself move, one thing you can do that could end up saving you money is to make sure your home goods are insured or covered. It's not uncommon for moving trucks, cars or trailers to get broken into on the road, which could end up costing you a lot of money in the end. If you decide to do a household goods (HHG) or move using a government moving company, double check all the paperwork to make sure the moving company writes down that your electronics are in working condition. It’s very common for things to break during an HHG move, so it's important your goods are listed as working or else it may not be covered.
One little way you can save money is to go to the installation lending closet once you arrive at your new home and borrow basic household items required to cook, clean, etc. Eating out every night for a week while you are unpacking your house can get costly, especially if you have children!
Click the plus sign to hear from our team of experts.
MilSpouse Money Mission
These are great tips for a PCS. Thank you for sharing. We love this picture and it looks like you had some fun documenting the trip! We’re sure the more seasoned military spouses out there have a lot of experience and have learned many great hacks over the years. Hopefully the newer spouses will benefit from this wisdom!
One important to-do item on a PCS checklist is to review your insurance coverages. This is not just for home goods while in transit, as Jaime points out (which is super important), but also calling to update coverage for your home goods and automobiles in your new location. Rates can vary from location to location, so it’s important to know and plan ahead.
If you are authorized a money advancement like Jaime’s family, remember you have to pay that back. Plan for repayment in your post-PCS budget so you’re not caught off guard.
We have an entire section of the website dedicated to PCS moves. Here we have videos from other spouses, worksheets to help you start planning for your next move, and some financial planning considerations to keep in mind. Additionally, we provide 10 tips to make your next move a little smoother. Also remember that if things do not go according to plan, the military relief societies stand ready to help with no-interest loans, grants and other community support programs. Check out this blog for more information.
One other thing to consider with a move is change of climate! I bet Jaime learned the climate is a bit different in Colorado than Georgia. Do your homework and if your family needs new wardrobe items like hats and gloves or hair products to de-frizz your hair, it all adds up so be sure to plan ahead and account for any extra expenses.
Setting Financial Goals
One of the best benefits of the military is knowing that the paychecks are going to be stable throughout your time serving. Being realistic is the biggest tip I have when it comes to financial goals. You have to distinguish needs versus wants. If you aren’t going to actively save money, you aren’t going to see results. My husband and I like to set goals in these increments: one to four years, five years and then 10 years. By setting these goals you can also assess where your spouse will be in his/her career. If your spouse is planning to leave his/her military career, then you can figure out how much money you’ll need to make sure you're stable.
Click the plus sign to hear from our team of experts.
MilSpouse Money Mission
A stable paycheck during a military career is certainly a strong benefit. It can bring peace of mind during times of uncertainty. Having a plan for that money is a great way to stay on track. From the picture, it looks like your family enjoys some peacefulness along your journey! Setting goals and celebrating small successes along the way can be a great approach to building financial success. Looking at time periods is a great start!
Here are a few other things to consider when setting goals. Make sure your goals are SMART, meaning:
- Specific – Be very specific in terms of what you would like to accomplish.
- Measurable – Define your goals in a manner allowing you to track your progress and know when you’ve succeeded.
- Attainable – Set goals that are reachable, not merely dreams.
- Relevant – Your goals need to be realistic to help you stay engaged.
- Time-Bound – Set a target date of accomplishment.
Visit Goal Setting to learn more about setting goals and helpful tips to get started.
We Got Married!
Planning to get married is so exciting that sometimes it can prevent us from thinking about other long-term goals. When my husband and I were dating and starting to get serious about marriage, we sat down and had a talk. I knew that I liked to save money and watch it grow in my bank account but also knew that my husband liked to spend. I made it clear that I wanted to handle the finances so that I knew where the money was going and could be in charge of creating a savings. He wanted to make sure that he still could spend money if he wanted to. We came to the agreement that he would have a set amount of money put to the side each paycheck just for him to spend. This makes sure that he won’t spend money over the budget I have planned but also lets him feel like he still gets something from all his hard work.
This is why it is important to talk about this before marriage so that you know exactly what roles you will be playing and won’t get into arguments that could have been avoided by just sitting down and talking. I am proud to say that we have been able to build a substantial amount of money in our savings which allows us to know that we will be OK if life hits us hard.
Click the plus sign to hear from our team of experts.
MilSpouse Money Mission
Congratulations on your marriage (beautiful wedding photo!) and great job having the sometimes-difficult conversation about money ahead of time! Financial management can be a leading cause of strain on a marriage, so it’s important to get ahead on those conversations as much as possible so you and your spouse can align, come up with a plan, and work together to reach your goals. It sounds like you were in tune with your financial differences to start the conversation, but for others who may not know clearly their own values on money nor their partner’s, we have some tools to help. Check out our values and rating worksheets. Print these out and use them as conversation starters with your spouse. You may not be completely aligned on how to manage finances, but like Mariah, start with open communication and mutual understanding. Then, work together to develop a plan that works best for your family. For more tips on being a new spouse in the military, visit our New Spouse section where you’ll see step-by-step information about military pay and benefits, financial planning considerations, videos from other spouses, and many other excellent resources to help get you off on the right financial foot!
Living Apart in the Military
Being apart from your spouse while they are on a tour, PCS or deployment is one of the hardest things a military spouse has to go through. I still remember when my husband called me and told me that he was being sent to South Korea for a year, and I nearly broke down. Since we wouldn’t be seeing each other before he left to Korea, we had to have a serious talk about spending, so that we would be on the same page. We both knew that life gets expensive so we came up with an amount that our account balance could not dip below.
Whenever he got paid, we could discuss our expenses. If we saw we were going over our budget, we would see if any purchases could be pushed to the next pay period. This communication saved us from being financially in trouble when we were apart and living separate lives.
Meanwhile, my husband was staying in the barracks rent free making it so we could put a large chunk of money into savings each paycheck. It’s always important to save when you can for a rainy day.
My personal tip is that it was always nice to have something around that reminds you of your spouse while they are gone, like a picture of the two of us. It helps to have those reminders of when you were together and be able to look forward to the memories you can make together when they are home.
Click the plus sign to hear from our team of experts.
MilSpouse Money Mission
Separation from your spouse is certainly a difficult part of military life. Keeping a picture or memory prominent in your everyday life is such a great idea. It looks like this was a fun night out!
There are many types of separation – such as short deployments, longer deployments, TDY for training, field and other training exercises, and unaccompanied tours like your husband's in South Korea. Before any separation, it’s important to know the financial implications. Some may come with special pay and allowances and others may not. It sounds like you did a great job communicating and coming up with a plan. That’s really half the battle! The path to success is having a firm understanding of your goals, knowing any changes in income and expenses, and then developing a plan to stay on track. There is no right or wrong answer. You have to see what works best for you and your family. For deployment, Erica shares her tip in a short video to watch here. For more tips like this and many other resources to help you plan for time apart, visit our Pre-Deployment section.
Got a New Job (for Myself)
I had been a stay-at-home mom for 15 year before starting my new career, but even then, I always found a little job to get out of the house and make a little extra spending money. I was a dog walker and house sitter for six years both in Washington, D.C. and Seattle. Having this little bit of extra income allowed us to stick with our financial goals like saving for college and retirement. Four years ago, when my spouse deployed to Afghanistan, I decided to become a certified personal trainer. It gave me some financial freedom as well as something that was just for me.
Click the plus sign to hear from our team of experts.
MilSpouse Money Mission
That’s awesome, Suzann! Employment for military spouses is definitely a challenge with so many moves, but it sounds like you’ve done a great job finding creative ways to supplement your family’s income. While it’s not always easy, the first step is to start with setting financial goals like you did. If others need help to get started, visit Goal Setting for some tips and resources. Once you set goals, then it’s time to take a look at your family’s spending plan. If you identify any gaps or opportunities to reach your goals faster, it might help you determine what level of income to strive for at the start. Finding a job or starting a career can be overwhelming if you don’t have some goals in mind. Break down your major goal into smaller pieces, make a plan, find your passion and get creative. Remember, whether you’re working or not, it’s important to save for YOUR retirement. Save into your own Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or a spousal IRA. To learn more, visit our Money Ready 301 Plan to Retire section.
We Bought a Home!
There have been times in our military career that my spouse and I have had to be separated for a period of time. When we last PCS’d, my spouse had to stay behind and finish the job while I had to move ahead and start the kids in school. During that time, we decided that the house we really wanted was yet to be built. So, while on my own, I built and closed on our new house.
We used a VA loan to purchase our home with no money down and were able to roll over the closing costs into our mortgage, so we paid no money out of pocket!
It was the first house we had purchased in 15 years, and it was one we knew we would live in longer than three years. It was a really growing time for our entire family, but so worth it.
Click the plus sign to hear from our team of experts.
MilSpouse Money Mission
Congratulations on your new home! How exciting! Periods of separation are never easy, so great job handling such a major purchase on your own. For others who may be in the market for a new home, we recommend checking out our 5 Rules for Buying a House. This may help you and your spouse prepare for that big step.
For Suzann and many families, the VA loan may be a terrific option. One huge benefit, as Suzann mentioned, is that a down payment is not required. However, we encourage saving for a down payment on a home even if you don’t have to make one. This savings could help you pay for the VA Funding Fee or for move-in expenses that make the home yours. And, if you choose to make a down payment, you will pay less in interest costs over the life of the loan. Visit the VA website to learn more about VA Home Loans by clicking here.
Whether it’s a new home or a new car, major purchases can sometimes put a strain on your budget. Try to avoid acting on impulse and have a level head and a plan in place. It sounds like Suzann and her family waited for the right time and had a plan. Remember that every family’s financial situation is unique, so make sure you research your options and what makes sense now and long-term.
Just a few tips to keep in mind from financial experts:
- Housing expenses should generally be less than 25% of your pre-tax pay.
- Transportation expenses, including payment, insurance, fuel and maintenance, should be less than 15% – 20% of pretax pay.
Visit Money Ready 301 for more information on Major Purchases.
Bought a Car
When we arrived at our new duty station and finally got settled, I decided to go back to work. We needed a second vehicle, so I started saving $200 from each paycheck to put aside for this purchase. Once we had a good chunk of money set aside, we started to shop around – price checking vehicles at several local dealerships, so we could get the best deal! We also got preapproval from our bank ahead of time, so we knew what we could afford.
We ended up getting a 2015 Chevy Cruz at a dealership for $9,000, and I was able to use $2,000 I had saved for my down payment, which made my monthly payment a more affordable $180. I continue to throw more than the minimum at the payment each month, so we are paying it off earlier than expected!
Click the plus sign to hear from our team of experts.
MilSpouse Money Mission
Great job! Sounds like you took all the right steps to make a smart car purchase. You planned ahead and saved money toward the goal, you shopped around instead of making an impulse or emotional decision AND you got preapproved before heading to the dealership. Excellent! Financial experts recommend keeping transportation expenses — including the car payment, insurance, fuel and maintenance — less than 15% – 20% of your pretax income. It’s also nice you have the flexibility to pay off the loan earlier than expected. That’ll certainly save you money by avoiding more interest charges.
If anyone else needs tips on making a major purchase like a new car or home, check out our section, Money Ready 301: Major Purchases.
Created and Kept a Budget
We started making our budget to set money aside for when my husband leaves the military and we move back home. We started saving about 18 months prior to my husband considering the transition to civilian life. This will help the transition of finding a place and making sure we have enough to cover bills while he's looking for civilian employment.
Our budget has all of our current expenses as well as any expenses that we think can be cut and instead put into savings each month! Making the budget was simple, but we did find that sticking to it can be difficult at times! We ended up using cash envelopes to really help us stay on track and not go over budget.
Click the plus sign to hear from our team of experts.
MilSpouse Money Mission
Love this picture and thank you for sharing! This is proof that you don’t need a fancy app or tool to help you budget. Putting pen to paper can be just as helpful. The trick is finding what works for you and then actually doing it. To your point, creating the plan is one thing…sticking to it takes commitment. It was wise to start planning ahead for your husband’s transition from the military. This can be a huge change for your family, so you’re smart to get started! Sounds like you’re moving back home, and although it might be familiar, be sure to do your homework as things change and the cost of living may be different than when you were there before.
For others planning the transition from military to civilian life, we have a whole section dedicated to you with many financial tips. Visit Transition to get started!
And for those wanting to put together or update your budget, check out this sample worksheet to get started. We have that and a lot more information on budgeting in our Money Ready 101 Budget section.
Spouse Deployment
There's hardly a happier moment than homecoming from deployment! My husband and I were able to be fairly stress free, and even enjoy a small staycation, because we set a homecoming goal before deployment! Our goal was to put at least $250 away in savings each month of deployment and have at least $1,000 saved up for a homecoming celebration of our choosing.
Planning ahead financially helps you be happier during the often stressful time of "redeployment," and setting a goal can also give you both something to look forward to during those long months!
Click the plus sign to hear from our team of experts.
MilSpouse Money Mission
Welcome home to your husband! No doubt deployments can cause a lot of stress and anxiety, especially for family members holding down the home front. You did a great job communicating BEFORE the deployment, which is one of our key recommended tips. Often, deployments can come with additional pay, so it’s important to do your homework and have a plan for any increased income. Also remember to adjust your budget if income will be reduced or “go back to normal” after a deployment. A staycation is a great idea! Having a plan and saving up for it allows you to enjoy the time without the stress of using credit cards or accruing debt.
For other spouses who may be experiencing a deployment, be sure to check out our Pre-Deployment and Post-Deployment sections for more great tips to help you prepare AND hear from other spouses who share their best practices.
Served as a Caregiver
Finding a job as a military spouse can be really difficult, especially as a parent of a special needs child. Explore what options the military and state might have for you! Colorado and some other states have programs that allow you to be paid as a certified caregiver! Although there might be some paperwork and processes to go through, it's worth it to earn some extra income for work you may already be doing.
Click the plus sign to hear from our team of experts.
MilSpouse Money Mission
Thank you so much for sharing information on this important topic. Having a child with special needs can be especially challenging in the military. That’s a great tip to explore any and all benefits the military offers. Be sure to check out the Exceptional Family Member Program on Military OneSource as well.
Brittany, another spouse, offers her tips in caring for a child with special needs in this short video.
Recent Blogs
5 Financial Resolutions to Start the New Year Off Right
You don’t need to wait until January to take a fresh look at your finances. Get a jump on the new year with these five resolutions — they can really pay off over the next 12 months. 1. Set/update your budget Setting a budget is the first step in a military family’s financial planning. And…
Read More
5 Financial Power Moves for MilSpouses
During National Veterans and Military Families Month in November, we salute the strength of our families as they support the mission of our community. MilSpouses, especially, display determination as they face the challenges of military life. We see you navigate frequent moves, deployments and often raising children as a solo parent. We understand your motivation…
Read More
The Year In Review: Bring Your Financial Picture into Focus
It can be fun and even eye-opening to watch those year-end montages reminiscing about the year. If you ever have that moment when you say to yourself, “Wait, that was this year?”, you could also imagine how easy it could be to lose track of the goals and financial plans you set in motion when…
Read More
Now’s the Time to Think About Life Insurance
Hey, MilSpouses, it’s Life Insurance Awareness Month! Okay, so maybe that doesn’t make you want to break out the cake and ice cream, but life insurance is an important part of your financial plan. It can help take care of your family, giving them financial security if something happens to you or your service member.…
Read More
Budget and Insurance: What to Do After You PCS
After months of planning and hard work, you’ve landed safely at your next duty station. Congratulations! As you kick off this next chapter in your MilLife, it’s a good time to check in on your finances. Let’s look at two key items that are likely to change after a PCS: your budget and your insurance.…
Read More
Insurance and Estate Planning for Your Peace of Mind
Insurance protection and estate planning are key to your family’s financial peace of mind. Insurance protects you from serious financial loss and provides for your family, and estate planning ensures your wishes are carried out in case you are no longer there. Protect Your Stuff Homeowners and Renters Insurance: Both homeowners and renters insurance cover…
Read More
PCS Finances for MilSpouses: In Their Own Words
Did you set financial goals earlier this year only to have a permanent change of station (PCS) threaten to derail your family’s budget? You’re not alone. Other MilSpouses have learned how to keep their family finances intact during a move — and so can you! Here is valuable advice from their experiences. PCS-proof Your Finances…
Read More
Showing Appreciation with Top Resources for MilSpouses
As MilSpouses, we are often asked to shoulder a big load of responsibility. When partners deploy or work long hours, managing career and home responsibilities — especially finances — can fall on us. May 10 is Military Spouse Appreciation Day, and we pause to honor your unwavering support, strength and resiliency in all you do…
Read More
