Affordable Family Adventures During a PCS Move
Affordable Family Adventures During a PCS Move
Back in 2014 we had our first family PCS from Florida to Alaska. We decided to drive from Eglin AFB, Florida to Bellingham, Washington where we took the ferry into Whittier, Alaska (just one hour from Anchorage). It was a great adventure for us!
We did this with our 15-month-old, 6-year-old, and our dog. We stayed at places with free breakfast and also made PB&J sandwiches for lunch to save money. Additionally, we only went out to eat for dinner and tried our best to keep everything under $50. With our kids being so little, it was actually pretty easy for us to keep within our budget!
We also saved money by staying with some of our closest friends on the way. Being an Air Force brat for 25 years and an Army spouse now, we are blessed to have friends all over the world who were so kind to open up their homes for us!
MilSpouse Money
Mission Response:
It sounds like that will be a PCS your family will never forget! Thank you for sharing, Sonia! Whether you’re a newbie or a pro, a PCS is not easy. Start planning in advance to help make the transition as smooth as possible. Our PCS Milestone section is a great place to start, you will find worksheets, resources, tips and videos on financial planning considerations for every phase of PCS – before, during and after.
There are a lot of moving parts during a PCS, and like Sonia and her family, you may want to take the opportunity to visit friends or family or vacation during your move. Plan to include extra expenses for things like dining out, lodging and recreation in your PCS budget. Also, you may have to cover out-of-pocket expenses that may not be fully reimbursed. Stick to your budget and build up a PCS fund ahead of time to cover any unexpected costs. Kelly, an Army spouse, also offers great tips on preparing financially for your PCS in this short video.
Also, don’t forget to consider how a change in climate can impact your spending plan. Sonia moved from Florida to Alaska, which likely had an impact on everything from vehicle maintenance to winter clothing needs. These factors (and many more) impact your spending plan, so look ahead and account for any new expenses that may pop up at your new duty station. Remember to review and adjust your plan when you go through a major transition like a PCS.
