Finance

Seven Smart Summertime Savings Steps
Summertime is almost here, and that means vacation season! We work hard all year, and now it’s time ...

Ready or Not…Retirement Is Coming!
As kids, many of us played hide-and-seek. The person who was “it” would cover their eyes, count as f...

Spring Cleaning Your Finances in 5 Easy Steps
Spring cleaning isn’t just for closets, garages, and storage rooms. It’s also the perfect time to sh...

VSO 101 - Love Your Family by Setting Up All of Your Benefits – Survivor Benefit Program
This month, we’re going to cover how to set up your Survivor Benefit Plan or SBP. For those unfamili...

National Investing Day: A No-Jargon Guide for Military Members
National Investing Day: A Simple Investing Primer for Military Members & FamiliesMay 1 is National I...

Bigger Tax Refunds in 2026: Smart Moves for Military Families
Americans are seeing noticeably higher tax refunds this year, with early IRS data showing average re...

VSO 101 – Learn More About the PACT Act
Signed by President Biden on 10 August 2022, the PACT Act is a comprehensive set of rules and direct...

Don’t Fall for These Military Money Myths! – March
Military life is unique. From PCS moves to deployments to special pays and allowances, service membe...

Operation Publication: How to Get Started as a Writer — No Matter What You Want to Write
Whether you dream of writing children’s books, adult fiction, memoirs, devotionals, or practical non...

VSO 101 – Applying for Death Benefits: Burial and Funeral Costs
This blog is directed to the families of Veterans, specifically the benefits available for burial an...

Operation Publication: Why Writing Books Is a Great Fit for Military Spouses
Writing, whether for children or adults, is more than a creative outlet. It’s a flexible, meaningful...

Operation Publication: Just Like Me, You Can Become an Author
I never expected to become an author. Creative writing wasn’t something I enjoyed in school, and it ...

New Year, New Money Habits: A Fresh Financial Start for Military Families
As we flip the calendar page to a new year, many of us are thinking about typical resolutions, such ...

Making the Most of Your $1,776 Warrior Dividend
The President announced the $1,776 Warrior Dividend, and DFAS has begun processing payments for acti...

The Benefit Every Military Family Should Actually Be Using
FSA open enrollment started November 10th, if I’m being honest, it used to be one of those emails I’...

TSP In-Service Withdrawals: What You Need to Know
In a previous blog, I covered the ability to take a loan from your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) or empl...

MyCAA Scams: What Every Military Spouse Needs to Know—and How to Fight Back
Military spouses know the value of a flexible education benefit—and for eligible spouses, the Milita...

VSO 101 – Education Benefits
The words ‘G.I. Bill’ first comes to mind when someone mentions military and veteran educational ben...

The Government May Be Shutdown, But Your Local Commissary & Exchanges Are Open!
With the overnight announcement of the 2025 Government Shutdown, you may be trying to navigate what ...

Finish Strong: Q4 Goal Setting
As a mom, military spouse, and veteran, I’ve learned that the last stretch of the year can feel like...

Time to Snag Some Fall Vibes on a Budget!
I don’t know about you, but in my opinion, the fall season is the best time of the year. You get to ...

VSO 101 – Appealing Your Denied Claim
Okay, you have gone to every appointment, answered every question, and taken every test possible. Ne...

Operation Homeownership: 15-Year or 30-Year Mortgage? – What You Need to Know
Military families navigate unique financial terrain—frequent PCS moves, sudden deployments, and tigh...

Take Control: The Ultimate Financial Toolkit for Military Families – Looking Ahead
In the first installment of looking at our Financial Toolbox, we explored getting started with our f...

Take Control: The Ultimate Financial Toolkit for Military Families – Getting Started
What’s in Your Financial Toolbox?In the military, the right tool can mean the difference between mis...

Back-to-School on a Budget: 3 Smart Ways Military Families Can Save on Clothes (Especially Uniforms!)
If you’re like me, YOU LIKE TO PLAN! So, even it feels like school just let out, you’re already prep...

VSO 101 – VA Claims: Gathering Records
Previously, I covered working with a VSO volunteer Service Officer (SO) to begin filing a claim with...

Do You Need a Credit Freeze?
A credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, is a tool that restricts access to your credit rep...

Renters Insurance 101
As PCS season ramps up, it’s a great time to review your insurance coverages! Renters insurance is a...

Military Tuition Assistance
The Military Tuition Assistance (TA) program is an incredible benefit that helps service members fur...
More For You


My Military Lifestyle
The paradox of that homestretch is real...when the weeks or months shrink down to days, somehow the final week feels greatly magnified. The countdown app on your phone will eventually say three days, but your brain and body swear you’re three light years away. You’ve survived the long haul...the solo routines, decisions, dinners, and sheer mental weight of running a full solo marathon. There’s now...


My Military Lifestyle
Veterans Day makes me think about the people who served before me, especially my grandfather. As an active-duty Navy Sailor, I understand how much preparation goes into being ready when others are counting on you. I also recognize the sacrifices that service asks of veterans and their families. Honoring them means taking time to appreciate what they gave and thinking about how I can carry their ex...


My Military Lifestyle
Most veterans know that filing a VA disability claim can be frustrating. What they may not realize is that they don't have to pay someone to help them file their initial claim.That matters because some companies charge veterans thousands of dollars for assistance they could receive for free.The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has repeatedly warned about businesses it calls claims predators: op...


My Military Lifestyle
Fall is upon us, and that means cooler temperatures, fall foliage, a new season of The Great British Bake Off, and lots and lots of pumpkins. That also means it’s baking season! If you’re anything like me, you scour every source you can to find fun and new pumpkin recipes. Apple cider donuts? Yes, please. Cinnamon rolls? I’ll take two. Coffee cake? You had me at struesel. This is the time of year ...


My Military Lifestyle
8 VA Special Claims and Benefits Veterans May Qualify For Beyond Disability Pay
Most veterans with a service-connected disability focus on getting their rating right. That makes sense because your rating plays a major role in determining your monthly disability compensation.But your rating doesn't necessarily cover every expense or limitation caused by your condition.Certain service-connected disabilities may also qualify you for additional monthly compensation, vehicle assis...


My Military Lifestyle
My Dog Mom Non-Negotiables
If you have dogs, you already know they somehow become part of literally every part of your routine. You wake up and they’re there. You’re making breakfast and they’re staring at you. You try to leave the house and suddenly everyone needs attention right now. Quite frankly I wouldn’t have it any other way.I feel like there are so many conversations around being a “good dog parent” that make it see...


My Military Lifestyle
VA Disability Back Pay Explained: Effective Dates, Payments, and Deadlines
Getting approved for VA disability compensation can feel like the finish line, especially if you've spent months waiting for a decision.Then you hear about back pay, and suddenly there's another question: How much money should you actually receive?VA calls it retroactive benefits. It's compensation owed for eligible months before your regular payments begin. Depending on your disability rating and...


My Military Lifestyle
SGLI vs. VGLI: What Happens to Your Life Insurance When You Leave the Military?
When I separated from the USAF in 2024, life insurance was the last thing on my mind.I was focused on clearing the post, turning in gear, and figuring out what came next. Somewhere in that process, I overlooked what would happen to my life insurance.I left without enrolling in Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI), and I didn't fully understand when my military coverage would end.If nobody walked ...


My Military Lifestyle
VA Home Loans: How to Get a Good Deal and Avoid Costly Refinancing Traps
Everyone who has gotten a VA loan knows how annoying the torrent of mailers promising "no-cost VA refinancing" with "record-low rates" are. Every one of them looks official. None offered the deal the headline promised.Some people fall for it. Don’t be one of them.That's exactly the situation we want to help you avoid. Whether you're buying your first home with a VA loan or considering refinancing ...


My Military Lifestyle
Keep Halloween Dinner Scary Easy with TOMBSTONE Pizza
Halloween has a way of making dinner feel like an afterthought. Between getting costumes together, finding the candy you definitely bought but somehow can’t find, getting the kids out the door, heading to a Halloween party, or just trying to make it home from work before everything starts, nobody really wants to spend an hour making dinner on October 31. My idea? Keep it scary easy.I’m pretty disc...


My Military Lifestyle
Survival Mode: Navigating the Homecoming Horizon
The paradox of that homestretch is real...when the weeks or months shrink down to days, somehow the final week feels greatly magnified. The countdown app on your phone will eventually say three days, but your brain and body swear you’re three light years away. You’ve survived the long haul...the solo routines, decisions, dinners, and sheer mental weight of running a full solo marathon. There’s now...


My Military Lifestyle
Honoring Veterans Through the Example They Set
Veterans Day makes me think about the people who served before me, especially my grandfather. As an active-duty Navy Sailor, I understand how much preparation goes into being ready when others are counting on you. I also recognize the sacrifices that service asks of veterans and their families. Honoring them means taking time to appreciate what they gave and thinking about how I can carry their ex...


My Military Lifestyle
Free VA Disability Claim Help: How to Avoid Illegal Fees and Find Someone You Can Trust
Most veterans know that filing a VA disability claim can be frustrating. What they may not realize is that they don't have to pay someone to help them file their initial claim.That matters because some companies charge veterans thousands of dollars for assistance they could receive for free.The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has repeatedly warned about businesses it calls claims predators: op...


My Military Lifestyle
To Pumpkin or Not to Pumpkin: Your Fall Recipe Guide
Fall is upon us, and that means cooler temperatures, fall foliage, a new season of The Great British Bake Off, and lots and lots of pumpkins. That also means it’s baking season! If you’re anything like me, you scour every source you can to find fun and new pumpkin recipes. Apple cider donuts? Yes, please. Cinnamon rolls? I’ll take two. Coffee cake? You had me at struesel. This is the time of year ...


My Military Lifestyle
Most veterans with a service-connected disability focus on getting their rating right. That makes sense because your rating plays a major role in determining your monthly disability compensation.But your rating doesn't necessarily cover every expense or limitation caused by your condition.Certain service-connected disabilities may also qualify you for additional monthly compensation, vehicle assis...


My Military Lifestyle
If you have dogs, you already know they somehow become part of literally every part of your routine. You wake up and they’re there. You’re making breakfast and they’re staring at you. You try to leave the house and suddenly everyone needs attention right now. Quite frankly I wouldn’t have it any other way.I feel like there are so many conversations around being a “good dog parent” that make it see...


My Military Lifestyle
Getting approved for VA disability compensation can feel like the finish line, especially if you've spent months waiting for a decision.Then you hear about back pay, and suddenly there's another question: How much money should you actually receive?VA calls it retroactive benefits. It's compensation owed for eligible months before your regular payments begin. Depending on your disability rating and...


My Military Lifestyle
When I separated from the USAF in 2024, life insurance was the last thing on my mind.I was focused on clearing the post, turning in gear, and figuring out what came next. Somewhere in that process, I overlooked what would happen to my life insurance.I left without enrolling in Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI), and I didn't fully understand when my military coverage would end.If nobody walked ...


My Military Lifestyle
Everyone who has gotten a VA loan knows how annoying the torrent of mailers promising "no-cost VA refinancing" with "record-low rates" are. Every one of them looks official. None offered the deal the headline promised.Some people fall for it. Don’t be one of them.That's exactly the situation we want to help you avoid. Whether you're buying your first home with a VA loan or considering refinancing ...


My Military Lifestyle
Halloween has a way of making dinner feel like an afterthought. Between getting costumes together, finding the candy you definitely bought but somehow can’t find, getting the kids out the door, heading to a Halloween party, or just trying to make it home from work before everything starts, nobody really wants to spend an hour making dinner on October 31. My idea? Keep it scary easy.I’m pretty disc...


My Military Lifestyle
The paradox of that homestretch is real...when the weeks or months shrink down to days, somehow the final week feels greatly magnified. The countdown app on your phone will eventually say three days, but your brain and body swear you’re three light years away. You’ve survived the long haul...the solo routines, decisions, dinners, and sheer mental weight of running a full solo marathon. There’s now...


My Military Lifestyle
Veterans Day makes me think about the people who served before me, especially my grandfather. As an active-duty Navy Sailor, I understand how much preparation goes into being ready when others are counting on you. I also recognize the sacrifices that service asks of veterans and their families. Honoring them means taking time to appreciate what they gave and thinking about how I can carry their ex...


My Military Lifestyle
Most veterans know that filing a VA disability claim can be frustrating. What they may not realize is that they don't have to pay someone to help them file their initial claim.That matters because some companies charge veterans thousands of dollars for assistance they could receive for free.The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has repeatedly warned about businesses it calls claims predators: op...


My Military Lifestyle
Fall is upon us, and that means cooler temperatures, fall foliage, a new season of The Great British Bake Off, and lots and lots of pumpkins. That also means it’s baking season! If you’re anything like me, you scour every source you can to find fun and new pumpkin recipes. Apple cider donuts? Yes, please. Cinnamon rolls? I’ll take two. Coffee cake? You had me at struesel. This is the time of year ...







