Articles by Kalina Hyche
12 results found.
Building an Emergency Fund when you're “Part-Time” Military
When people hear “part-time military,” they often picture one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer. Most National Guard members know that’s rarely reality.You’re balancing a civilian career, mi...
Raising Kids Who Understand Service (Without Making it Heavy)
The other day, one of my kids asked me why I had drill again. Not in a dramatic way. Not because they were upset. Just one of those random questions children ask while you’re trying to unload grocerie...
Military Life Doesn’t Come With a Manual, But It Does Come With Support
Military life is full of moments that shape us. Some are exciting, like arriving at a new duty station, welcoming a new family member, celebrating a promotion, or preparing for a new opportunity. Othe...
Wearing the Uniform on the Fourth of July
Okay, let me tell you this now like a big sister would, because nobody really explains this part of Guard life beforehand. Wearing the uniform on the Fourth of July feels a little emotional in the wei...
When Annual Training turns me into a Solo Parent
Let me just say this upfront, because I wish someone had said it to me like this. Annual Training will humble you real fast when it turns you into a solo parent. I don’t mean that in a dramatic way. I...
Memorial Day Feels Different When You Wear the Uniform
There’s a shift that happens when you put on the uniform. Memorial Day stops being just a long weekend. It stops being about sales, lake plans, or the unofficial start of summer. It becomes quieter. H...
The Best of Both Worlds…or Is It?
If you grew up on Hannah Montana, then you already know the line we were sold: “You get the best of both worlds…” Honestly? That’s exactly how the National Guard gets marketed: Civilian life and milit...
Inside Guard Life: Welcoming New Soldiers to the Unit in the New Year
New year, same cold, same 0430 alarms, same “who thought it was a good idea to schedule a PT test in January” energy. Every new year brings a few new faces into the unit. Fresh boots, nervous smiles, ...
Guard Life: Holiday Party – There Ain’t No Party Like It
Every year around this time, the same question starts floating through the group chat: “Are we doing a formal dinner this year, or is it another potluck situation?”If you’ve ever been part of a Nation...
Our Other Family Table: Thanksgiving with the Guard
When most people picture Thanksgiving, they imagine a table surrounded by relatives, food, and tradition. For National Guard families, there is often another table that feels just as important. It is ...
Rising from the Dead (a.k.a. Post-Drill Slumber) — It’s Back to Formation, Baby
October isn’t just pumpkin patches and cinnamon candles around here — it’s also the season of being violently yanked out of your cozy comfort zone by the sound of an early morning rucksack dump. That’...
Trunk-or-Treat Fun for Military Families: Candy and Community
The Magic of October NightsOctober always brings a special kind of magic. The air turns crisp, pumpkins sit proudly on porches, and kids dream up their Halloween costumes. For Guard families, the armo...
More For You
You step through the front door, and there they are. You walk into the bathroom, only to turn around and see a tiny familiar paw sliding under the door. For a lot of cat owners, having that distinct feeling that you’re being stalked is a normal part of daily life. Whether you’re sipping coffee, folding laundry, or walking to the fridge you can often find your cat right at your heels. Despite our f...
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 ...
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 ...
