MILSPOUSE BLOG

How to Minimize the Cost of Travel Surprises

May 26, 2023

For me, the goal of a vacation is to fully unplug and recharge. So when my husband and I experienced travel issues during our recent vacation, it was stressful and led to unexpected expenses, which led to even more stress! The irony is that we spent a year planning and saving up for this big…

6 Tips to Avoid a Holiday Debt Hangover

October 25, 2022

The holidays are a great time for celebration and connection. With some good, advanced planning, I’ve found I can prepare for major purchases, spread the seasonal cheer and avoid a dreaded holiday debt hangover – all at the same time! Last year, the average consumer spent an estimated $1,000 on holiday-related shopping, according to the…

How to Be Financially Prepared for Unexpected Events

September 6, 2022

As a military spouse, you’ve learned to adapt to change. Still, the unexpected — whether a broken-down car, job loss, emergency travel or natural disaster — can cause stress and add pressure to your finances. Fortunately, you can take proactive steps to lessen the impact unexpected events can cause. It’s a great time to mentally…

5 Ways to Save on Back-to-School Shopping

August 2, 2022

The cost of this season preparing kids for school can add up quickly. Families are feeling these impacts firsthand when buying their students new clothes, shoes, backpacks, lunch boxes and school supplies. To help avoid going into debt this summer from back-to-school shopping, consider these five cost-saving tips to get ahead of rising costs and…

Spring Clean to Earn Some Green

May 16, 2022

Ah, spring! Days are getting longer, temperatures are rising, and for many, it is a time to renew and refresh. It is also a time to focus on the home front, literally. Maybe your yard needs some attention after the colder winter temperatures. Or maybe it’s time to open the windows and let in the…

Inflation Hacks – Tips to Strengthen Your Budget

April 18, 2022

By now you’re likely feeling the impact of paying more at the grocery store and gas station. Are these increases starting to affect your daily decisions? If this is your experience, you are not alone. The force at work is called inflation. Inflation is a general increase in the overall price level of the goods…

Prepare for Major Purchases

October 5, 2021

Big ticket items can come up at any time of the year. Some we can predict and plan for and others we don’t see coming. For those unexpected expenses, experts recommend having a separate cash account to cover emergencies. Ideally, you should have three to six months of living expenses set aside. If that seems…

Create an Effective PCS Plan for Your Family to Cover Each Stage of Your Move

April 27, 2021

Create an Effective PCS Plan for Your Family to Cover Each Stage of Your Move Moving is part of life for military families. Although you do not have much control over where you move, getting new Permanent Change of Station or PCS orders can be exciting. Whether you’re moving within the U.S. or overseas, careful…

Reduce Strain on Your Family Spending Plan

October 13, 2020

Tips to Stretch Your Spending Plan This Fall You may have noticed the days are getting a little shorter, and there’s a crispness to the air. Fall is officially here! Under normal circumstances, military families often welcome the change in seasons, as they settle into school and extracurricular activities. But this year is anything but…

What You Need to Know About the Payroll Tax Deferral

September 22, 2020

Payroll Tax Deferral Military spouses, have you heard? To help provide relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Presidential Memorandum issued on August 8, 2020 temporarily defers Social Security — Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) — tax withholdings for some Service members. This is known as the payroll tax deferral. What Does This Mean…