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8 Ways to Save Money on Deployment
U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson) Ah, deployment. Whether it’s 30 days or 15 months, it’s never easy. All of the preparation that goes into deploying, the actual deployment, and...
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Should I Get the AAFES Military Star Rewards MasterCard?
The AAFES Military Star Card (login required) is offered through the Exchange Credit Program, part of the Exchange, NEX, MCX, and Coast Guard Exchange brand of services offered on most military...
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USAA Career Starter Loan Paid Off 2 Years Early!
We have reached another milestone in our journey to financial independence. After 2 years, 5 months, and 26 days of repayments, I made the final payment on my USAA Career Starter Loan! When I started...
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Quick Guide to the GI Bill
The GI bill, whether Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) or Post 9/11 GI Bill, is one of, if not the most valuable benefit you can get as a former military member. It provides 36 months (in some cases 48...
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How Long Does it Take to “Get Ahead?”
I graduated college with $60,000 in student debt. When my wife and I got engaged, she was carrying $45,000 of student loans. Between us, we were working against over $100,000 of debt. Unlike debt...
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Thanks Congress! Government Shutdown Equals No Military Pay
Here we go again – for the 2nd time in my short military career, the prospect of the government shutting down is looming on the horizon. What does that mean for the grunt on the ground in Afghanistan...
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Military Life Insurance
Life insurance can be one of those things that you don’t want to think about. Contemplating what happens if you were to “buy the farm” isn’t the most fun imaginative exercise. Plus, it’s pretty boring....
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Testing T-Mobile’s Global Unlimited Data Plan in Germany
At the beginning of this month I had the chance to do a live, on the ground test of T-Mobile’s Simple Choice Plan just outside of Frankfurt, Germany. I travel to Germany and other European Union...
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Thrift Savings Plan – The Best Retirement Plan in the World
The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) offers a unique, low cost, tax advantaged, diversified, and automatic investment opportunity to US government employees and military personnel. Since I’m active duty Air...
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The Average Net Worth of the Above Average Military Officer
Not a commissioned officer? I’ve got a chart for the Above Average Enlisted Personnel as well. Check it out next week! Thanks to Sam at Financial Samurai for the idea to put this chart together.It...
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The Average Net Worth of the Above Average Enlisted Personnel
Are you a military officer? Me too! Check out the chart I made for the above average officer net worth. Thanks to Sam at Financial Samurai for the idea to put this chart together.This guy doesn’t...
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10 Christmas Gift Ideas for Deployed Military Personnel
He’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice…The holiday season can be especially hard on military families. Loved ones can be deployed overseas, in a combat zone, or on a short notice TDY to respond to...
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Welcome Financial Samurai Readers
Berlin Street Art “The Flash” 2010 This morning my guest post about the benefits of joining the military versus going to college went live on Financial Samurai. If this is your first time to my site,...
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3 Things Every New Military Recruit Must Do With Their Money
Enlisting in the military is usually the first real world job of many high school and college graduates. This is your chance to set yourself up for financial independence sooner rather than later. Your...
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Deployment: The Most Financially Beneficial Event of Your Life
In 2013 I deployed for the first time with my squadron to a location in Southwest Asia. It was quite an adventure. I had a lot to learn about accomplishing our mission out there as well as all the...
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Top 7 Concerns of Deployed Military Personnel – And How To Solve Them
The following article is a guest post from Neal Frankle. He’s the owner of Wealth Pilgrim and also writes for Business Insider. He’s also been a Certified Financial Planner for over 30 years and offers...
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New 2018 Military Blended Retirement System
Click for PDF Executive summary: Up to 5% base pay match for TSP contributions. 1% automatic DoD contribution regardless of member’s contribution. Retirement pension is now calculated as years served x...
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Rob Aeschbach: Fee Only Military Financial Planner
One of the perks of having a blog is meeting and working with some amazingly talented individuals. Rob Aeschbach is one of those people. Rob (last name is pronounced ASH-back) retired from the Marine...
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Leaving the military? Negotiate that salary!
One of the most frustrating parts of military or government service is our pay is literally fixed by an act of Congress. If you are the negotiating type or think you are not being properly compensated...
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Just Joined the Military? Here’s What to Do With Your Money
This is written primarily for the young enlisted fresh out of boot camp or the newly minted officer from the Academies, ROTC, or OTS/OCS. However, much of the advice can be applied to anybody, civilian...
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