Military Spouse Employment 101

Military Spouse Employment Manual

Holding down a job while your spouse is in the military is easier than you might think. While the military often throws a monkey wrench into best-laid plans, your career doesn’t have to be one of them.

Military spouses have successful careers in all types of industries. Want to be a writer? A teacher? An entrepreneur? Maybe a surgical nurse? Do you dream of running an organization?

Military spouses are making a go of their dream jobs across a wide range of fields. You can too, by following these critical steps.

Step 1: Use Everyone You Know

Military spouses are primed to do one business activity better than just about anyone else: network. And networking is how you’re going to find, get and keep a job as a military spouse.

And when you PCS, it’ll be how you do it again.

Networking by any other name is just being friendly, and you do that with every move already.

Learn how to leverage those skills for a job.

First, you’ll need how to learn how to turn that stranger you’ve just met into a career connection. Then, you’ll need to learn how to move from a simple connection to something more — to actually sit down and talk or, in business parlance, “take a meeting.”

You’ll also need to figure out how to do all of this online so that you can get a head start on making connections at your new duty station before you even PCS.

For some spouses, this is easy. For others, it’s more difficult. If you’re working in a very narrow, specific field, you might find networking in your industry from inside the confines of the military community to be even harder, but we’ve even got a plan for that.

Step 2: Look for the Right Job

Many spouses tell us that they feel like they have to take jobs of “last resort.” Jobs that will hire anyone, that won’t care that they’re a military spouse, and will never ask more of them than they can do in a regular eight-hour shift. Jobs that won’t grow them. That won’t help them build a career. That won’t help them fulfill their own dreams.

You don’t have to do that.

Many spouses participate in preferential hiring programs, which can help you find a job at your installation, in a company or with the government, and get a leg up over other candidates.

Many other military spouses work remotely or launch their own businesses. Whatever path you choose, starting your career, returning to work or expanding your professional experiences all start with a very smart search. Luckily for you, there are plenty of resources for military spouses to help you find the right job.

Step 3: Use Your Resources

This one is key. Military life presents challenges at every turn. But it also throws out lots of career resources. Looking to craft your resume to best showcase your potential? Start here. Trying to write a resume even when you don’t have much experience?

For even more help, head to your local installation. All military branches have resources to help you launch your job search and get your job-hunting ducks in order. Find our rundowns for your branch here: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy.

Step 4: Take Advice from Someone Who Has Done It

No matter what you do or want to do, nothing is as helpful as listening to the advice of other military spouses who have been there, done that. By listening to their stories and experiences, you’ll be able to see how their actions can be replicated or used in your own job search.

Military Spouse and Family Benefits

The military can be a difficult lifestyle for a family, but it does come with some excellent benefits. Some of those are in the form of cash, and some are in the form of discounts. In addition to the bi-monthly paycheck, military service members receive benefits like money for housing, subsidized groceries and healthcare.

Don’t know exactly how to get your military spouse and family benefits or want to know more about what they are? Read on.

First, make sure you can access your benefits.

To receive any military benefits, military family members must be registered in the military’s personnel system, the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), and receive a military ID card. To do that you need to be the service member’s spouse or child.

Certain other family members can also receive ID cards in some circumstances.

Military Pay

Every military service member receives at least a base pay. Most also receive a variety of allowances, special pays and bonuses depending on things like deployment, paygrade and military job. For most married service members, those allowances include Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) and Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).

Guard and Reserve pay work a little differently.

If you’re confused about what your service member is currently getting paid, you can view his or her Leave and Earnings Statement (LES). The LES can look confusing and complicated, but we’ve got a simple tutorial to walk you through it.

Military Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is given to every active-duty service member as part of their bi-weekly pay. How much you receive is usually based on where your service member is stationed. Even if you choose to live somewhere other than his duty station while he is home or deployed, you will still receive BAH based on duty station, not your residence.

In some cases, your service member may be stationed somewhere you cannot go — called a “hardship duty assignment.” If that happens, you may be able to receive BAH based on wherever you choose to live instead of where he is stationed.

BAH is meant to cover 97 percent of your housing costs, minus renters insurance. The BAH rates are recalculated every year. If the rates go down where you are living, you will be grandfathered into the older, higher rate. If the rates go up where you are living, you’ll receive the new, higher amount.

Military Shopping Benefits

Known as “non-monetary compensation,” military shopping benefits help military families save money on the things they want or need.

Most bases worldwide are home to a military commissary operated by a government organization called the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA). Commissaries can often help military families save money on grocery items, since stores are required by law to sell items at cost. Check out this commissary 101 for more information on commissary shopping.

Most bases are also home to a department store called an exchange, as well as gas stations, liquor stores and fast food. On Army and Air Force bases, all of those places are run by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). On Marine Corps bases, they are run by the Marine Corps Exchange (MEX), and on Navy bases, they are run by the Navy Exchange (NEX). All of those companies operate independently of the military but use a percentage of their revenue to fund other military family programs. Most items purchased in the exchanges are tax exempt, making those stores great places to buy big-ticket items like electronics and furniture.

Military Childcare

Most military bases have a variety of full-time or hourly daycare centers. The costs of these are based on a family’s total income, not just the service member’s paygrade. Waiting lists at these centers can be long, so the military also allows families to use subsidized in-home daycares that have been officially approved. If you don’t live near a base or there are no on-base daycare center spots available, the military will also subsidize the cost of care at certain off-base, civilian daycares that have become a part of their network.

Military Recreation Benefits

Military Welfare and Recreation (MWR) is a major part of base life — and a part of your benefits. The programs MWR funds and manages on base are often much more affordable than their off-base counterparts because the government subsidizes their costs.

MWR manages most recreation on every base, including gyms, pools, bowling alleys, horse stables, event centers, golf courses, discounted equipment rentals and more. Many bases also have available youth programs operated through MWR like dance classes, sports teams and clubs. Since most of these services are specific to each base, you should contact your local MWR office to learn what is available.

MWR operates several resorts in vacation destinations around the world. And the individual services’ MWR programs operate recreation areas stateside in places like Virginia Beach, Virginia; Fort Walton Beach, Florida; and Pacific Beach, Washington. The best way to find out what is currently available from that program is to contact your base MWR office.

Military Spouse and Family Healthcare

Active-duty military families — regardless of which branch of service their spouse serves in — receive benefits through the military’s healthcare, which is called Tricare. While Tricare is technically not an insurance company, it often operates a lot like one, helping military families receive healthcare and pay medical bills.

There are two kinds of Tricare that active-duty families, medically retired families and families of activated guardsmen and reservists can use: Tricare Select (previously known as Tricare Standard) and Tricare Prime.

If you are a non-activated guard or reserve family, you can still use Tricare under the programs designed specifically for you.

Military retiree families can also receive Tricare.

Dental insurance is provided to military families through United Concordia.

Facts for Veterans: What is IRRRL?

IRRRL stands for Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan. You may see it referred to as a “Streamline” or a “VA to VA.” These loans are typically used to reduce the borrower’s interest rate or to convert an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) to a fixed rate mortgage.

As you’d expect, IRRLs typically must result in an interest rate reduction. Otherwise, why refinance? However, there is an exception: when refinancing an existing VA guaranteed adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) to a fixed rate the interest rate may increase.

Besides that, there are a few other facts anyone considering an IRRRL should know.

First, no appraisal or credit underwriting package is required by the VA. You should be aware, however, that lenders may require an appraisal and credit report anyway.

Second, a certificate of eligibility is not required. Your lender can use the VA’s e-mail confirmation procedure for interest rate reduction refinance in lieu of a certificate of eligibility.

Further, an IRRRL can be done only if you have already used your eligibility for a VA loan on the same property you intend to refinance. It must be a VA to VA refinance, and it will reuse the entitlement you originally used. You may have used your entitlement by obtaining a VA loan when you bought your house, or by substituting your eligibility for that of the seller, if you assumed the loan. If you have your Certificate of Eligibility, take it to the lender to show the prior use of your entitlement.

Another important fact: an IRRRL may be done with “no money out of pocket” by including all costs in the new loan or by making the new loan at an interest rate high enough to enable the lender to pay the costs. (Remember: The interest rate on the new loan must be lower than the rate on the old loan unless you refinance an ARM to a fixed rate mortgage).

Veterans are strongly urged to contact several lenders. There may be big differences in the terms offered by the various lenders you contact.

Some lenders may contact you suggesting that they are the only lender with authority to make IRRRLs. Remember – Any lender may make you an IRRRL.

Some lenders may say that VA requires certain closing costs to be charged and included in the loan. Remember – The only cost required by VA is a funding fee of one-half of one percent of the loan amount which may be paid in cash or included in the loan.

You must NOT receive any cash from the loan proceeds.

The occupancy requirement for an IRRRL is different from other VA loans. When you originally got your VA loan, you certified that you occupied or intended to occupy the home. For an IRRRL you need only certify that you previously occupied it.

The loan may not exceed the sum of the outstanding balance on the existing VA loan, plus allowable fees and closing costs, including funding fee and up to 2 discount points. You may also add up to $6,000 of energy efficiency improvements into the loan. But NOTE: Adding all of these items into your loan may result in a situation in which you owe more than the fair market value of the house, and will reduce the benefit of refinancing since your payment will not be lowered as much as it could be. Also, you could have difficulty selling the house for enough to pay off your loan balance.

Some lenders offer IRRRLs as an opportunity to reduce the term of your loan from 30 years to 15 years. While this can save you a lot of money in interest over the life of the loan, if the reduction in the interest rate is not at least one percent (two percent is better) and lots of new loan costs are rolled into the new loan, you may see a very large increase in your monthly payment – an increase bigger than you can afford.

Still need more information on IRRRLs and refinancing a VA loan? The next step is to shop around for lenders, compare no-obligation rate quotes between lenders and against your current loan, and then discuss your options. We’ll match you with up to five lenders, making the shopping part of the refi quick and painless.

Should You Go to College After the Military?

Those leaving the military have several choices. For many, the Post-9/11 GI Bill makes heading back to school a very attractive choice. But even if college sounds good, you might still be struggling to make the decision. How do you choose what to do? How do you know what school to attend?

It’s important to take some time to consider your options, gather information, conduct a self-assessment, think through possible outcomes and assess risks and rewards. Making education choices requires some soul searching and honest conversations with people in your life who care about you.

Don’t know where to start? Consider the following as you work through the decision-making process:

Making a Choice

Considering your unique circumstances, motives and goals, and having listened to and learned from others, you’re now ready to make your decision. It should align with the reality of who you are, what you care about and what you want to achieve. If the factors you used in making your decision change, then it’s perfectly fine for your decision to change, too. Finally, give your decision one final check to make sure you’re ready to move forward.

Higher education can be something that changes the direction of your life, providing opportunities you might not have had with no degree. Particularly for veterans, using your benefits to get a degree can help you build on the skills you learned in the military and create a new post-military career for yourself.

You may not have all the answers yet, but if you decide to go to college, you have concrete goals you want to achieve and a clear sense of how a college degree will impact your life, you will get the most out of college.

How We Choose

Decision-making is a skill, not an ability, and it’s important to learn how to look objectively at the pros and cons to make sound choices. Knowing who you are and what you want to accomplish in life is extremely valuable as you decide if college is a right choice for you.

Values

Most of the decisions we make are expressions of the values we hold. Identify for yourself and articulate clearly what really matters to you. Make a personal list of what values matter most to you. Narrow down your list with people you trust to four to six core personal values.

Options and Opportunities

Thanks to the post-9/11 GI Bill, the option to go to college doesn’t go away. While going right after exiting service is the right answer for many veterans — but it is not the only choice. Rather than go too soon, reflect on your list of core values and professional/personal goals. What paths might you take to achieve them? Is college the only way? Is another path more realistic?

Talking it Through

Connect with people who really know you, have your best interests at heart and have valuable insights into the decision you’re trying to make. Just like in the military, rely on those you trust and who you know have your back and then look at that group objectively. Determine if you need to add to it to find additional guidance.

The Logical Next Step

Why not do something else? College is a serious investment of time and effort. It’s often a time of financial scarcity, despite robust VA benefits. A good exercise is to list your professional and personal goals. Leaning on people you trust, narrow down your list to four to six meaningful goals.

You Don’t Need a College Degree to Make Good Money – Really!

You’ve heard it time and again: “You need a college education if you want to make good money.”

But that isn’t always the case.

According to Monster.com, the average salary for an accountant with a college degree is $50,000. But, according to that same website, a licensed electrician also gets an average starting wage of $50,000. Of course, members of those professions can get wildly lower or higher salaries depending on location. If they get certifications or join a union the amounts can be much more, but you get the idea.

In fact, Walmart is paying truck drivers up to $100,000 annually.

So, what do you do after you get out of the military and look to enter the job market? The prevailing opinion has long been that a college degree is the best path to long-term financial success. But not always.

Colleges have changed over the years. They used to be bastions of higher learning where you went to get an education, and a good job would follow. Now, colleges advertise themselves as nothing more than paths to a good job. Why not use the skills you learned in the military as your path to a good job?

Thankfully, there are several ways you can build on the skills you gained in the service to guarantee civilian success.

Credit for Skills Learned in the Military

The United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) gives active-duty Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy members the opportunity to improve their job skills and complete their civilian apprenticeship requirements at no cost while still in the service.

When you complete the course, you get a Certificate of Completion issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, which you can use when applying for jobs.

The GI Bill

Everybody knows you can use your GI Bill benefits for college. Did you know you can also use them for Vocational & Technical Training, Apprenticeship & On-the-Job Training and Licensing & Certification Testing and reimbursement?

If you want to be anything from a computer network technician to a union steamfitter or an emergency medical technician (EMT), you can actually use your GI Bill to get the training needed to move right into one of those jobs.

In fact, if you use the apprenticeship program with the GI Bill, you will get a salary and GI Bill payments at the same time!

Credentialing

Credentials are basically a certification that you possess a specific skill set, or are considered qualified to do a certain job.

For example, a welder can show his welding certifications to an employer to document that he has specific skills and knowledge, such as high pressure or underwater welding skills. A mechanic may be certified as an expert with diesel engines.

All branches of the service offer credentialing services online. These programs allow you to demonstrate your knowledge of a specific skill or trade and get a certificate from professional organizations or government agencies that you can use to convince a prospective employer you have the skills necessary to handle any job.

These credentialing services are free and can be done while you are on active duty. If you are a veteran, you can print out a copy of your basic credential information using your Joint Services Transcript.

Other Programs

There are many more programs available for job seekers that can be used either while on active duty or after you leave. For example, many states offer a skills test waiver for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) if you have a military CDL; others offer free professional certifications and skills training. Check your local state for details.

Help for Military Spouses Going Back to School

A college degree may lead to better job opportunities and better pay. In fact, earning a bachelor’s or graduate degree increases one’s average hourly wage compared to those with only a high school diploma, according to a Rand Corp. survey.

However, going back to school for military spouses is a sizable time commitment and an expensive financial obligation. What’s more, constant relocation may cause a spouse to lose credits if he or she transfers to another college. But there are financial and credit-transfer programs available to spouses to help spouses get an education.

Here are a few programs that offer financial assistance:

  • The Coast Guard Mutual Assistance program (CGMA) offers a supplemental education grant of $150 per year. This grant is applicable to any family member’s educational expenses. However, CGMA does not cover tuition expenses.
  • The General George S. Brown Spouse Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) offers partial tuition assistance (50 percent of course tuition with a maximum of $1,500 per academic year) to spouses of active-duty Air Force members stationed overseas.
  • The General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program provides $1,500 in grants to selected children of active duty Air Force members and spouses stationed overseas through the Air Force Aid Society. To qualify, the spouse must be a full- or part-time student studying for a vocational certificate, undergraduate degree or graduate degree. The funds granted range from $1,500 a year for an undergraduate degree to $1,750 a year for a graduate degree.

These programs assist with transferring class credits:

  • The Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges for the navy (SOCNAV) is similar to the SOCAD, but offers associate and bachelor’s degree programs on or accessible to Navy installations.
  • The Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOCAD) program is a consortium of more than 1,500 colleges and universities that offer associate and bachelor’s degree in the United States. This program transfers credits between the colleges allowing the student to continue with his or her education and not retake any classes. SOCAD is ideal for military spouses who might have to relocate several times.

Each program varies from service to service but all provide the proper resources to help military family members obtain a high level of education.

10 Questions to Ask Before Selecting an Online University

For many active military members and their spouses, earning an online degree is becoming increasingly attractive. The flexibility and convenience of online universities allow those juggling work and family responsibilities to advance their education without putting their lives on hold. Finding a reputable, accredited online university that offers a program that meets your needs requires doing some homework. Here are ten questions you need to ask before you choose a school.

  1. Is the school accredited? Online universities should have regional accreditation, just like campus-based institutions. A good online school may also have national accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), and individual degree programs like Education and Nursing should also be accredited by bodies such as the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
  2. Does the school offer the degree program you need to advance your education and career? If you’re considering a teaching or nursing degree, will it prepare you to be licensed?  Is there a master’s degree program that will help you progress in your profession?
  3. Are the programs challenging and rigorous enough? Going to college requires a significant investment of time and money, be sure to find out all you can about the coursework, quality of resources, and degree requirements. Easy isn’t a good thing in this instance—you want to know that you’ve successfully completed a demanding program that prepares you for success.
  4. Are employers willing to hire graduates of this online university? Ask the enrollment staff at the university you’re considering to share feedback (surveys, placement statistics, etc.) from employers who’ve hired their grads.
  5. How does the degree program work, what is the learning process? Be sure you understand how you’ll be expected to study, learn, and complete tests and assignments. Online universities use several different academic models:
    • Traditional college courses – led by instructors – are delivered online, requiring students to attend at set times. School terms are generally divided into traditional semesters, and students may only start work at the beginning of these terms. Students earn credit for time spent in class and completion of assignments and tests.
    • Competency-based programs provide students with learning resources in degree subject matter, allowing students to study and learn on their own schedules, advancing as they demonstrate content mastery.
    • Combined online/traditional programs, which require students to attend class both online and in person, are also available.
  6. What type of help and support does the school offer its enrolled students? Because the student won’t be on campus in most instances, it is important to make sure that the school provides the necessary support. Ask if each student is assigned an advisor or mentor, how often the student will be able to communicate with an advisor, and who will be available to provide extra support if needed? Is there an online student community? Are online study groups available?
  7. What kind of time commitment will the program demand? Going to school online demands that you study independently and motivate yourself to complete your studies, so make sure you’re ready to put in the time and effort needed to be successful. Getting a college degree isn’t meant to be easy, so be prepared for hard work.
  8. Does the degree program you’re considering include relevant certifications, or does it prepare you for licensure? In some fields, particularly IT, certifications can be almost more important that a degree. And, if you are considering Education or Nursing, you’ll want to make sure that your investment will lead you toward licensure. Be sure to find out if the university you’re considering offers key certifications if the career you’ve chosen requires licensure.
  9. Does the university offer support for alumni? Like traditional universities, the best online schools offer support for alumni, with networking and career counseling. It’s worth checking before you choose—having that kind of support after you graduate can help you advance in your career, get advice and stay connected.
  10. How much will it cost? Some online universities charge tuition rates twice as high as those of a public institution. While almost all offer financial aid, make sure to choose wisely to avoid incurring unnecessary debt. Students who wish to accelerate their degree programs should look for schools with programs that allow acceleration—this can help save overall costs. And, ask if the university offers scholarships.

How You Can Save Money – Military Edition

Saving money in the military is not difficult, but the key is to start saving early. Saving money and getting out of debt to stay out of debt are the two keys to becoming financially stable. It’s easy to start saving in the military, and the advice below will explain how.

Start a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) or an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), which can be started through Navy Federal or USAA

These may sound intimidating, but they are simply savings accounts that allow your money to grow over time at a higher percent than a normal savings account. The main difference between these and a normal savings account is that the money you deposit into a TSP or IRA cannot be withdrawn until retirement age (usually 59 ½ years of age) without penalty.

You determine the amount that will be contributed whether it be per military paycheck or monthly, which will allow the money to accrue over time. Before you start either, speak to a financial counselor to determine what option would be best for you. The TSP is only available for current service members, but can remain upon discharge and continue with you as a veteran. An IRA can be separate from the military. If you did not start a TSP as a service member, you can start an IRA as a veteran through your employer or bank.

Set-up recurring transfers into your savings account

The easiest way to start saving money is to set up automatic transfers to a savings account. It does not need to start big, any little bit will add up fast. To get started, set up a recurring payment of $5 each time you get paid. Monitor your savings account and see that soon you will have $20 saved, then $100, then $500, and so on.

Scheduling recurring transfers can easily be set up through the bank’s mobile app or online, and you control the transfers. Changing the amount or the frequency can be done at any time, and it can even be cancelled as easily as it was set up. If you prefer to speak to a representative, don’t hesitate to call your bank’s customer service.

Once you are feeling confident, start putting away more money. The more money you put away, the more money you will save.

Set a savings goal

You may find that you need more motivation to deliberately put money into your savings account. Admittedly, it can be hard to control instant gratification. If this is the case, choose something pricey you would like to purchase or perhaps a travel destination you would like to visit. For instance, you want a motorcycle. A used motorcycle can cost approximately $3,000-$4,000, though it can certainly cost more. A new motorcycle might cost $12,000, or more so start saving for that motorcycle!

Choosing to save for a goal rather than using a credit card for instant gratification will automatically save money because savings accounts pay interest, while purchasing with credit will cost interest. It will also save you the stress of having to pay off a debt that you may find out later that you couldn’t afford when you thought you could.


Everyday tips for saving money

Bring coffee, bring lunch. Daily coffee for $2.00 doesn’t seem like much that morning, and neither does a $3.00 energy drink that afternoon after a nice $10.00 lunch. That’s $15.00 spent just on Monday. If this is your habit everyday, that’s $75.00 just on food and drinks for your typical work week. That’s $300.00 you could have put in savings that month, not to mention what a year’s worth of $4 coffee would look like.

Get gas on base. Wherever you are stationed, most likely gas is the least expensive on base. If you happen to find a gas station that has an even better rate, go there. It really does add up – the extra $3-$5 you may be paying each time you fill up could be $20 put in your savings account that month. You can also use the free GasBuddy app to see gas prices near you and weed out overpriced stations.

Shop around. Don’t buy a new item as soon as it gets your heart racing. It might be new Under Armour workout gear or electronics, but check multiple places before making that purchase. You can probably find a better deal at another store, or online, making the delay worth the wait. Sometimes just by waiting you may also realize that the item no longer seems so attractive, allowing the wait to save you money.

If you are taking steps toward financial responsibility, using the steps above to build a financial foundation is a great start. For a more thorough explanation of personal finance, visit educational financial centers offered to military and dependents.

25 Money-Saving Tips for Military Families

Want to protect your hard-earned cash? Military discounts go a long way. Always ask retailers, restaurants, airlines, motels and other establishments, “Do you have a military discount?” Meanwhile, here are 25 other money-saving tips. Go ahead, wave your frugal flag.

Save at home

1. Trade time/repair skill with a neighbor. Swap services or trade time (a Saturday, for example) with a neighbor. You may know plumbing and your neighbor may be handy with a hammer. Trading time with a trusted neighbor can extend beyond home repairs to other ways to help — lawn, babysitting, etc.

2. Do-it-yourself repairs and maintenance. Whether it’s painting a room, doing yard work or bathroom repairs, even those with all-thumbs can pull these off. If you’re already a DIY’er you can take on bigger projects. Check out service member deals at home improvement stores.

3. Use coupons. Use coupons or join a coupon exchange for home services that require a pro.

4. Shop garage/yard sales and second-hand stores. You can get great deals on things like furniture, dishes and clothes.

Save on entertainment

5. Host a pot-luck dinner. It’s cheaper, you get a variety of tastes and you don’t have to do all the cooking. It’s also fun and social. Tip: Have everyone bring a specific or assigned dish.

6. Think free outings. Check out the local parks, memorials and art galleries. Take a picnic. Go on a walk, hike or stroll. Have kids? Take them fishing, skipping rocks or to playgrounds.

7. Have a leisurely lunch. Have lunch out and eat dinner in. Think mid-afternoon. Lunch often is cheaper than dinner. Or when you’re out for dinner, split an entrée and each get an appetizer.

8. Seek discounts at amusement parks and museums. Most offer military discounts. Google “military discounts at amusement parks”— you’ll find a bunch, especially at the well-known ones. Same goes for museums. Better yet: Visit the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Digital Library available on Military OneSource to find a range of fitness, recreational and skills development programs, tickets and more — some at reduced rates.

9. Shop online. Sure, you’re already doing it. But you can shop for just about anything online and compare prices. You can also look for online coupons.

Save on clothes and school supplies

10. Look for deals. Shop at your military installation’s commissary and exchange. Shoppers typically save more than 30 percent compared to shopping in town. Or shop at outlet and discount stories. Consignment and thrifts shops are good too. And look for deals online.

11. Stock up on basics during sales. When you find good deals on socks and underwear, buy a few extra pair to lock in the savings.

12. Get the most from your wardrobe. Uniforms also can be worn off duty. Sticking to similar color combinations or buying clothes in neutral colors lets you do more with fewer clothes.

Save with military travel deals

13. Fly for free. Service members and family can fly free or at very low cost when space is available on military flights. Space-available Passenger Transportation, or Space-A Travel, can be tricky at times but can save you lots of money on flights.

14. Visit national parks for free. National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. A free annual pass is available for current U.S. military members and dependents.

15. Go camping. It can be cheaper and more fun than hotels. If camping isn’t your family’s thing, pick kid-friendly hotels that don’t charge extra for children.

16. Travel off-season, with a group or on a tour. It’s cheaper than going on your own or on-season.

17. Use Department of Defense Lodging services. Military families are eligible to use military lodging around the world, ranging from cottages on the beach to world-class resorts or recreational lodging facilities. Destinations include resort towns, big cities, oceanfront getaways, mountain top retreats and overseas locales.

Save on transportation

18. Walk, bike or use public transportation. It’s cheaper and healthier for you and the environment. If you can’t, carpool.

19. Shop for car insurance. If you must drive your own vehicle, compare rates online and consider a higher deductible on collision coverage if your car is older. While you’re at it, keep your car maintained — and DIY, if you can.

20. Buy a used car. A two-year-old car with some mileage can save you thousands versus a new car. Have your mechanic check it out, however.

Save on utilities

21. Do the basics. Turn off the lights when not using them. Unplug computers, appliances, charging cables when not using them. Visit the Department of Energy’s Energy Saver website. Don’t heat or cool rooms you don’t use. Close your fireplace damper when not in use.

22. Insulate your attic or other unfinished spaces. Use storm windows and weatherproof your home to reduce heat or cooling loss.

23. Watch the thermostat. Setting your temperature between 68 and 72 degree may be comfy, but it can kill your wallet. Set the air conditioner at 78 in the summer when home (consider running fans instead). Turn the heat to 64 or so and wear extra layers of clothes.

24. Buy energy-efficient appliances. Look for the Energy Star label.

25. Double check your cell phone and cable bills. Make sure you’re not paying for needless services. Also, bundle your phone, internet and cable, if you can. And watch your data use on mobile devices. That can break tight budgets.