Money Mistakes Made by Military Families

Lots of us make mistakes with our money — even me. There’s a lot to learn, and we’re always stumbling into new situations.

While I’m educating people about their finances, I see the same oversights again and again. While the big ones are more obvious, there are a couple of seemingly smaller mistakes that can be just as dangerous, but are not always as obvious.

No Renters’ Insurance

Renters’ insurance seems like such a small thing, right until you have a catastrophic disaster and you have to use it. Even if you think that you “don’t have much,” think for a minute how much it would cost to replace even basic furniture, kitchen items, linens, clothes and uniforms.

Plus, renters’ insurance covers more than just your stuff. While every policy may be different, it also usually covers your liability if you do something wrong. (Forgot to turn off the stove? Left the water running in the sink?) or if someone gets hurt at your house. And most policies include loss-of-use coverage, which helps if your house or apartment is uninhabitable for some reason.

Unless your belongings are covered under a homeowner’s policy, you should have renters’ insurance. It’s cheap, and most insurance companies offer it. Check with your auto insurer, and then maybe shop around for other companies. If you really research it, it might take you an hour to find a good policy. Don’t wait.

Lunches/Vending Machines/Drive-Through Spending

This is a personal problem for me. In normal times, I spend way too much of my allowance on crap food and drinks. Even a healthy choice of an unsweetened iced tea is $2-$3 at most convenience stores and fast food restaurants. Start getting into actual food, and/or a car full of kids, and that bill grows exponentially. Do that a couple of times a week and then, next thing you know, you’re spending $200 a month on, well, stuff you probably don’t need.

Thankfully, there are easy ways to cut back on the amount you’re spending on food and drinks. Stock your work and car with drinks and non-perishable snacks. My family likes individually sized bags of popcorn, nut, and granola/snack bars, plus water and Gatorade. It is not uncommon for someone to leave the house with half a meal to eat on the way somewhere. Plus, we try to bring our own drinks when we leave the house. Every little bit helps!

Misunderstanding Your Income-Tax Situation

Taxes can be confusing, so it is understandable that not everyone has a firm grasp on what is happening with their income taxes. Throw in the constantly changing details of military life, and sometimes it feels like trying to nail Jell-O to the wall.

However, if you don’t know what’s going into your income-tax calculations, you can’t make smart decisions, like whether a second job will be worthwhile, or whether you want to put your TSP contributions in as Traditional or Roth. For example, many military families discover that a second income means that they receive a smaller Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which makes that income a lot less valuable. And if they don’t know how that second job is going to impact their EITC, they can’t add that to the other costs of working to see whether the job makes financial sense.

There are a couple of ways to fix this issue. I recommend that everyone go through their income-tax return line by line, and learn what it means. If you try that, and you’re still confused, have a chat with your installation’s personal financial educator. They can point out important parts that you should know, and help you project how certain decisions will impact your tax situation.

Leaving Military Benefits Unused

Military service provides a wide variety of benefits to service members and their families. Sometimes they are a little hard to find, and sometimes they are a little hard to use, but there is a huge range of programs offered by both the services and private organizations. Many families don’t even know that these opportunities exist! I’ve seen everything from a military spouse who thought she “didn’t have health insurance,” to service members who think that tuition assistance is too difficult to use, to families who aren’t getting a military discount on their cell phone bills.

This one can be a little trickier, because programs and deals and benefits aren’t always obvious, but you should definitely do research to see whether there is any way that you or your spouse’s military service can help decrease some of your expenses.

Each of these items seems relatively insignificant, but you might be surprised at how much they can cost. At the worst end of the spectrum, an apartment fire is a disaster if you don’t have insurance. But even that $2 iced tea adds up!

Not Knowing Where Your Money Goes

The first thing that most people need to do is figure out what they’re spending. Sounds easy, right? You’d be surprised! For most people, when we sit down and write down their income and expenses, there is a relatively large number left over at the end. So I ask, “Do you feel like you have $900 left at the end of every month?” Almost everyone says no, that they’re broke at the end of the month.

This problem is somehow both the easiest and hardest one to fix. It’s easy, because all you have to do is write down what you spend. It’s hard because no one wants to actually do that or they intend to do it, and then they don’t.

This is also the solution that can make the biggest impact on your overall financial health. Just knowing where your money is actually going is the first step in taking control over your financial future. So whether you use an index card wrapped around your debit card, an app on your phone, or throw all your receipts in a basket and tally them at the end of the week, do something to keep track of that money.

(Pro tip: Check your subscriptions. Do you really need Pandora AND Spotify? Netflix, Hulu AND Amazon Prime?)

What Veterans Need to Know About Federal Debts Right Now

Economic stress is affecting everyone right now, including military-connected students and veterans. It’s more important than ever that you know your rights. And you have some important new rights about your debts.

Your Stimulus Check Can’t Be Taken for Most Federal Debt, Even Unpaid Taxes

You should know that, if you received a stimulus check as part of the coronavirus stimulus package (the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act) signed into law March 27, that’s your money. The CARES Act prevents the federal government from taking your stimulus money to collect on certain federal debts you might have, even unpaid taxes.

If You Have Student Loans from a Private Bank or Private Lender (Not the Government)

Private student loans are also not covered under the CARES Act. If you have private student loans, your lender or servicer may also be offering temporary payment modifications or forbearances as a result of the ongoing crisis.

The good news is that a recent Veterans Education Success report found that the number of undergraduate student veterans who take out private student loans declined significantly with the introduction of the Post-9/11 GI Bill in 2009. This is a very good sign. Private student loans come with far fewer protections and are almost always more expensive than federal student loans, as our new report explains.

In addition to lower interest rates, federal student loans offer a variety of repayment options that help borrowers cope with employment challenges that may affect their ability to repay, including income-driven repayment, public student loan forgiveness, forbearance and deferment. These options may not be available from private lenders. The variety of requirements and payment options in the private market presents a challenging landscape for individual borrowers. If you have a choice, it’s best to stick to federal student loans.

If You Owe a Debt to the Department of Veterans Affairs

The CARES Act required the Education Department and Treasury Department to pause debt collection, but the law did not do the same for those who owe a debt to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Earlier this month, a veteran in financial distress came to my organization, Veterans Education Success, with a GI Bill debt and a landlord who was threatening to evict him.

“Jack” was forced to withdraw from a class last November due to his service-connected disability, which created an overpayment debt. His March and April housing allowance went to pay for that debt. In addition to appealing the debt through the VA appeals process, he made a payment arrangement with the VA where part of his disability check would go toward the overpayment each month. When he reached out to us, he had still not heard back from the VA. Despite his payment arrangements, when April hit, the VA took part of both his disability compensation and his housing allowance to pay the debt. “Jack” was going to school full time, and his wife is unable to work because she is immunocompromised. They had no money.

Fortunately, due to the decision of the governor in Jack’s state to halt all evictions for 45 days, we were able to prevent the most immediate harm from taking place. We were also able to help him resolve his claim with the VA, but not everyone is so lucky.

In response to requests from the veteran community, the VA suspended all actions on all types of veteran debts beginning April 9 for 60 days. Additionally, the department said it will consider extending the timeline (if the situation with COVID-19 makes that necessary) and will update its website to reflect the change and automatically extend suspensions for affected veterans.

The VA’s suspension of debt collection comes with two big caveats:

If you already entered into a repayment agreement with a third-party debt collector (like a collection agency or the Treasury Department), especially an automatic payment with the Automated Clearing House (ACH), those automatic payments will continue unless you contact the Treasury Department or the private collection agency to cancel the ACH.

In other words, VA debts that happened after April 9 will be automatically paused. But for debts that existed prior to April 9,, you must contact the VA to have them paused.

If You Have Federal Student Loans

If you have federal student loans held by the federal government, your monthly payment and interest rate accrual have been automatically suspended. Also, if you have defaulted on any federal student loans, the government is not allowed to come after you to “collect” on defaulted federal loans through Sept. 30, 2020. (But this covers only federal student loans that are owned by the U.S. Department of Education. Federal Family Education Loans, or FFELs, which were issued prior to 2010 by financial institutions such as banks, and Perkins Loans, which are typically owned by colleges and universities, do not qualify under the CARES Act.)

Media accounts have revealed that about 54,000 wage garnishments are still happening on federal student loan debts. They shouldn’t be. You can report them. Also, you can contact the debt collection company directly and ask whether the payment can be reversed or whether the collection firm has “hardship” programs that could temporarily suspend payments.

If you live in Illinois or Texas, those states have acted on their own to stop debt collection on federal student loan debt held by private entities. And California, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York or North Carolina have also stepped in to stop some debt collection on student loans.

Military Discounts: Automotive Discounts

2020 veterans and military discount list of hundreds of companies that offer military discounts to service members, retired military, veterans, spouses and their families.

Advance Auto Parts
10% off regularly priced items for in-store purchases to customers who serve or have served our country’s Armed Services with ID.

Anthem Wheels
15% discount on any set of regularly priced Anthem wheels including any applicable custom drill fees for US Armed Forces: Active Duty, Veterans, Disabled, and Retired.

Audi of America
Get special offers and benefits exclusively available to overseas US military personnel via Audi’s Military Sales Program. Visit their website for more info.

Auto Accessories Garage
Men and women of our armed forces get discounts of 5% – 20% not offered to the public.

BMW
Military members and their families living in the U.S. may be eligible for a special rate for an auto lease or purchase. Contact the dealer for more details.

CARiD
Active Duty members, Reserves, Veterans and Retirees – including their immediate families – of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and National Guard receive a discount.

CarParts.com
All active duty military members, reserves, retirees and veterans of the United States Armed Forces are eligible for a 5% discount on all products when an active duty military address or copy of a DD Form 214 is provided.

Chrysler
Get exclusive rebates and affordable financing deals on Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles through the Chrysler Military Program. Applies to Active Duty, Active Reserved, Retired Military, Retired Military Reserve and Veterans.

Ford
Active Military Personnel & Reservists Serving on Active Duty, Veterans separated within the last 180 days, Retirees, Spouse/Surviving spouse, or other household members are eligible for a $500.00 Bonus Cash Offer good toward the purchase or lease of an eligible new recent model year Ford vehicle.

General Motors
Active Duty members, reserves and retirees, including their spouses, of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, National Guard and Coast Guard can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars when purchasing eligible Chevrolet, Buick or GMC vehicles through the GM Military Discount program. There are also regional and dealership incentives available.

Goodyear Tire
Military members and first responders receive 10% off through ID.me.

Harley-Davidson
Harley Davidson has special stateside military financing including no down payment, reduced rates and flexible term options designed specifically for active duty military personnel.

Hyundai
Active duty, veteran or retired members of the US military may get a $500 price slash on any new Hyundai vehicle. Ask your local dealership for more info.

Indian Larry
15% discount with verification of military service.

Infiniti
Receive exclusive new vehicle pricing with their Vehicle Purchase Program. Special pricing varies by month. Must be Active Duty or Reserve and their dependents (spouse or domestic partner) US Military includes: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard.

Jiffy Lube
Most Jiffy Lube locations offer up to 15% off to military members. Because Jiffy Lube locations are independently owned, some may opt not to participate in the discount program.

KC Hilites
Military, Government, and Law Enforcement personnel get up to 20 percent off.

Kia Motors America
Special offers for active members of the United States Armed Forces, reserves, and the immediate family of participant (spouse or child).

Land Rover
The Military Sales Specialists can help you with all aspects of military sales, your choice of vehicle and available discounts.

Lincoln Motor Company
Active Military Personnel & Reservists Serving on Active Duty, Veterans separated within the last 180 days, Retirees, Spouse/Surviving spouse, or other household members are eligible for a $750.00 Bonus Cash Offer good toward the purchase or lease of an eligible new recent model year Lincoln vehicle.

Meineke
Meineke franchises offer discounts to military members on select services. Discounts and qualified services vary by location.

Morris 4×4 Center
5% off + no min and free shipping for military personnel, police officers, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics.

Nissan
Receive exclusive new vehicle pricing with their Vehicle Purchase Program. Special pricing varies by month. Inlcudes Active and Reserve US Military, Retired Military, Veterans discharged from active service within the past year, and their spouses and partners.

O’Reilly Auto Parts
All O’Reilly Auto Parts stores provide a discount, usually 5% to 10%, to active and retired military personnel with proper ID. Offer is not valid online.

Pep Boys Military Discount
Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday active-duty and retired military customers can receive a 10% discount at local stores. Present a valid military ID to save.

Scion
If you are a member of the U.S. Military with current active duty status or an inactive reservist, you may qualify for a $500 rebate towards the purchase or lease of a new Scion when financed or leased through a participating Scion dealer and Toyota Financial Services (TFS).

Subaru
Discount to active-duty and reserve members of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, National Guard, and Coast Guard, as well as veterans and retirees within 12 months of your date of separation.

Take 5 Oil Change
Military active duty, reservists, and veterans are eligible to receive 25% off on any oil change at all Take 5 locations. Please show proof of service or a valid military ID.

TBC Retail Group (Tire & Auto Centers)
Spend 10% less on tire and auto services at any of 1,300 Tire Kingdom, NTB-National Tire and Battery, Merchant’s Tire and Auto Centers and Big O Tires centers nationwide. Present a valid US military ID to enjoy these discounts. Participation varies by location.

Throtl
Current & former U.S. military, military spouses and dependents and first responders (law enforcement, fire, and EMS) can save up to 10%.

TireBuyer.com
7% off tires for active duty military, veterans, and their family members. Free same day shipping available.

Toyota
Receive a $500 rebate on any new Toyota vehicle. Available to U.S. active duty and reserves, household members of eligible military personnel (including Gold Star families), retirees (within 1 year of retirement) and military veterans (within 1 year of discharge)

Volkswagen
As subscribers to the Military Assistance Corporation (MAC), Volkswagon helps simplify the payment process for military personnel who finance the purchase of a new vehicle with Volkswagen Credit. Applies to military personnel and full-time Federal Civil Service employees.

Volvo
Volvo’s military savings promotions change often, see site for latest offer.

Money for School: Federal Student Aid

The federal government offers several Student Financial Aid Programs. These programs offer you low interest loans and grants (free money) for school.

Unlike the GI Bill, these programs are paid by the Dept. of Education through the school. Federal Student Aid is designed to assist you in meeting the cost of tuition, books, fees, and living expenses while you go to school.

That means that once the school has taken its share, the remaining loan or grant balance goes to you.

Financial Student Aid Eligibility

It doesn’t matter whether you are active duty, reserve, veteran, retiree, on GI Bill, or not — you should be taking advantage of these programs. There are numerous examples of even senior active duty members receiving federal loans and large grants.

Remember: Grants are gifts that you don’t repay!

Eligibility for most federal student aid is based on financial need and on several other factors. The most basic eligibility requirements to receive federal student aid are as follows:

  • You must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen,
  • You must maintain satisfactory academic progress (defined as having at least a 2.0 GPA and being on track to graduate within 150% of the normal timeframe) in college or career school, and

Applying for FSA

You can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the FAFSA website.

Money Saving Tip: FAFSA is a Free Application for Federal Student Aid; however there are some websites that offer to complete the FAFSA for you, for upwards of $50. The FAFSA form only takes a relatively short time to complete. It is worth your time to complete it yourself.

Every accredited school that is recognized by the Education Department will be eligible for some form of FSA. The schools you select will send you information on how to get the funding you need to reach your education goals.

Interest Rate Cap for Military Members

If you qualify under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, the interest rate on loans you had before entering military service may be capped at 6% during your military service. You must contact your loan servicer to request this benefit.

Grants

Grants are free money for school paid to you through the school’s business office. After your school bills are paid, the remaining balance goes to you. There are several types of grants.

Pell Grants

You must be an undergraduate student who doesn’t have a bachelor or professional degree. If you are enrolled in a postbaccalaureate teaching certificate program, you also may receive a Pell Grant. Depending on your financial need and tuition costs, you can receive up to $6,195 each school year.

FSEOG

FSEOG is short for Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants. These grants are reserved for the most needy candidates, and can be paid in addition to Pell grants. FSEO Grants are limited from $100 to $4,000 each year.

TEACH Grants

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing or plan to complete course work needed to begin a career in teaching.

As a condition for receiving a TEACH Grant, you must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve in which you agree to (among other requirements) teach

  • in a high-need field
  • at an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families
  • for at least four complete academic years within eight years after completing (or ceasing enrollment in) the course of study for which you received the grant.

IMPORTANT: If you do not complete your service obligation, all TEACH Grant funds you received will be converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. You must then repay this loan to the U.S. Department of Education, with interest charged from the date the TEACH Grant was disbursed.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants

You may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant if

  • you are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant on the basis of your Expected Family Contribution but meet all other requirements, and
  • your parent or guardian was a military member who died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11, and
  • you were under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of your parent’s or guardian’s death.

Loans

FSA Loans are Financial Aid that is either funded or backed by the federal government, and paid directly through the school. Each type of loan has different fees (a percentage charged up front), interest rates and payment deferment plans.

Direct Loans

There are two different types of Direct Loans, Subsidized and Unsubsidized. These loans are identical in most ways, except how and when you begin to be charged interest.

Subsidized – Direct Subsidized Loans are for students with financial need. Your school will review the results of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and determine the amount you can borrow. You aren’t charged interest while you’re in school at least half-time and during grace periods and deferment periods.

Unsubsidized – You aren’t required to demonstrate financial need to receive a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Like subsidized loans, your school will determine the amount you can borrow. Interest accumulates from the date of issue with no exceptions. You can pay the interest while you are in school and during grace periods and deferment or forbearance periods, or you can allow it to accrue and be capitalized (that is, added to the principal amount of your loan). If you choose not to pay the interest as it accrues, this will increase the total amount you have to repay because you will be charged interest on a higher principal amount.

Air Force Members: Use the Force Support Squadron (FSS)

The most underutilized services that active duty Air Force members have are the programs that the Force Support Squadron (FSS) offers.  Every base has a FSS, and most bases have similar programs run by their FSS.  Some of the best programs the FSS offers are Airmen and Family Readiness Center, the Auto Hobby Shop, Outdoor Recreation, Information, Tickets and Travel, and the Golf Courses.  Each of these offer a great service to the active duty member and are usually very reasonably priced.

Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor Recreation is another fantastic program run by the FSS.  Outdoor Recreation typically offers a laundry list of items you can rent for a day, weekend, or week.  Most of these items are camping, biking, fishing, and party related.  They offer items as small as a camping chair all the way to recreational vehicles and motorized boats.  If you want to go camping with the family but don’t want to buy all the gear, Outdoor Recreation is the perfect place to rent the equipment and save you the money from buying it.  Outdoor Recreation usually also offers several different trips a month.  The types of trips vary with time of year and location, but some examples are skiing and hiking trips.  These trips are usually day or weekend trips and are offered at a reduced price.  These can be a great way to discover a new adventure near you.

Airmen and Family Readiness Center

The Airmen and Family Readiness Center (AFRC) offers many different programs to help Airmen and their families.  Services offered are deployment preparation, family counseling, child education, Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), the Key Spouse Program, spouse education and career opportunities, financial counseling and several other benefits.  All of these benefits are provided at no cost and can typically be used by the military member and/or their family.  The AFRC is a great resource that members typically forget is available to them.  Upon arriving at a new base, military members are required to attend a Newcomers Orientation.  During this orientation, each AFRC will give a presentation on all the services they offer.  Pay attention to these services because you never know when you or your family may need to tap into these resources.

Information, Tickets, and Travel

The next service provided is the Information, Tickets, and Travel (ITT).  Information, Tickets, and Travel primarily offer discounted tickets at popular travel destinations.  One example is that Information, Tickets, and Travel offers discounted tickets to Walt Disney World Theme Parks.  You can purchase the discounted tickets at your local base and have them ready once you arrive at Disney.  They also offer discounts at resorts, cruises, vacations, sporting events, and lift tickets.  Some of these discounts are offered at the actual location as well, but Information, Tickets, and Travel can help save time by not needing to wait in line for these tickets.  Most tickets can be validated at ITT.  Military members also usually save on sales tax when buying from ITT since you are purchasing these tickets on base.

Golf Courses

The base golf course is the last program that will be discussed.  Most Air Force bases have their own golf course.  For the avid golfer, this can be a great benefit.  All bases that offer Golf Courses have reasonable green fees.  Want to spend some time out on the greens on your next vacation?  Consider using an Air Force Golf Course if you are a military member.  The FSS is responsible for the golf course and any associated food services.  The Shades of Green is a military only resort located on Disney World property, and they offer a special rate on golfing at one of the three world renowned Disney golf courses.

Auto Hobby Shop

The Auto Hobby Shop is a program offered to military members and their family.  At the Auto Hobby Shop, all the tools and lifts are available for a member to perform their own maintenance on their vehicle.  Every Auto Hobby Shop has certified auto mechanics who work there and are happy to lend their advice and assistance if needed.  Most base Auto Hobby Shops also offer self-serve car washing and free oil changes for spouses of deployed military members.  Just bring in a copy of deployment orders and the certified technician will schedule to do a free oil change.  Most bases have an FSS website with the Auto Hobby Shop’s location, hours and special programs they offer.

No matter what base you are stationed at, the Force Support Squadron offers numerous services to military members and their families.  These services are meant to be used and are better than most services you would find outside of the military.  The best way to enjoy them are to take advantage of as many of these services as you can.  In a world where the government is constantly looking for ways to cut spending, these services will disappear if they do not get used.  Take advantage of them and share some news adventures with your family.

Military Discounts for Major League Baseball Games

Major League Baseball teams are showing their appreciation for service members, both past and present, with military discounts on 2020 game tickets. Many teams also hold military appreciation days to honor those who have served our country.

Look for your favorite team in the list below and take advantage of the military discounts that can help get you to the ballpark for less.

Play ball!

American League

Baltimore Orioles

Members of the military (active-duty, retired, reserve and veteran) receive 50% off Value & Classic games, 40% off Select games and 25% off Prime and Elite games (excluding Opening Day) when purchasing online. There is a limit of eight tickets per ID.

Tampa Bay Rays

Military members can receive two complimentary tickets to select home games and special ticket offers throughout the season. MacDill Air Force Base ITT also offers discounted tickets to Tampa Bay Rays games.

Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers offer active-duty, retired, reserve and veteran military personnel with discounted tickets during the 2020 season.

Oakland Athletics

The A’s offer a military discount online to active-duty, Reserves and veterans on select Oakland A’s home games throughout the 2020 season.

Seattle Mariners

Military members receive 10% off select Main, Terrace and View Level seats for all Mariners regular season games (excluding Opening Day). Limit four tickets per ID.

National League

Arizona Diamondbacks

Military members receive special pricing on game tickets for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Specially priced tickets can be purchased online with verification. Service members can enjoy up to 50% off select locations for every game of the season.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers offer discounts to military personnel with ID for every game excluding all 5,6 and 7-Star Games in 2020. Get $10 Off Loge MVP, Reserve MVP, and Right Field Pavilion seats (1, 2, 3 & 4 Star Games Only). Tickets are available on the day of game only and are subject to availability. They may be purchased at any ticket booth, two hours prior to game time until 60 minutes after the first pitch. Additional discounts are available to military personnel for stadium tours.

Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves offer discounted tickets for all regular season home games during the 2020 season. They are offering 33% off tickets in the Terrace Infield, Home Run Porch and Grandstand Reserved seating locations. Get this discount online after verification or at the SunTrust Park ticket windows with valid ID.

Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds offer special pricing on tickets to active-duty, reserve, veteran, and retired service members and families. Tickets are available in a variety of locations on a first-come, first-served basis. Get discount online after verification.

Miami Marlins

Each Monday at the ballpark, active and retired military personnel and veterans receive two complimentary tickets. Tickets are only available for pick up at the Center Field Entrance, on day of game 90 minutes prior to first pitch. All active military and retired military are also eligible to receive a 10% discount to select games online with verification.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies offer active-duty, retired military, reservists and veterans discounted tickets to select home games throughout the 2020 season.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates offer military and their families special pricing on game tickets (up to half off) after verification online. Discount does not apply to Opening Day, April 2, 2020.

San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres offers military discounts, including 50% off Sunday Military Appreciation tickets. Tickets for military and their families are available online through verification or at the Padres Advance Ticket Windows at Petco Park. And military personnel can also get discounted Padres tickets at the San Diego MWR.

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.

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.