Military Life

Service members and veterans face unique challenges related to personal finance. Find articles and information below to help you manage money and navigate your Military Life.
Close up photo of W2 form with pen

myPay: W-2s Now Available On myPay Site

Delivery of W-2 forms is a little bit easier this year, thanks to myPay. All military and Defense Finance and Accounting Service civilian users who request or already have a myPay personal identification number and ...
Red question mark on 100 dollar bill background

Save For A Down Payment Or Pay Off Debt?

My grandmother, Big Mama, was a stickler for order. From Big Mama I learned to look at a financial situation and come up with a plan. I try to pass on that wisdom to readers, ...
Woman unhappy with friend group shes currently with

Why To Fire Your Flaky Friends

"The line between success and failure can be expressed in five words: 'I did not have time.'"--Franklin Field Flake is another word for loser--plain and simple. Having both studied, represented, and befriended extraordinary, successful people, ...
IRS Bubble chart with business icons

What To Do If The IRS Comes Looking For You

Should you fear the Internal Revenue Service? Not if you know your rights as a taxpayer and you respond to the first notice you get from the IRS, says Scott M. Estill, a tax attorney. ...
Businesswoman working from her own homemade business signing shipping labels

Seven Steps To A Successful Homemade Business

I was inspired to start my first business when I found a hand buzzer in my corn flakes cereal box at age seven. I began charging my classmates for handshakes at five cents for girls ...
Woman returning piece of clothing to retailer

Return Fraud: Are You Part Of The Problem?

Are you a serial returner? By that, I mean, do you routinely return items, especially holiday gifts? If so, be forewarned. Some retailers have resorted to using a computer database to track customer returns and ...
Man packing box and putting tape labeled fragile over the box

How To Submit A Claim After PCS Move

You just signed on the dotted line that all your household goods arrived safely at your new home, and the movers disappeared faster than you can say "abracadabra!" That's when it hits you: You haven't ...
Military couple gets new house keys from military

Military PCS And Moving Advice: How To Submit A Military Claim

You just signed on the dotted line that all your household goods arrived safely at your new home, and the movers disappeared faster than you can say "abracadabra!" That's when it hits you: You haven't ...
Stack of U.S dollars sticking out of military jacket pocket

Military Pay 101: How Much Do You Earn?

The myriad military pay entitlements for members of the uniformed services can seem confusing, even overwhelming. Several factors determine the actual pay amount a service member receives – the service member’s rank, military specialty, length ...
Soldier in uniform holding out stack of cash

Making Extra Money, Military-Style

Everybody complains that their paycheck doesn't go far enough. So what can be done to maximize your income with the least amount of effort? For military folks, there are a surprising number of options. Here ...
Military structure with field of grass and fences in front

Living On-Or Off-Base: Which Is Right For You?

The minute my husband was notified of his first duty station, I began doing my homework. I scoured the Internet, reading apartment reviews and online housing forums, and emailed local buildings with vacancies. As a ...
Photo of Flores Island, Azores with cobblestone short wall path and green open field with town in view

Lajes Field, Azores: Facilities, Cost Of Living, Housing, Employment

Much of America was introduced to Lajes Field, the Azores, as the site of the March summit meeting where President Bush and the leaders of Great Britain, Spain and Portugal met to prepare for war ...
Job interviewer shaking hands with potential employee

Keys To A Successful Job Interview

Military spouses applying for jobs are faced with tough questions. But with a little preparation, you can be ready for whatever an interviewer is likely to throw at you. There are two things any job ...
Military wife hugging husband who recently came back from duty

It Takes Unique Skills To Be A Stay-At-Home Military Wife And Mom

I'm a military wife and stay-at-home mom. I spend my days eating chocolate kisses, meeting my girlfriends for extended lunches and playing bunko. I do all this while cleverly and conveniently avoiding work and my ...
Army identification medallions and dollar bills on United states flag

How The Military Can Make You A Millionaire

How can you get the military to give you a $1,167,448 bonus? It's simple: All you have to do is retire with an annual pension of $35,000 at age 43 after 20 years of service. ...
Overlook view of Tumon bay beach in Guam visible clear waters and tall buildings with lush greenery in background

Guam: Andersen Air Force Base, Cost Of Living, Schools, Housing, Employment, Recreation

Small Island, Big Military Presence Many soldiers and sailors know the Territory of Guam as the faraway place where their plane or ship stopped on the way to another destination. But the tiny island is ...
Military Security Clearance Card Not Allowed

Debt and Your Military Security Clearance

Members of the military dealing with credit card debt face an extra level of penalties if that debt becomes delinquent or excessive: They could lose their security clearance, be denied promotions and, in extreme circumstances, face dismissal. ...
Military man holding model home in front of American flag

Countdown To Moving Day: PCS (Permanent Change of Station) Relocation Checklist

Spring is set to arrive and, for many military families, it's relocation season again. Yet some will spend too much time enjoying the fresh air and not enough on basic planning that will help avoid ...
Sunset at Camp Pendleton beach

Camp Pendleton: Fast Facts, Climate, Cost Of Living, Schools, Housing, Employment, Recreation

Budget Vacation Destination The sun sets into a haze of orange and pink as a few scattered surfers try to catch the last waves of the evening. Joggers and couples holding hands stroll the strand. ...
3D illustration of a conceptual gauge with needle pointing to very bad credit score

Bad Credit & Unemployment: A Vicious Circle

By Michelle Singletary Job applicants have to painstakingly pore over their resumes and cover letters because studies show that hiring managers have little tolerance for any mistakes. And now, there's something else for an applicant ...
Teen Driver in a Car with Keys

Adding a Teen to Your Auto Insurance Policy

If you have a teen who is learning to drive, start preparing your budget for a car insurance rate increase: Adding a teen driver to a parent’s policy typically increases the bill by 44 percent – ...
Veteran saluting in front of American flag

Military’s New Blended Retirement System has Options Worth Exploring

A new military pension plan — called the Blended Retirement System — will take effect on Jan. 1, 2018. It’s the first major change to military retirement since World War II, so predictable questions have ...