Doug Nordman

Yet Another Decade In Review Post

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: August 31, 2020 6 Comments

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My spouse and I enjoyed a heck of a year. The end of 2019 marks 20 years of our financial independence and over 17 years of my military retirement. I’ve written about military personal finance for over 15 years and I hope I have a few decades left! And yeah, I empathize with my fellow math nerds who insist that 2019 isn’t the end of the decade. … [Read more...] about Yet Another Decade In Review Post

Raising Your Money-Savvy Family For Next Generation Financial Independence

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: August 31, 2020 2 Comments

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It’s coming in spring on 8 September 2020: the book you’ve asked for about teaching your kids how to manage their money. My daughter Carol and I recently signed a book contract with ChooseFI Media to publish “Raising Your Money-Savvy Family For Next Generation Financial Independence.” It’s written from your questions asked at financial … [Read more...] about Raising Your Money-Savvy Family For Next Generation Financial Independence

Should You Attend FinCon, Military Influencer Conference, Camp Mustache, CampFI, and FI Chautauqua?

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: December 5, 2019 2 Comments

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Your journey to financial independence can be a little lonely if you’re doing it all by yourself. Even social media, podcasts, and videos are poor substitutes for hanging out with people who share your goals. This post will cover different ways to get a little boost of FI endorphins to last for months... or at least until the next boost. Better … [Read more...] about Should You Attend FinCon, Military Influencer Conference, Camp Mustache, CampFI, and FI Chautauqua?

Introduction To Navigating The Convoluted System Called VA Compensation

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: November 13, 2019 1 Comment

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This post is brought to you by Robert Blake. If you're interested in contributing at The-Military-Guide.com, please see our posting guidelines. “What branch did you serve in?” is a question I get asked rather often since my wife insists that I drive her fuel-efficient car everywhere, and she has Disabled Veteran plates. While she’s proud of … [Read more...] about Introduction To Navigating The Convoluted System Called VA Compensation

Family Estate Planning For Your Disability

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: August 23, 2020 6 Comments

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Here’s our capstone post for the year: our family's estate plan. I’ve spent the last 11 months writing about the ways that our Nords family financial independence is changing. Now we’re reaching far into the future to simplify not just our lives, but our legacy for the next few generations. My spouse and I have had wills since college. … [Read more...] about Family Estate Planning For Your Disability

Military Space Available Travel: Tips for Flying Space-A The Navy Way

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: January 11, 2020 4 Comments

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Space A travel is one of our favorite retiree benefits! It’s the military version of ultimate travel hacking. Although most of the system is run by the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command, the Navy has a few of its own Space A passenger terminals. When you know how to use the AMC Space A system, you can level up your destinations (and your travel … [Read more...] about Military Space Available Travel: Tips for Flying Space-A The Navy Way

Reader Interview: Planning For The Military Transition

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: August 22, 2019 2 Comments

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[Today's military transition advice is brought to you by servicemember Annabel Monroe of Monroe Brothers Investments. If you're interested in contributing your interview at The-Military-Guide.com, please see our posting guidelines.] What influenced your decision to join the military, and what's your transition plan to leave active … [Read more...] about Reader Interview: Planning For The Military Transition

From The Mail Buoy: Staying For 20 And Hacking The High Cost Of Living in Hawaii

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: July 29, 2019 4 Comments

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A reader writes: "Nords, I’m an avid reader of your website and love your Reddit replies. I’m active duty with 14 years of service. I’m saving a considerable amount of my paycheck and investing in dividend growth stocks with a portfolio that yields about 3.5%. I can retire at 20 years or try for one more promotion, but I’d do the High Three … [Read more...] about From The Mail Buoy: Staying For 20 And Hacking The High Cost Of Living in Hawaii

“I Inherited Money And Now I Can’t Blog About Financial Independence Anymore”

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: August 22, 2019 13 Comments

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I’m finally ready to write about distributing my father’s estate. As many of you may remember, Dad passed away in November 2017 after more than nine years with Alzheimer’s Disease. For over six of those years, Dad was in a full-care facility while I handled his finances. It only took a few six months to handle his estate and finish his … [Read more...] about “I Inherited Money And Now I Can’t Blog About Financial Independence Anymore”

USAA Eliminates PCS And Deployment Discretionary Benefits

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: July 8, 2019 6 Comments

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I almost missed the announcement. It’s bland corporate text inside a box on my USAA Visa credit-card bill of 2 July. It’s the boilerplate you always ignore while you’re scrolling to find your new balance and checking your payment date: "Effective October 1, 2019, USAA Federal Savings Bank will be eliminating the PCS and Deployment discretionary … [Read more...] about USAA Eliminates PCS And Deployment Discretionary Benefits