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You are here: Home / Archives for Doug Nordman

Doug Nordman

Good News! How Our Nords Family Financial Independence Life Will Change In 2019

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: January 27, 2019 10 Comments

Advertiser Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any other entity. This site may be compensated through the advertiser Affiliate Program. For more information, please see our Advertising Policy.

2018 was quite the turbulent year for the financial independence crowd, and it’s just going to get busier in 2019. Let me cover a few highlights from last year and then give a personal update. I’m here to reassure you that financial independence is sustainable and life is good.  At the end of the post, I’ll share a few more personal details from … [Read more...] about Good News! How Our Nords Family Financial Independence Life Will Change In 2019

USAA And The Final Month To Opt In To The Military Blended Retirement System

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: December 7, 2018 2 Comments

Advertiser Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any other entity. This site may be compensated through the advertiser Affiliate Program. For more information, please see our Advertising Policy.

Here’s the latest information and tools to make your military Blended Retirement System decision-- and a new way to think about your career and your choices. [Note: I'm participating in Kate Horrell’s #BRSBlitz initiative. I’m not compensated by USAA for this campaign and you won’t see any FTC disclosures like “#USAAPartner”, "#ad”, or … [Read more...] about USAA And The Final Month To Opt In To The Military Blended Retirement System

Dept Of Defense Update On The Military Blended Retirement System

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: December 3, 2018 4 Comments

Advertiser Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any other entity. This site may be compensated through the advertiser Affiliate Program. For more information, please see our Advertising Policy.

On Wednesday 28 November, the DoD BRS office held a teleconference. The numbers As of Monday 26 November, the unofficial opt-in numbers are: 307,213 307,207 active-duty total opted in  [Updated Monday 3 December] 243,709 active duty 63,498 Reserve/Guard. This is out of roughly 1.6 million opt-in eligible … [Read more...] about Dept Of Defense Update On The Military Blended Retirement System

“11 Years Of Service: How I Chose Legacy High Three Over The Blended Retirement System”

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: November 30, 2018 14 Comments

Advertiser Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any other entity. This site may be compensated through the advertiser Affiliate Program. For more information, please see our Advertising Policy.

[Nords note:  You have five weeks to decide about opting in to the Blended Retirement System.  Get it done before 31 December 2018.  We've had some strong pushback on my last post, "Your BRS:  It's Not About The Money", and I offered Warner25 the opportunity to explain his legacy High Three perspective.  He's reminded me that we first met on an … [Read more...] about “11 Years Of Service: How I Chose Legacy High Three Over The Blended Retirement System”

Your Military Blended Retirement System: It’s Not About The Money.

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: June 11, 2019 21 Comments

Advertiser Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any other entity. This site may be compensated through the advertiser Affiliate Program. For more information, please see our Advertising Policy.

[Full disclosure: On this post, I’m not about the money either. I’m not paid to write this, it's not sponsored by anyone, and I’m not earning revenue from the links.] Our group of military personal-finance bloggers is sending out a #BRSBlitz about the opt-in decision. You may have seen some of these links on my social media before, and … [Read more...] about Your Military Blended Retirement System: It’s Not About The Money.

Attack Pilot To College Sophomore To Fintech Entrepreneur

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: November 9, 2018 Leave a Comment

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[Nords note:  Tyson dropped by FinCon's "Military Meetup" table in the exhibit hall to chat.  We had a great conversation about retirement calculators and financial independence.  He's a vet, and he understands where military pay & benefits fit in a calculator.  You can learn more from the video at the end of this post, which is definitely NOT … [Read more...] about Attack Pilot To College Sophomore To Fintech Entrepreneur

USAA’s Digital MilEx: Hurricane Readiness and Augmented Reality Vehicle Shopping

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: October 17, 2018 Leave a Comment

Advertiser Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any other entity. This site may be compensated through the advertiser Affiliate Program. For more information, please see our Advertising Policy.

[We’re trying something new with this post. Please scroll down to the bottom for my short podcast interview with two USAA managers about these topics!]   Oooh, I almost forgot my traditional FTC disclosure: The Federal Trade Commission fears that I've lost my objectivity and become a USAA fanboi. My family and I have been USAA … [Read more...] about USAA’s Digital MilEx: Hurricane Readiness and Augmented Reality Vehicle Shopping

Separating Or Retiring While Overseas (But Not With The Navy!)

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: October 10, 2018 2 Comments

Advertiser Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any other entity. This site may be compensated through the advertiser Affiliate Program. For more information, please see our Advertising Policy.

A reader writes: I’ve been commissioned from the Navy’s enlisted ranks and have not yet reached eight years of commissioned service. I’m eligible for retirement and I’ve enjoyed active duty-- until now. I’d like to retire as an officer but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get to 10 years. I’m considering retiring a few years ahead of my plans … [Read more...] about Separating Or Retiring While Overseas (But Not With The Navy!)

Maximizing Your Thrift Savings Plan Contributions In A Combat Zone

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: July 27, 2020 43 Comments

Advertiser Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any other entity. This site may be compensated through the advertiser Affiliate Program. For more information, please see our Advertising Policy.

Quick review: the military’s Blended Retirement System offers matching contributions to your Thrift Savings Plan, and in 2018 you can contribute up to $18,500. In 2019 you can contribute up to $19,000. [12 November 2018 update: This post has a minor (but important) revision after further confirmation with the TSP staff. I've also added the 2019 … [Read more...] about Maximizing Your Thrift Savings Plan Contributions In A Combat Zone

CampFI And Camp Mustache Are Worth Your Time (And Money)

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: December 27, 2019 4 Comments

Advertiser Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any other entity. This site may be compensated through the advertiser Affiliate Program. For more information, please see our Advertising Policy.

[UPDATE: Use the discount code “Military” for $75 off each adult ticket to CampFI South.] (This offer was in effect for the 2018 Camp FI South. Check the CampFI schedule for the current offers.) [Disclosure: I’m not paid to write this, and there are no affiliate links.] [If you’re looking for info about FinCon and the Military Influencer … [Read more...] about CampFI And Camp Mustache Are Worth Your Time (And Money)

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About The Military Guide

We’re military veterans, not financial advisors. We’re trying to share what we’ve learned and to pay it forward – but you have to make your own decisions.

What worked for us will probably work for you, but unfortunately, we can’t guarantee it. Let us know if something’s not working for you, and we’ll try to figure out a better way… Continue Reading…

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