Money Management & Personal Finance

The Big Picture On Insurance: USAA’s Annual Reports

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: June 27, 2018 2 Comments

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I get many questions about USAA’s services & products. After six years of their financial conferences and dozens of interrogations interviews of their executives, I think I’ve learned enough about their business model (and the insurance industry) to help you navigate your choices. My spouse and I have been USAA members since 1981, and now our … [Read more...] about The Big Picture On Insurance: USAA’s Annual Reports

Get Help With Your Tax Returns!

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: December 16, 2018 7 Comments

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[This post is brought to you by Patrick Weinert, who's making an encore appearance. You can find his previous post in the "Related articles" section at the bottom. If you're interested in contributing at The-Military-Guide.com, please see our posting guidelines.] When I was first introduced to the world of aviation, I was both excited and … [Read more...] about Get Help With Your Tax Returns!

Our Story: How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Financial Ruin and live Happily Ever After!

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: December 16, 2018 11 Comments

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[This post is brought to you by David Pere of the site "From Money To Millionaire", and he's another enthusiastic surfer! We've paddled out at Oahu's White Plains Beach a few times. If you're interested in contributing at The-Military-Guide.com, please see our posting guidelines .] The Beginning (Bio) I grew up in the Midwest, the son of an … [Read more...] about Our Story: How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Financial Ruin and live Happily Ever After!

Go Ahead, Buy a home when you leave Active Duty*

Author: Eddie Wills Last Updated: December 16, 2018 8 Comments

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This is a friendly rebuttal to Nords’ recent post Don’t Buy a Home as you Leave Active Duty. The GubMints family has lived in the same North San Diego home we bought back in 2000, 4 months after leaving Active Duty. I’m here to show you that you CAN make it happen, but not without sacrifice. Post Length: ~ 1750 Words Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): … [Read more...] about Go Ahead, Buy a home when you leave Active Duty*

Don’t Gut It Out To 20: Leave Active Duty For The Reserves Or National Guard

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: June 27, 2018 48 Comments

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This post gets personal. Let me give you the permission to think about these questions in your own career. A reader writes: I'm active duty and coming up on year #9 this May. I have owned your book for a few years and dig into the blog content on occasion. Love it! My question has to do specifically with one of the closing paragraphs in your … [Read more...] about Don’t Gut It Out To 20: Leave Active Duty For The Reserves Or National Guard

How to Maximize the BRS If You Decide to Opt-In

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: June 27, 2018 19 Comments

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[This post is brought to you by Dan, who’s done a lot of data runs with the BRS calculator. His new website KeepInvestingSimpleStupid.com is freshly launched, so please check on its progress! If you’re interested in contributing at The-Military-Guide.com, then see our posting guidelines.] Welcome to January 2018! The opt-in period to the … [Read more...] about How to Maximize the BRS If You Decide to Opt-In

Thrift Savings Plan Contributions In A Combat Zone With The Blended Retirement System

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: June 27, 2018 4 Comments

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A reader asks: I'm in the National Guard. I'll be deployed for about 45 days into a combat zone. I'm signing up for the BRS and I'm contributing my 5% in order to get the DoD's 5% match. I'm employed in the civilian world by a corporation that contributes 6% of gross pay into my 401(k). I can also make 415(c) after-tax contributions to my 401(k) … [Read more...] about Thrift Savings Plan Contributions In A Combat Zone With The Blended Retirement System

“Should I Opt In To The Military’s Blended Retirement System?”

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: June 27, 2018 25 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.

[This post is brought to you by Dan, who's done a lot of data runs with the BRS calculator. His new website KeepInvestingSimpleStupid.com is under construction, so please check on its progress! If you're interested in contributing at The-Military-Guide.com, then see our posting guidelines.] It’s the Final Countdown to the … [Read more...] about “Should I Opt In To The Military’s Blended Retirement System?”

Coping With The Fear Of Investing

[This post is brought to you by Patrick Weinert, who knows how fear and uncertainty can disrupt even the most logical investing plan. If you're interested in contributing at The-Military-Guide.com, please see our posting guidelines.] I’m Patrick Weinert, a retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, and I help active and veteran service … [Read more...] about Coping With The Fear Of Investing

In Memoriam: My Father

Author: Doug Nordman Last Updated: December 16, 2018 12 Comments

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Dean Nordman passed away on Saturday morning 18 November 2017 at age 83 due to complications from Alzheimer's disease. Regular readers may remember that my father first noticed his dementia symptoms in 2008 (at age 74) yet he refused all offers of help. (This is common when dementia takes over.) By 2011 he was … [Read more...] about In Memoriam: My Father