Military Guide

The Military Guide To Financial Independence

How Much Is The COLA On My Military Pension?!?

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The question was asked on the Facebook group “Military Spouse Retirement Information”: "Is there a date that is better to retire on than any other day of the year? It used to be the case that it was better to retire sometime after 1 January or 1 February. I believe it had something to do with COLA, but I don’t recall." I realize that the … [Read more...] about How Much Is The COLA On My Military Pension?!?

The Big Picture On Insurance: USAA’s Annual Reports

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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!

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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!

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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*

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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 Buy A Home When You Leave Active Duty

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Over three years ago, I suggested that buying a home on active duty is setting yourself up for financial failure. That post has aged exceptionally well, and now it’s time to double down. Don’t buy a home as you leave active duty, either. You’re setting yourself up for more financial failure and a heartache with mortgage underwriting. Instead, … [Read more...] about Don’t Buy A Home When You Leave Active Duty

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

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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

A GI Bill Is A Terrible Thing To Waste

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[This post is brought to you by Stephanie Montague of Poppin' Smoke, where you can learn more about your military travel benefits and opportunities. If you're interested in contributing at The-Military-Guide.com, please see our posting guidelines!]   Living in Washington, DC, my husband and I saw it all the time: military veterans who … [Read more...] about A GI Bill Is A Terrible Thing To Waste

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

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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

2018 Military Pay Charts – Officer and Enlisted Members Receive a 2.4% Raise

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Military members received a 2.4% pay raise in 2018, a nice increase across the board from the 2017 pay rates. The 2.4% pay raise was the largest since 2010. The pay tables on this page went into effect on January 1, 2018, and were reflected in the first mid-month paycheck, which was sent out on January 15, 2018. Military members are paid on the … [Read more...] about 2018 Military Pay Charts – Officer and Enlisted Members Receive a 2.4% Raise