The Military Money Manual Podcast

Spencer Reese welcomes Lieutenant Commander Webster Felix, a Navy prosthodontist, for an in-depth discussion about maximizing military medicine benefits. Webb's journey from enlisted E6 dental student to O5 prosthodontist showcases the incredible opportunities available in military healthcare. This episode unpacks lesser-known scholarship programs, specialty training funding, loan forgiveness strategies, and GI Bill transfers that enabled Webb and his wife to complete advanced degrees debt-free while building generational wealth for their family. Lieutenant Commander Webster Felix, USN Specialty: Prosthodontist (restorative dentistry expert, full mouth rehabilitations) Current Station: Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Career Timeline: 14 years active duty, recently selected for O5 Education: Bachelor's in Biology, Temple University (2011) DDS, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine (2015) Master's in Dental Education (completed during dental school using GI Bill) Prosthodontics Residency, USC (2021-2024, funded by DUIN) Instagram: @prosthopapi - Features clinical cases and prosthodontic work Personal Background: Son of Haitian immigrants who arrived in the US in 1987; first-generation college graduate demonstrating how military medicine can transform generational wealth trajectories HSCP vs HPSP - The Scholarship Most People Don't Know About: HPSP covers full tuition but you're not active duty during school HSCP means active duty status (E6/E7 pay + BAH + TRICARE) but you take loans for tuition Webb entered dental school as E6, commissioned directly to O3E in 2015 Critical advice: Apply for BOTH programs simultaneously The $500K Student Loan Forgiveness Strategy: Graduated Columbia dental school with ~$400-500K in loans Enrolled in Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) immediately First payments: $170/month (based on E6 salary) Current payments: ~$800/month (O4E salary) Hitting 10-year mark in October 2025—expecting full forgiveness Must consolidate to federal direct loans or you won't qualify Duty Under Instruction (DUIN) - Free Specialty Training: Navy funded Webb's 3-year USC prosthodontics residency Continued receiving full salary, BAH, and bonuses—zero out-of-pocket costs FTOS (Full-Time Out-Service) allows civilian residency attendance Competitive annual program—check BUMED notices for available slots Strategic GI Bill Transfers: Webb transferred 15 months of GI Bill to his wife She completed UCLA nurse practitioner program debt-free Still has 15 months remaining for kids' education Transfer requires 4-year commitment—sign paperwork strategically Career Highlights: Temple University → Columbia DDS → O3 commission (2015) San Diego (AEGD) → Port Hueneme/Okinawa (Seabees, 2 deployments) → Key West → LA (USC residency) → Pearl Harbor Wife completed NP degree concurrent with his residency while caring for one-year-old Key Takeaways Military Medicine Benefits Add Up Fast: TRICARE coverage during school and career Active duty time counting toward retirement during education PSLF potential for massive loan forgiveness Specialty training fully funded (DUIN) GI Bill transfers for spouse education No pressure to over-treat patients for profit Civilian vs Military Prosthodontist Pay: Civilian side approximately 2X on paper But when factoring TRICARE, BAH, pension, education benefits—much closer Some civilian practices sacrifice autonomy for high volume/pay Military provides genuine patient care without profit motive Critical Actions: Apply for both HSCP and HPSP if pursuing military medicine Consolidate all student loans to federal direct loans immediately Enroll in PSLF and never miss payments Join Facebook group: "Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Support" (216K members) Sign GI Bill transfers concurrent with existing obligations Resources Mentioned Kate Horrell's episodes - GI Bill expert (new book: "College Planning for Military Families") Dr. Pritish Sahoo episode - Army medicine path MMM Podcast #181 PSLF Facebook Group - "Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Support" Naval Postgraduate Dental School (Bethesda) BUMED annual DUIN notices Who This Is For Pre-med/dental students considering military service, active duty members interested in medical careers, medical officers with student debt, anyone pursuing PSLF, families planning GI Bill transfers, or those comparing military vs civilian healthcare compensation.

Spencer recently joined Jesse Cramer on his podcast, Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors. We wanted to share this episode with our listeners too! Links: Jesse's blog: https://bestinterest.blog/ (he has a great newsletter to sign up for!) Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors podcast: https://bestinterest.blog/personal-finance-for-long-term-investors/ Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call. militarymoneymanual.com/mentor Over 20,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, including waived annual fees, on elite cards like the American Express Platinum Card® and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. Want to be confident with your TSP investing? Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.

Travel Planning with Points & Miles Join Spencer Reese and Jamie as they dive deep into the tactical strategies for planning and booking travel using credit card points and miles. This comprehensive guide walks through the entire process from initial flight searches to hotel bookings, with a focus on maximizing value while avoiding common pitfalls. Topics Covered Flight Booking Strategies: How to prioritize travel goals (destination, dates, airline, class of service) Finding direct flight routes and connections Searching for award availability across multiple loyalty programs Setting up price and availability alerts The importance of booking directly with airlines Avoiding third-party booking sites and potential complications Understanding partner airlines and fifth freedom routes Hotel Booking: Searching for hotel availability with points Using free night certificates effectively Maximizing Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) benefits Fifth night free promotions When to choose hotels vs. short-term rentals Advanced Tips: Transfer partner bonuses and timing Combining points between household members Seat selection strategies for different aircraft types Using expert booking services (when they're worth it) Setting realistic expectations for award availability Resources & Links Mentioned Free Flight Search Tools: Google Flights Flight Connections - Route mapping Points Path (Chrome extension) - Points comparison on Google Flights Points Search Platforms: PointsYeah.com - Search 22+ loyalty programs (paid version recommended) Point.me / Amex.Point.me - Transfer partner search Seats.aero - Award availability search (paid) ExpertFlyer.com - Seat maps and availability (paid) Hotel Tools: MaxFHR.com - Fine Hotels & Resorts property search HigherAspire.com - Hilton Aspire credit usage Booking.com - General hotel search Hilton.com, Marriott.com, Hyatt.com - Direct hotel searches Other Resources: SeatGuru - Aircraft seat maps and reviews Airbnb & VRBO - Alternative accommodations Credit Cards Discussed: Chase Sapphire Reserve American Express Platinum Card Delta SkyMiles Reserve (Amex) Bilt Credit Card Hilton Honors Aspire (Amex) Key Takeaways Don't let points optimization ruin the vacation - Balance maximizing value with maintaining trip enjoyment and minimizing planning stress Book directly when possible - Avoid third-party sites to ensure better customer service and easier modifications Be flexible - More flexibility with dates, airports, and airlines leads to better redemptions Start searching 6-9 months out - Award availability is typically best well in advance Check for transfer bonuses - Can increase point value by 20-30% or more Set up alerts - For both cash prices and award availability to catch deals Budget for tools if needed - Some paid subscriptions may be worth it for major trips Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call. militarymoneymanual.com/mentor Over 20,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, including waived annual fees, on elite cards like the American Express Platinum Card® and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. Want to be confident with your TSP investing? Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.

Updates available on militarymoneymanual.com/shutdown Air Force Aid Society – Falcon Loans up to $1,500 and Standard Assistance, up to 24 months of repayment. Space Force also eligible. Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society – Quick Assist Loan and Financial Assistance available Army Emergency Relief – Normally assistance available same day but no later than 48 hours. AER will provide rapid, zero-interest loans to help cover financial needs until normal operations and back pay resume. Assistance is available up to the amount of one net paycheck (maximum $6,000), with repayment beginning once pay is restored. If you or someone you know may be affected, please share this information. More information here. Coast Guard Mutual Assistance – Quick Loan program up to $1,000, Shutdown Loan up to 1 month's BAH per month USAA Government Shutdown Program 0% loan, credit check required, up to $6,000 Navy Federal Government Shutdown Assistance, Paycheck Assistance Program 0%, no credit check required, up to $6,000 PenFed Service Credit Union Spencer Reese delivers a timely solo episode addressing the 2025 federal government shutdown and its impact on military families. Recorded on October 8th, just days into the shutdown, this episode provides practical, actionable guidance on navigating the financial challenges of missed paychecks, accessing zero-interest loans from military-friendly banks, and protecting yourself from shutdown-related scams. While the Military Money Manual typically focuses on evergreen content, this episode addresses an urgent situation affecting active duty service members, federal employees, and military contractors. Topics Covered Government Shutdown Basics: Active duty military deemed mission essential, must continue reporting to work October 1st paycheck protected (work performed in September) October 15th paycheck at risk Historical precedent: 2018-2019 Coast Guard missed paychecks for 35 days Backpay is guaranteed by law once shutdown ends Veterans, retirees, VA disability, and Social Security payments protected (separate funding sources) USAA Government Shutdown Assistance Program: https://www.usaa.com/support/government-shutdown-program/ Zero-interest loan: $500-$6,000 based on last direct deposit amount Requirements: Direct deposit established before shutdown, at least one qualifying deposit in 30 days prior, US/military address (APO/FPO/DPO), credit approval required Repayment: 3 months, two equal installments (first payment ~60 days, second ~90 days) Additional relief: Auto/property insurance payment relief Credit cards: 3-month payment extension Consumer loans: 2-month extension with no interest Overdraft fees waived Home equity lines: 3-month payment extension Navy Federal Paycheck Assistance Program: https://www.navyfederal.org/about/government-shutdown.html Zero-interest loan: $250-$6,000 based on last direct deposit Major advantages: No credit check, not reported to credit bureaus Eligibility: Federal employees, active duty service members, federal contractors paid directly by government (broader than USAA) Registration deadline: Day before scheduled payday for funds on normal pay date (can register up to 3 days after, but won't receive funds immediately) Automatic repayment: Once direct deposit resumes, Navy Federal automatically deducts loan amount Backup repayment: If shutdown continues, repayment occurs 6 days after loan receipt Service Credit Union Options: 0% APR for up to 4 months No payments for up to 90 days Up to $5,000 for qualifying members Standard underwriting criteria applies (may require credit check) Military Aid Societies (All Interest-Free): Air Force Aid Society – Falcon Loans up to $1,500 and Standard Assistance, up to 24 months of repayment. Space Force also eligible. Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society – Quick Assist Loan and Financial Assistance available Army Emergency Relief – Normally assistance available same day but no later than 48 hours. AER will provide rapid, zero-interest loans to help cover financial needs until normal operations and back pay resume. Assistance is available up to the amount of one net paycheck (maximum $6,000), with repayment beginning once pay is restored. If you or someone you know may be affected, please share this information. More information here. Coast Guard Mutual Assistance – Quick Loan program up to $1,000, Shutdown Loan up to 1 month's BAH per month Historical Context: 2011: Near shutdown (averted) 2013: 16-day shutdown 2018: 3-day shutdown 2018-2019: 35-day shutdown (Coast Guard NOT paid) Bipartisan political theater regardless of which party controls Congress Military pay typically protected by last-minute "Pay Our Troops Act" Immediate Action Steps Reduce non-essential expenses - No big purchases or travel bookings Contact lenders - Request payment deferrals on mortgage, car, rent, student loans, credit cards Apply for 0% loans - Through USAA, Navy Federal, or Service Credit Union if needed Reach out to aid societies - Before considering any payday loans, auto title loans, or carrying credit card debt Watch for scams - Only use verified websites (USAA.com, NavyFederal.org), hang up and call back on suspicious calls Long-Term Action Steps Build an emergency fund - Minimum $1,000, ideally $10,000+ Switch to military-friendly bank - If current bank doesn't offer shutdown assistance Break paycheck-to-paycheck cycle - If missing one paycheck derails your finances, you have a financial emergency Turn off the news - Constant updates increase anxiety without adding value Focus on what you can control - Maintain internal locus of control Critical Security Warnings Scam Prevention: Only access programs through official websites: USAA.com and NavyFederal.org DO NOT use payday lenders or auto title loan companies DO NOT go through intermediaries If you receive a phone call claiming to be from Navy Federal or USAA, hang up and call back using verified number from app or official website Verify all communications independently Key Takeaways Don't panic - This has happened before and will likely happen again You will be backpaid - Military pay typically protected; backpay is guaranteed by law Assistance is available - Multiple 0% loan options and interest-free aid society loans Use this as motivation - Build financial resilience and emergency funds Emergency funds are essential - Perfect example of why military members need cash reserves Related Episodes Episode 95: Previous government shutdown episode (check for still-relevant information) Resources & Links Military-Friendly Banks: USAA.com - Government shutdown assistance NavyFederal.org - Paycheck assistance program Service Credit Union - Shutdown loan program Military Aid Societies (Interest-Free Loans): Air Force Aid Society - Covers Air Force and Space Force Navy Marine Corps Relief Society - Quick assist loans Army Emergency Relief - Same-day to 48-hour assistance Coast Guard Mutual Assistance - Quick loan program Apply for Assistance: Register with Navy Federal by day before payday for funds on schedule USAA requires credit approval (new requirement) Aid societies offer interest-free alternatives to commercial loans Who This Episode Is For Active duty military facing potential missed paychecks Federal employees impacted by shutdown Federal contractors paid directly by government Military spouses managing finances during shutdown Anyone needing immediate financial assistance during government disruptions Contact Information Host: Spencer Reese Connect: Website: MilitaryMoneyManual.com Instagram: @MilitaryMoneyManual Share this episode with others in your unit or squadron so they know the steps to take during a government shutdown. Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call. militarymoneymanual.com/mentor Over 20,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, including waived annual fees, on elite cards like the American Express Platinum Card® and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. Want to be confident with your TSP investing? Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.

Spencer Reese and Jamie deliver a no-nonsense, tough-love episode for military families struggling with paycheck-to-paycheck living. This episode cuts through excuses and provides three immediate, actionable steps to regain control of your finances and stop the financial bleeding. If you're stressed about money, fighting with your spouse about finances, or feeling overwhelmed and behind—this episode is your emergency action procedure. Topics Covered Three Immediate Actions: Delete Social Media Apps - Remove the influence of billions of advertising dollars designed to manipulate your spending decisions Create Intentional Inconvenience - Delete delivery apps (DoorDash, Uber Eats), switch to debit cards or cash, freeze credit cards, eliminate "buy now, pay later" options Cancel All Subscriptions - Cut Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Spotify, and every other recurring charge until you're financially stable Key Financial Concepts: Emergency action procedures for financial crises The power of adding friction to spending habits - will power vs. won't power Why making life temporarily uncomfortable leads to long-term wealth Technology spending (why kids don't need $1,600 iPhones) The importance of game selection in personal finance Emergency funds turning emergencies into inconveniences Net worth tracking as a behavioral tool The Wealth Ladder Framework (Nick Maggiulli): Level 1: Less than $10,000 net worth - Focus on avoiding financial traps Level 2: $10,000-$100,000 - Avoid buying houses you can't afford, keep working hard, invest in TSP and Roth IRA Level 3: $100,000-$1 million - Where compound growth accelerates Level 4: $1 million-$10 million - Achievable for military families over a career Levels 5-6: $10 million+ - Beyond most military aspirations Common Military Family Mistakes: Spending more on housing than BAH covers Buying houses with 0% down and getting stuck Purchasing vehicles beyond their means Lifestyle inflation and comparison spending Technology overspending on devices and subscriptions Long-term vs Short-term Strategy: Short-term (Emergency Mode): Cut expenses, save the difference, get out of debt Long-term (Wealth Building): Increase income, spend on what matters, maintain healthy savings rate Books & Resources Mentioned Books: The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter - On the benefits of doing hard things The Opt-Out Family - On intentional family living Taking Your Family Back - Family relationship guidance The Anxious Generation - On technology's impact on children Dave Ramsey's principles (referenced) Tools & Resources: Libby app - Free audiobooks and ebooks MWR library system - Free military library access Net worth tracking tools Cash envelope system for budgeting Military OneSource - Free financial counseling Base financial counseling services Concepts Referenced: Nick Maggiulli Wealth Ladder framework Dave Ramsey's "pay yourself first" principle Emergency fund philosophy The 12-step program approach to financial recovery Key Quotes "Life begins just outside your comfort zone." "You have to be careful about game selection because you can win at the wrong game." "If you're the problem, you're also the solution." "As you build wealth, you stop having emergencies." "Your overspending isn't hurting me. It's not hurting Jamie. It's only hurting you and your loved ones." "You don't need to wait for financial independence to start living like you're financially independent." Practical Examples Shared Spencer's story: Freezing credit card in ice as a young lieutenant Jamie's debit card sleeve with debt payoff reminders The $1,000 emergency oil pan repair that didn't derail finances Military families spending $3,000 on housing with $2,000 BAH Hawaii homeowner unable to sell due to rising HOA fees 2022 home purchase with 0% down, now unable to sell Peloton subscription cancellation saving $132 over 3 months First graders with iPhones creating peer pressure Target Audience This episode is specifically for: Military families living paycheck to paycheck Service members stressed about money Couples fighting about finances Anyone in credit card debt or feeling financially overwhelmed Military spouses managing finances during deployments Young service members (E1-E5, O1-O3) establishing financial foundations Anyone ready to make radical changes to their financial situation Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call. militarymoneymanual.com/mentor Over 20,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, including waived annual fees, on elite cards like the American Express Platinum Card® and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. Want to be confident with your TSP investing? Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.

Think military divorce means automatically splitting everythign 50/50 and going to court? Wrong on both counts! Certified Divorce Financial Anaylst David Smith reveals what most military families get wrong and what it costs them! In today's episode, we'll discuss the complex financial and logistical aspects of military divorce, covering everything from pension division to healthcare benefits, tax implications, and emotional support strategies. Key Topics Jurisdiction & Legal Considerations Multiple state options for filing (voting state, property ownership state, driver's license state, tax filing state) Importance of consulting with an attorney early to determine proper jurisdiction Each state has different rules, formulas, and processes JAG office can provide consultation but cannot represent service members in divorce proceedings Types of Divorce Processes Four main options: DIY without professionals, mediation, collaborative divorce, litigation Court is NOT the only option Out-of-court processes (mediation, collaborative) are often more cost-effective, private, and less stressful Consulting attorneys vs. representing attorneys - different roles and costs Military Pension Division Division is not the only option - can use offsetting with other assets Must determine what portion is "marital" vs. "separate" property Not all pension components are divisible (e.g., VA disability) Requires a Military Retirement Pay Division Order through DFAS Differences between active duty, reservist, and guard member pensions Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Critical considerations: Only ONE SBP beneficiary can be named Previous spouses from earlier marriages may already occupy the "SBP chair" Premium costs must be negotiated Former spouse can be SBP beneficiary even without receiving pension payments Time-sensitive: Required forms must be submitted within specific timeframe or rights are lost Cannot be automatically transferred - requires proper paperwork TRICARE Benefits Courts CANNOT order TRICARE coverage - falls under federal rules Key rules: 20-20-20 (full benefits for life), 20-20-15 (transitional benefits) Based on: length of marriage, service member's creditable years, overlap period COBRA-like option available if don't meet other rules GI Bill Transfer Must be transferred WHILE married - cannot go to former spouse after divorce Service member can rescind the transfer Can be transferred to children as alternative Settlement agreement language is critical to protect this benefit Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Multiple TSPs possible (civilian federal employee spouse, reservist who went active duty) Pre-tax and Roth portions have different tax consequences Must account for outstanding loans Requires Retirement Benefits Court Order (different from pension division order) Not always split - can use offset method with other assets Other Unique Military Assets to Consider Military leave - has monetary value on LES Credit card points and miles - can be worth $30,000-$40,000 USAA Subscriber Savings Account Pets - especially valuable show animals Life insurance policies Tax Implications Filing status changes Tax bracket shifts Capital gains considerations when dividing assets Pre-tax accounts (traditional IRA, 401k) vs. post-tax accounts have different real values Child tax credits and claiming dependents Early withdrawal penalties Marital vs. Separate Property Separate property: assets brought into marriage, inheritances, gifts (if kept separate and not commingled) Marital property: everything accumulated during marriage Characterization process is essential before division discussions Financial Mistakes to Avoid Making verbal agreements before completing full financial inventory Not understanding tax consequences of asset division Overlooking hidden assets (leave balance, points/miles, etc.) Rushing decisions - most divorce decisions have no do-overs Not considering pre-tax vs. post-tax asset values Misclassifying assets as marital or separate Practical First Steps Learn about all four divorce process options If abuse is present, seek legal counsel immediately Open credit card and bank account in your own name Create timeline of important dates and duty stations Gather supporting documents (tax returns, bank statements) in cloud storage Document account numbers, login credentials, passwords Consider consulting with CDFA before hiring representing attorney Supporting Someone Through Divorce Listen deeply and empathetically Avoid projecting your own divorce experience onto theirs Don't rush them into decisions Offer practical help (childcare, meals, house cleaning) Point them to resources (counselors, family services, professionals) Give them breathing room Key Takeaways Divorce in the military involves unique complexities beyond civilian divorces Court is not the only option - consider mediation or collaborative processes Complete financial inventory BEFORE making division decisions Everything accumulated during marriage is generally marital property Professional guidance (CDFA, attorney consultation) is an investment, not just a cost Most divorce decisions are final with no do-overs - take time to understand options Resources & Links David's website: sandoakdivorcesolutions.com Free 30-minute phone consultations available David's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidsmithcdfa/ Find a CDFA through Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts: institutedfa.com Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call. militarymoneymanual.com/mentor Over 20,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. Want to be confident with your TSP investing? Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.

Dont' fall for these traps! This "convenient" payment option could be sabotaging your financial future and even your security clearance! Military financial expert Lacey Langford returns to sound the alarm on what she calls "the new payday loan," Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services. With over $170 billion in BNPL transactions this year and 91.5 million Americans using these services, this seemingly innocent payment option is creating a financial minefield for military families. Main Topics Covered: What Buy Now, Pay Later really is The psychology behind BNPL - how it removes the "pain" of spending and makes overspending dangerously easy Hidden dangers for military families: Multiple small debts that are impossible to track Late fees and additional charges that can turn a $5 purchase into a $35 expense Potential impact on security clearances as reporting to credit bureaus increases Marriage and relationship stress from hidden debt The trap of "death by a thousand cuts" - why small payments add up to big problems How BNPL differs from traditional credit - and why it's actually worse in many ways Recovery strategies for those already caught in the BNPL web Why layaway was better - and how its disappearance pushed consumers toward dangerous alternatives Resources & Links: Lacey Langford's website: Milmo.co Podcast: The Milmo Show (available on Apple, Spotify, and all podcast platforms) Conference: MilMoneyCon: milmoneycon.com UPDATE! Dates are announced now! May 6-8, 2026 in Savannah, GA Social Media: @Milmo (all platforms) or @MilMoneyCon Military financial counseling: Available free through base aid societies and Military OneSource If you're already using BNPL services, don't panic - but do take action. This episode provides a clear roadmap for getting back on track before small conveniences become big problems. Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call. militarymoneymanual.com/mentor Over 20,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. Want to be confident with your TSP investing? Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.

New benefits are available immediately as of 9/18/25!! Learn how to apply for the  The Platinum Card® from American Express: https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ Learn more about American Express military annual fee waivers: https://militarymoneymanual.com/american-express-military/ Learn how to maximize your military credit card benefits in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course: https://militarymoneymanual.com/umc3/ Episode Description Hosts Spencer Reese and Jamie discuss the major refresh of the American Express Platinum card, including a significant annual fee increase to $895 that military service members and spouses don't have to pay thanks to the Military Lending Act (MLA). They break down the extensive new benefits and explain how to maximize value from this popular military credit card. Topics Covered: New Benefits & Credits (2025 Refresh) (AVAILABLE NOW!!!!) $600 Fine Hotels & Resorts credit ($300 semi-annually) $400 Resy restaurant credit ($100 quarterly) $300 Lululemon credit ($75 quarterly) $300 Digital Entertainment credit ($25 monthly) $200 Oura Ring credit (annual) $120 Uber One membership credit (annual) Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) Sterling Status Existing Benefits $200 Uber Cash ($15/month, $35 in December) $209 Clear Plus credit $200 airline fee credit $155 Walmart Plus credit $100 Saks credit ($50 semi-annually) $300 Equinox credit 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels Hilton Gold and Marriott Gold status Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit Military Lending Act (MLA) Coverage Automatic fee waiver for active duty service members Coverage for military spouses Guard/Reserve on 30+ day orders eligible How to check MLA database before applying: https://militarymoneymanual.com/mla-database/  Welcome Bonus & Value 175,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 spend in 6 months Cash value: $1,750-$1,925 Travel partner transfer potential: $3,500+ 25%+ effective cash back rate Resources & Links Mentioned: Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course: militarymoneymanual.com/UMC3 (100% free, 5-day email course) Fine Hotels & Resorts Search: maxfhr.com Points Valuation: points.yeah (travel redemption research) MLA Database: Google "Military Lending Act database" to verify coverage American Express Website: americanexpress.com (for enrollment in benefits) Resy App: Restaurant reservations that trigger the quarterly credit Key Takeaways: Total annual benefits exceed $2,500 in cash value Multiple Amex Platinum cards multiply benefits (spouse can get their own) Must enroll in many benefits through Amex app/website Check quarterly vs. semi-annual vs. annual benefit periods Verify MLA database status BEFORE applying Consider pairing with Chase Sapphire Reserve for maximum value Important Reminders: Only for those who pay off credit cards monthly (no debt) $8,000 minimum spend may be challenging for junior enlisted Benefits require enrollment - don't assume automatic activation Military spouses must be properly listed in DEERS Some benefits (Uber Cash) only work in the U.S. About the Hosts: Spencer - Creator of MilitaryMoneyManual.com and the Ultimate Military Credit Cards course Jamie - Co-host and military finance expert Contact & Social: Website: MilitaryMoneyManual.com Instagram: @militarymoneymanual For questions: Send DM on Instagram Episode Notes: Recording discusses the 2025 refresh of the American Express Platinum card. The hosts emphasize this is only for service members who can responsibly manage credit cards and pay balances in full monthly. They recommend both the Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve as the two essential cards for military families who qualify for MLA fee waivers. For detailed analysis and current offers, visit MilitaryMoneyManual.com or search "Amex Platinum Military" for Spencer's comprehensive guides. Military Money Mentor Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call. militarymoneymanual.com/mentor Over 20,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. Want to be confident with your TSP investing? Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.

"Rising tides lift all ships!" MilMoneyCon 2026 dates just released! May 26-28, 2026 in Savannah, GA. See https://milmoneycon.com/register/ The military finance community doesn't have to operate in silos. Through strategic networking and mentorship, veterans and military spouses can accelerate their finance careers while building a supportive ecosystem that lifts everyone up. In this episode, we sit down with Lacey Langford, founder of MilMoneyCon and host of The Milmo Show, to explore how she transformed her frustration with career-building challenges into the premier conference for military financial professionals. Key Topics Covered: Military Background and Career Transition The mentorship gap that veterans face when entering civilian finance careers Why starting from "ground zero" shouldn't be necessary for experienced service members Why She Created MilMoneyCon Identifying duplication of efforts in the military finance space Connecting innovators who didn't know about each other's work Bridging the gap between DOD resources and community awareness Learning curve of event planning without prior experience Target Audience and Conference Value Active duty members considering finance careers post-service Military spouses entering the financial field Seasoned professionals seeking networking and growth opportunities Supporting businesses and organizations serving the military community Entrepreneurship Tips for Military Families PCS-proof career strategies and remote work opportunities Portable skills Leveraging unique military spouse skill sets for online services The reality check: every business owner is in sales and marketing Common Entrepreneurial Pitfalls Underestimating the sales and marketing requirements Creating products without validating market demand Failing to identify what sets you apart from competitors Not understanding the value proposition clearly Resources and Links: MilMoneyCon: milmoneycon.com Lacey's Website: milmo.co The Milmo Show Podcast: Available on all podcast platforms or milmo.co/podcast/ Kate Horrell's Book: KateHorrell.com/books MilMoneyCon: @milmoneycon Lacey's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laceylangford The Milmo Show: @itsmilmo    Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call. militarymoneymanual.com/mentor Over 20,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. Want to be confident with your TSP investing? Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.

Is the wrong strategy for your GI Bill costing you over $100,000?! Today's guest is Kate Horrell, author of the new book "College Finances for Military Families," reveals why the "fair share" approach to education benefits might be the most expensive mistake military families make, GI Bill basics, and all the things to know about college for your military kids. Key Topics: GI Bill Transfer Strategy Why transferring your GI Bill at exactly 6 years of service is important The one-time 4-year service obligation that trips up many service members How to add dependents and redistribute benefits after initial transfer Documentation tips to protect your family's benefits Beyond Equal Distribution Real case study: How strategic planning saved one family $110,000 Why thinking "flexibly" about family resources beats rigid equal splits When to give one child the entire GI Bill and another child all the 529 funds 529 Plans and Military Families State residency confusion solved for military families Qualified expenses include K-12 private school, technology, and more How grandparents can contribute while maximizing tax advantages Why "it's too late to start" thinking costs families money Yellow Ribbon Program Essentials The motorcycle and sidecar analogy that clarifies everything (Yellow Ribbon always goes along with the GI Bill- can't be separate) How "full Yellow Ribbon" schools eliminate out-of-pocket tuition costs Maximizing Benefits for Veterans Why veterans aren't optimizing their benefits like military families do Strategic timing for undergraduate vs. graduate school usage Location arbitrage opportunities with Military Housing Allowance Links mentioned today: Kate's website: katehorrell.com Kate's book: "College Finances for Military Families" (available on https://www.katehorrell.com/books/ or Amazon) Kate's amazing resources include:  Military Family Confidently Prepared Life Binder katehorrell.com/confidently-prepared-life-binder/ Military Separation Checklist katehorrell.com/military-separation-checklist/ Military Retirement Checklist katehorrell.com/military-retirement-checklist/ Kate's LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/katehorrell Kate's Facebook facebook.com/KateHorrellFinanceExpert/ Kate's Instagram: instagram.com/realkatehorrell/ Kate's coaching services and free consultations at katehorrell.com/work-with-kate/ Bottom Line: Stop thinking about education benefits as individual entitlements and start thinking about them as family resources to be strategically deployed. The difference could save your family tens of thousands of dollars.   Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call. militarymoneymanual.com/mentor Over 20,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. Want to be confident with your TSP investing? Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.

Think your military career ends with active duty? Think again. Sam Lewis reveals how Guard and Reserve service can unlock financial freedom, career flexibility, and long-term stability...without sacrificing family life or future goals Guest: Sam Lewis, CFP®, ChFC®, MQFP Founder of SJL Financial | Delaware Air National Guard | Member of Military Financial Advisors Association Key Topics Covered: Transitioning from active duty to Guard/Reserve service Flexibility in career paths, retraining, and deployment options AGR (Active Guard Reserve) positions and lifestyle benefits Retirement points system and pension planning VA disability eligibility and pay coordination Healthcare options: TRICARE Reserve Select vs. civilian plans GI Bill usage, transfer strategies, and state-level tuition assistance Dual-income household stability and homeownership advantages Civilian employer benefits during military service (e.g., double-dipping, 401k match) State-level Guard benefits: education, emergency relief, childcare subsidies Managing TSP and 401k contributions across military and civilian careers Importance of understanding retention vs. accession standards for reentry Strategic use of military leave and maximizing compensation Resources Mentioned: Sam Lewis's website: https://wecanplanforthat.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samlewisfinancial Military Financial Advisors Association (MFAA): https://militaryfinancialadvisors.org Friendly Forces employer benefits directory: https://friendlyforces.org Childcare Aware through NACRA: https://www.childcareaware.org Remember: Your military career doesn't have to end (or begin) with active duty. Guard and Reserve service offers flexibility, financial stability, and continued access to valuable benefits, often with fewer disruptions to family life and career goals.   Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call. militarymoneymanual.com/mentor Over 19,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. Want to be confident with your TSP investing? Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.

How much life insurance do military servicemembers need? What about military spouses? Is SGLI enough? In this episode, Spencer Reese and Jamie sit down with Jerry Quinn, a 40-year Army veteran and executive at Armed Forces Mutual (formerly AAFMAA - American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association), to discuss everything military families need to know about life insurance. Topics Covered: SGLI (Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance) Understanding the $500,000 term policy for service members Spouse coverage rider ($100,000) Coverage for Guard and Reserve members What happens to SGLI after military separation Life Insurance Planning Strategies The DIME-L method for calculating coverage needs: Debt Income replacement Mortgage Education Legacy "10x income" rule of thumb Stacking multiple insurance policies for comprehensive coverage Term vs. whole life insurance considerations Armed Forces Mutual Services No war clause or aviation clause coverage Survivor Assistance Services (SAS) program Death claim processing (often under 30 days) Special 501(c)(23) nonprofit status Transition Planning When to apply for life insurance before leaving military service Health considerations and timing Converting from SGLI to civilian coverage Resources Mentioned: Armed Forces Mutual Website: AAFMAA.com Military Survivor Planning Checklist (available with free subscription) Life Insurance Calculators (on AAFMAA website) Career Accession Program (CAP) Loan: $5,000 at 2.5% fixed rate for 60 months Additional Resources: Daniel Kopp, CFP: Wise Stewardship Financial Planning Specialist in military widow/widower financial planning Military to Financial Planner Podcast Military Aid Societies: Army Emergency Relief Society Air Force Aid Society Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Key Takeaways: SGLI is an excellent deal at ~$30/month for $500,000 coverage Many military families need supplemental life insurance beyond SGLI Apply for additional coverage 6-12 months before military separation Update beneficiary designations regularly Armed Forces Mutual provides specialized support for Gold Star families About the Guest: Jerry Quinn served 40 years in the U.S. Army (7 years active duty, 33 years National Guard), retiring as a Field Artillery Officer in June 2025. He now serves as an executive at Armed Forces Mutual, a 146-year-old organization exclusively serving military and veteran families with specialized life insurance products and survivor assistance services. Contact Information: Armed Forces Mutual Website: AAFMAA.com Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram (@armedforcesmutual) Subscribe for free resources and calculators Hosts: Spencer Jamie For those needing immediate assistance with military survivor benefits and life insurance claims, Armed Forces Mutual's Survivor Assistance Services team provides comprehensive support including VA claims coordination, DFAS benefit reconciliation, and burial assistance guidance. Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call. militarymoneymanual.com/mentor Over 19,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. Want to be confident with your TSP investing? Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.  

Are Mini Retirements, Optionality, and Side Hustles Possible in the Military? From seven-month sabbaticals to turning a hobby into a thriving side business, Justin Peters from the FI Minded Podcast shares how dialing back work can supercharge your career, creativity, and financial freedom. Key Points & Topics Part-time work and mini sabbaticals Recognizing burnout and funding a seven-month break Differentiating sabbatical versus mini retirement Logistics: nest egg size, remote options, healthcare planning Optionality and financial independence mindset Dual-track strategy: accumulate wealth and improve life in tandem CoastFi and SlowFi as flavors of the 25x rule Pulling back on work without derailing long-term goals Turning a podcast hobby into a side hustle Initial struggles with audio editing and finding a partner Leveraging serendipity, referrals, and niche communities Advising small business owners: start with five imperfect episodes Intentional time off Avoiding passive downtime—set routines for hobby and health First two-week recovery period, then structured creative blocks Sharing your plan: scripts for family and friends Networking and community building FinCon conference connections Toastmasters for public-speaking confidence and lasting bonds Online FI communities and Facebook groups for accountability Military-friendly breaks Career Intermission Program: up to 36 months and healthcare continuity depending on your branch of service Guard and Reserve options to maintain benefits and part-time earnings Links Mentioned Justin's FI Minded podcast (search on any podcast player) Episode 171: gifting and donations with Spencer Reese Episode 170: living a FI life without a FI bank account Episode 142: Jillian Johnsrud on mini retirements Toastmasters International: https://www.toastmasters.org Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call. militarymoneymanual.com/mentor Over 19,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. Want to be confident with your TSP investing? Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.

Financial Coaching & Money Mentor Opportunities Feeling confident in your research but stalled when it comes to taking action on your military family's financial plan? From TSP questions to credit card strategies, this episode explains how an hour with a dedicated coach can transform hesitation into clear, personalized next steps. Key Points & Topics Defining financial coaching vs. advisory services No sales pitches, no commissions, no product upsells Confidential, unbiased guidance tailored to your goals Who benefits most Active duty, Guard, Reserve, military spouses, cadets, midshipmen Dual-military couples, high-net-worth families, soon-to-commission officers Typical coaching session structure Pre-call questionnaire to customize the conversation One-hour call via Google Meet  Post-call recap email with transcript and bullet-pointed action steps Sample coaching topics TSP vs. traditional/Roth IRA decisions Career starter loan considerations Financial therapy: uncovering money scripts and spending habits Helping improve communication with your spouse around money Credit card strategies, MLA/SCRA protections, maximizing points redemptions State tax benefits and Military Spouse Residency Relief Act Booking details and logistics Schedule via Calendly at militarymoneymanual.com/mentor One-time fee ($150 currently as of time of recording), no recurring charges, Full refund if not valuable Option to be referred to military-friendly CFP network if needed such as Military Financial Advisors Association (MFAA) or Military Tax Experts Alliance Links Mentioned https://militarymoneymanual.com/mentor https://hellonectarine.com/r/military https://militaryfinancialadvisors.org https://militarymoneymanual.com/UMC3 Stop second-guessing and start implementing your financial plan today. Book your one-hour military money mentor session today and walk away with a clear roadmap to your goals. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

Wondering how to unlock premium travel perks and avoid annual fees while serving on Active Duty, the Guard, Reserves? Or maybe you're a military spouse and curious if you qualify for the same protections and waivers? This episode dives deep into the ins and outs of MLA and SCRA protections, credit card strategies, and maximizing those free hotel nights and points. Links & Resources Mentioned: Spencer's article explaining MLA Database MLA Database Lookup SCRA Request Page – Amex Mentorship with Spencer & Jamie For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

Remember when you were spooked by April's market dip? Spencer and Jamie unpack how to discuss your feelings of panic this past April, stay calm, stick to your investing philosophy, and make smart moves post-crisis. Key Takeaways: The S&P 500 dropped 19%, sparking fear, but headlines thrive on panic. Debriefing your emotional response helps clarify your strategy. Automate contributions to reduce emotional decision-making. Now's the time to create or revise your personal investing philosophy and asset allocation. You don't actually "lose" money unless you sell your shares when they're down. Long-term success comes from consistency, not reaction. Action Steps: Reflect: How did you feel during the downturn? Write down your investing philosophy. Automate TSP/Roth IRA contributions and delete trading apps. For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

If you've ever felt torn between soaking up life now and securing your future, you're not alone. In this episode, we explore what it really means to invest in “future you” and how to do it without sacrificing everything you love today. Whether you're a beginner or behind on savings, the best time to start is today. Key Points The Saver vs. Spender Dynamic Compound Interest Explained Retirement is More Than Just Money or a Pension Understanding the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Insight from the FIRE Movement Saving Gives You Options Reverse Budgeting Strategy Reducing Financial Stress Communication For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

Carol and Ken didn't just imagine a life beyond the military- they designed one. In just four years, they transformed from brand-new ensigns with zero TSP contributions into self-made millionaires.  In this episode, we'll unpack the financial strategy, discipline, and teamwork that helped them achieve Lean FIRE (financial independence, retire early) before 30—all while navigating dual military careers and deployments. They get real about: Starting from scratch: Misconceptions about TSP, military pay issues, and their humble financial beginnings Mindset over mechanics: Why a simple strategy, applied consistently, beats fancy budgeting tools Sacrifice and simplicity: Living close to base, biking to work, and even having a 60% savings rate Lean FIRE: How they hit $800k in just four years and what came next Building a values-based lifestyle: From toddler chaos to travel goals and making intentional choices Tools & tactics: How they used Excel, anti-budgets, and communication to streamline finances Carol's book: Raising Your Money-Savvy Family for Next Generation Financial Independence co-authored with her dad, Doug Nordman

Spencer and Jamie break down all the major updates to the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card and why military families should still consider it their top travel rewards card despite the annual fee increase to $795. What You'll Learn: Military Benefits That Make This Card a No-Brainer: How the Military Lending Act (MLA) waives the $795 annual fee for active duty, Guard, Reserve (on 30+ day orders), and military spouses Why the $300 flexible travel credit alone makes this card worth it How to potentially get multiple Chase Sapphire Reserve cards with fees waived on all of them Major Card Updates: Enhanced earning rates: 4X points on flights and hotels booked directly (up from 3X) New $300 dining credit for Chase Sapphire Reserve exclusive tables Changes to the Chase Travel Portal: goodbye 1.5¢ per point, hello selective 2¢ "Points Boost" New credits: $300 StubHub, $120 DoorDash annual credit, Apple TV+ and Apple Music through 2027 Rule Changes That Open New Opportunities: Relaxed 5/24 rule - you might be eligible even if you've opened 5+ cards in 24 months Modified lifetime bonus restrictions with new application screening Ability to hold both Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve simultaneously Essential Military Travel Benefits: Primary rental car insurance (rare among credit cards) No foreign transaction fees for overseas assignments Priority Pass lounge access plus exclusive Chase Sapphire lounges $120 Global Entry credit every 4 years Resources Mentioned: Episode 161: Complete military credit card benefits guide MLA Database: Check eligibility at MilitaryMoneyManual.com Learn how to Apply for Chase Sapphire Reserve: MilitaryMoneyManual.com Credit tracking apps: Max Rewards and Card Pointers Multiple CSR guide: multiple Chase Sapphire Reserves military Whether you're stationed overseas, PCSing frequently, or just want to maximize your travel rewards without paying annual fees, this episode explains why the Chase Sapphire Reserve remains the top recommendation for military families in 2025.

Bonus episode! Target is offering 10% off twice for verified military families! Here's a quick episode were Jamie shares everything you need to know to save big during this limited-time promotion. Whether you're prepping for a move or restocking your household essentials, this discount is an easy win.

What do you get when you combine a passion for service, a pivot to medicine, and a mastery of money? In this episode, Army doctor Pritish Sahoo breaks down how he leveraged military programs to fund $700K in education—and built a real estate empire along the way. Topics Covered: Pivot from engineering to medicine Navigating the HPSP (Health Professions Scholarship Program) and USUHS paths Real numbers: military pays, stipends, bonuses, and educational benefits available to military doctors Financial edge of military medicine vs. civilian practice Real estate investing as a service member: lessons, wins, and close calls Using the GI Bill and TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) strategically Building a $5M financial independence goal Advice for young officers and enlisted members starting their wealth journey How mentors and books shaped his approach to money and meaning

Did you know even a 0% rating can unlock important benefits for you and your family? Why do so many veterans delay or avoid filing for VA disability compensation? It's not about the money—it's often about identity, pride, and a labyrinth of red tape. Doug Nordman joins Spencer to break the silence and stigma surrounding VA disability claims, while sharing personal stories, tough truths, and practical advice every veteran—and their family—needs to hear.

Your net worth isn't the full picture of your wealth. Financial independence is great, but if your health, relationships, and purpose suffer, are you really wealthy? In this episode, Jamie and Spencer break down The Five Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom and how to create a life that's truly rich—beyond just the numbers in your bank account. Overview: Financial wealth is only one piece of the puzzle. Sahil Bloom's book introduces the concept that true wealth comes in five forms: time, social, mental, physical, and financial wealth. Jamie and Spencer reflect on their own experiences in the military and beyond, exploring how service members often have hidden riches in some areas—like social and mental wealth—but struggle in others, like financial or physical health. Wealth isn't just about money. The most financially successful people often struggle in health, relationships, and purpose. The goal isn't to maximize one area but to balance all five types of wealth so you can build a truly rich life—one that's deeply fulfilling, not just financially secure. Key Points: The Five Types of Wealth Defined: A breakdown of time, social, mental, physical, and financial wealth—why all five matter. Military Service & Wealth: How military members often have strong mental and social wealth but struggle in financial and physical areas. Time Wealth & How to Own Your Schedule: The importance of time freedom—are your days designed to build the life you want? Social Wealth & Deepening Relationships: How to build lasting friendships, especially after leaving the military. Mental Wealth & Purpose: How defining a personal mission statement can shape a more fulfilling life. Physical Wealth & Health: The long-term impact of fitness, nutrition, and recovery on overall life satisfaction. Financial Wealth & The Enough Life: The danger of chasing an ever-moving financial goal and defining your version of financial sufficiency. Mentioned Resources & Links: Sahil Bloom's book The Five Types of Wealth The quiz on Sahil Bloom's website (for assessing your wealth across all five categories) The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel Episode 46 about Psychology of Money Personal Finance Club – Jeremy Schneider's simple investing strategies For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

Too restrictive or a key part of a military families financial planning? Today's episode is a no-holds-barred discussion about the pros, cons, and real-life strategies behind 529 plans. Episode Summary: In this episode, Spencer and Jamie dive deep into the world of 529 college savings plans—a tax-advantaged tool designed to save for qualified education expenses. They explore the basics of how 529 plans work (after-tax contributions, tax-free growth, and penalty-free withdrawals on qualified education expenses) and highlight recent changes that expand their flexibility beyond just college tuition. The conversation unfolds as Spencer raises his skeptical questions, while Jamie defends the plan's benefits by sharing personal experiences and strategies. From multi-generational planning to overcoming the challenge of overfunding, the discussion covers everything you need to know to determine if a 529 plan fits into your family's financial strategy. Key Discussion Points & Takeaways: Understanding 529 Fundamentals: Contributions are made with after-tax dollars, but the account grows tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified expenses (college, K–12 tuition, apprenticeship programs, computer equipment, and internet access) remain tax-free. Jamie explains the flexibility and evolving nature of 529 plans, including options to roll over funds to a Roth IRA (subject to annual limits and other restrictions) if the money isn't immediately needed for education. Flexibility vs. Restriction: Spencer shares his concerns about the plan's restrictions and whether the benefits favor high-income families more than those who might truly need the tax advantages. Jamie counters by emphasizing that the primary goal is to ensure your child's educational expenses are covered, while also noting that any “overfunding” isn't a total loss—it comes with backup options like beneficiary changes and penalty adjustments if funds are withdrawn for non-qualified purposes. Practical Money Management: Real-life insights on how to balance your overall financial strategy: build a solid retirement plan, clear debt, and then contribute to a 529 plan once you've established your own financial security. Jamie outlines his personal approach, including how much he's contributed over the years and his strategy for managing contributions as his children get closer to college age. Discussion of exit strategies: potential rollovers, transferring balances between beneficiaries, and even using scholarship funds to unlock part of the 529 savings without penalties. Generational and Strategic Considerations: Beyond college savings, the episode explores whether 529 plans can serve as a mechanism for a multi-generational legacy—providing educational support for nieces, nephews, or future grandchildren. The balance between maximizing tax-free growth and maintaining account flexibility is a recurring theme, with both hosts stressing the importance of aligning a 529 plan with your broader financial plan. Actionable Insights for Listeners: Evaluate Your Priorities: Before you start pouring funds into a 529 plan, ensure you've taken care of high-priority items like debt repayment and retirement savings. Start Early: Open an account when your child is young. Even small, regular contributions can accumulate significantly over time. Customize According to Your Needs: Understand that the “perfect” plan isn't one-size-fits-all. Consider factors like potential state tax deductions, investment options (like Vanguard 529's low-cost index fund style), and your own financial situation. Plan for Flexibility: Keep in mind exit strategies (such as rollovers to Roth IRAs and changing beneficiaries) so that if your situation changes, you're not locked into funds you can't use as intended. If this episode sparked some thoughts about your child's educational future or your family's financial planning, drop us a message on Instagram or visit our website at MilitaryMoneyManual.com.  Links mentioned: Kate Horrell's College Savings resources Episode 124 w/ Kate Horrell Episode 165 w/ Daniel Kopp FINRED flyer on 529s For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

Did you know there's a way to get tax-free income, tax-free growth, AND tax-free withdrawals—all legally? If you're in the military, you have access to one of the most powerful wealth-building tools that civilians can only dream of. Combat Zone Tax Exclusion (CZTE) is the golden ticket, and in this episode, we break down exactly how you can leverage it to maximize your savings and accelerate your journey to financial freedom. Episode Summary: Military members deployed to a Combat Zone Tax Exclusion (CZTE) location receive tax-free pay, but did you know this can also supercharge your retirement savings?  No federal income tax on military pay earned in a combat zone. Contributions to Roth IRA or Roth TSP using tax-exempt combat pay grow tax-free. Withdrawals in retirement are completely tax-free, giving you a massive financial advantage. We also discuss the Savings Deposit Program (SDP), tips for avoiding common financial mistakes, and strategies to maximize your tax-free earnings while deployed. Key Takeaways: Maximize Your Benefits: Understand the triple tax benefits and how to supercharge your Roth TSP and Roth IRA. Combat Zone Pay Benefits: Know which locations qualify and how even touching a combat zone for one day can get you CZTE benefits. Emergency Fund First: Use the extra tax-free income to build financial security before investing. Savings Deposit Program (SDP): Earn a guaranteed 10% return with this little-known military savings program. Tax Planning Strategies: Advanced moves like Roth conversions, tax-gain harvesting, and earned income tax credit eligibility. Watch Out for Common Mistakes: Avoid lifestyle inflation and missed opportunities to grow tax-free wealth. Links mentioned today: IRS Publication 3, Armed Forces Tax Guide IRS.gov CZTE locations (as of this publishing) DFAS.mil's Imminent Danger Pay (IDP) info Savings Deposit Program (SDP) Article Responding to CP04 IRS Letter Article Military Tax Experts Alliance Episode 167 w/ Ryan Guina, Contributing up to $70,000 to TSP while Deployed! Episode 116 - Roth TSP and Roth IRA are Different!! For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

Are you just trying to survive financially? Or are you on your way to building a lasting legacy? Discover the 7 levels of wealth adapted for military life and learn how to move from paycheck-to-paycheck living to financial freedom and abundance! This isn't about rank or time in service – it's about intention and systems. This episode is inspired by Ramit Sethi's video on the seven levels of wealth, viewed through a unique military money lens. The levels aren't tied to rank or experience; a junior service member could be ahead of a senior one. Everyone starts somewhere, and there's no shame if you're not at the final step yet. The Seven Levels of Wealth (with a military twist): Levels 1-2: Beginner's Mindset Level 1: Survival Level 2: Stability Levels 3-4: The Boring Middle Level 3: Security Level 4: Growth Levels 5-7: The Advanced Phase / Financial Freedom Level 5: Freedom Level 6: Abundance Level 7: Legacy Links mentioned today: Dave Ramsey's The Total Money Makeover YNAB app (military discount) For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

Navigating PCS Chaos, Saving Money, and Finding Adventure! PCSing is a constant in military life, often bringing stress, extra costs, and confusion. But it doesn't have to be a nightmare! In this episode, we dive deep into practical tips and strategies to help you survive your next Permanent Change of Station (PCS), save money, and maybe even make it an adventure. We cover everything from getting your paperwork in order to leveraging financial benefits and preparing your family for the journey. In this episode, we discuss key strategies for managing your PCS: Getting Organized & Paperwork: The importance of physical binders and electronic backups for documents. Tips for outprocessing checklists and hand-carrying essential items like orders, Power of Attorneys, birth certificates, passports, and social security cards. Keep vital documents separate from movers. Financially Preparing: The crucial need to start saving cash early for unreimbursed expenses. Access to liquid money helps with stress management and avoiding debt. Cutting expenses is the first step to saving. Understanding Financial Benefits: Dislocation Allowance (DLA): An entitlement can be taken as an advance upfront (not a loan). Rates vary by pay grade and dependents (e.g., O-5 w/ dependents $5,339, E-4 w/ dependents $3,400 in 2025).  PCS Pay Advance: Option for up to one month's base pay, interest-free, paid back over 12 months. A tool for necessary situations, better than high-interest loans. Moving Your Stuff (HHG government move vs. PPM): Options include full government shipment (through TMO) or the Personally Procured Move (PPM). A partial PPM is recommended for conus moves to get paid for weight in your car. A full PPM offers significant profit potential by paying you the government's cost (examples mentioned: Jamie's $14,000 profit in 2023, and potential $10,000 profit in 2025). Challenge misinformation about PPM rules by referencing the JTR. Temporary Living Expenses (TLE) & Temporary Living Allowance (TLA): TLE (CONUS to CONUS, CONUS to OCONUS, or OCONUS to CONUS variants): Max $290/day, limited to 21 days, can be split between old and new PDS. Can be used for M&IE even when staying with family/friends. TLA (OCONUS): Up to 60 days upon arrival, 10 days upon departure. Covers lodging plus M&IE. Reference the JTR due to common misinformation. Prioritize minimizing stress over maximizing per diem. Preparing Your Family: Frame the move as an adventure. Acknowledge feelings (sadness, excitement) for everyone. Involve older kids in packing. Remember it's a team effort. Decluttering: Less stuff makes moving easier, especially with PPM. Reduces mental stress. Try methods like the hanger trick, Marie Kondo ("spark joy"), or the "poop test" for toys. Holding a garage sale can generate extra cash. Smart Travel & Leave: Explore circuitous travel or taking leave en route by getting it on your orders. PCS is a prime opportunity to take leave between assignments. Can take leave before departing or upon arrival. Understand BH timing. Inventory & Support: Video and photograph your belongings for inventory in case of loss or damage. You are not alone. Lean on your support network, friends, family, or sponsor for help. Links Mentioned: DFAS website for TLE details  DTMO website for TLA details Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), Your ultimate (source document) guide for entitlements Kate Horrell's PCS checklists Previous Podcast Episode on the $14k PPM Profit Article about Circuitous Travel  Podcast episode about Circuitous Travel Podcast episode about Legacy Planning for Military Families For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

The military retirement is one of the best benefits in the world... but is it worth the cost in years of your life? Summary: How is military retirement pay calculated Military retirement can be worth at least $1,500,000! Benefits for military retirees Intangible benefits of military service What veterans miss about the military after retirement Links: Enlisted Money @enlistedmoneyguy on Instagram Brandon's blog post- Is Doing 20 Years in the Military Worth it? past episodes w/ Brandon include: ep 96- Enlisted Money Basics ep 128- Continuation Pay ep 143- DCFSA Brandon Lovingier, ChFC®, MQFP®, joined the Army right out of high school and has served over 19 years. He wasn't always good with money, but now his family is debt-free and building wealth. He established Enlisted Money to help enlisted service members avoid his mistakes. He earned his Chartered Financial Consultant – ChFC® designation in 2022 and Military Qualified Financial Planner – MQFP® in 2023. He received The American College of Financial Services NextGen Financial Professional Award for 2024. He's spoken at MilMoneyCon and loves mentoring other service members on their own financial freedom journey. For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

Most couples would rather talk about their sex life with a friend than money! What would it look like if we both felt good about money? Today we talk about how to get started with dreaming together and how to discover how to create a shared vision and discussing what kind of money stories do you want to write together as a couple Jamie's 3 main take-aways: You and your spouse have to talk about money, understand where they're coming from, and their money scripts Your priorities will be different; find a way to get to a shared vision Whatever system you choose, shared goals and a shared vision are MOST important Spencer's main lessons: Discover how money can be a source of collaboration between you and your partner Connect with your partner and use the medium of money to do that Money doesn't have to be a source of stress or strain Other topics we discussed: Communication Dreaming conversations (visionary dreams, not costs at first) Be curious about why your spouse may have negative mindsets about money "I wonder what it would look like if we had a talk about money this week" Working each person's priorities into your budget with whatever system you choose Starting the meeting with appreciation for each other "A budget is a tactical solution to a psychological problem" - Ramit Sethi "A budget's not going to save you, but learning how to connect over money just might!" - Ramit Sethi  Housing, transportation, and food are often the 3 biggest areas military couples often overspend in Links: Money for Couples by Ramit Sethi The Money for Couples podcast Ramit's 10 Money Rules, episode 108 of our podcast Ramit flow chart @militarymoneymanual on instagram YNAB (military discount) Justin Peter's FI Minded podcast Money Scripts podcast episode #82 with Daniel Kopp For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

Holding too much cash can be a drag on your gains. You shouldn't have too much of it sitting in your account without a specific purpose. Today you'll learn answers to questions such as: How much is too much? Where should I keep my cash? What should I do today if I have too much cash? Links from today's episode: Erik Baskin at Baskin FP Past podcast episodes with Erik Baskin include episode 72, episode 129, and episode 168. Erik Baskin on LinkedIn The Veteran Finance podcast with Erik Baskin For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

Which is better, lump sum investing or Dollar Cost Averaging? Bottom line, neither is significantly better, although lump sum investing statistically wins slightly. The more important factor in you building wealth is that you invest consistently for the long-term!  Missing just the 10 best trading days between 2002-2022 would cut your returns by 50%. Don't play games when you know it's impossible to win. Just keep investing! Links from today's episode: Vanguard white paper on lump sum vs. DCA Military Money Manual blog post on this topic How to Time the Market World's Worst Market Timer (only investing at the peak) For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

Better every day. That's the goal. Not perfection. What skill have you ever learned that you were perfect at right from the start? Then why are you so hard on yourself when your financial journey isn't perfectly smooth and easy? Each positive decision you make, each money conversation you have with your spouse is like a good set at the gym. Not every rep is perfect, so you keep working on it. This week, we're talking mindset shifts to help you think of one way you can PRACTICE this week with: Spending intentionally Communication Overcoming exessive frugality & moving on from seasons of aggressive saving Money management is a skill that improves with practice. You'll get better with each rep. Don't expect perfect from you every day (or from your spouse!). What decision today could be one rep?  For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

"Reading has changed my life!" Today's key topics include: VA House Hacking as a young officer, military influencer and off duty employment in the Air Force, personal finance for military women, and self improvement for new officers and cadets. As a young officer, Lanae is debt free except her mortgage, owns a home using her VA loan, has a very high savings rate, and helps spread awareness about how women can improve their knowledge and personal finance situation. Links: Lanae's Instagram @lanaeslife1 Spencer's article about the VA Loan Our VA loan podcast episode w/ Rich Carey Our VA Loan- Everything you Need to Know podcast episode See Important Disclaimer for Department of the Air Force Influencers Lanae is a Force Support Officer stationed in Colorado. She earned her commission through the ROTC program at Ohio University and received her Bachelor's of Science degree in Communication Studies 2022. She became a home owner and debt free at 23 years old and loves to read, travel, be outdoors, and is passionate about personal finance education for women. For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

30%-40% international funds in your portfolio!? What is home-country bias and why you may want exposure to markets other than just the US stock market. Links:  https://www.baskinfp.com/ Military Tax Experts Alliance Vanguard article on international investments "U.S. stocks are unlikely to repeat their past outperformance over the coming decade" - Vanguard  Spencer's personal assett allocation For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

Entreprenuership, Guard benefits, TSP while deployed, and more! Topics from today: Starting TheMilitaryWallet.com Joining the Guard after 8 years Why he joined the Guard VA disability Guard pay, healthcare, and retirement differences Transition Assistance Medical Program (TAMP) TSP contributions in a combat zone Annual additons limit Ryan's personal considerations for whether to continue serving past 20 years Ryan Guina is The Military Wallet's founder. He is a writer, small business owner, and entrepreneur. He served over six years on active duty in the USAF and is a current member of the Tennessee Air National Guard. Ryan started The Military Wallet in 2007 after separating from active duty military service and has been writing about financial, small business, and military benefits topics since then. For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

64% of veterans will leave initial first post-military job in the first two years! Repeat guest Kate Horrell joins us again to discuss her thought-provoking post on this topic. Of course there are always outliers and unique circumstances, but in genral we hope this conversation helps you slow down and question the pressure to "stabilize" and find your "perfect, dream home" immediatley after you leave active duty.  Main reasons to consider renting for 1 or 2 more years include: Employment instability Effect of stress on decision-making Financial upheaval and the unknowns Links we mentioned: Kate's article "Don't buy a house when leaving active duty" The Syracuse University study  KateHorrell.com Kate's Military Family's Confidently Prepared™ Life Binder Kate's new book on the GI Bill (coming ~4/15/25) Kate Horrell is an Accredited Financial Counselor®, Chartered Financial Consultant®, and Military Qualified Financial Planner®. She's also the spouse of a retired sailor and mom of four young adults. She writes about the financial issues that affect military families - pay, allowances, and benefits. Plus college stuff, landlording, moving, taxes. We cover a little bit of everything. Her goal is to give you the tools to make the best decisions right now, so you'll be confidently prepared for whatever comes next - whether that's a PCS move, transition to civilian life, or retirement. For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

As an optimzer, Jamie was concerned about how to perfect his family's GI Bill strategy. In the middle of a discussion (after we wrapped up last week's podcast recording with Daniel), we hit record for this non-standard format. As Jamie allows himself to be vulnerable and curious about the words he used, Daniel is able to help him work through some anxiety and negative feelings.  You'll also hear some tactical advice for using and sharing the GI Bill. Links we mentioned: Financial Therapy certificate Daniel and Spencer both earned through Kansas State Wise Stewardship Financial Planning Daniel Kopp is a fee-only, fiduciary financial planner and founder of Wise Stewardship Financial Planning where he helps young widows and widowers as well as servicemembers get their financial lives in order by aligning their money with their values. He is also an Air Force veteran after almost 9 years as an officer on active duty during which he served as an Air Battle Manager participating in combat deployments and training opportunities all across the world. Outside of his official military commitments, Daniel has always had a passion to help servicemembers and their families master their finances where he served as a volunteer financial counselor during most of his time on active duty. For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

How to teach your military kids about healthy and positive money habits, set expectations for college, use the GI Bill, and leverage 529s and other investment accounts for your military family. With today's guest, Daniel Kopp, we discussed: Teaching kids spending, saving, and giving buckets Teach, demo, supervise with your kids Give them chances to fail Wants vs. needs & delayed gratification Don't make money a big secret- talk about it Evolving the lessons you teach your kids as they age 529s, UTMAs, taxable brokerage accounts, and life insurance Tax efficient gifting strategies FAFSA for military families VA chapter 35 Prepaid college  The "College Pre-Approval Process" How to avoid overpaying for college Links we mentioned: Money Scripts episode w/ Daniel Kopp (episode # 82) Cybersecurity 101 podcast episode (#157) Military Financial Advisors Assocation (MFAA) FDIC's Money Smart Catalog CFPB's Money As You Grow program NCUA Games U.S. Mint free games and activities for children Military to Financial Planner podcast Wise Stewardship Financial Planning Daniel Kopp is a fee-only, fiduciary financial planner and founder of Wise Stewardship Financial Planning where he helps young widows and widowers as well as servicemembers get their financial lives in order by aligning their money with their values. He is also an Air Force veteran after almost 9 years as an officer on active duty during which he served as an Air Battle Manager participating in combat deployments and training opportunities all across the world. Outside of his official military commitments, Daniel has always had a passion to help servicemembers and their families master their finances where he served as a volunteer financial counselor during most of his time on active duty. Books mentioned in this episode: Raising your Money-Savvy Family for Next Generation Financial Independence by Carol Pittner and Doug Nordman How to Pay for College by Ann Garcia The Missing Billionaires by Victor Haghani & James White The Price You Pay for College by Ron Lieber The Opposite of Spoiled by Ron Lieber Smart Money Smart Kids by Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze Four Money Bears by Mac Gardner For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

Making your money more focused on your future expenses, goals, and desires. We were inspired by the updates to the YNAB method to share these powerful questions and help your family become more intentional and proactive. Main themes from today's episode: Use these 5 questions to give every dollar a job for what matters to you What to do when you feel like everyone is coming for your hard-earned dollars Building a system so you can thrive Choosing whether to spend a hard-earned dollar now or put it to work with a productive asset 5 questions to ask: What does this money need to do before I'm paid again? What larger, less frequent spending do I need to prepare for? What can I set aside for next month's spending? What goals, large or small, do I want to prioritize? What changes do I need to make, if any? Links we mentioned today: YNAB (military discount) The updated YNAB method (no more 4 rules) Episode 58 w/ Jesse Mecham, founder of YNAB Kate Horrell's military pay day calendar Personal Finance Club's two variables- income and expenses Monarch Money (military discount) For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

"What's the mission for this money?" "Wealth is what you DON'T see." "Go find something you're really excited about." "Contributions, Conversion, Characterization." "It's OK to follow your curiosity!" This episode is full of gems of wisdom from ALF. Some major questions include: Do political changes adjust my investing strategy?  How do I fight against the pull to get a car that's more expensive? What's a backdoor Roth IRA? Who needs to do it? Is there an income limit for Roth TSP contributions? Do I need to make quarterly estimated tax payments? Any advice for career changes after the military? How do I find a fulfilling career after the military? Links we mentioned today: MQFP (Military Qualified Financial Planner) MilMoneyCon (next event is May 15-17, 2025 in San Antonio) Our previous episode w/ ALF on Survivor Benefit Program (#89) Erik Baskin's newsletter Personal Finance Club post about performance during Presidents Daniel Kopp's Military to Financial Planner podcast Military Financial Advisors Assocation (MFAA) Winged Wealth blog post on Risk Brian O'Neill on LinkedIn WingedWealth.com For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

Military servicemembers and their spouse can get annual fees waived on personal cards from top banks such as American Express and Chase! Today's episode covers: What's the big deal about these cards? Why are they good? How does this waiver thing work? What order should I open my cards in? How far can I take this? Is it going to be complicated? How can I learn more about credit card strategies? Remember, NO credit cards if you're already in credit card debt, living paycheck-to-paycheck, or struggling to make ends meet. This is a more advanced personal finance benefit. Links: Free Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course Military Lending Act (MLA) explained How to check the MLA database Credit card strategy podcast episode Amex family language changes episode Past epsiodes on: Amex Platinum Chase Sapphire Reserve Hilton Aspire Bonvoy Brilliant Military Money Manual card recommendations and benefits posts For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.  

The 2025 Air Force pilot bonus is out!  This episode is specifically for USAF pilots (or anyone else oddly interested in the numbers). There are also bonuses for CSOs/Navs, RPA pilots, and ABMs, although we focus specifically on the pilot bonus. There are a few types of bonus money available this year for those who UPT ADSC expires in FY25, FY26, or FY27. You can get a preferential assignment, a financial bonus, or both! We'll discuss the legacy bonus (ADSC expiringing in FY25), the demo program bonus (ADSC expiring in FY26 or FY27), and the contract expired bonus (ADSC expired before FY25, never took a bonus, or ADSC from taking a bonus earlier is done.) Refer the official PSDM on MyVector (CAC required) for full details and source document guidance. Links: Jamie's article on the pilot bonus Podcast episode from 2022 Pilot Bonus (#34) Military Bonus and Windfall episode (#32) For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.  

Money doesn't have to cause stress. It doesn't have to be complex. It doesn't have to require a lot of time to build wealth. Learn how to simply your: Budget Bills Investment Tracking Links: Money for Couples podcast w/ Ramit Sethi LADS Philosophy, episode #158 Money Scripts episode #82 w/ Daniel Kopp YNAB app  Monarch money For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.  

Low-cost, Automatic, Diversified, Simple (LADS). Consistent, automatic savings poured into my simple and diversified index funds at low costs have been the cornerstone of my successful investment portfolio. Low-cost: Select low-cost index funds with low-cost expense ratios. All of the funds in the TSP meet these criteria and many Vanguard funds do as well. Automatic: Set up automatic contributions from your military paycheck to your TSP. Then, set up automatic withdrawals from your checking account to your IRA. Invest monthly or after every paycheck. If you receive a lump sum payment, like a bonus, invest it as soon as possible. Diversified: Don't buy one company's stock. Buy stocks from many companies through index funds. Simple: Never invest in anything you don't understand. If you can't explain it to a five-year-old, it's too complicated. Buy income-producing assets like stocks, bonds, and real estate. Links:  Military Money Manual book (promo code "podcast" for discount) Our favorite financial independence books blog post Random Walk Down Wall Street Little Book of Common Sense Investing Simple Path to Wealth Psychology of Money SPIVA Scorecard from S&P Global Chart to show how much to invest to max your TSP this year Projection Lab (military discount) Jack Bogle's post on stock market vs funds vs investor returns Military Financial Advisors Assocation (MFAA) Nectarine (military discount) For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.  

Protect your credit, protect your identity, and keep your money safe online. You can easily freeze your credit with each of the 3 credit bureaus to ensure no one can open accounts in your name. You don't need to pay for credit monitoring service in most cases or pay to know your credit score. It's very simple and easy to quickly unfreeze your credit before applying for a new credit card or mortgage. Also use unique passwords, stored securely and two-factor authentication (preferably on an Authenticator app over receiving a text code) for all your accounts. Active duty alerts on your credit report is NOT as helpful as actually freezing your credit. Links:  Annual Credit Report (free report, no cost, no catch) Freeze your credit w/ Experian Freeze your credit w/ TransUnion Freeze your credit w/ Equifax For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.  

Roth is the way to go for almost all military families. Because of the unusually low taxable income military families have (since allowances like BAH and BAS aren't taxable income),  we're going to take a hard stance on this one and show the benefits for Roth: You can always access your Roth contributions tax free and penalty free (can help with gap fund, emergencies, first house purchase, etc) All of the money you'll have in your Roth IRA or Roth TSP will be non-taxed upon withdrawal at retirement age (no big tax bombs or complicated strategies required) No taxable RMDs as you age No taxable RMDs for whomever receives the Roth account after your pass, in most cases (big win for your beneficiaries) No concern about future tax rate, tax laws, or tax bracket changes Remember, almost all of the million+ you'll have in retirement accounts as you age will be GROWTH- and that's not taxed.  In a few cases (mil-to-mil senior officers, high income families, complicated tax situations, extreme FI/RE types, etc.) traditional may be better for you. As you get more advanced and learn more about personal finance, you can make the decision. If unsure, go Roth! *Not financial advice. Do your own research and make your own, informed decisions. For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.  

Dissect your money stories, the traditions you've adapted from culture and your family of orgin to understand WHY you make the money decisions you make each month? For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.

Merry Christmas from the entire Military Money Manual team! What a year... We hit 250,000+ total downloads this year. Not bad for two pilots who didn't know how to podcast when we started. We're looking forward to helping everyone with their military money next year.

Spencer and Jamie explain how to maximize TSP contributions under the Blended Retirement System (BRS), including calculating monthly contribution percentages and avoiding common mistakes that could result in missing matching funds. They break down the 2025 contribution limits and discuss strategies for both BRS and legacy retirement system participants. Here's the TSP BRS maximizing chart. Questions discussed: What are the TSP contribution limits for 2025? How do Roth TSP and Roth IRA limits differ? How should you calculate monthly TSP contributions under BRS? What happens if you front-load TSP contributions under BRS? How do you handle mid-year pay increases? What should you do if you over-contribute? How do you adjust contributions if starting later in the year? Resources mentioned: MilitaryMoneyManual.com/tsp TSP.gov MyPay r/MilitaryFinance subreddit Military Money Manual Instagram (@militarymoneymanual) TSP contribution calculator/chart on MilitaryMoneyManual.com NDAA 2025 proposed pay increases Blended Retirement System (BRS) overview For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.  

Biggest financial lessons from The Alamanc of Naval Ravikant 3 biggest decisions: where you live, who you're with, and what you do Does money make you happy? How to get rich Outsourcing 3 way to retire Cultivating wisdom Things money can't buy Links:  The Almanac of Naval Ravikant on Amazon Don't buy a house on active duty (episode #134) Money mindset podcast episode #148 For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.  

Tax advantages, confusing tax brackets, marginal vs effective tax rates, and more! Spener and Jamie discuss how military service members benefit from unique tax advantages, including untaxed allowances and combat zone tax exclusions. They also break down real examples of effective tax rates for different ranks and locations, explain tax brackets, and discuss investment implications, particularly for Roth vs traditional retirement accounts. Main Topics & Questions Covered: How did Jamie pay an effective tax rate of only 10% in 2023? What military pay components are not taxed? BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) BAS (Basic Allowance for Sustenance) OHA (Overseas Housing Allowance) Overseas COLA Combat Zone Tax Exclusion Pay (CZTE) Hostile fire/imminent danger pay How do combat zone tax exclusions work? Areas designated by presidential executive order No limit for enlisted members Officers capped at highest enlisted monthly pay Real examples of effective tax rates for: E5 at Holloman AFB (single) E7 at Fort Sill (married with children) O3 at Wheeler Army Airfield (married with child) O5 in Hawaii (with children) How do tax brackets actually work? Progressive system explanation Standard deduction impacts Marriage tax advantages Common misconceptions about brackets Investment implications: Roth vs Traditional retirement accounts Why Roth often makes sense for military members Tax considerations when transitioning to civilian life Key takeaways: Military members often have very low effective tax rates Understanding true taxable income vs. total compensation Importance of tracking tax information on LES Resources for military tax assistance (Military Tax Experts Alliance) The hosts emphasized two main recommendations: Consider Roth retirement contributions while serving Be cautious about buying houses while on active duty Links: Military Tax Experts Alliance Military One Source's free tax prep software (miltax) Money Chimp's tax calculator IRS designated combat zones (CZTE zones) Money Chimp's Compound Annual Growth Rate calculator (CAGR) IRS Tax Brackets Podcast episode about state taxes #27 Episode #130 with Pual Allen from Military Tax Experts Alliance Episode #119 with Kate Horrell on taxes for military spouses For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Our new TSP course is live! Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards from American Express in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops.