I am constantly amazed at the entrepreneurial spirit of so many of our Military Spouses who own their own businesses and manage to keep them running with the constant turmoil of military life. This year when starting your holiday shopping consider a Military Spouse owned business to spend some of your shopping dollars. There are so many options from hand crafted items at an Esty shop to online stores with military themed items. Here are a few I like:

Army Spouse Serena West not only has a fun shop online at Shop Westhouse, she also blogs about how crazy our military life is. A few fun items at her shop are the Army Man Bottle Opener and her Military Themed T-shirts which I love because they aren’t camo and are very stylish with subtle hints of the military lifestyle like “Master Mover” and “Home of the Brave”.

Sword and Plough is owned by two sisters who were military brats and one who now serves. Their idea was to re purpose military surplus material into stylish and durable bags and backpacks. They support Veteran employment throughout the design and manufacturing process and a percentage of the profits goes to veteran charities. Their Limited Edition Uniform Tote uses recycled uniforms to create a super cute bag.

Military Spouse Olivia Harrell has an eye for fashion and cute gift ideas. I love her marketing genius and discovered her as she posted cute outfits for various activities and then sells them. She has an online boutique and recently opened a brick and mortar store Liv and Rory in downtown Puyallup, Washington.  Cute clothes, Mommy and Me outfits and fun accessories. I love the Cloud Nine Wine Tote. How often have you juggled trying to carry bottles of wine to a function. This cute tote holds two bottles of wine and looks so much better than a paper bag.

While Army Spouse Gwyn Nielsen’s site Sparkling Charm does not have an online store it is my go to destination for holiday ideas. She is so creative, really the Military Spouse Martha Stewart. She also curates unique gift ideas on her website which are season specific. A perfect place  to go to get some new ideas.

For an out of the box idea purchase a gift certificate at  Reynolds Square. Military Spouse Stephanie Dorr provides website design, consulting, course development and education for entrepreneurs looking for the best ways to showcase their business online. Her tagline is “We help you make a business out of sharing what you love with others.” This is a great gift for that friend who is just getting her business started. I used Stephanie for a one hour consult while trying to learn the ins and outs of WordPress. She is tech savvy and understands the unique needs of Military Spouses.

Here are two sites with lists of Military Spouse owned businesses so you can find your own favorite.  Giant List of Military Spouse Owned Businesses and The Military Wife and Mom Holiday Gift Guide

What is your favorite Military Spouse owned business? Post below in the comments so we can share with other Military Shopper readers.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.WanderWordsWine.com

We’ve moved, yet again, to a new town, a new unit and a new life (kind of). My spouse has added my contact information to all the things. And then the requests come flooding in. Not requests to be friends, but to volunteer my time in a professional capacity.

Folks, it’s 2019. And military spouses just don’t have the time to be doing all of the work for free.

And yet…

Why Are Military Spouses Still Being Called on To Do All the Things?

I love volunteering. I’ve actually volunteered since childhood. From planting gardens with my Brownie troop to collecting clothes for the less fortunate, I honestly like to give of myself and my time.

Even in small ways, like taking care of a friend’s children for a few hours so they can run errands, I know that performing acts of kindness for others without expecting compensation makes the world a better place.

Here’s the thing: the military seems to run on volunteers. No, I’m not talking about our all-volunteer force. I’m talking about the spouses running things behind the scenes.

From homecomings and welcome aboard briefs to larger organizations on base, military spouse volunteers are the glue that is holding it all together. Many spouses are spearheading large roles and tasks, jobs that a professional would be overseeing in the civilian world.

And they’re doing it all for free. Sometimes there might be a certificate of recognition or hearty thanks offered, but often these tasks are just completed without acknowledgment.

Volunteering Looks Good on Your Resume

Or so I’ve been told, countless times. I’ve yet to use my volunteer experiences, formal or informal, as a stepping stone into a paid position as an adult.

Instead, it’s my paid work – in any of my varied jobs over the years – that has paved the way to a new position. When I’ve brought up my volunteering, the interviewers didn’t really seem to care.

So, does volunteering look good on resumes or is that just a line?

Honestly, I’m not sure.

Unpaid Work + Extra Costs = What?

If I wanted to volunteer today, right now, I would need childcare for my youngest. Preschool isn’t free and neither are reliable sitters.

Conveniently all of the positions most likely to lead to employment happen exactly when my spouse is at work. They’re also not child-friendly. Especially since most of these roles aren’t just a quick pop-in or work-at-home gigs. Nope, they’re all multiple hours per day, several days a week.

Which means that I will be paying to volunteer.

Sure, I might have that extra cash to throw around in order to give of myself. Then again, we’re a military family and not exactly rich either.

So what exactly am I going to be going into debt for? I’ll be working for free in the hope that one day, maybe, this organization will pay me?

Why would they do that when I’m, wait for it, working for free to begin with?!?!?

The roles available to spouses are professional-type positions. Center staffer (USO), financial consultant (NMCRS), event organizer (family readiness assistant) and medical records assistant (Red Cross). Yet we have military spouses filling them, for free.

Unpaid Work is Extra Stress

I ran myself ragged as a family readiness assistant. And now I see other military spouses doing the same thing in their volunteer roles.

We are treating these positions like jobs, even though we are not being paid. Likely, we are paying for childcare and support in order to fill these volunteer roles. Ironic, isn’t it?

At the end of the day, we take all that stress home with us. All the stress of our “fun” volunteer role becomes our baggage.

It’s extra stress on the level of being in paid employment, but without the paycheck.

This dedication is what makes our military community tick and hum. Military spouses take ownership of every role they are given. We take this stuff seriously!

But is it fair to expect employee-level work from a volunteer?

What Would Happen Without Volunteers?

I don’t think the youngest military spouses (and some of us older hands) are quite buying the line about volunteer roles leading to employment. We haven’t see the fruit from that tree yet, and it’s a line that’s been tossed around for at least a decade.

More and more military spouses are achieving advanced education, earning professional credentials and seeking paid employment. Their family needs two paychecks to make ends meet. Just the military earnings alone won’t cut it.

We might be coming to a reckoning in the military community: a world without rampant volunteerism.

I don’t think that’s a bad thing either. It’s time that we weigh just how much benefit unpaid military spouse labor brings into our communities daily. Then, it’s time we start paying people. Because these things don’t run themselves.

If you’d like to still have family readiness groups, relief societies and community spaces to use, someone needs to be there running things. It’s probably going to be a military spouse. And that person should be paid.

What do you think would happen if military spouse volunteers disappeared?

A career in Real Estate is the perfect fit for a military spouse, after all who knows more about relocating and finding a new place to live. Real Estate is one job that is needed wherever you may move to within the United States, in every state, county and city. In addition, real estate is more than just buying and selling houses there are a variety of job opportunities within the field. Many military families purchase homes as investments and keep them as rental properties. They are always looking for competent and trustworthy property managers. In addition to residential sales there are also public and commercial real estate sales. Representing a builder to sell new homes is a good opportunity. There are also jobs working as a receptionist in a firm or for a real estate attorney, loan officer etc. You can also work as a leasing agent.

Military Spouse April Johns just finished her first year as a professional real estate agent and it is the perfect job for her. She loves the flexibility she has with 3 kids in school. “Real Estate is a great career for military spouses who are passionate about meeting new people and with other military families to buy or sell their house,” she said. ““My favorite part of being an agent is being part of one of the happiest days of a family’s life. Giving my clients the keys and letting them open the door to their own home whether they are a first-time home buyer, or this is their 5th house is priceless.”

Another thing that drew Johns to this career was the ease of the training. She took an online 90-hour course. Once completed she took the certification test which has two parts, a national and state requirement. For military spouses who are eligible for the MYCAA program, they can receive up to $4,000 to apply towards the cost of a real estate course, training and any licenses. Real estate license requirements vary by state but it is usually pretty easy to transfer from one state to another. You may just have to take some continuing education courses or meet other requirement. Each state has a Real Estate Commission you can contact to learn about the licensing requirements.

For Johns, “I truly just wanted a career that was mine, not just a career for now, but one I can take with me when we get those dreaded orders.” Another benefit of the job is that you are considered an independent contractor/self-employed so you can deduct many of your expenses. Things like mileage to drive a client to tour homes, office fees, association fees, multiple listing service fees etc. are all tax deductible (check with your tax professional) and can lower your income tax burden.

In order to be successful at real estate, you need to be a people person and to enjoy helping people find the perfect home. You must have the ability to listen and learn what your client thinks is the perfect home which is not necessarily your perfect home. You must be able to work independently and without supervision. There is also an element of hustle, if you don’t sell a home you don’t get paid. While commission checks can be large, they are sporadic and certain times of the year like the holidays are notorious for being low sales months, so you must be able to stretch your commission checks to cover the lean times. If this sounds like you then a real estate career may be just what you are looking for.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.WanderWordsWine.com

Editor’s Note: This is not an endorsement of any mentioned credit card by MilitaryShoppers. Nor is this article intended to serve as sound financial guidance. It is simply to inform military troops and families about additional benefits of which they may be unaware. Proceed at your own risk.

If you’ve ever tried to break a rental agreement with your PCS or deployment orders, you’ve used the Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act (SCRA). In short, it’s a group of protections that gives military members a little bit of wiggle room and grace for when the DoD throws a wrench in their plans.

But there is a little more to the SCRA than just breaking your lease. Did you know that there are credit cards that give you a break, too?

Credit Card Benefits Many Military Families Don’t Know They’ve Earned

There are hidden perks and benefits, especially with some exclusive or high level cards, available only to military members! And you might be missing out on this deal.

Lower Your Interest Rates

If you have debt, like a loan or credit card payment, from before you joined up, you can use the SCRA to lower what you owe monthly.

For example, if you bought a car before you enlisted with a higher interest rate, you can use your SCRA benefits to lower that rate to below 10%, according to Military Benefits.

This is true for pre-service credit card debt, too.

But be warned: any debt you incur post-enlistment or commissioning is yours. Avoid payday loans and car dealers located right outside of base. Many people have learned hard lessons trying in invoke SCRA interest benefits on expensive loans from these types of places.

More Than Interest Lowering

Did you know that you can get a whole lot more than your interest lowered?

Many credit cards, especially higher end ones, offer free annual fees and/or lower interest rates to qualified applicants.

For example, American Express and Chase both offer a break on annual fees. That’s a big deal since these cards both charge several hundred dollars to members, just to have the card!

But membership with both companies, and several others, comes with additional perks that make life easier for military families.

Airport Perks with High-End Credit Cards

When my family traveled back from OCONUS last summer, we enjoyed open bars and buffets at the airport. And we didn’t pay a dime. How?

Our AMEX Platinum and Chase Sapphire cards. Both cards offer active duty troops free membership, with verification of course.

According to CreditKarma, AMEX Platinum is the best choice for military families on the go (which is all of us, am I right?).

Honestly, we travel so much more often and so much easier than before. All because AMEX waived the $550 annual membership fee based on our active duty status.

Instead of hunting for an uncomfortable seat at our gate, we lounge in plush easy chairs. You get premium airport lounge access, baby! That means yummy nibbles at the buffet and often an open bar, too. Plus, and best of all, sparkling clean restrooms!

AMEX Platinum cardholders have free access to several networks of lounges at airports around the world, including many in the US. With complimentary membership (as a cardholder) to Priority Pass, you can find lounges from Providence, RI to Bangkok. Plus, many international airports also host Centurion Lounges. These exclusive clubs are open only to AMEX Platinum members or higher.

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders also get access to Priority Pass Lounges, according to Military Money Manager.

Both cards also offer options to get a certain amount reimbursed during travel.

AMEX Platinum gives back up to $200 in baggage fees and other expenses on one qualifying airline per year. You select your preferred airline annually. Sapphire Reserve reimburses up to $300 per year in travel expenses. Military Money Manager shows receipts from Uber and Priceline being reimbursed!

Before You Get to the Gate

Want to fly through airport security like a VIP? Your cards have got you covered!

Both AMEX Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve offer reimbursement on your TSAPreCheck, up to $100 every four years. PreCheck is free with your active duty CAC, but your dependent and kids might enjoy joining you in the faster line.

Both cards also offer the option to enroll in Global Entry. This program means that in certain countries, you’ll be able to breeze through immigration quicker and more easily. All you need is your passport and fingerprints! Global Entry is for low-risk travelers and everyone is screened prior to enrollment.

Once You Land in Your Destination

We stayed at the St. Regis in Bangkok and Osaka – for free. Thanks to the benefits programs of our Chase Sapphire and AMEX Platinum cards.

Yes, you read the right. St. Regis, Bangkok and free. There was a champagne toast offered at sunset. Also free.

Both cards offer great perks for points, hence the super upscale hotel stays. Trust me, we couldn’t have stayed at either property otherwise. Military family, remember?

Your hotel benefits aren’t limited to just those ultra-classy establishments. As a cardholder, you get upgraded status at Bonvoy properties, which combines the old Marriott and SPG groups of hotels, as well as Hilton. Upgrades mean you can get access to complimentary upgrades on rooms, free internet, expedited check-in, complimentary cocktails or even a free breakfast buffet.

Big Savings on Travel with a Free Credit Card

With how much much our family travels, even just every few years for PCS season or home for the holidays, keeping our AMEX and Chase cards on hand has saved us a bundle.

1. We haven’t paid for a meal at the airport in years
2. Checking email or social media between flights is free on high speed internet
3. Keeping our kids entertained during travel is easier with enclosed lounges that offer food and space to stretch
4. Our hotel rooms are larger (again, kids)
5. We love our free breakfast buffets
6. We turn our everyday spending into tangible benefits

On that last one, we saved up enough points just through normal spending on groceries, gas and other typical purchases that we were able to upgrade my seat to business class on a trans-Pacific flight.

While you still have to pay your credit card bills, having a card that makes your on-the-go military life a little better is 100% worth it. Just be sure to budget smartly and pay your bills on time!

Have you used the SCRA to get a high-end credit card fee waived? Tell us your favorite little known military money hack!

A useful tool for networking and job search

LinkedIn is a great tool to help you in a job search and networking. Did you know LinkedIn offers a free year of LinkedIn Premium Membership for military spouses? The best part is it is not a onetime deal. It is available each time you PCS, change your career or suffer a job loss.  This benefit is due to a partnership between the Department of Defense Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program and LinkedIn’s Military and Veterans Program.

To get started you need to set up a MySECO account  on Military OneSource. Once you set up the account visit the My Transition page. There are three ways to get access to LinkedIn Premium. You can set up an appointment with a SECO career coach by using Live Chat on the MySECO website or call Military OneSource. The second is to register for an online live webinar and the third is to take the self-paced training course, “Leveraging LinkedIn Premium” on MilLIfe Learning. Once you have completed the training by one of these three methods you will receive a confirmation code that will allow free access to LinkedIn Premium for one year.

 I found the process a little confusing as you have to set up two accounts, one for MySECO and a second one on MilLife Learning. It is all accessed through Military OneSource and would be so much easier to access everything from one account. Once I figured everything out it was a pretty simple process. The training was pretty easy and once complete you get a code for your free year of LinkedIn.

In addition to more features on your account, LinkedIn also has a learning path for military spouses. Once you have access to your LinkedIn Premium account click on Learning in the top menu. Once there, search Military Spouse and the pathway will show in the search results. This is a good place to start. There are 19 hours of content starting with a block of instruction on LinkedIn Premium. The pathway can help you make a career plan and explore options like freelance work and working remotely.

LinkedIn is like Facebook for professionals and has many networking opportunities. One is the Department of Defense Military Spouse LinkedIn group. There are actually recruiters who are looking to hire military spouses and membership in this group lets them know you are a military spouse. It also allows you to connect to your peers to help in your networking.

If you are actively searching for a job then LinkedIn is a no brainer to help you reach the contacts you need to meet your employment goals. If you are getting ready to PCS you can start your job hunt online and research companies and job opportunities. Connect with military spouses in the LinkedIn Group to get insight into the job market at your next destination.

Have you had any success using LinkedIn?

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.WanderWordsWine.com

By Marguerite Cleveland

     In an effort to meet the recruiting mission for infantry training seats for Fiscal Year 2019 which ends on September 30^th, the Army is offering a bonus of $40,000 for a six year commitment as an Infantry Soldier. There is a caveat though, you must enlist and ship to basic training by September 30, 2019.

     Plenty of information is available online at www.GoArmy.com but there are so many things that impact whether you are eligible for a certain program or bonus. To get the most accurate information tailored for your needs whether that is a bonus, money for college or a particular job, you should make an appointment to see an Army Recruiter.

     In addition to the bonuses offered to those interested in the Infantry there are others available as well. Some are combinable but the current cap is $40,000. New Recruits are eligible for a bonus is they enlist for a certain job and they must be physically and mentally qualified. This is determined by taking the ASVAB test and a physical conducted at a Military Entrance Station (MEPS). It also depends on availability of training. There are only so many slots each year allocated for training. In addition to enlistment bonuses here are a few more you may not know about.

• Active Duty Education Bonus (HIGRAD) – Some Army Military Occupational Specialties designated as an incentive skill offer bonuses for civilian education varying from $3000 to $5000 if you have an Associate’s degree or higher.
• Civilian Acquired Skills Bonus : Active Army applicants who possess civilian skills that the Army needs, such as proficiency in certain foreign languages, X-Ray certification or specialties in animal care, may be eligible for a $5,000 bonus.
• High Demand MOS : Applicants who enlist for three or more years in the following jobs may qualify for additional seasonal bonuses ranging from $3,000 to $15,000. Current (subject to change based on Army requirements) high demand MOSs include:

              17C (Cyber Operations Specialist)

             35Q (Cryptologic Cyberspace Intelligence Collector)

             18X (Spec Forces; Elementary Lang Proficiency)

             37F (Psychological Operations Specialist)

             25D (Cyber Network Defender)

             35P (Cryptologic Linguist)

             35M (Human Intelligence Collector: Lang Proficiency

             14P (Air Missile Defense Crew Member)

             15W (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) 

• Middle Eastern Translator Aide Bonus: Individuals who speak certain Middle-Eastern languages and enlist, as Translator Aides in the U.S. Army are eligible for an enlistment bonus up to $40,000 depending on the number of years enlisted for and any other qualifying bonus criteria met.

     Enlistment Bonuses are subject to change at any time. With the new fiscal year approaching on October 1, 2019 bonuses will change based on the new recruiting mission and budget. It is also important to note that you must qualify as well to receive a bonus. For the most accurate and up to date information contact your local Army Recruiter.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.WanderWordsWine.com

About seven years ago, I wasn’t in a good place. I had finished my graduate degree, and was most eager to land my dream job; but to my despair, things didn’t work out in my favor. Many of us plan our lives out to the very last detail, with the hopes of making the best life possible for ourselves and (future) children, but it doesn’t always turn out how we plan.

When life takes a different (and at times, less desirable) turn from what we intended, it can be daunting. When our plans change, we get discouraged, and even angry; I know, I’ve been there. For those of you who are walking down that lonely, trying path, I’m here to tell you it’s okay – relax, breathe, there are many exciting options that await you!

As a military spouse, being on the move from location to location presents its fair share of challenges, especially when it comes to the jobs that are available to us. We may have had a dream of completing a college degree, owning a business, or getting accepted into law school, but too often, our mission to serve in the military takes us on a detour, sometimes steering us far away from our own professional development.

 When this happens, it’s easy to fall into what I call, surrender mode, turning a blind eye to potential career opportunities and any other means of earning an income. We simply adapt to our new roles; stay-at-home moms and dads that once had ambitions to do something, great. 

What if I tell you, you can earn income with investing very little, or even no money at all in a lucrative venture. I’m sure this comes as no surprise to many of you. In today’s internet driven, global marketplace, a lot of people earn a living, never having to leave their homes.

There are a host of jobs that may not be your dream job, but can open new doors and create exciting opportunities for you to turn your ideas into income! Below, is a list of jobs that are on the rise, and guess what folks – they pay a pretty penny, and most cost nothing to start-up. So, check out these 20 self-starting careers that I’ve compiled to help jump-start your earning potential!

1. Author/writer

2. Freelancer (check out sites like Fiverr, Upwork, and Guru.)

3. Game designer (if you already have experience/skills in this field)

4. Book cover designer

5. Editor/Proof reader

6. Consultant

7. Virtual Assistant

8. SEO Specialist (Search Engine Specialist)

9. YouTuber/Vlogger

10. Life Coach (we all have unique experiences and therefore lots to share!)

11. Beautician (certification can be completed in short span of time if you have a passion for helping with professional makeup and offering beauty tips.)

12. Hairdresser/Barber (training and certification required, with relatively short training time. Low cost to start-up.)

13. Landscaper/Yard maintenance. (requires some equipment to start up, but definitely doable.)

14. Baby sitter/ Nanny (no formal training required, but getting early childcare certification, CPR, and First Aid certifications are highly recommended! Referrals are also very helpful and can determine the amount of work you get.)

15. Pet sitting.

16. Online adjunct instructor/Tutor (for those with a bachelor’s degree or higher.)

17. Small crafts and handmade goods business owner. (can sell on Etsy or create own website. There are certain requirements that must be met before selling online, such as establishing an LLC, Doing Business As (DBA), or Sole Proprietor etc., tax Id’s, and other relevant permits depending on what you plan to sell. Be sure to do your research on the Secretary of State website, since requirements differ from state to state!)

18. Online retailer. Become an expert at learning the craft of arbitrage and drop shipping.

19. Cleaning Service. (Again, check for required permits, licenses, and other necessary documents prior to starting business.)

20. Catering and Event Planning. This is such an exciting job if you love planning parties and are a people person. If you’re interested in this gig, and have never planned an event before, there are plenty of resources and certifications that can be completed in a matter of weeks, and will have you planning social events in no time!)

So, which one of these jobs appeal to you? I hope this information gives you an idea of the diversity of work that’s available, whether you start your own business, or join forces with an organization!

 In my next article, I’ll discuss the importance of using social media to promote your brand, and staying consistent with your goals. Thanks so much for reading, until next time!

Lei Faircloth, writes fiction under the penname, Sophie L. Osborne.

To learn more about her, visit: https://www.sophielosborne.com/

It’s hard to believe three years have gone by so fast! As I rummage through closets full of clothes and mountains of toys, I have my garbage bags handy as I decide to toss or keep the plethora of items we’ve accumulated over the years.

The joys of PCS-sing; we either hate or love it! On the one hand, we get to move to a new place which marks an exciting new chapter and few years ahead. But, on the other, there is no escaping the dreaded moving day, when your home no longer looks like yours, but instead, resembles a ransacked warehouse!

But as I reflect on my time here at JBSA, it also marks an important milestone for me as a writer. It has been three years since I’ve written and published my, Reclamation series (Books 1, 2, and 3). I also recall vividly asking myself if I was crazy – why would I even think about publishing a book? Why would anyone read it? Why should I waste time on something that might flop, risking embarrassment?

There were many other crippling thoughts that came at me, like bullets down a range, but I quickly dismissed them and decided to look at the, what if’s? What if I write this book and it turns out to be a best seller? What if, I discover that I really love writing and decide to do it full time? And, what if I wrote fulltime generating revenue, adding to my family’s income?

I decided to go with my gut feeling and published my novel series; it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Though I haven’t made it on the best seller’s list, as yet, today I’m a published author with several books in the making.

A few take-aways from this story: cease every opportunity for growth, and never underestimate what you’re capable of accomplishing. Always explore opportunities that can turn into streams of income – you never know if your ideas or talent could help others, and better yet, why not make money while spreading your knowledge – it’s a win-win situation for all!

Thanks so much for reading, until next time!

Lei Faircloth

Lei Faircloth writes fiction under the penname: Sophie L. Osborne. To learn more about her, visit: https://www.sophielosborne.com/

By Marguerite Cleveland

     Employment continues to be a challenge for military spouses as constant moves wreak havoc with many a civilian career. So what is a milspouse to do? Consider Virtual Employment which can mean running your own online business or working online from home for another company. Here are some options.

• Amazon – Offers a variety of virtual jobs from customer service to jobs with or without a degree. Visit their webpage for information specific to the military.
• Hilton – The Company offers a great work from home opportunity as a sales and reservation clerk. This is a job you can take with you once you move. It is relatively easy to learn with online training and in addition to hourly pay, full benefits including a 401(K) retirement plan with company match and what military family doesn’t love travel benefits.
• Humana – Humana has many opportunities for telecommuting. In addition to customer service opportunities did you know you can telecommute as a nurse? The Telephonic Utilization Pre-Service RN conducts a variety of patient management services and coordination over the phone or online.
• Flexjobs – This is a paid service which offers job listings. You can search for remote and virtual jobs and it lists a variety of fields with jobs available. There are quite a few job listings. It may be worth a one month membership to look at what is available or to get some ideas for job hunting.
• Direct Sales – Many spouses turn to direct sales as an option for employment. If you are good at sales this could be a good fit for you. A few keys to success. Only represent a company which is a member of the Direct Selling Association which provides consumer protection for independent sales. Pick a product that you love and feel comfortable representing. Your best opportunity to be successful is to pick a company that does not have many representatives in your area. For example I can list at least 10 people I know who sell Rodan and Fields. You should really evaluate you comfort level selling to your friends and family and then branching out to people you don’t know. The average consultant makes about $200 a month which can be a nice supplement but is nowhere near full time employment.

     These are just a few options. Always make sure you are dealing with a reputable company when pursuing virtual or telecommuting job opportunities. If someone is asking for money upfront that can be a red flag.

     Have you ever held a work from home job? Comment below on your experiences.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.WanderWordsWine.com

By Marguerite Cleveland

     One of the benefits of military service is eligibility for a VA Guaranteed Loan to purchase a home as a primary residence. This great program allows you to save money and avoid tying up your savings by having no down payment requirement. Here are some of the many benefits:

• No Down Payment. The biggest advantage of a VA loan is you can save your cash by not having to put down a large down payment. According to Realtor.com’s Housing Trend Report in March the average home listing price in the US was $300,000. So with a 10% down payment you are looking at $30,000 and with a 20% down payment $60,000. Add that to closing costs and it can put a house out of reach for many people.
• A VA Appraisal. While this doesn’t take the place of a thorough home inspection. There are minimum property requirements set by the VA which ensure your property is safe, sanitary and sound.
• No mortgage insurance. Basically when you purchase a home on a conventional mortgage with less than 20% down you have to pay PMI (mortgage insurance) until your mortgage is paid down to 78% of the value of your initial purchase price. On a $300,000 loan you are looking at around $100 more a month added on to your mortgage payment.
• Funding Fee. This varies according to your status but for an initial purchase for an active duty military service member it is 2.15% with no down payment. This fee can be rolled into your loan and is much less than the typical down payment. In addition if you are a disabled Veteran rated as low as 10% disabled you are eligible for the funding fee to be waived for a nice savings in costs.
• Closing Costs. The VA limits what lenders can charge for closing costs. It saves on all those added on fees many lenders will charge. This can save you a nice chunk of change.
• Less Restrictions. There are no prepayment penalties and no restrictions on refinancing your VA loan. In fact the VA even has a program called the Interest Rate Reduction Loan program.
• Easier to Qualify. Because of the VA Loan Guaranty, VA loan guidelines are more flexible. You will still have to submit documentation but the process has less requirements.
• Ability to Shop for the Right Loan. VA Loans come in all shapes and sizes. They can be fixed or adjustable rates and used to purchase a variety of housing options such as a house or condo. Each lender sets their rates so you can shop around to get the best fit for your situation. I have found that credit unions like Navy Federal Credit Union consistently have the best rates and terms as well as not selling your loan to another mortgage company.

     VA Loans have many great benefits but be aware that in a hot real estate market many sellers will state they won’t accept a VA Loan. There is a perception among some real estate agents that the loan takes longer to process than a conventional mortgage and that the VA appraisal process is too stringent. We recently purchased our forever home in a hot market with a VA mortgage. We lost a few because we were using a VA loan but ultimately found our home. We just weren’t willing to forgo this benefit. For more information visit: www.VA.gov

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.WanderWordsWine.com