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10 Tips for Overcoming Deployment Blues in the Winter During a Pandemic

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As if the dumpster fire of 2020 wasn’t enough, many military families added the element of family separation to it with deployment. Deployment on their own can be stressful time periods – anxiety and stress for the family members left behind and the active duty service member. Surviving deployment in the winter where it is cold outside (not you SoCal or Okinawa – temperatures in the 50s don’t count!) is hard. Throw in a pandemic where each state has different guidelines and regulations, and that adds just a touch more stress. Here are some tips from families who have survived deployment, albeit from the “before times.”

  1. Have a routine. Even if you have older kids where this doesn’t seem to be as necessary, creating a routine can keep everything running as smoothly as possible. It helps adults create a predictable pattern that sets up appropriate expectations. Curate monthly care packages to your deployed family member if you can keep the school schedule organized to help keep things on track. Whatever you have going on, keep the routine going.
  2. Have something to look forward to. Maybe on Monday it is movie night every week (check out your local library for access to digital movies for free movies) or monthly you virtually visit somewhere new. Creating an event creates a smaller, more manageable countdown to something exciting and fun, and makes a fun and easy way to countdown to the return of homecoming.
  3. Meal plan. Whether you use a meal service where boxed groceries come to you, or you do crockpot meals, make mealtime easier. If you have a new address, ask around to your neighbors to see if they have a meal box service as sometimes your first box can be free. Planning out meals can help limit grocery trips out in the cold.
  4. Be Flexible. While this may sound like the anti-thesis of having a routine and planning meals, it is crucial to survival. Planning is a great and useful tool, but things do happen, and being able to go with the flow when the crockpot wasn’t plugged in or one of the kids needs to head to the ER will help.
  5. Don’t forget about that resource YouTube. If you have cabin fever and just want to try something new – there is a bevy of tutorials on YouTube. Want to try a new hairstyle on one of your girls or want to draw Captain America? They are on YouTube!
  6. Do something for you. Whether it is a Zoom call with a friend on a regular schedule or reading a book for yourself – remembering self-care matters no matter what is going on in the world. It can be difficult to carve out time depending on work, school, or children’s schedules, but make sure to take time for yourself.
  7. Avoid the news. While things like the weather are useful during the winter times, avoiding the news is a tried and true piece of advice for all deployments. Avoid the stress-fest that is the news will prevent you from going crazy.
  8. Embrace creativity. Art can be done indoors, no matter the weather outside. Paint, draw, journal, mold with clay or playdough. There
  9. Ignore Debbie Downers. There are 1000 ways to survive a deployment, and some tips will work for you and some won’t. Ignore the tips that won’t work for you, and rock the ones that do.
  10. There is help if you need it. Deployments are stressful, add in the winter and a pandemic, it can be overwhelming. Virtual visits are available with unit Chaplains, Military Family Life Counselors and through Military One Source.

When the weather outside is cold, and deployment mixed with a pandemic makes life frightful, we hope these tips help just a little. What are your favorite tips to surviving deployment that can be used during the pandemic-lifestyle in the winter?

The Thunderbirds and Blue Angels Official 2021 Air Show Schedule is here!

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Outdoor entertainment is fun and safe entertainment for the entire family. The military air shows have a lot to offer, from the music to the amazing aerial skills on display.

There may be an associated cost to shows that do not occur on military bases, so make sure to contact the event or location for specific information.

Thunderbirds 2021 Air Show Schedule

The Thunderbirds will perform 25 shows this season from February to October, with two more planned but currently postponed with no current updated date information at the time of this posting. Due to COVID-19, only 6 shows were performed in 2020, and the 2019-2020 pilots have remained on the team for 2021.

2021 Schedule:

  • February 14: Flyover at the Daytona 500 in Daytona, Florida
  • April 17-18: Cocoa Beach, Fl
  • April 24-25: Davis- Monthan AFB in Arizona is currently POSTPONED
  • May 1-2: St. Joseph, MO
  • May 8-9: Barksdale AFB, LA
  • May 27: USAF Academy, CO
  • May 30-31: Wantagh, NY
  • June 5-6: Smyrna, TN
  • June 12-13: Fairchild AFB, WA
  • June 19-20: Tinker AFB, OK
  • July 3-4: Traverse City, MI
  • July 10-11: Dayton, OH
  • July 24-25: Milwaukee, WI
  • July 28: Cheyenne, WY
  • July 31- August 1: McMinnville, OR
  • August 14-15: Westfield, MA
  • August 18: Atlantic City, NJ
  • August 28-29: Boise, ID POSTPONED
  • September 4-6: Cleveland, OH
  • September 11-12: Portsmouth, NH
  • September 18-19: Reno, NV
  • September 25-26: Mather, CA
  • October 2-3: San Juan, Puerto Rico
  • October 9-10: Houston, TX
  • October 16-17: Sanford, FL
  • October 23-24: Lancaster, CA
  • October 30-31: Salinas, CA

For more information on the USAF Thunderbirds, show locations, and dates, visit their website at www.afthunderbirds.com. It is recommended to check their website and the show’s location for the most up to date information on scheduling.

Blue Angels 2021 Air Show Schedule

The Blue Angels are entering the 75th anniversary season this year. This is the first show season flying the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet. The entire 2020 show season was canceled due to COVID-19 except for flyovers, including Operation America Strong. If the 2021 season can be completed as scheduled, the Blue Angels will fly 30 shows from March to November, ending at their home base of Pensacola, Florida. If you are local to one of their planned performances, it will surely be worth the watch.

2021 Schedule:

  • March 13: Open to the public practice at NAF El Centro, CA
  • April 10-11: NAS Jacksonville, FL
  • April 17-18: Lakeland, FL
  • April 24-25: MCAS Beaufort, SC
  • May 1-2: NAS Corpus Christi, TX
  • May 8-9: Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • May 15-16: Melbourne, FL
  • May 26-28: Annapolis, MD
  • May 29-30: Latrobe, PA
  • June 5-6: Lake Charles, LA
  • June 12-13: La Crosee, WI
  • June 19-20: Niagra Falls, NT
  • June 26-27: Duluth, MN
  • July 3-4: New Century, KS
  • July 10: Pensacola Beach, FL
  • July 25-25: Fargo, ND
  • July 31-August 1: Eisleon AFB, AK
  • August 7-8: Seattle, WA
  • August 14-15: Owensboro, KY
  • August 21-22: Chicago, IL
  • August 28-29: London, Ontario, Canada
  • September 4-5: JB Cape Cod, MA
  • September 18-19: NAS Oceana, VA
  • September 25-26: MCAS Miramar, CA
  • October 2-3: Huntington Beach, CA
  • October 9-10: San Francisco, CA
  • October 16-17: Lovelnad, CO
  • October 23-24: Ft. Worth, TX
  • October 30-31: Rome, GA
  • November 5-6: NAS Pensacola, FL

For more information on the USNA Blue Angels, show locations and dates, visit their website at www.blueangels.navy.mil. It is recommended to check their website and the location of the show for the most up to date information on scheduling.

Pack up those noise-canceling headphones and plan out a picnic lunch and find an airshow near you!

Use Your Military Discount to Shop This Valentine’s Day

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Valentine’s Day is just over 30 days away! The décor started popping up in stores before Christmas passed, and some holiday candy were already supplanted by heart-shaped chocolates and boxes before Santa came! It isn’t surprising that shopping has already begun for the holiday of love. After the cost of the holidays, the idea of spending more on a gift for Valentine’s Day can be daunting. For military and veteran families, don’t forget to use your military discount to save money while buying a gift. Think outside the heart-shaped chocolate box with these ideas.

Clothing

Asics offers a 40% discount when you purchase directly from them.

L.L. Bean offers 10% off their gear online and in person.

LuLuLemon offers 25% for all in-store purchases.

Verify your discount with North Face, and you can get a discount on clothing and footwear.

Reebok offers 50% to Military and Government employees for purchases.

Under Armour traditionally offers 10% discount and has recently increased it to 20% – in store only.

Zappos offers 10% for every purchase to military and their family members.

Crafts

If you have a crafty person in your life who paints or bakes cakes, you might be looking at Michael’s to purchase a gift – don’t forget to ask for your 15% military discount!

Electronics

Moving back to the states and need a new phone plan? Or maybe looking at changing your service provider for Valentine’s Day, make sure to use the discounts offered from AT&T,  T-Mobile, and Verizon.

If you are looking at an Apple product or device, Apple offers a 10% discount or check out your local military exchange where you won’t pay sales tax!

If a computer is on your list as a Valentine’s gift, Dell offers a 10% discount by emailing militarydiscount@dell.com.

Experiences

If you are local to Colonial Williamsburg, consider a trip there using up the annual passport discount offered to Active-Duty, Reservists, National Guard, Retirees and Veterans.

If you are local to Sea World San Diego or Sea World Orlando, Active-Duty military, Reservists, National Guard and Veterans can use the complimentary one day admission for up to 4 people in total including the service member to spend time together as a family – don’t forget the masks and sanitizer, and check up on local regulations before you go.

How about paying $0! All current U.S. military service members and their dependents are offered a free annual military pass to the National Parks! Show your military ID at any of these federal recreation sites and get your military pass for the year.

Fitness

If you are placing an order for Bowflex, call and ask about their military discount. Military families have saved 15% off equipment.

Peloton offers a free Essentials Package (Peloton shoes, weights and headphones) with the purchase of a Peloton Bike if you were looking at purchasing one for Valentine’s Day.

Home Goods

If you need a new appliance or even stores containers (hello preparations for that PCS!), consider using your military discount at Home Depot or Lowe’s to buy these items for your Valentine. They are useful items that will be used daily, why not make these your valentine gift.

Big Lots offers a 10% year-round discount for active duty as part of their Big Rewards Program if you are looking for housewares, games or clothes on offer at Big Lots.

If you are needing a new piece of furniture (thank you moving company for sending that reimbursement check), Pottery Barn offers a 15% discount for military and veterans and their families. While it is typically verified in store, there have been reports of getting the discount added via phone.

Heading out to Restoration Hardware? Don’t forget to ask about the military discount, which military family members shared is 25% off!

Yeti offers a military discount online through verification from ID.me.

Toys

American Girl traditionally offers a 15% discount in store only, but with the recent pandemic they have also been offering it if you call in as well.

I wonder what St. Valentine would think of this celebration in his name that became a day for love in the Middle Ages.

Saving money when making any purchase is just that – saved money. It doesn’t hurt to ask if you are making a purchase from any store that isn’t listed here.

Is there a discount you use, that isn’t listed here? Let us know!

How Might Airmen Be Affected by Change in Retention in FY 21

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Air Force Retention is at an all-time high. For the first time in twenty years, the Air Force has the highest number of airmen in active duty service. Some members who had planned to transition out of service in 2020 delayed their transition due to COVID-19 concerns. The Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services, Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly credits Congress with helping to keep manpower high stating in a press release that “Congress delivered immense help, increased our numbers and helped us make real readiness improvements after sequestration reductions.”

Different programs are being considered to bring numbers back to below the total end strength of 333,700.  Voluntary opportunities are being reviewed by Headquarters Air Force to provide airmen the opportunity to waive active duty service commitments or to move to the Guard or Reserve from active duty through waivers. In addition, retention bonuses will no longer be utilized for all specialties to maintain the force needed to meet the requirements of the DOD and Air Force. “We have to bring in the right number of Airmen each year to sustain the force throughout the continuum of service, Lt. Gen Brian Kelly said further, “We have a plan to avoid future year-group gaps and we will announce volunteer options soon that we believe will balance end-strength appropriately.”

All movement from active to reserves or guard or out of service would be voluntary and no involuntary shape forcing programs would be utilized in Fiscal Year 2021. Airmen would be The FY 2021 Selective Retention Bonus Program for 37 eligible Air Force Specialties was released on December 10. The FY 2021 Selective Retention Bonus Program Listing is available on the retention page for the Air Force here and on myPers.

COVID-19 Vaccines Are on Their Way with The Department of Defense Playing a Role with Operation Warp Speed

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With two vaccines for COVID-19 now receiving an emergency use authorization by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration, the logistics of getting a shot in every arm is a huge logistic challenge. Tiberius is a software platform specifically developed for Operation Warp Speed (OWS) to plan and monitor the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine. It provides the visibility necessary for a smooth transition from manufacturing the vaccine to allocating the vaccine down to provider level. Information from the U.S. Census, the Vaccine Tracking System and commercial logistics companies such a FedEx and United Parcel Service (UPS) was incorporated into the platform.

Challenging Logistics

The logistics include not only the manufacturing, supply chain, allocation, and delivery of the vaccine but also the kits to administer the vaccine which include needles, syringes and supplies.

There are 64 jurisdictions which include U.S. states, territories and large metropolitan cities will use Tiberius to determine where their allocated doses will go based on guidance from the FDA, CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on how to prioritize the administration of vaccines.  An algorithm was devised based on the census-derived percentage of the U.S. population over the age of 18. Initially the vaccine will be limited as the first doses arrive around the country, but Operation Warp Speed will continue to run the algorithm each week as the supply increases and determine how much vaccine will go to each jurisdiction.

“The federal government is running the algorithm, but the states will make the decision as to where the doses go, and we will comply with their decision and get those doses to the final destination,” said Paul Mango, the deputy chief of staff for policy at HHS.

Once the vaccine ships, Tiberius will also be used to provide information updates for jurisdictional partners, said Deacon Maddox, Operation Warp Speed chief of plans, operations, and analytics. “Like most of America, public health professionals are working through the challenges brought on by quarantines, telework and social distancing,” Maddox said. “While the pandemic stresses both people and systems, our expertise and technology tools provide a disciplined and deliberate approach to prioritize vaccine delivery and ease the burden of public health officials throughout the nation.”

The federal government provided training materials when Tiberius was launched Labor Day weekend and HHS funds a help desk and technology personnel for each jurisdiction.

Vaccine Distribution

Army Gen. Gus F. Perna, chief operating officer of OWS recently briefed the media on the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. As soon as the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine received emergency use authorization from the FDA employees from Pfizer, UPS and FedEx began the work to pack the vaccine and get it shipped out. “The strategy is to get the initial Pfizer vaccine out to Americans right away,” he said. “As it becomes available, the vaccine is allocated in a fair and equitable manner to the states and territories, which stipulate the location and quantity needed,” he explained. The Moderna vaccine began shipment once it received emergency use authorization.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens Company, other pharmacies and the states created a very elaborate campaign strategy to get the vaccine to long-term health care facilities and first-line medical personnel who will be the initial priority group,” Perna said. “Our goal is every vaccine that goes out is safe and effective upon delivery. And, we wanted to make sure that deliveries occurred in the places where people could receive them and then begin administering the vaccine to the American people. And, it went incredibly well.” 

The federal government has purchased enough vaccines to meet the goal of vaccinating every American who wants it by the second quarter of 2021.

USAMMA Spearheads Military Distribution

The US Army Medical Materiel Agency (USAMMA) is spearheading the distribution for all branches of the services and is working with the Defense Health Agency’s Immunization Health Care Division. They are collecting the COVID-19 vaccine orders and submitting to the CDC. They will track the vaccine shipments from the vendors to each military location.

 USAMMA Distribution Operations Center Deputy Director Liz Andrews said, “the vaccine will ship directly from the vendor to several military medical treatment facilities throughout the U.S. where it will be used to immunize troops, as well as military beneficiaries and bolster their immunity against the pandemic.”

According to Andrews, one of the logistical challenges is the Pfizer vaccine must be kept at ultr-cold temperatures. She and her team can track not only the location of the vaccine but also its temperature throughout the distribution process. “This is a challenging mission but also very exciting. We are prepared to execute this mission and proud to be a part of Operation Warp Speed,” she said.

USAMMA was chosen for the mission because of their expertise in the distribution of military vaccines such as anthrax and small pox.

“The military hospitals are already used to working with us, so this made the process smoother for them as they were familiar with our systems and forms,” Andrews said. “The USAMMA Distribution Operations Center web development team also played a crucial role by swiftly adapting USAMMA’s existing vaccine ordering system, so it could be used for COVID-19 vaccine order processing. This was a total team effort, and we are just honored to be a part of this whole campaign.”

The Department of Defense will continue to play an important role in Operation Warp Speed until this pandemic is contained.

All You Need to Know about the 2021 Inauguration

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By Constitutional law, inauguration day is 20 January. As Abigail Bartlett remarked in The West Wing show, it is usually a cold day in the District of Columbia. The 59th Inaugural ceremonies will occur on January 20, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol. The opening remarks are scheduled to begin around 11:30 EST with the completion after the new president takes the oath of office.

Attending in Person

In a usual year, there are tickets available through Congress and Senate members. Each person is typically provided many tickets to give out. In 2021, amongst a pandemic, only 1,000 tickets are available versus the normal 200,000 tickets– meaning that the seat holders of Congress and the Senate are invited with a guest. Some representatives have decided to open online submission feeds to those interested in coming. However, the Presidential Inaugural Committee has made the recommendation to refrain from traveling for the inauguration.

What are the Inaugural Events?

There are several traditional events that typically occur with every inauguration –the procession of the outgoing and incoming President to the ceremony, Vice President’s and President’s Swearing-In Ceremony,  the well known Inaugural Address, Honorary Departure of the outgoing President, Signing Ceremony, Inaugural Lunch, Pass In Review. Per a statement released by the Inaugural committee, the “ceremony’s footprint will be extremely limited, and the parade that follows will be reimagined.” A traditional giant parade of inaugurations passed will not be happening. However, construction of a reviewing stand in front of the White House has continued, which may be part of the Pass in Review of events passed. Traditional events like the luncheon for the new president is also not occurring due to the current coronavirus situation.

Where Can You Watch It Virtually?

The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies Chairman Roy Blunt stated that due to the global pandemic, they are “working on enhanced opportunities to watch the ceremonies online, in addition to the traditional televised national broadcast.” If you have cable television, you can expect most major networks to carry the live broadcast.

For those who have cut the cable ties, it is expected to be available for streaming here:

Even if you don’t have cable, the major news networks of ABC, CBS, Fox, MSNBC, and CNN will most likely carry live streaming on their website or YouTube channel.

The pre-event festivities historically begin at 9:30 am EST with the official ceremony occurring neatly at noon EST.

The Scholarships for Military Children Program is Accepting Applications for the 2021/22 Academic Year

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By Marguerite Cleveland

Megan Stith is one of the hundreds of scholarship winners who is off to college in part due to the $2,000 grant awarded to her by the Scholarships for Military Children Program. You can watch her story on here. The Fisher House Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2021/22 academic year through Feb. 17, 2021.

The program is a partnership with the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and the Fisher House Foundation, a nonprofit organization which supports military and veteran families. The foundation administers the program. Celebrating its 21st year, the program has awarded more than $20.1 million to 11,814 students from an applicant pool of nearly 105,000.

The program is funded by the DeCA’s business and manufacturing partners. The donations go to the Fisher House Foundation which receives each as a “restricted donation”, meaning it can only by given out as a scholarship grant. Every dollar received goes to a worthy student and the Fisher House Foundation matches all donations. In addition, the Fisher House donates its services for the cost of administration and the scholarship management contract.

“Our commissaries are honored to be a part of a program that provides the children of military service members with such a valuable financial boost to their higher education dreams,” said Marine Corps Sgt.Maj. Michael R. Saucedo, senior enlisted advisor to the DeCA director. “We at the Defense Commissary Agency extend our thanks to the Fisher House Foundation as well as our industry partner donors and others that make these scholarships possible.”

For the 2021-22 scholarship year, the Fisher House Foundation will grant $2,000 scholarships to 500 deserving students. The selection process will begin immediately after the Feb. 17, 2021 deadline. To begin the process, determine your eligibility for the program. It is verified through the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) database. The applicant as well as their sponsor must be enrolled in DEERS and have a valid military dependent ID card. Students must be attending or planning to attend an accredited college or university, full time in the fall of 2021. Students who will receive a full scholarship for college or accepted to a service academy are not eligible for this program.

In order to apply an applicant must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale for high school and a minimum GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.o scale for students enrolled in college. Applicants will write a 500 word or less essay that is no longer than two pages. Visit the Scholarships for Military Children website for the application and the subject of the essay. All rules and requirements as well as frequently asked questions are available on the website.

The Fisher House website recently added a custom scholarship search engine to their website. It is tailored to military families and is free and easy to use. By filling out an online questionnaire you will receive a list of scholarships that you are eligible for. Visit “Scholarships for Service.”

“While a ceremony to congratulate and present each recipient with a certificate was not held at commissaries for scholarship year 2019-2020 due to COVID 19, that did not in any way diminish the accomplishment of each recipient selected to receive this honor,” said Marye Dobson, DeCA’s scholarships program liaison. “At this time, no decision has been made on in-store ceremonies for the upcoming program.” 

Commissary Sales in January!

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Don’t ever miss a commissary deal!  Sign up for Military Shoppers News’ e-newsletter for military discounts and savings delivered directly to your inbox.

Don’t forget to pair items with printable coupons accessible here and your Commissary Rewards Card to maximize Commissary savings and Commissary sales dollars.  Take advantage of your Commissary benefit today and you could see an average savings of 30% or more on your grocery bill.

Department of Defense Releases 2021 Basic Allowance for Housing Rates

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By Marguerite Cleveland

The Department of Defense (DoD) recently announced the 2021 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates. The new BAH rates go into effect on January 1, 2021 and will increase an average of 2.9 percent. If you are receiving the GI Bill Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) which is the same as BAH for an E-5 with dependents and based on the school zip code your rate will increase on August 1, 2021, the start of the academic year.

This is part of a robust military compensation package, but service members will incur out-of-pocket expenses at five percent of the national average housing cost by pay grade. For 2021 that amount should range from $70 to $158 a month based on grade and dependency status. The DoD considers the overall military pay and benefits package to be competitive even with out-of-pocket expenses.

Depending on your area your BAH will either go up or down. A question many people have is what happens if my BAH goes down? Basically, nothing due to the individual rate protection provision which is an important part of the BAH program. If you maintain uninterrupted BAH eligibility at a set location, you will not see your rate decrease. If you have a lease or long-term commitment you aren’t penalized if housing costs decrease in your area. If you PCS and then return to the area later, you will receive the BAH in effect at that time.

So how does the DoD determine BAH rates. Each year they collect housing cost data for 300 military housing areas in the United States including Alaska and Hawaii. The branches of the military as well as local housing offices assisted in the data collection effort. In addition, local commands provide information on which neighborhoods provide adequate and safe apartments and houses available for rent.

Then it gets more complex as the median current market rent and averages for electricity, heat, and water/sewer are factored in to make up the total housing cost for an area. Then there are six different housing profiles which are based on the type of home and number of bedrooms for each military housing area. Then the BAH rates are calculated for each pay grade with and without dependents.

What are the highest and lowest BAH rates around the country? Check out this chart from Military Benefits.

2021 BAH Rates by The Numbers

Areas with 10 Highest BAH Rates*

  1. San Francisco, CA (MHA: CA019)
  2. Santa Clara County, CA (MHA: CA044)
  3. Westchester County, NY (MHA: NY349)
  4. Long Island, NY (MHA: NY218)
  5. Nantucket, MA (MHA: MA119)
  6. New York City, NY (MHA: NY219)
  7. Marin/Sonoma, CA (MHA: CA027)
  8. Boston, MA (MHA: MA120)
  9. Oakland, CA (MHA: CA018)
  10. Florida Keys, FL (MHA: FL069)

Areas with 10 Lowest BAH Rates*

  1. Terre Haute, IN (MHA: IN338)
  2. Fort Leonard Wood, MO (MHA: MO163)
  3. Youngstown, OH (MHA: OH233)
  4. Anniston/Fort McClelland, AL (MHA: AL001)
  5. Charleston, WV (MHA: WV323)
  6. Sault Ste Marie, MI (MHA: MI145)
  7. Saginaw, MI (MHA: MI156)
  8. Fort Chaffee/Fort Smith, AR (MHA: AR012)
  9. Saint Joseph, MO (MHA: MO344)
  10. Fort Still/Lawton, OK (MHA: OK237)

*Average across pay grades. Individual pay grades by area may rank lower or higher.

To determine your BAH rate for 2020 try this BAH Calculator. For more information on BAH.

7 Financial Resolutions to Commit to in 2021

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2021 – a much-anticipated bright new year. Want a new start with this new year…especially after 2020? Start off with a bright financial future by committing to these financial resolutions in 2021.

  1. Create a budget
  2. Make a savings buffer.
  3. Start saving for PCS now.  
  4. Make the most of credit cards.
  5. Pay bills when you get them.
  6. Stick to the planned budget.
  7. Get the kids involved!

Create a Budget

This isn’t easy. You need to know what you need to spend on things like groceries versus what you want to spend. There a bounty of budget sheets on Pinterest. Check your base resources to see if there is a financial Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC) as he/she may also have free resources and information, inclusive of a budget book. Don’t have a MFLC on base, check out Military One Source to talk to a financial counselor.  A financial MFLC can even sit down and review personal goals. Living on a Navy or Marine Corps base? If you are having a baby, check out the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society who provide services to complete one-on-one budget counseling through the Budget for Baby classes. There are many free resources including monthly spending sheets, bill trackers and expense lists to help build a budget.  

Make a Savings Buffer

This can be done in small increments, and doesn’t have to be a big chunk all at once. If you can save just $10 a week, that will add up in the long term to $2,600 in 5 years, and that’s not counting interest! An emergency fund of 3-6 months of expenses is recommended as a buffer in case there is a job loss, or any other type of emergency. Thankfully, in the military, there isn’t a usual loss of job immediately, but starting the habit now of having that savings buffer will create lifelong healthy financial habits.

Start Saving for Your PCS Now

PCS – Permanent Change of Stations or Permanent Change of Sanity level – you choose. Moving is not easy emotionally or financially. According to the Military Times, military families lost about $5,000 out of pocket each move. Normal “costs” associated with moving are outlined further by Military.com and that doesn’t include all the wild expenses of loss during a move.

Make the Most of Credit Cards

If you have a card you love, make sure you are using all the benefits. There have been credit card changes over the last year – cards that typically favor travel have been offering credit on TV streaming services or exercise apps. Use these benefits to save money! If your card gives you cash back, consider using the bonus to pay off your bill if you have a big ticket item like a new appliance. Credit cards can be useful if you are paying off your bill monthly and can utilize the benefits.

Pay bills when you get them.

Going off the previous paragraph – in order to use the benefits of credit cards, you often have to not carry a balance. When you get the bill, pay it off if you are able to. APR, the annual percentage rate, that credit card companies charge for any amount not paid off by the due date. There is also a late fee! That $100 amount not paid off may then add up to $149, and that’s only in one-month period. There are some cards that have a 0% APR offering for a year, and these can be helpful in purchasing big items like a new fridge or freezer so you can pay off a little at a time monthly. But make sure to put a calendar alert to know when the APR will begin to avoid those charges.

Stick to the planned budget.

This can be hard. It will require planning and understanding of your budget. If next month you know you need to pay for movers for that PCS and didn’t have time to build up a PCS buffer, consider cutting out a few things so you can stick within the budget for the next month. Maybe stop the $5 daily coffee habit for that month. As most military families know, unexpected things happen, but beginning the habit of sticking to that budget will get easier over time.

Get the kids involved!

It’s never too early to start learning about saving. In as early as second grade, children in U.S. schools are learning about the economy in basic terms of imports and exports and the “costs” and “savings” associated with them. Getting children involved early helps build financial attitudes of understanding. The Mint offers free resources for kids and teens to learn about earning, saving, spending, giving, investing, tracking money and more.

Military One Source is a great resource for anyone – CONUS to OCONUS.  Free online financial resources are available at MilSpouse Money Mission and popular tools from Dave Ramsey can be requested here.

What is your favorite financial tool?