Smart Military Money
Personal finance tips andadvice for the military lifestyle.
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We’ve all seen “going green” become an increasingly popular trend in recent years. Whether that means recycling, buying an eco-friendly car or conserving energy, environmental consciousness is important for the planet and for our resources. But what you might not know is that it can be important for your wallet, too. You could even save up to $113,000.
Many people think of going green as a costly endeavor. Although it might take more time and effort, Sara Tetreault of GoGingham.com and her family prove that it is not costly and is, in fact, a giant money saver.
Check how Tetreault dishes on her money-saving techniques and eco-friendly living.
How long do you leave your decorations up after the holidays wrap up?
For many households, the social stigma of being one of those people (the ones who leave their tree and all the trimmings up long past Christmas) creates pressure to take things down as soon as the new year begins. Sometimes it can feel like you’re pulling stuff down almost as soon as you get it put up.
With just a little bit of editing and some simple DIY, however, you can get more out of the time and money spent on decor by upcycling Christmas decorations to bring a bit of festivity into your home during the otherwise dreary winter months.
With the holidays coming up, chances are you may be planning a trip to visit family. Whether you’ll be gone for just a few days or more than a week, there are some household ends you should be sure to tie up before you head out to keep your home safe and save money.
Buying a home is one of the biggest investments consumers make in their lifetime. Veterans and service members with families will likely capitalize on their VA home loan benefit and buy a house comfortable enough for their loved ones.
There are homebuyers who go the opposite direction and look for less conventional homes. This military personal finance roundup is a bit more fun than others. The blog posts below explore the different types of homes that work for other consumers. Do any of these homes appeal to you?
Car loans have become standard for most Americans. In fact, car loans now last an average of more than five years, according to the credit-rating company Experian. This means the public will most likely make high car payments every month for a good portion of a decade.
Experian found that for new car buyers, these monthly payments average $452, and for used car buyers, the payments average $351, according to an article from Credit.com. Although interest rates remain low, these payments can be daunting.
So are there ways to lower your car payment? And under which circumstances would this be possible?
Saving money can be difficult when unexpected issues occur and you have to drop some hard-earned cash to fix a problem. During this time of year, homeowners are especially vulnerable to some tricky, yet avoidable, money drains.
Make sure you don’t fall prey to them by avoiding these five fall money drains. You will rake in the savings!
Back at the end of July, the news broke that Capital One would be paying $12 million to service members and their families to settle serious claims of wrongful foreclosures that violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
The settlement is a reminder to the military community to stay active in checking that protections like the SCRA are enforced at every level.
With ever-expanding suburbs and a difficult job market, long commutes are becoming a normal part of American life. Although long commutes aren’t uncommon, they are costly in numerous ways that should be considered before accepting a distant job, getting that house an hour from work or deciding to live off-base.
On May 18, new legislation passed the House as part of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would grant military homeowners the ability to refinance their mortgages even if they do not live in the residence at the time.
Thousands of military members have experienced the headache of being forced to PCS or deploy without being able to sell their home. The Fairness for Military Homeowners Act would allow active duty service members to refinance their home loan as long as they have held the mortgage for at least 13 months and are under orders that prevent them from occupying the home.
This could save military homeowners hundreds of dollars a year and potentially thousands of dollars over the life of a home. See More
If you’re one of the many couples preparing to tie the knot this summer or in the near future, be sure to sit down and have a serious conversation about finances before the wedding.
Discuss the following nine financial topics as well as any others you find relevant to your situation so you understand where you stand individually and where you will be as a couple.
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