Smart Military Money
Personal finance tips andadvice for the military lifestyle.
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Deciding where to retire is just as important for military personnel as it is to decide when to retire. One factor influences the other and is dependent on a variety of variables — post-military career, cost of living and welfare of children, among others. As for the best place for veterans to retire — there’s [...]
Is leaving the service the right thing for me to do? This question poses a dilemma for military service members when they reach a financial impasse in their military careers — typically at 20 years in the armed forces — to stay in the military or get a civilian job.
Our third installment of the military personal finance weekly roundup brings you a fresh batch of personal finance news and advice. Remember we’ll be doing this every week to keep you informed on the latest in the personal finance blog world. Consumerism Commentary breaks down a Pew Research Study that found women value career success [...]
We’re excited to announce a new weekly feature at Smart Military Money. Each Saturday we’ll share top stories from some of our favorite personal finance publications and bloggers. Our new weekly roundup will help you catch up on some of the best personal finance tips and news you might have missed. Check out what this [...]
At a time when credit scores mean so much, especially to prospective homebuyers, a credit card interest rate that climbs is one of the last things military cardholders need. Before you agree to a credit card contract, dig through it and make sure you’re clear on the reasons why your interest rate could spike. Your [...]
Military members are more likely to have a credit card than civilians. They’re also less likely to pay their balance in full. Those findings come from a 2010 survey conducted by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. They also suggest that some military members may be struggling to stay afloat financially. Carrying credit card balances can [...]
Credit may make the world go round, but it has become a complicated system where individuals juggle large balances across a number of sources. If you’re looking to open your first credit card account or just shopping around for a new one, look for these key terms before you sign on the dotted line:
When it comes to budgeting personal finances, some have a natural knack while others have a dreadful disdain. Wherever you lie on the spectrum, budgeting can benefit multiple areas of your life, including your credit, savings, stress levels and future big purchase plans. It’s especially helpful in the military’s constantly changing circumstances. While many people [...]
It’s a dangerous world when it comes to shopping—colorful sale signs, overly peppy salesmen and the ever-so-enticing point-of-purchase displays. Okay, so maybe dangerous is a stretch, but everywhere you go marketers have made a career out of stirring your impulse to buy. The danger doesn’t revolve around an advertising conspiracy; rather it involves your budget [...]
With all the taxes, insurance, weird add-ons and other items, your cell phone bill can easily become a tough-to-follow and utterly confusing mess. But the one thing it shouldn’t be is a surprise. It’s important at the outset to try and root out any potential hidden fees or unnecessary charges before signing a contract. But [...]
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