Kimber Green MilitaryShoppers Page 15

What’s on Sale at the Commissary in September: Back to School Lunches Solved

09/01/2014 By Kimber Green

It’s that time of year where the kids are all heading back to school. While it might be a relief for some parents who spent the summer trying to fill the days with fun activities, a new stressor presents itself.

What’s for lunch?

Prepping school lunches can be a challenge. Will your children really eat the food you pack or will they trade it with friends? Will it end up in the trash? Don’t waste your money and time making lunches your kids won’t eat. Instead of worrying about this, talk to them. Ask them what they really like. My mom sent me to school with a bologna sandwich pretty much every day for one year. I might have traded it for PB&J.

Before you tear them away from their iPads and tablets, look at this month’s commissary sales ad. Give them choices as opposed to the open question, “what do you want for lunch?” Lunchables, for example, are very quick and easy lunches. It’s all there; no need to worry or stay up late making lunch. In September they are on sale for $1.75 each. When was the last time you spent $1.75 on lunch? With this great savings, give them options. Do they want turkey, ham or roast beef?

Mix up lunches throughout the week so they aren’t eating the same thing consecutively. A Lunchable midweek is great when you get home late from school activities and you just want to go to bed. When you have more time, make a sandwich with Oscar Mayer cold cuts. It’s on sale for $2.75. Top it with a slice of American cheese ($2.50 this month) and complete the lunch with a Yoplait yogurt ($0.45), fresh fruit or carrots and maybe a snack cake. Your kids will be happy that they have lunches they’ll actually eat and you’ll be happy to save money at the commissary.

To make your savings even bigger, take advantage of the Commissary Rewards Card. Ask your cashier for the free card and register it online. There you can clip virtual coupons and have them right on your key chain. You won’t have to worry about forgetting paper ones in the car again.

Combine these great September savings and the Commissary Rewards Card with case lot sales and you’ll be able to stock up on lunch items for the entire semester. The customer appreciation case lot sales, stateside only, started in August but many are going on in September. A list of dates by commissary are available online.

Your target before school starts: read the commissary sales ad, virtually clip coupons and venture through the case lot sales…maybe leave the kids at home and enjoy the trip.

Want to know the weekly Manager’s Specials? Sign up for the MilitaryShoppers newsletter!

Need Money for Food? You May Qualify for FSSA

08/25/2014 By Kimber Green

FSSA applicants must submit accurate paperwork annually.

The Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA) is a financial support program that few active duty military families utilized or know about. This Department of Defense program is designed to help service members reach financial stability so that they will no longer be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) , formerly known as food stamps.

Eligibility for FSSA is based on the family’s income and household size. There must be at least 1 dependent living in the home to qualify. If the household income is not 130% above the poverty line then the family may meet the requirements. There is an online worksheet that can be used to determine eligibility. Note that you do not have to qualify for or be utilizing SNAP at the time of application for FSSA.

In order to prove your income level the sponsor must provide a copy of his or her LES, pay stubs for other working family members, current bank statements and previous tax returns. To verify your household size you need the service member’s Page 2, a list of dependents as shown in DEERS and social security numbers. Once the application is completed online and the service member has their commanding officer sign off on it, the amount of FSSA will be determined and paid. This amount will be no more than $1,100 a month and therefore, there are other things to consider when accepting this financial support.

Enjoy family time and worry less about money.

While this allowance is non-taxable, it can change your eligibility for other financial support programs such as subsidized school lunches, WIC (Women, Infant and Children nutritional support program) as well as earned income tax credit.

The purpose behind FSSA is to provide military families with enough financial stability that they will no longer need SNAP specifically, but hopefully this will also help families alleviate the need for some of these other programs.

Each command is required to have a FSSA Coordinator so if you have questions or simply prefer filling out paperwork in person rather than using the online worksheet, they are available. You can also get detailed information on FSSA at the Fleet and Family Support Center, Army Community Services, or Marine Corps Community Services.

Re-certification must take place 30 days after a change in household income or family size as well as when there is a change of duty station. It may be more convenient to use the online worksheet if you find your family situation changing frequently. The loss or addition of a spouse’s job for example will change your income level as will advance in pay grade for the active duty member. At minimum, each year the family will need to be re-certified.

Payments will not automatically stop due to a change of duty station or situation; it is the member’s responsibility to inform the FSSA Coordinator of this change. A change of as small as $100 in income must be reported within 30 days. If this or any other change is found and not reported there are repercussions such as disciplinary action and wage garnishment.

A Department of Defense official recently said that 668 full-time active-duty members and activated guardsmen and reservists are receiving FSSA.

All of these facts are not meant to scare or deter military families from applying. The application process and re-certification are quite simple. This is simply an explanation of the program in detail so that families know about the program and how to apply for it.

How would you feel checking out at the commissary without your SNAP card? Relief? Less anxiety?

How do you feel about the FSSA program? Have you used it?

Bill Gives Veterans Using GI Bill In-State Tuition

08/13/2014 By Kimber Green

Bill approved by Congress provides in-state tuition for veterans.

All public universities will be required to offer veterans and their families in-state tuition regardless of their home of record.

Congress passed and President Barack Obama signed into law last week the Veterans Access, Choice And Accountability Act of 2014. This bill grants veterans and their families the right to in-state tuition at public colleges and universities regardless of where the service or family member is currently living. But only if, they are using GI Bill money.

The law goes into effect July 1, 2015.

Under the current law public schools are not mandated to offer in-state tuition if the veteran does not reside in the school’s state when classes begin. Currently, 24 states already have some form of a state residency waiver for veterans.

Other colleges require veterans to prove their intent on remaining in the state after their education is completed in order to receive in-state tuition. For example University of California, San Diego requires proof of your intent to become a California resident in order to receive in-state tuition. Not only do you need to prove your physical residence, but you must also “demonstrate your intention to make California your home by severing your residential ties with your former state of residence and establishing those ties with California.” You can prove your intent by acquiring a California driver’s license, opening a bank account or showing your housing contract.

Meeting these requirements, while tedious, is well worth it as the tuition difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition is staggering. The University of Alabama, for example, charges in-state students $9,200 in tuition and fees for the 2013-14 year, while the out-of-state students are assessed fees and tuition of $22,950.

Related: 3 Ways to Stretch Your Tuition Dollars

In-state vs. out-of-state tuition for veterans will all change in July 2015 when the new law goes into effect. All public schools will be required to bill veterans and their families at an in-state tuition rate. If the school does not comply, the VA has the right to disapprove their courses.

This bill will not change veterans and families status when applying for school loans and scholarships. The GI Bill is not considered Federal Financial Aid and thus federal loans are still an available option. There are 5 main loans and grants:

Stafford (subsidized)
Stafford (unsubsidized)
Perkins Loan
Pell Grant
Federal Student Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Eligibility for most federal student aid is based on financial need along with several other factors. It is well worth it to look into these options as well as scholarships. MyCAA is a tuition assistance for military spouses for example. It has limitations based on the active duty sponsor’s rank however. It is only open to “spouses of active duty service members in pay grades E1-E5, W1-W2, O1-O2 including the spouses of activated Guard and Reserve members within those ranks.”

In-state tuition available for all veterans starting July 1, 2015.

In-state vs. out-of-state tuition for veterans will be irrelevant starting July 1, 2015.

There are many scholarship opportunities for military spouses. A second notable one is the National Military Family Association scholarship. This is open to all military spouses regardless of the veteran’s rank.

With the passing of this new bill, financial aid availability and scholarships, military families have more opportunities to make earning a college degree more of a possibility.

How will this bill affect your family? Will you be more likely to earn a college degree?

10 Signs You are Frugal to a Fault

07/25/2014 By Kimber Green

Are you guilty of being frugal to a fault?

Is it really worth it to only have single ply tissue?

I love saving money. My proudest moment in savvy shopping was when I haggled with a Navy Exchange salesperson to reduce the price of a patio set by 55% and it wasn’t even on sale. However there have been times when I have to admit, I’ve been guilty of being frugal to a fault.

Here are 10 ways you think you’re saving money, but are actually spending more. (Yes I am guilty too.)

Clipping ALL Coupons: We all love coupons, but if you buy something you don’t need just because there’s a coupon, you are wasting money. The flyer when you walk into the commissary is full of coupons but do you really need everything offered or do you just feel the need to buy them because there is a coupon? Don’t buy the bottle of mouthwash just to save 50 cents.
Buying Sale Items: You see that big red sale sign and are drawn to it. Though you know you don’t need it, you no doubt instantly come up with a reason you should buy it. Read sale signs carefully. Target has red clearance signs that make you think you’re getting a great deal, but quite often it’s only a few cents difference. Seriously, numerous times I have almost picked something up only to read the fine print that it’s only 5 cents off the regular price.
Creating Upcycled Crafts: Turning something into a craft project sounds good and fun, but how much money did you just spend buying all the other things you’ll need to turn that toilet paper roll into something?
Redeeming a Store Credit Card Discount: As you check out of most stores these days the clerk will likely ask if you want to save 15% by opening a store account. You might want to open their little pamphlet and check out the details first. The 29% APR is going to change your mind.
Buying in bulk isn’t always the best way to save money.
Purchasing Warranties: As Consumer Reports points out, it isn’t worth the money in most cases. You might be spending more money than your product is worth and many companies will work with you regardless because they want to keep customer service positive.
Buying in Bulk: Do you really need 5 gallons of mayonnaise? Will it go bad before you can use it all? Before you buy something break down the price per ounce to see if it really is cheaper.
Being a Cash Hound: Saving money for a rainy day is great, but keeping large amounts of cash on hand is actually causing you to lose money. You’re missing out on interest you would be earning through a checking account or other financial endeavor.
Buying More for the Free Shipping: I’m guilty of this one. I just can’t stand the idea of paying more for shipping than I did for the product itself. If shipping will cost the same no matter how much I buy then I feel like I should get more for the money. Similarly, if spending $75 qualifies for free shipping but you’re only up to $60, do you buy more to meet that amount?
Making Your Own (fill in the blank): Pinterest has many wonderful ideas. Is it really worth the money to spend the time to make some of these things (ie. beer, laundry detergent, butter)? Many DIY projects require buying supplies that you’ll only use for one project.
Being Cheap. If you are so over the top frugal that you will only buy what’s at the cheapest price possible you might just be missing out. Is it really worth it to only have single ply tissue? Did you buy something so poorly made that it breaks and you have to buy another? Did you thaw out a chicken breast and not get around to cooking it until 5 days later and make yourself eat it even if it is bad just because you don’t want to waste the money you spent?
Keeping cash on hand is actually causing you to lose money.

Sometimes being frugal just doesn’t add up.

What have you done to save money that ended up costing you more?

Special Needs Met with Caroline’s Carts

07/14/2014 By Kimber Green

Carts for special needs children available at 40 military commissaries.

Imagine taking your special needs child to the commissary and being able to maneuver the produce section.

Maneuvering through the commissary is a difficult task to say the least. Add pushing a cart and a wheelchair and you have an even bigger challenge. Thanks to Drew Ann Long, things just got a little easier. Her daughter Caroline has Rett syndrome, which makes her unable to walk, talk or use her hands. Knowing that she would one day outgrow a traditional grocery cart, Mrs. Long invented Caroline’s Cart. This uniquely designed cart is specifically tailored to children with special needs.

What makes Caroline’s Carts different from traditional shopping carts?

It has a large seat that holds up to 250 pounds and the 5-point harness ensures the passenger’s safety. The handles swing out making it easier to place the child in and take him or her out. No more back pain the moment you enter the commissary from lifting. Doesn’t your back need a rest?

The cart has a foot rest for the passenger and unlike traditional carts, this one also has a much needed brake. This will not only be helpful in loading your child in the commissary, but also keeping them safe in the parking lot as you transition them into your vehicle.

Don’t worry, this cart is so well designed that you still have plenty of space for groceries. You don’t lose the undercarriage either. You know, where you usually toss the toilet paper that comes in bulk packaging.

You can also toss your anxiety. Some parents worry about going to the commissary and maneuvering the isles with their child. They either bring family members or friends with them to make it easier or leave their child at home with a caregiver and tackle the commissary alone.

Caroline’s Cart will be welcomed by thousands of families who have children with disabilities. This shopping cart will make it possible for kids with disabilities to be part of a family shopping outing. More than this, when families use Caroline’s Cart in neighborhood stores, it sends an important message to everyone who sees them that kids with disabilities are kids first and need to be included.

–Sara Brewster, VP Marketing Communications National Easter Seals

Now imagine taking your special needs child to the commissary and being able to maneuver the produce section easier. More importantly, imagine how your child will feel. They will now be part of the the trip, sitting up high with better visibility of the fruits and vegetables. You’ll be able to look your child in the eyes as they will be sitting up higher than a traditional wheelchair. Hopefully they will look forward to going to the commissary now. Shouldn’t everyone?

Caroline’s Carts are now available in 40 military commissaries in the U.S. and Randy Eller, DeCA’s deputy director of logistics, said more may be added as demand is evaluated. Check out this list of commissaries in 24 states and D.C. to see if your commissary is on the list. Next time you stop to pick up a cart look for Caroline’s Carts.

Have you seen Caroline’s Cart in your commissary?

« Previous Page