Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

How to Save Money When Flying This Summer

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This country we call home is huge! From coast to coast, it’s more than 3,000 miles. That, of course, doesn’t cover any overseas travel that you desire to do. It takes hours and hours, just to drive hundreds of miles, so naturally flying becomes our main choice in travel to make the best use of our time.

With summer in full swing and our family’s schedule a little more open and available (for the most part!), we’re more inclined to use that time vacationing.

Searching for Cheaper Airfare? Here’s How to Save Money When Flying This Summer

Searching for Cheaper Airfare? Here's How to Save Money When Flying This Summer

If the online prices aren’t appealing to you, call the airlines directly and ask for a military discount.

Like several other military families, I try and fly back to my hometown of Austin, Texas, at least once a year outside of the holidays. Whether you are using your summer time off to go to grandma’s house or to explore a new location, it’s most likely it’s far enough away where you need to hop on a plane. My parents have also spent a lot of time in the air, especially my dad. He utilized frequent flyer miles with his job.

Plan Your Travel in Advance, Avoid Holiday Travel

I give credit to him because he’s the one that has shared tips and tricks for me to get the most bang for my buck when purchasing airline tickets, particularly back to my hometown.

The sooner you have dates locked down for travel is really the best time to buy, especially if it’s during a holiday. Aim to purchase airfare about 50 days out, if you can manage. And really, if you can help it, avoid the holidays (that means, no to a last-minute Labor Day weekend getaway) altogether!

Tuesdays Best Day to Buy, Best Day to Fly

But, we all know that military life can be a bit unpredictable, so it’s good to have a couple more things to consider before buying a plane ticket. There are times of the day and days of the week that yield cheaper prices for everyone. I typically purchase my plane tickets on the No. 1 buying day, which is Tuesday (according to Forbes and Business Insider).

In addition, the day you travel helps with ticket price. CNN says that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the ideal days to travel and to avoid Sundays and Fridays. I’ve come to realize that Saturdays and Mondays sometimes have pricier tickets, so I stay away from those days as well.

I use resources like Kayak.com to gauge the difference in prices between the airlines and it also shows the prices days before and after your requested travel day. I love the ability to compare airlines and days of the week.

If the prices you see online aren’t appealing to you, go straight to the airlines for special rates.

Luckily for the military community, several airlines offer a military discount.

United, Jet Blue, American Airlines (now includes US Airways), Southwest and Delta are the major airlines that advertise a discount for military members. Most require a phone call to receive the military rate as it’s not available to purchase online.

I typically write down what’s available online and then call to see if there is a substantial difference. Generally, the online rate might be cheaper, but that’s only based on my experiences.

For example, on my recent vacation to Seattle, I contacted Southwest airlines because the flight times and prices online were the cheapest. I called to speak to a representative about the military rate and Southwest’s “Wanna Get Away” rate was cheaper, so while I was on the phone with them, I made the online reservation.

Don’t Forget About Space-A Travel

Another great (and sometimes scary) way to save money is to use Space-A travel. I know, yikes! It’s a bit confusing and really, from what I know about it, you really should have a lot of wiggle room with your travel date, if you’re opting to use it.

My parents have used Space-A travel and I’ve participated as a military child. From what I remember, don’t forget to ask a lot of questions and I would suggest having your spouse talk through it with their command. Schedules can sometimes change, so there are a whole lot of things to consider when you decide to fly at the mercy of the military.

Are you planning to fly this summer? How do you save money on airfare during the peak travel season?

Smokin’ Deals at the Commissary in July

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The commissary deals for July are on fire! Everything on sale is great for Fourth of July celebrations, summer snacks for you and your kids as well as keeping your furry friends at home content.

Here’s a sneak peak at the commissary specials in July.

Nestle Drumstick Dessert Cones (Vanilla, Variety Pack, Simply Dipped or Super Nugget, 8 count or Lil’ Drums, 12 count) are on special for $4. That is definitely the perfect cool down treat on hot summer days.

My husband and I look for opportunities to stock our pantry with canned goods  because of how easy it is to prepare meals if we’re on a tight schedule. Del Monte is having great deals on their canned fruits and vegetables in July at the commissary. I’m definitely going to partake!

Ideal for smoothies, fruit salad and other side dishes, Fruit in Syrup No Sugar Added Very Cherry, Sliced Pears, Fruit Cocktail or Sliced Peaches, 14.5-oz cans or Mandarin Oranges, 15-oz. cans are only 4 for $3. In addition, Del Monte’s Southwest Corn, Cut Golden Wax Beans, Green Lima Beans, French Style Green Beans with Roasted Garlic or Whole Green Beans are also 4 for $3 as well as No Salt Added Whole Kernel Corn, Cream Style Golden Sweet Corn, French Style Green Beans, Cut Green Beans and Sweet Peas are 5 for $3. These sale prices last the entire month of July.

For a sweet on-the-go snack, the 4-pack of Fruit Burst Squeezers (Strawberry, Peach-Mango, Apple-Cinnamon, Mixed Berry or Blueberry) are ringing in at 2 for $3 and Fruit Naturals (Mandarin Oranges, Yellow Cling Peach Chunks, Cherry Mixed Fruit  or Red Grapefruit) are 4 for $3.

Our four-legged friends are covered with some amazing prices from Purina on the large bags of pet food. Complete or Indoor formula Cat Chow (25 lbs.) is only $15.99 and Complete Dog Chow (55 lbs.) is only $23. Just for the felines, Tidy Cats Non-Clumping Clay Litter for Multiple Cats with Glade Touch Odor Solutions (50 lbs.) is on sale this month for $5.99. For extra savings, clip this $1.05 coupon. Can’t forget our K9s with Alpo T-Bonz Dog Treats Filet Mignon, Porterhouse or Ribeye Flavor (45 oz.) at $5.36.

Now for the items that would be great for your summer get-together. Hefty Everyday Soak Proof Plates (50 ct.) is $1.50 and Hefty Ultimate Easy Grip Cups (50 ct.) is $2.39. To wrap up delicious foods for your guests, use Reynolds Wrap. The aluminum foil (200 sq. ft.) is only at $5.99. These specials end July 15, so don’t forget to stock up on these paper products for all summer long.

Lastly, I have to mention all the awesome deals on snackable food. Totino’s Pizza Rolls (Pepperoni, Combination, Cheese, Supreme or Triple Meat, 40 ct.) are $1.99. It’s easy to pop in the oven for your hungry family.

Another sweet snack you can pop in your oven is Betty Crocker’s Fudge Brownie Mix. A box is just 99 cents and you can choose from Milk Chocolate, Fudge or Dark Chocolate. Yoplait Greek Yogurt is only 65 cents for a variety of flavors, including Blueberry, Lemon, Key Lime, Vanilla, Pineapple or Strawberry. Don’t forget to combine that savings with a $1 off coupon.

Also, I’ll be grabbing bags of the party size bag of chips that are on sale for future camping trips. Tostitos Tortilla Chips, Doritos Nacho Cheese Flavored Tortilla Chips, Ruffles Originial Potato Chips, and Lay’s Classic Potato Chips are $2.98.

Want to know the weekly manager’s specials? Sign up for MilitaryShoppers’ newsletter to be kept up to date on all the sales at the commissary.

Understanding Common Military Phrases

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At a young age, I was exposed to military lingo. When I would ask my dad if a friend could spend the night, he would answer “negative” for no. When my mom would request a task from my dad, he would reply, I got your 6. All. My. Life.

Even with early conditioning as a child, I have scratched my head here and there because the military culture, just like with any culture, has evolved since my dad’s time in service. Plus, I’ve come to realize that each branch has their own interpretation too. I still had a lot to learn.

Recently, I sat down with my husband and went over all the expressions and sayings that I’ve heard my dad and him say time and time again. With his help on clarifying the sometimes not so obvious, we’ve come up with our list of the most commonly used military phrases below.

Common Military Phrases Your Service Member Uses at Work and May Use at Home

Roger: Yes

Got Your 6: Got your back

Rack: Bed

Rack Time: Sleep

Civies: Civilian clothes

Camies: Uniform

Cover: Hat

Unsat: Unsatisfactory

Boot: New military member

Battle Rattle: Wearing all your combat gear

Downgrade: Drop your jackets

High and Tight: Expression for a military type haircut, where hair is extremely short on the sides and a patch of slightly longer hair at the top

Good Idea Fairy: Somebody that comes up ideas that lead to extra work

Joes: Generalizing military members, shortened from G.I. Joe

Command/Big Boy Voice: Speaking up and authoritative

Ground Pounder: Infantry service member

Geardo: Buys and wears more tactical equipment than they need

High Speed: Someone that performs well

Ate-Up: Someone not doing a good job, not within regulation

Household 6: Spouse, my husband says, commander of the household

Bird: Aircraft, spoken about helicopter

Helo: Particularly helicopter

Liberty/Leave: Time off

Moon Beam: Flashlight

Head: Toilet

Hit the Head: Go to the bathroom

Klicks: Kilometers

Beat Your Face: Push-ups

Back on the Block: Civilian life

Zero Dark Thirty: Really, really early in the morning, pretty much still dark outside

Aye, Aye: Heard and understood

Bag Nasty: Take out food given in chow halls or foreign areas

Galley: Kitchen

Drive On: Keep doing what you’re doing

Soup Sandwich: Could be a person that does something wrong or a situation

Bravo Zulu: Good Job

Hooah/Oorah: Exclamation, typically used to acknowledge a message

This list only touches on a handful of common military slang phrases and words. It obviously isn’t the comprehensive list! There are tons more out there and lots that are also specific to military branch.

Which military slang words would you add to this list?

5 Simple Recipes for Your Summer Camping Trip

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My husband and I love to camp. The smell of wood burning, sound of birds chirping and the most exciting part, the taste of campfire food!

5 Simple Recipes for Your Summer Camping Trip

What do you like to cook when camping?

As soon as the weather warms up, we plan at least one trip out to the woods a year. It’s also a great way to explore the area around your duty station!

ReserveAmerica is a great site to find the local campsites in your area. Most (all of the campsites I’ve visited), use that website to place reservations of the actual campsites too (I’ve camped in New York, Texas and Virginia).

I grew up a city gal and the closest thing to camping I’ve ever experienced was a tent in my backyard. We even brought out an extension cord to watch TV, which is completely cheating!

Now, I’ve found that the great outdoors is a great way for my husband and I to disconnect and enjoy each other’s company, uninterrupted by technology. For the duration of our time in the woods, we cook and prepare meals on the open fire. We wrangle together our mess kit, which includes a couple of travel pots, pans, dinnerware and utensils–as well as our camping gear for a fun and delicious camping adventure.

At first, cooking real food might be a little intimidating. But, with the right preparation beforehand, it can be easy to throw together hot and tasty meals for your family. For example, combine all dry ingredients and spices per recipe in a Ziploc bag. Also, chop and mince all appropriate veggies (like onions) and place them in Ziploc bags as well.

5 Simple Recipes for Your Summer Camping Trip

Cooking food when camping might be a little intimidating. But, with the right preparation beforehand, it can be easy to throw together hot and tasty meals for your family.

Here are my 5 absolute favorite and simple campfire recipes.

You can’t go wrong with chili! It’s great by itself or you can pour it on top of a hot dog that’s heated by the fire.

Black Bean Chili

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 lb ground turkey (I use beef)
  • 3 (15-ounce) cans black beans, undrained
  • 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat; cook onion and garlic until onions are translucent. Add turkey and cook, stirring, until meat is brown. Stir in beans, tomatoes, chili powder, oregano, basil and vinegar. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 60 minutes or more, until flavors are well blended.

To adjust the heat, I use oven mitts to move the grill gate close to or away from the fire. That’s the easiest way for me to manipulate the temperature.  Or, you can scooch the pot away from the direct flame. It really depends on the type of grill your campsite provides. We typically bring another grill plate with handles, so it’s easy to lift the cooked food off the camp grill.

Grilling Potato Wedges

  • 3 large russet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1-inch thick wedges
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon of ancho or regular chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Mix together the dry ingredients. Then, brush the potatoes all over with olive oil and place over the hot side of the grill and cook until browned and crisp on both sides. Move the potatoes to the cooler side of the grill, cover and continue to grill until cooked through, about 5 to 10 minutes longer (test with a fork). Remove the potatoes from the grill to a large bowl and sprinkle with the spice mixture to taste and toss to coat.

BBQ Chicken Kabobs

  • 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
  • 6 cups assorted cut-up vegetables (bell peppers, mushrooms, onions and zucchini)
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce

To prep at home, arrange chicken and vegetables alternately on 8 skewers. On the hot grill, place the kabobs to cook 10 to 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through (170°F), turning after 8 minutes and brushing frequently with the 1/2 cup of the barbecue sauce. Use the leftover barbecue sauce to serve.

Juicy Ranch Burgers

All you need is about a pound of ground beef and 1 or 2 packets of ranch seasoning mix (depending on your taste) to make this recipe. Before you leave, mix together the ranch seasoning and beef. Then, separate the beef into 4 patties and now it’s ready for the fire.

I also use onion soup mix as another flavor variety.

My favorite campfire recipe is PIZZA!

Yes, it’s pretty simple to make on the open fire. I grab a roll of refrigerated pizza dough (or you can make your own) and roll it out onto a cast iron grill or our removable camping grill (so it’s easy to take off the fire), but you put it directly on the grill rack if the dough is thick enough. Make sure the grill is hot before putting the dough on it though.

Pour on about ¼ cup of tomato sauce, as much mozzarella cheese you think is necessary and then your favorite pizza toppings. Cook until dough is done and cheese is melted through.

Don’t forget to include snacks to munch on while hiking. Piece together the perfect trail mix recipe or try out my favorite granola bar recipe too!

What’s your favorite food to make when camping? Share the recipe with MilitaryShoppers and you could win. One winner every month.

Sizzling Deals at Your Commissary in June

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The weather is already hot here in northern Virginia. Same goes with the assortment of deals at the commissary, especially with the assortment of drinks and sweets that are on sale in June! Click to see all of our Commissary Specials!

Here’s a look at what’s on sale this month at your military commissary.

I’m loving the variety of discounts on refreshing beverages that are perfect for long summer days. From June 18 to July 8, Gold Peak Iced Tea (89 oz.) will only be $2. My husband loves his iced tea. Seriously, he drinks unsweetened iced tea everyday. So, we’ll definitely pick up some cartons.

For on the go, Honest Organic Tea (16.9 oz.) is on sale 10 for $10. They are just the right size for your car’s cup holder. Flavors are orange mango, pomegranate blue, honey green tea or peach tea.

I’m also covered because my absolute favorite summer drink is pink lemonade! You can pick up a 59-oz. sized Minute Maid Premium carton for $1 and the sale includes more than pink lemonade. Peach, berry punch, fruit punch or tropical punch are the other flavors in the deal. Why not pick them all up?

If you have little ones, the 10-pack of Minute Maid KIDS 100% Juice Orange with Calcium is $2. In addition, other Minute Maid drink packs are on sale like apple or orange (6-pack) and apple, fruit punch, mixed berry or white apple grape (10-pack). I can’t forget the 10-pack of lemonade too. They are perfect for camping or road trips. I take a couple to put in the cooler and recycle after I’m done with each bottle.

Camping is one of my favorite summer activities and there are some great powerbuys on camping treats this month.

My husband and I put a handful of Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars in our hiking pack. Right now, a box of 12 is $1.89 and it includes Oats ‘n Honey, Peanut Butter or the Variety Pack. You can combine this sale with a $0.50 coupon to save even more money.

For those that like crumbles of granola better than the bars, Cascadian Farm Organic Protein Granola is $2.25. They have a tasty selection, Dark Chocolate Coconut, Apple Crisp or Granola Berry Cobbler.

Looking for another healthy sweet snack? Yoplait’s Greek Yogurts are selling for 65 cents each. You can get either Cherry, Pineapple, Strawberry or Tangerine regular Greek yogurt or Coconut, Raspberry or Blueberry-blended yogurt.

For the bakers out there, select Betty Crocker and Pillsbury baked goods are powerbuys too!

Betty Crocker’s Fudge Brownie Mix (Milk Chocolate, Fudge or Dark Chocolate) are 99 cents and Pillsbury’s Big Deluxe Big Cookies Chocolate Chip or Oatmeal Raisin or Ready-to-Bake Cookies Chocolate Chip are $1.75.

Aside from brownies and cookies, you can bake some quick and easy cinnamon rolls for $1.50. Grab a tube of Pillsbury’s Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing or Orange Rolls with Orange Icing to fulfill your cinnamon craving.

This summer our furry family members are also treated with deals! Purina has some amazing discounts that I will be partaking for my feline friend.

My cat Xena goes bananas for Whisker Lickin’s Tuna Cat Treats! It’s only 80 cents for a pouch and that includes Salmon flavored too. One Smartblend Cat Food is $6.40 for a 3.5 lbs. bag (Hairball Formula, Healthy Metabolism, Indoor Advantage or Urinary Tract Health Formula).

For a more glamorous meal for Xena, Purely Fancy Feast (2 oz.) is $1.04. I can choose from Natural Steamed Wild Alaskan Salmon Entree, Natural Tender Tongol Tuna Entree or Natural White Meat Chicken Entree all in Delicate Broth.

On the not so glamorous side of cat parenting, litter is on sale! Purina Tidy Cats Non-Clumping Clay Litter 20 lbs. bag is 2 for $6 or Clumping Litter 14 lbs. is $5.21 both for Multiple Cats 24/7 Performance or Instant Action. Save an additional $1.05 with this coupon.

Let’s not forget the pups in our family! Here are some great deals at the commissary for them:

  • Beneful Dog Food (Health Smile, Playful Life, Healthy Weight or Original) 7 lbs. for $8.99
  • Beggin’ Strips Dog Snack (Bacon & Cheese or Bacon Flavor),  6 oz. for $2
  • Alpo Dog Food Chop House or Gravy Cravers Variety Pack, 12 ct. for $6.99

Want to know the weekly manager’s specials? Sign up for the newsletter to be kept up to date on all the sales at the commissary.

Military Families May Need to Pay for ER Visits in the Future

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There are a range of proposals being discussed in Congress right now for the 2016 fiscal year that affect military families. The Tricare reforms catch our attention because of the changes to procedures or policies in our health care system. One detail that particularly stands out is the proposed changes in emergency room care.

Military Families May Need to Pay for ER Visits in the Future

An ER fee is only a single proposal among many that are being considered by lawmakers related to health care for military families.

Under the 2016 plan, military families would have to pay a fee depending on your sponsor’s rank to utilize emergency room care for a misused visit.

What would deem a misused visit?

That’s still up for debate and can spark a whole new issue if the proposal does get approved.

Military Families May Need to Pay for ER Visits in the Future

Do you frequently visit the ER because your MTF is closed at nights or on the weekends?

Military families are rallying together to oppose the emergency room fees arguing that often times we are driven to use ERs for immediate care. When a parent would call their local MTF (Military Treatment Facility), it might be weeks or at worst months to schedule an appointment with their PCM (Primary Care Manager).

Additional factors that drive families to ER visits are MTF locations closed at needed times (evenings or weekends), not being able to receive the proper referrals to an Urgent Care facility and not to mention, the wait for paperwork to get pushed through, so you can start utilizing your new MTF location.

For example, immediately after my PCS to Virginia (literally 3 days after we moved in), I caught a sinus infection. My husband wasn’t due to report for another couple weeks, but I knew I had to see a doctor as soon as possible. Because of the tight turnaround, I didn’t have the proper paperwork ready or even changed our MTF facility yet. At the recommendation of hospital personnel, I used the emergency room so I could be seen and receive prompt attention.

Would this circumstance be considered a legitimate emergency under this proposal?

Also, you never really know what would constitute as a non-emergency when you may not actually know what’s going on yet. For example, if your daughter is complaining about her knee after a hard fall, do you take her to the ER on Saturday morning? Or wait it out until Monday when the MTF is open?

This proposal leaves a lot of questions unanswered and as a result, we start playing the waiting game on our family members’ health.

Keep in mind that adding a fee to emergency room care is only a single proposal among many that are being discussed by lawmakers. National Military Family Association, a nonprofit that advocates for military families on Capitol Hill, breaks it down for us here.

NMFA argues that the problem stems from military families not given the proper avenues for urgent care and day-of appointments. The organization is working toward “improved access to acute care appointments for all military families using MTFs.”

In addition, NMFA started a petition for this particular issue. If you disagree with the emergency room care fee, sign their petition here.

What do you think of this proposal? Do you frequently visit the ER because your MTF is closed at nights or on the weekends?

Tried & True Memorial Day Recipes You Should Try

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As a military community, Memorial Day is a time for us to pause and celebrate the lives of our beloved fallen comrades. From coast to coast, Americans will rally together to honor those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. There will be special ceremonies or much-deserved recognition.

Because Memorial Day brings such a strong sense of community and not to mention a well-deserved day off for most of us, it has morphed into a time to gather together and enjoy each other’s company. In addition, the weather starts to warm-up, which makes it perfect for outdoor festivities. As a result, barbecues have become a popular way for family and friends to join together.

Are you thinking about throwing a barbecue or need inspiration for a delicious dish for a potluck?

Well, heat-up the grill and gear up for a roundup of mouth-watering barbecue ideas straight from MilitaryShoppers.com that will have your friends and family asking for more!

Start by preparing your own homemade barbecue sauce.

  • 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1½ teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves crushed garlic

In a pan, cook garlic in olive oil until soft. Mix in remaining ingredients and let simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Refrigerate afterward.

That sauce can be used for a number of other dishes. Slather your homemade barbecue sauce on top of hamburger patties for BBQ burgers or paint hot dogs with it for an extra kick. Another easy option for your homemade barbecue sauce is to spread it over this finger-licking Ribs recipe.

Tried & True Memorial Day Recipes You Should Try

What do you like to eat at a neighborhood barbecue?

Grab 2½ pounds of country style pork ribs and place it in a large pot with enough water to cover. Season with 1 tablespoon of garlic powder, 2 tablespoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring the water to a boil and cook ribs until they are tender. While this is happening, make sure your grill is at a temperature of 325 degrees. Place the boiled ribs in a foil baking dish and pour 1 cup of barbecue sauce on them. Cover with foil and cover for 1 to 1½ hours or until internal temperature of pork has reached 160 degrees.

My husband’s absolute favorite Memorial Day dish is pulled pork. He’s not big on pulling meat off ribs, so this perfect for him to get the taste of pork in a moist and tender way. You’ll need a handy-dandy slow cooker to prepare the pork.

This recipe also calls for a package of pork ribs. Cook the ribs in the slow cooker with one can of beef broth on high for 4 hours. After, take ribs out and shred meat in a foil dish and add barbecue sauce. Cover with foil and bake in grill for about 10 minutes.

Although my parents weren’t born in Texas, they have lived there long enough to have picked up on some of the delicious Lone Star State food like beef brisket. I love brisket so much that I had to take on this opportunity to share Memorial Day recipes, just so I can share with you what makes me so happy.

This recipe is pretty simple to follow, it actually takes a bit of tender love and care to follow through (AKA it takes some patience!). Are you up for the brisket challenge?

You can use your oven or grill, but make sure the temperature is around 350 degrees to cook. First mix together your dry ingredients in a small bowl: dash of salt, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon ground mustard, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika and 1 tablespoon pepper.

Rinse your 6-pound fresh beef brisket with water and pat dry. Puncture holes into the brisket on each side with a knife. We cut the meat in half to help with cooking and preparation. Rub all the dry ingredients all over your 2 pieces of meat and cover it and store in the refrigerator for the night. That process cures the meat.

When you’re ready to grill, place the cured meat in a deep foil pan. Mix together your wet ingredients: about 1½ cups of barbecue sauce, ½ cup of liquid smoke, ¼ cup of Worcestershire sauce. Pour the mixture on top of the meat and make sure it’s fully coated. Before covering with foil, make sure the fat side is facing up.

Cook for about 5 hours. Once the meat is fully cooked, spoon pan juices over top of the brisket. Let stand for about 10 minutes and cut across the grain. Enjoy!

Be sure to add some crowd favorite side dishes like coleslaw, corn on the cob and potato salad to the menu too.

What’s your tried-and-true side dish for neighborhood barbecues and potlucks? Share your recipe with MilitaryShoppers and you could win. 

5 Reasons Why Military Spouses Deserve a Day of Appreciation

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May is filled with lots of different appreciation days for the military community. There is Armed Forces Day on May 16 and Memorial Day, the more widely known military holiday on May 25. Separately, there is also a special day for military spouses. In 1984, the first Military Spouse Appreciation Day was observed as a way to celebrate the sacrifices made to those married to service members on the Friday before Mother’s Day.

Did you know that there are more than 1 million military spouses?

As military spouses, we personally experience the everyday challenges and deal with the roller coaster lifestyle on a regular basis. Not only that, we essentially chose this life because we happen to be in love with a man or woman in uniform.

I recently attended a change of command ceremony as a guest of the outgoing service member’s spouse because we volunteer together to raise money for a military dependent scholarship fund. She is a big influence in the military community here and as a result, the unit didn’t only recognize her husband, but her service as well. When her husband spoke about his time at the unit and his career, something stuck with me. He explained working with soldiers and whatnot, but then when he talked about family, he said something along the lines of spouses being the backbone of all military members. Without a strong support system at home, how could our military remain strong and mission ready?

I believe we keep the military force strong and effective by loving them unconditionally. So, with that said, that’s why I believe military spouses deserve a moment in the spotlight.

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Here are 5 more great reasons why military spouses should be appreciated:

  1. Military spouses hold down the fort while military members are away. Right after “see you later,” we continue to live our lives and maintain the homefront for our families.
  2. Military spouses keep the fort running smoothly while they are home! I don’t know about you, but as soon as my husband walks in to door, he seems pretty clueless on what to do. Luckily, we work together as a team and accomplish lots of goals that way, but between you and me, I believe my husband might be a little lost without our partnership.
  3. Military spouses wear multiple hats and are used to playing multiple roles. Mom? Colleague? Student? Volunteer? The list goes on!
  4. Military spouses contribute big time to the community. To me, military spouses are such wonderful motivators and help each other out in the best possible ways.
  5. Military spouses do have to make certain sacrifices. Military families in general move 10 times more more often that civilian families. The transient lifestyle can be difficult to establish job security among other things. Did you know that 90% of military spouses are underemployed?

I asked my husband why he thought military spouses deserve an appreciation day and he answered “why not?” So, why not should people support those that support military members on the homefront? We certainly don’t have it the same as our military members, but we encounter our own obstacles. It’s important to acknowledge us that way we can continue a strong and loving relationship with our partners that happen to be military members.

Do you feel appreciated in your role as a military spouse?

Memorial Day Savings This Month at Your Commissary

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May is my absolute favorite month! Not only is it my birth month, it is also the unofficial start to summer. Our community pool opens up Memorial Day weekend (YAY!) and outdoor gatherings become a regular occurrence.

It can be said that along with the weather, the commissary deals are heating up too! In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, they have upped their game with lots of great specials throughout the month aimed to help military families get ready for barbecues, pool parties or any other family get-togethers.

Who doesn’t love a good backyard picnic? Add the ideal outdoor dining side dish to your menu with a tasty pasta salad. Betty Crocker’s Suddenly Pasta Salad (Ceasar, Classic or Ranch & Bacon) is only $0.98. Buy 2 and you can save $.50 with this coupon. It’s a great make-ahead meal and can be refrigerated until it’s time to eat.

Another great addition to any meal outside is a delicious pickle. Vlasic® Spears (24 oz.) are 2 for $3. For those who like to add a pickle topping to their hot dogs, Vlasic Relish (10 oz.) is $0.98.

Stock up on great finger grabbing snacks like Ruffles Potato Chips (Original or Cheddar & Sour Cream, $2.50), Tostitos Tortilla Chips (Cantina Traditional or Thin & Crispy, $2; Restaurant Style or Scoops, $2.50) or finally, Lay’s Chips (Baked, Classic or Wavy Original, $2). Don’t forget to include your favorite dip into the mix.

I’ve mentioned before that I’m from Texas, so I know that no awesome barbecue is complete without sweet tea and lemonade. Sometimes a get-together is quickly arranged. As a result, you have no time to brew a batch of tea or squeeze a bunch of lemons! In those instances, I love grabbing a refreshing jug of pre-made tea and lemonade. I’m excited that Gold Peak’s Iced Tea Diet or Sweet Tea (59 oz.) is $1.39 and Minute Maid Light Lemonade (59 oz.) is 2 for $3.

Also, I don’t know about you, but I tend to stick with disposable plates and cups for most outdoor dining situations. It makes clean-up a breeze. Several of Hefty’s great products are on sale for $1.50 this month. The sale items include: Everyday Soak Proof bowls or plates (50 ct.), Deluxe Extra Strong & Deep plates (24 ct.) and Ultimate Easy Grip 18 oz. cups (30 ct.).  They have a good selection of trash bags discounted too. Ultimate Flex Scent Free or Clean Burst (38 ct.) or Odor Block scent free or lavender vanilla (45 ct.) are $4.99 a package.

Don’t forget to pair these great discounts with coupons from coupons.com.

This month, Neutrogena products are on special. Pamper yourself with a wide range of their offers! I’m a huge fan of their Oil-Free Moisturizer for sensitive skin. They also have a version with SPF that’s great for the sunny months ahead. Both are just $6.67.

Here are some more Neutrogena specials:

  • Deep Clean (Facial and Cream Cleanser or Gentle Scrub), $3.41
  • Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover, $4.18
  • Excellent for travel: Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes Refill Pack, $2.97
  • Deep Clean Invigorating Foaming Scrub or Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub $4.51
  • Transparent Facial Bar Acne Prone Skin Formula, $1.73
  • Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 30 or Night, $11.37
  • Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream Original Formula SPF 15, $7.45
  • Health Defense Daily Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 50, $8.43

Be sure you scope out the commissary specials flyer for more fantastic sale prices!

Don’t forget to sign up for the MilitaryShoppers newsletter to get the monthly commissary specials delivered directly to your inbox!

5 Important Things You Can Do to Save Your Military Marriage

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Military spouses, almost immediately after saying “I do,” realize that being married to a service member brings its own unique challenges. Aside from unexpected moves, forced separation and countless other military-related things, we also know a marriage in itself can create difficult challenges.

Last month, I shared with you 5 Things That Can Destroy a Military Marriage. It was a list identifying specific actions that cause problems in our relationships, particularly those married to service members.

Again, I turned to my parents for inspiration on the things we can do to help us nurture and ultimately save a military marriage. Here’s what I learned.

5 Important Things You Can Do to Save Your Military Marriage

Don’t take your cohabiting time for granted! Dedicate quality time for the two of you.

In a military marriage, it’s important to:

1. Communicate with each other. I think it’s one of the biggest things you should do. How many of us like to complain? I’m totally guilty of it and it’s totally natural to get annoyed and shut down. But when we shut down and stay silent, we stop communicating with our service member. That’s not good in a military marriage.

Most of the things that can destroy your marriage can be resolved by communicating and listening.

If you approach every conversation with an open heart and mind, communicating with your spouse can help clear a lot of conflict. Remember to be understanding and use this dialogue between to find a compromise. Because of how important it is to listen to each other, speak taking turns, so you don’t overpower each other.

Also, don’t let distance stop you. Even if your spouse is away, use the form of communication that is available. The Internet was how my husband and I spoke to each other while he was overseas and it helped us work through our issues.

2. Compliment your partner. In addition to openly communicating, it’s just as important to compliment each other in the things that we do love about each other. Compliment on things that are done for you and also on “just because” things.

I’m a sucker for my husband’s smile and if you know him, you know that his smile doesn’t appear that often (he’s quite a serious dude). So, at the moments I see that smile from ear to ear, I tell him how much I love seeing it. As a result, I actually see that smile a lot more– must be a subliminal thing!

Don’t let it stop at physical compliments. Take it to an emotional level too. It’s said that complimenting increases self-confidence and self-worth, so it’s a great way to strengthen your bond.

3. Date each other. We all know that separation is difficult. It can even create distance when you and your spouse are back together because we get used to our solo routine. Don’t take your cohabiting time for granted! Dedicate quality time for the two of you. Whether you and your spouse agree to try a brand-new activity or do something that is near and dear to both of you, it’s really important to keep the romance alive.

4. Allow for space. It is a little weird to say that being alone is important after encouraging you to communicate and date, but maintaining your own personal space gives you and your partner the necessary downtime needed to recharge and get your mind back on track. Alone time allows me to reflect on my relationships. As a result, my marriage is stronger because of the balance I have with myself and my husband.

5. Embrace each other and military life. First, physical contact can remind us of the love we have for our spouse. There is something special about the warmth of a hug or the touch of a hand. For me, it’s soothing. The mere thought of hugging my husband makes me feel happy.

Second, you must choose to embrace your marriage and the military. Let’s be honest, some disputes might actually stem from an extenuating military circumstance. I can’t tell you how many times that I’ve been downright upset or confused (sometimes I mix the two) because of a military-related decision. You both can blame each other for what the military throws your way. Instead, embrace the lifestyle together.

What’s the best piece of marriage advice you’ve ever received?