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5 Steps You Can Take Today to Make Your PCS Go Smoothly This Summer

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It’s PCS season and this year your family is one of many that will be moving. Do you have a PCS strategy?

5 Steps You Can Take Today to Make Your PCS Go Smoothly This Summer

What things do you do to make your PCS go smoothly?

Taking time to get organized before the big day can save a lot of time and some big headaches. Don’t wait until the last minute. Follow these 5 steps today to make your PCS go smoothly this summer.

Get Organized

The key to a successful PCS is planning. Sure you can just wing it, but wouldn’t it be nice to not get all stressed out?

Planning and staying organized will make this PCS a smooth one.

It all starts with a list. Organize your thoughts and put them down on paper or in your computer. Ask yourself, what do you need to accomplish and when does it need to be done?

Some of the main things to consider include: where you are going to live, where your children will go to school (if applicable), and if you will move yourself or have the military move you.

Is military housing available and would you want to live there?

If not, do you want to rent or buy a home?

If you have school-age children, what type of school do you want them to go to? You’ll need to decide if you want to look into public school, private school or the school at your military installation (if there is one).

Talk to your spouse and decide if your family wants to do all the work a PCS requires or if you want to get professionals to come help. Once you’ve made these key decisions, you can move on to the next steps.

Make a PCS Binder

Having a PCS binder is a great way to stay organized. Keeping all of the important documents and lists that you’ll need for the move in an easily accessible place is extremely helpful. Your PCS binder could include things such as:

  • Your PCS checklist
  • Important documents: birth certificates, marriage license, insurance information, Social Security cards and passports as well as car titles and military orders
  • Medical and dental records
  • School records
  • Pet records: complete shot records, especially rabies
  • Household goods inventory that includes a list of the serial numbers on electronic devises, the inventory list from the moving company and their contact information with delivery dates
  • Budget section with receipts folder
  • Important contacts: key contacts for the new command, utilities, insurance, schools, etc.

Purge

You’ve been putting it off, but now it’s time to finally purge your house of all the things your family doesn’t need.

The less you have to pack, the less you have to unpack and find a new place for.

Don’t get overwhelmed. Set time aside to do one room at a time.

When deciding what to keep and what to part with, consider the environment you’re moving to. You might not need those snowsuits any longer if you are PCSing to Florida. Decide what you can part with and then label bags for donation and resale as you go through your home. Once you’re done combing through the house you’ll be more organized and have less things to pack.

Prepare for the Movers

We have all heard horror stories about what movers have packed. To avoid having your own horror story, strategically place items together you want to stay together.

Labeling is extremely helpful. You can designate a different color for each room so you can quickly identify which room boxes go in at the next house. This can be done with colored tape attached to each box.

Move things that you don’t want packed to a designated room and label the door “Do Not Pack.” Things that you want to keep out for use before you move should also be labeled “Do Not Pack.”

Consider wrapping delicate items yourself. Wash dishes and empty the dishwasher before the movers arrive. Ask a friend to watch your children while the movers are there so you can give your full attention to the process.

Get to Know Your New Location

Think about the things you do and the places that you go to often. If you are a Starbucks junkie, look up how many are in the area. Does your family like to go to the zoo or aquarium? Look to see if there is one in that town.

Connect with other military spouses at the next command. Making friends in a new town is important and this is a great place to start. Reach out to the Ombudsman or key spouse. They should be able to help you get to know the area. They can also introduce you to other military spouses.

Look into community pages online. You’ll find information on local events and great places to go. You can begin to network as well. The more you get to know the area, the more confidence you’ll have when you PCS.

What steps do you take to make your PCS go smoothly? Share your tips in the comments section.

 

All-Inclusive Resorts and Vacation Deals for Military Families

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Everyone loves a vacation! Military families and veterans can love their vacations even more when they take advantage of these sweet deals and discounts.

Sandals and Beaches

Sandals and Beaches offer an additional 10% off for U.S. and Canadian military members. This includes: active duty, Guard, Reserve, retired and veterans as well as Department of Defense employees. Military spouses can also take advantage of this great deal too.

Sandals is an adults only resort chain located throughout the Caribbean, including Jamaica and the Bahamas. Beaches is a family resort with similar locations. Guests at these 2 chains will have an all-inclusive experience with all food, drinks, non-motorized water and land sports and entertainment. At Beaches, you can expect all of that plus daily child care and activities for kiddos from infant to teen.

Guests can combine the 10% discount with all other specials offered by Sandals and Beaches. To get the 10% discount, call the numbers listed on the websites.

Disney Cruises

For Disney lovers who want to sail the seven seas, Disney Cruises are offering military discounts on select sailings this spring. To book, visit their website.

Once on board, almost everything is taken care of, from food to entertainment. Just about the only thing you will need to handle are drinks and child care!

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean offers a military discount on select sailings for active duty, retired and honorably discharged troops, as well as their spouses. Royal Caribbean cruises to many destinations worldwide and offers a variety of packages for dining and drinks. There are also programs for children, teens and families, plus shore excursions. To find out more, contact the cruise line directly.

Coffee Creek Ranch

Pack up your family and head to a real dude ranch in California. This is an all-inclusive resort that specializes in creating a fun ranch experience. Daily horseback riding, meals, drinks and nightly activities are included.

Service members can get 50% off posted rates year-round, but cannot combine this discount with any other offer. Veterans can get 30% off during Memorial Day weekend and the week following. To get your discount, call the resort directly.

Ocean Club Resort

Located in beautiful Turks and Caicos, Ocean Club Resort offers a 10% discount in the winter and a 20% discount in the summer to military personnel.

This is not an all-inclusive resort but does offer a dining package at an additional cost. There are 2 sister properties and guests can use the amenities at both. Guests can also arrange a variety of tours and excursions through the resort. This resort also features multi-bedroom suites at each of their properties.

To book a stay with the military discount, please call the resort directly. The booking agent should be able to get you the best deal with either the discount or the best promotional rates.

Hawks Cay Resort

Hawks Cay Resort is located on Duck Key in the Florida Keys. With activities for the whole family and marina slips available, plus a world class spa, this resort is a great fit for everyone. Hawks Cay is not an all-inclusive resort, but it does have many land and water activities built into your resort fee.

This resort offers military discounts year-round, as well as a special military discount period from the late summer to early winter. To book using these options, visit their website and view their special offers. Or you can call the resort booking agent directly.

Shades of Green

Shades of Green is a Walt Disney World affiliated resort offering room and vacation packages to military and DOD personnel. This resort offers packages for active duty, Reserve, Guard, veteran and retired personnel, as well as their families. While this resort is not all-inclusive, it does offer several packages with meals.

Shades of Green is a very popular destination for vacationing military families and rooms do book very quickly. Tickets to Disney World and other area attractions are not included in the room rates or packages.

Do you love a military discount? Sign up for Military Shoppers newsletter and money saving tips and deals will be delivered to your inbox!

How to Use a VA Home Loan to Build Your Custom Home

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On any given Saturday, you’ll find me enthralled by the latest episode of a home-improvement show. I marvel at the shiny bathroom tile or the hand-scraped hardwood floors. It’s hard not to image what it would be like to build my dream home.

Would it be somewhere in California overlooking the ocean?

A Rocky Mountain hideaway in Colorado?

Or maybe a red-brick colonial in the suburbs of D.C.?

And I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who has spent hours imagining it all, right down to the drawer pulls and carpet colors.

But did you know that financing home construction is vastly different from a traditional mortgage? Did you know your VA benefits can help you make your dream home a reality?

Here’s the skinny on how to use your VA home loan benefits to build your custom home:

New Construction Financing 101

Unless you have enough money to pay a builder cash for materials and labor, it’s likely you’ll need to take out a loan. New construction is typically financed with a construction loan during the building process, then converted to a traditional mortgage once building is complete.

Some real estate developers and builders will pay for the construction phase so that approved homeowners only need to secure a traditional mortgage. Often this means you’re building a house in a planned community and can customize your home from a variety of plans and options offered by the builder.

However, if you want an entirely custom home (from your own blueprints) or if you want to build outside of a planned community, you may need to apply for your own construction loan.

How to Use a VA Loan for Your Custom Built Home

There was a time when VA construction loans were readily available, but thanks to many of the issues that tanked the U.S. housing market in recent years, a straight VA construction loan may be hard to find.

During the construction loan process, the bank will review your building plans and release funds, as needed, for each phase of the building process. Generally, a homeowner will pay the interest on a construction loan during the building process, though interest is accrued only on the money that has been released to the builder. Interest rates for construction loans vary and many of the same financial requirements needed for traditional home loan approval will apply.

VA Construction Loans vs. Construction to Permanent VA Financing

One of the benefits of using a VA construction loan is that you will not be required to make any payments during the construction phase. Instead the builder is responsible for all fees and interest. Once the home is completed, the VA issues a certificate of completion, pays the builder and converts your loan into a regular mortgage.

Sounds great, right?

There was a time when VA construction loans were readily available, but thanks to many of the issues that tanked the U.S. housing market in recent years, a straight VA construction loan may be hard to find. If you find one, make sure you do your research before agreeing to any terms.

Currently, it is much easier to find lenders offering construction-to-permanent loans. In these cases, a construction loan is financed through a traditional or local lender. At the same time, a pre-approval letter for a VA loan is obtained with specific verbiage mentioning the intent to convert a construction loan to a permanent VA loan once the house is complete.

While this doesn’t guarantee you’ll get approved for a construction loan, it can make it a little easier. You will likely still be required to pay interest on the construction loan, and depending on your credit history and amount financed, you may be asked to provide a down payment.

VA Financing Special Requirements

Like a traditional construction loan, a VA lending institution will assign an inspector to your building project. The inspector is responsible for making sure each phase of construction is complete before money is issued for the next step of construction.

Also, in order to use the VA loan as part of the construction-to-permanent process, the builder must be registered with the VA and offer a minimum one-year warranty.

Just like a more traditional VA loan, there are limitations and restrictions. You must obtain a letter of eligibility from the VA before a lending institution can approve a VA loan. And a newly constructed home must still be inspected and appraised as part of the mortgage process. Deadlines and processes vary by state, so make sure you do your research ahead of time to avoid any surprises.

And don’t forget, there are caps on how much the VA will guarantee that vary by location. If you need a loan over that cap, you will be required to provide 25% of the difference between your loan amount and the cap as a down payment. But, even if you are buying over the VA cap, you’ll still enjoy the benefit of not having to pay PMI.

Have you financed your custom built home using a VA loan? What hurdles did you encounter?

Are You an Introvert and a Military Spouse? You’re Not Alone

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Yet another mandatory family fun day and you’re feeling like it will be anything but fun. All those people that you just don’t know, loud music and friendly banter.

It sounds like a recipe for a terrible day for an introvert.

This is also the stereotypical picture of what it means to be a military spouse. Given how much we move, it can often seem like the best, and often only, way to make friends is to join in these large, loud events. Or to just show up with baked goods whenever a new neighbor moves in.

Are You an Introvert and a Military Spouse?

When you are an introvert, the social events and FRG meetings of military life may seem overwhelming.

Here are ways to find friends and socialize when you’re a military spouse who’s an introvert.

Find Your Peeps Online

Military spouse networks are popping up like daisies online! From blogs to Facebook to Instagram, there are so many fun people and groups to join or follow.

First, check out your base-specific Facebook groups. Sometimes these are secret or closed, and you may need to be approved by an admin. However, these groups can help you to navigate your duty station or to make new friends. From school and restaurant recommendations to the dish on what all those sirens were, base groups will give you all the information.

Next, check out blogs and pages that are service specific. For new spouses, you can learn a lot about traditions and customs. “Seasoned” spouses can share knowledge and help others. Everyone can get info on different duty stations or events, and even job opportunities!

Beyond branch of service and duty stations, there are Facebook groups for professional military spouses, spouses who blog, spouses who are attorneys and spouses who (fill in the blank). There are also tons of blogs covering all aspects of military life, from helping parents with K-12 education to parenting to everyday military life. Check it out!

Connect Offline Too

Once you join a few online groups, try to keep track of other people that have similar interests or that you have interacted with. You could both be commenting on the same posts, asking the same questions or live in the same neighborhood.

Send a private message to someone that you think might be a good friend for you. Chat online until you (or your friend) feel comfortable bringing up meeting in real life. Get together for coffee or go do something that both of you enjoy. It could be anything from cosplay to riding horses to sitting on the beach.

Use Friends to Make Friends

Once you have a core group of friends at your current duty station, try to find new friends through them. It’s a small world in the military. Chances are good that your friends will know at least one person at your next hometown. When you get orders, ask your IRL or online friends to help you make connections.

Or your friends might be able to expand your friendship circle where you already live. Take a chance and invite a friend of a friend to join you for coffee or drinks.

If you have kids, you can even use them to make new connections. Reach out to the parents of a good friend of your own child and schedule a play date or playground meet-up. A play date will have a specific end time, and you can get to know the other parent(s) over coffee at home.

Playgrounds are neutral territory and you can make an easy exit if things aren’t going well.

Alternately, you could keep the fun going or schedule another get together easily.

Check Out Specialty Groups

What do you like? Check online and on base for like-minded groups. There are groups for runners, bloggers, people of all religious faiths, book clubs and the list goes on.

You could connect online at first and then check out a group meet-up later.

Getting to know other people who share your interests can help you to connect with the military and civilian population. Plus, there will likely be similar groups at many bases. When you move, reach out to the local chapter of your group. You’ll be able to make friends more quickly and easily!

Socialize on Your Terms

Sometimes typical military spouse tasks are unavoidable, but you can make them your own. Try to volunteer or participate on your terms.

Offer to help with the children’s corner, organize donated items or bring items for a potluck. You’ll be helping out the unit and meeting new people, just in smaller doses. You never know if you might bond over sharing apple pie recipes or figuring out the best way to get care packages to deployed troops for the holidays!

Take a Break

Being an introvert, you value your alone time. Honor your needs and take a break when you need one. You could duck outside at a party or take a walk during a family fun day. Plus, it is not unusual at all for people to use their smartphones, so don’t hesitate to escape into Facebook for a little while.

If you simply don’t want to take on a task or attend an event, decline graciously or suggest an alternative. You shouldn’t be afraid to say no!

No matter how you choose to make friends, having a strong support network can be key to making the most of military life!

Are you an introvert? How do you find friends as a military spouse?

How the Federal Hiring Freeze Impacts Military Families

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President Donald Trump instituted a federal hiring freeze in January. Now, military families are feeling the effects of this executive order.

How the Federal Hiring Freeze Impacts Military Families

Have you been impacted by the federal hiring freeze?

How the Federal Hiring Freeze Impacts Military Families and Veterans

Impact on Base Services

Recently, 2 memos from different Army child care facilities have been released. The Child Development Centers (CDC) at Fort Knox and the Army garrison in Wiesbaden, Germany, have ended some of their child care programs due to staffing shortages. Both documents specifically cited the federal hiring freeze, combined with typical staff illnesses and normal staff attrition, as the reason behind the program closures.

In other bases around the world, military families are also seeing reduced hours and programs at their CDCs. Families in Okinawa, Japan, were told that hourly care programs will be suspended due to the hiring freeze.

“The CDC has stopped the drop-in child care,” shared Madalyn Sandstrom. “So now I have to look to friends, and hope for the best. The wait list for some age groups for full-time child care at the closest CDC is one year!”

The hiring freeze is affecting the DoD’s ability to conduct business as usual, according to a recent statement released by MCCS Camp LeJeune-New River. This will affect hours of services at this particular base as well as MCCS LeJeune’s ability to hire new staff members. Camp LeJeune is one of the largest Marine Corps installations. This statement could indicate impacts at other Marine Corps’ installations, as well as similar services at other military bases.

Military Spouses Face Hiring Delays

Military spouses are seeing an impact on their job opportunities. BreAnn Constantineau has had to suspend her federal job search indefinitely.

“I had started searching just before the freeze so that I could time my application to try and start a job once my kids start school in fall,” Constantineau commented. “Now with the freeze, I’m stalled. I’m also really concerned that once it’s lifted, the sheer volume of applications is going to put a real drain on the HR departments, causing even more delays.”

Spouses that were already in the application and hiring process have also had complications.

“I applied for the substitute teacher position back in October,” said Veronica Johnessee. “(I) finally got the call for fingerprints and background check the first week of January. (I) went for my fingerprints and the next day I was supposed to get the background check link via email. Instead, the hiring freeze was on the news. So now I wait.”

Johnessee’s hiring delay also impacts the students and teachers in the DoD Education Activity (DoDEA). Teachers may lack coverage to take sick days or attend professional development sessions. This means that teachers at DoDEA schools may feel obligated to work while ill. Due to lack of coverage, some non-core content area classes may be rescheduled or canceled to fill grade level classroom needs.

Military treatment facilities are also feeling the crunch from the hiring freeze. Some medical facilities are unable to hire new staff. Danielle Olmsted was in the interview process for a nursing position at Camp Foster’s Naval Hospital, but her hiring has been put on hold.

“I had an interview and was told at the interview that they wanted to hire me as a nurse,” explained Olmsted. “I knew I would have to wait awhile, since it already takes months to get someone hired and start working. Now, who knows how long it will be? I feel as though I’m in limbo, and I know the hospital can use nurses!”

Impact on Veteran Hires

According to the Washington Post, veterans make up 31% of the total federal workforce. Veterans receive preference for government positions.

With the hiring freeze, federal agencies and departments will now be unable to fill open positions. This could leave many veterans waiting even longer. The federal hiring process can take weeks or months to finalize under normal operating conditions. This is due to extensive background checks and paperwork processing.

Exemptions for DoD Positions

There are some exemptions in place to allow for normal operation in certain DoD positions and departments. Military personnel should not be impacted and child care positions are also supposed to be out of bounds as well. Firefighters and first responders, as well as intelligence personnel and positions having a direct impact on military missions, are also exempt.

However, there is not an exemption in place to hire people into the human resources department of the DoD. This could impact the speed of the hiring process for exempted positions and departments. As noted above, this could create backlogs for those who have already received job offers.

Have you been impacted by the federal hiring freeze? Tell us your story in the comments section.

15 Military Discounts for Music Lovers

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Music lovers rejoice; military discounts are available for items ranging from concert tickets and radio subscriptions to instruments and gear.

15 Military Discounts for Music Lovers

Who needs a military discount when you can get a concert ticket for free?

We’ve gathered 15 musical military discounts for you to explore. Try some of these today and let us know what your favorites are.

15 Military Discounts for Music Lovers

Music & Arts started in Bethesda, Md., as a small music store. Today it is a national music store chain. If you are in the market for music gear, Music & Arts is a wonderful place to look. They have more than 140 stores as well as over 50,000 products on MusicArts.com. They offer a 10% military discount for online purchases.

GovX has exclusive discounted tickets for veterans and their families. You can get great deals on concert tickets with GovX.

SiriusXM lets you take great music anywhere you go. Why settle for what’s on the radio, when SiriusXM offers a 25% military discount for the life of any subscription.

The Exchange has an exceptional selection of music. Don’t forget that you can shop in store or online. Online shopping will be open to all veterans starting Veterans Day 2017.

The exchange price matches, so if you find a better price out in town bring the ad in to the exchange and show them. They will match that price and you will save on sales tax since the exchange is tax free.

Overstock.com has a program just for military families called Club O Military and it is free to join. Military families get free shipping, earn 5% rewards dollars, and receive exclusive emails and early access to sales.

You can stock up on all your favorite music in different formats with Overstock.com.

Learning a new instrument? You’ll find everything from a ukulele to drums available for sale as well.

Veterans Advantage offers a military discount on many things including concert tickets. Simply register to get access to the great deals.

At Ticket Club, military members can sign up for free membership, which will save you $50. Ticket Club has fabulous rates for concert tickets.

Vet Tix is an easy way to find tickets to events. The Armed Services YMCA has partnered with Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix), which is a national nonprofit organization that gives free event tickets to service members and veterans.

Who needs a military discount when you can get a concert ticket for free?

Next time there’s a concert coming to town, check with Vet Tix.

Tidal offers a 40% off military discount for either of its programs that provide access to your favorite music. With Tidal, you can listen to music anywhere with great quality.

Carnegie Hall is a famous place to take the family. All service members can enjoy a military discount of 30% off ticket prices. Tickets must be purchased in person at the box office and there is a limit of 2 tickets per person.

Music for All is a national music education organization that provides educational experiences through performance events. You can share your love of music with the family at the Bands of America Championship. Music for All has a military discount of $5 off any type of ticket.

San Diego Symphony offers a military discount of $3 off tickets. If you don’t live near San Diego, check with your local symphony. Many offer military discounts.

Country Music Hall of Fame welcomes military families with a military discount on admission. Bring your family to this Nashville museum to learn more about country music’s history.

Tampa’s Straz Center is the largest performing arts center in the southeast. You’ll enjoy fantastic musical performances as well as a nice military discount.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, offers a military discount. Tickets must be purchased in person and a photo ID is required.

These are just a few great music military discounts. There are many more to be found if you take the time to look.

Are you a music lover who also loves a military discount? Tell us about your favorite military discount in the comments section.

How to Get Through an Emergency While Your Spouse Is Deployed

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Without fail, if something is going to go wrong it will happen while your spouse is on deployment. It is the Murphy’s Law of the military and many military spouses say you haven’t been through a deployment until something has gone wrong.

How to Get Through an Emergency While Your Spouse Is Deployed

Have you handled an emergency situation while your service member was on deployment?

Here are 6 emergency situations military spouses may face during a deployment and how to get through them.

Natural Disaster

No matter where you are stationed, there is always a possibility of a natural disaster. This could include flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, mud slides, tsunami and more.

What plans do you have in place in case of a natural disaster while your spouse is on deployment?

Before deployment, create a disaster kit together. This should include 1 gallon of water per person per day for 3 days, a 3-day supply of nonperishable food, a battery powered radio and spare batteries, flashlights, a first aid kit and cellphone chargers.

If you are required to evacuate, having a plan is extremely helpful. Before deployment, make sure your spouse provides an emergency contact list for you. This should have contact information for his or her command as well as the key spouse such as the ombudsman. Know who you should contact first in an emergency. Plan where you will go if you need to evacuate and bring your emergency contact list with you.

Fire and Loss of Home

Losing your home to a fire would be devastating.

One thing on my husband’s to-do list before deployment is to change the smoke detector batteries.

Sit down with your family and determine what you will do in case of a fire. Everyone needs to get out of the house and have a designated meeting area. Choose an area far enough away from the house, such as the mailbox or the street light across the street.

After you’ve ensured everyone is safe and have called emergency services, you will want to contact your spouse’s command. They can notify your husband or wife about the situation and provide support.

Call your family and friends to let them know you are OK and find a place for your family to go. You’ll want to contact your insurance company and have your house evaluated quickly so repairs can be made.

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society can help with replacing items lost to the fire as well as with grants or interest-free loans for home repairs.

Gas Leak

I had a gas leak while my husband was on deployment. If your house runs on gas make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors.

If you smell gas or your CO detectors go off, get out of the house immediately. Call 911 and the gas company.

Contact the command to let them know so they can alert your spouse as well. If you or your children feel sick at all, go to the emergency room. Gas poisoning symptoms present like the flu. You may need to find a place to stay that night as well.

Serious Illness or Pregnancy Complication

When a serious illness strikes an immediate family member during deployment, the possibility of going home to help is there. Immediate family includes:

  • father
  • mother
  • sibling
  • spouse
  • spouse’s parents
  • children

If you are having a pregnancy complication that puts your life or the child’s life in danger, you can seek help this way as well. First contact the service member’s command to let them know what is going on and ask about having your spouse sent home.

You can also contact the American Red Cross Hero Care Center either by phone at 1-877-272-7337 or online.

Serious Accident and Hospitalization

If you or your family members are in a serious accident make sure you contact the command to let them know. They will get word to the service member and he or she may be able to come home.

It is important to have a plan in place in case something happens to you. Before your spouse left for deployment, they likely made a will.

  • Do you have a living will?
  • Who will take your children immediately if you are seriously injured in an accident?

Make an appointment or stop by the legal assistance office at your military installation. They can provide a will worksheet for you to fill out to begin the process of creating a will. It answers many common questions people have about wills.

Once you have completed it, a lawyer needs to review it and make it legal. If you have children, in the will you can designate who they go to if you are unable to care for them. Before you designate a person or family, make sure you discuss it with them.

Consider who will take your children immediately if you are sent to the hospital unexpectedly. Ask a local friend if they would be willing to look after your children short term.

Death in the Family

If someone in the service member’s immediate family passes away during deployment, his or her command and the Red Cross may be able to get them home. Discuss with your spouse before deployment what your family wants to do in such a situation.

  • Will the service member be able to or want to come home for the funeral?
  • Who will take your children and how will you get to the service?

Disaster can strike at any time, but for some reason it tends to happen when a loved one is on deployment. Having a plan in place for each of these instances can save you time and grief.

Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Talk with your spouse, family and friends and determine which path you will take if an emergency arises while your spouse is on deployment.

Have you faced an emergency during a deployment? What advice would you give military spouses to help them plan for emergencies and natural disasters?

Home-Buying Tips and Tools for Military Families

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As a military family, the decision to buy a home is both exciting and wrought with uncertainty. It means putting down semi-permanent roots and committing to a home for longer than 1 to 2 years.

And the home-buying process can be more than a little overwhelming.

Don’t worry. Breath. You’ve already done the hardest part in committing to the goal of purchasing a new home. Now you just need to get smart about the process. You’ll be unpacking boxes and putting your feet up in your new home before you know it.

Home-Buying Tips and Tools for Military Families

A VA-backed loan is often the go-to for service members and retirees looking to buy a house.

Your Home-Buying Checklist: Get Up-Close and Personal with Your Finances

Most of us have a good idea of how much we have in savings and how much our bills are each month, but preparing to buy a house goes much deeper than that.

Get Your Credit Score

  • Order your credit report directly from all 3 credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) or try a site like annualcreditreport.com.
  • Dispute any discrepancies and be prepared to show problems have been resolved or were the result of mitigating circumstances.

Pay Down Debt

  • Improve your credit score and show lenders you are credit worthy by paying down your debt.
  • Make an appointment with a financial planner. Most military installations offer this service through on-post family support agencies like Fleet and Family Support Centers or Army Community Services.
  • Calculate your debt-to-income ratio and estimate how much you can afford to spend on your new home.

Save for Your Home’s Down Payment

While it is possible to purchase a home without a down payment, some of the most competitive loan programs require a 10 to 20% down payment. Start saving as soon as you decide you want to buy a home.

Your Home-Buying Checklist: Mortgage Research Is a Must

There is no shortage of mortgage options, but do your due diligence before signing anything. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Ask Friends and Family Members for Referrals

Ask friends and family members about lending institutions or programs they have used. Learn from their mistakes and successes. If you get a recommendation, take a few minutes to do additional research or call the lending institution and ask for more information.

Get Smart About Terminology

While most loans are fairly standard in their fees and process, there are still plenty of non-traditional options out there. Understanding the difference between a 30-year vs a 15-year mortgage and the pros and cons of an ARM loan is important.

Consider working with a mortgage counselor. They can help you understand the entire mortgage process and often are available for free.

Shop Around for the Best Rates

Don’t just shop one type of loan. A VA-backed loan is often the go-to for service members and retirees, but it is not the only option.

Depending on where you are buying, the amount of your loan, and the type of property, local or regional lending institutions may have programs that offer you a better interest rate. Tools like LendingTree can help do some of the legwork.

Your Home-Buying Checklist: Location, Location, Location

You’ve got your finances in order and have a down payment in the works, now it’s time to start scoping out a location.

As you begin to narrow down where you want to live, ask yourself:

  • What is a reasonable commute time?
  • Is being close to shopping a necessity?
  • Is the size of the neighborhood or its amenities important to me?
  • Do I want to buy a newly-constructed home or something in a more established neighborhood?

Then do research on these topics:

  • Area schools
  • Water, sewer, waste and power/gas rates
  • Local tax rates, emergency service costs, and any front or homeowners association fees
  • Local crime rates  and the sex offenders’ registry statistics
  • Traffic and public transportation options

Your Home-Buying Checklist: Wants and Needs

Now the fun part — figuring out what you want in your new home. It’s totally OK to dream, but make sure you prioritize your requirements. Start by identifying those things you absolutely must have in order for your new home to be functional. Start by making a list:

  • How many bedrooms do you need?
  • How many bathrooms?
  • Are there any other special requirements, like single-story or two-car garage?
  • What about an open floor plan or home office space?

Now review the list of things you wish you could have and prioritize.

Your Home-Buying Checklist: Hire a Professional Realtor

Ask for recommendations or search local BBB reviews for a licensed Realtor. Look for agents with experience working with military families, like Millie. The information a real estate agent can provide about homes coming onto the market, neighborhoods and the home-buying process is priceless.

What tips would you add to this home-buying checklist? Share them in the comments section.

Shoppers Enjoy New Jacksonville Commissary

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Wider aisles.

A larger selection of organic produce.

Skylights that provide natural lighting.

Commissary patrons are enjoying their new 64,000-square-foot commissary at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fl. The $36 million facility is twice as large as the older commissary, which means that the aisles are wider and there is more space for specialty products.

The store features “extensive produce, meat, frozen, chilled and grocery departments, an international deli-bakery, a sushi-to-go station, prepared rotisserie chicken and a customer service kiosk with 2 check-outs,” according to a DeCA press release about the Feb. 2 grand opening.

The Jacksonville commissary includes 18 regular checkouts and 8 self-checkouts and a stock assortment of 18,000 line items. Outside there’s a covered drive through area for patrons using Click2Go, DeCA’s online grocery shopping service. Click2Go is currently available at only 3 commissaries.

DeCA Director and CEO Joseph H. Jeu said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony that the goal of the project was to construct a commissary where patrons enjoy their shopping experience.

Here are 3 features that commissary patrons are enjoying at their new commissary at NAS Jacksonville, Fl.

The Jacksonville commissary is the first commissary to have a Living Well Corner.

During his speech at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, DeCA Director Jeu highlighted the features of this new commissary, including its Living Well Corner.

The Living Well Corner, located in the front of the store, features more than 1,500 organic and natural-labeled products. These items include both frozen and fresh products. For shoppers looking for non-GMO, free-range, gluten-free and no-added hormone products, the Living Well Corner offers the products they want at affordable commissary prices.

Cmdr. Billy Bushman, noted that thanks to the commissary’s Living Well Center his wife would have more choices when it came to choosing gluten-free breads, according to a DeCA press release.

“My wife would shop this,” Bushman said. “I’m excited that the choices for gluten-free options have been expanded. This means more options for my wife.”

Commissary shoppers have repeatedly requested more organic and gluten-free options at their commissaries. The new Jacksonville commissary’s expanded selection shows that DeCA officials are listening to their requests and building facilities that appeal to this demographic.

Commissary surcharges financed the construction of the new Jacksonville commissary.

Commissary shoppers often question that 5 percent surcharge found at the bottom of their receipt. The 5 percent surcharge, which has stayed at 5 percent since 1983, is not a tax. The surcharge is a standard rate that every commissary shopper pays and the funds generated through this surcharge pay for facility maintenance and construction.

Commissary surcharges paid for the construction of this $36 million facility. According to the JAX Air News, “shoppers spent nearly $61.5 million at the NAS Jax Commissary in 2016 which includes a 5 percent surcharge.”

The Jacksonville commissary was built to LEED Silver standards.

Facilities on military bases are now built to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. The Jacksonville commissary features 154 skylights and light sensors that will reduce energy consumption at the facility. The facility’s energy-saving features qualified it for a LEED Silver rating.

Jacksonville’s old commissary will be demolished  and turned into a parking lot later this spring. Once completed, this parking lot will have more than 500 spots for Navy Exchange and commissary patrons.

The Jacksonville commissary isn’t the only new commissary opening to shoppers in 2017. DeCA announced that the grand opening celebration for the $38 million Fort Belvoir commissary will be on March 30.

Have you shopped at the new Jacksonville commissary? What did you think of it? Share your opinions in the comments section.

5 Easy Meals to Make When Your Spouse Is Deployed

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A reader recently asked for meal planning suggestions for when her service member is gone for deployment. Most of us prepare normal meals while the entire family is home, but once a spouse deploys that goes out the window. It certainly does in my house at least.

My husband likes to eat a full meal made up of a meat, 2 vegetables and a starch. That takes a lot of forethought to make a menu, purchase the groceries and cook.

When my husband deploys, that worry goes out the window and another one enters my mind.

What am I going to feed my 3 year old that does not like to eat? What can I prepare that takes the least amount of time and effort but is still healthy?

I feel like I waste so much food because it is hard to cook for just the two of us. So what’s the solution to eating healthy and not wasting food? It’s meal preparation.

It can be daunting coming up with ideas for meals. The key is to plan ahead so you aren’t staring at the fridge at 5 p.m. wondering what you’re going to make. Ask friends for suggestions, pick up a cookbook or scour Pinterest for recipe ideas.

Here are 5 meals to cook for your children when your spouse is deployed.

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

Megan Porta from pipanddebby.com has a delicious chicken pot pie casserole recipe for an easy weekday dinner. You can get a head start on it by chopping the carrots and onion the night before and storing them in a Ziplock bag in the fridge.

No need to worry about making the pie crust. You can pick up a refrigerated pie crust at the commissary.

Related: DeCA Dietitian Encourages ‘Thinking Outside the Box’

It only takes a few minutes on the stove before you pop it in the oven. That gives you plenty of time to catch up on how your child’s day.

Once they’ve tasted it, this casserole will become one of your favorite go-to meals.

30-Minute Skillet Lasagna

Who has time to make lasagna from scratch when there are kids running around? Forget all the layering; Samantha at Five Heart Home walks you step by step through a fantastic 30-minute skillet lasagna. Italian meals tend to feed an army, but this recipe feeds only six.

Don’t worry, it freezes and reheats great if there are only a few little ones to feed besides yourself.

Chicken Taco Salad

The Pioneer Woman will have you laughing as you cook up this tasty chicken taco salad. Her humor is fantastic. Follow her recipe for a fun dinner everyone will enjoy.

Yes, it is a salad and while many children don’t go crazy over salad, what child is going to turn down chips with dinner? Prepare the ingredients ahead of time and then let the kids mix their own salad.

Muffin Pan Frittatas

When planning your meals for the week, don’t forget breakfast. I like to sneak vegetables into my son’s breakfast without him knowing. This muffin pan frittata recipe is a winner. While it calls for asparagus and bell peppers, you can change that up with vegetables you prefer. I like zucchini and broccoli.

Pussycat Pizza Recipe

I love this fun cat pizza recipe Jennifer Cheung posted on Kidspot. You can consider yourself worldly after making this one as the recipe is from New Zealand. Note that it says to heat the oven to 220 degrees Celsius, that translates to 425 degrees. Let your kids decorate their own cat face pizzas. They’ll have fun in the kitchen with you and the pizza will be gone before you know it.

These are a few delicious meals to try with your children. Search for other kid-friendly meals in the MilitaryShoppers’ recipe database or pick up a recipe card at the commissary in the produce or meat section.

What meals do you prepare when you are cooking for only yourself and your kids during a deployment? Share your favorite recipes with the MilitaryShoppers’ recipe contest.