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How a New State Residency Bill Benefits Military Spouses

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Military spouses may soon find filing taxes a little less confusing if H.R. 5428, the Military Residency Choice Act, is signed into law. The bill aims to make establishing and maintaining state residency much easier. Currently, the law can be very confusing and many families may be filing their taxes incorrectly without knowing it.

Under the Service Members Civil Relief Act, military service members can keep their residency in one state no matter where the military sends them. For the purposes of filing taxes, that means that if a service member enlisted in the Navy in Alabama and is currently stationed in Virginia they only pay income tax to Alabama, not Virginia.

It isn’t that simple for military spouses however. Prior to 2009, military spouses had to change their residency every time they moved to a different state with their service member. This made filing taxes and voting difficult. It prevented many military spouses from finding employment after each move.

In 2009, the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act (MSRRA) made maintaining residency in one state possible for military spouses. A military spouse simply had to establish residency in one state and was then able to keep that no matter what state the military sent them to next. The MSRRA does not allow military spouses to claim the residency of their service member however unless that was their state of residency when they were married. It also does not allow military spouses to randomly decide which state they will claim residency in.

Under the proposed Military Residency Choice Act military spouses will be able to use the same state of residence as their service member even if they have not lived in that state.

They will also be able to vote through absentee ballot for that state as well. This does not let military spouses keep their driver’s license from that state though; that is a state by state case.

H.R. 5428 specifically states:

The  spouse  of  a  service member may  elect  to  use  the  same  residence  for  purposes  of  taxation as the service member regardless of the date on which the  marriage  of  the  spouse  and  the  service member  occurred.

This bill is only in the early stages of the process of becoming law. It was introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. If it does pass, it will go into effect 90 days after the enactment. That doesn’t help military spouses for this tax season, but perhaps by next year it will have passed.

In the meantime, ask yourself what the most beneficial option will be for your family.

Is your spouse’s state of residency one with harsher tax laws? Is it worth it to change your residency?

Seven states do not have personal income tax including: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. New Hampshire and Tennessee also do not have income tax, but they do have tax interest and dividends.

If you earn an income and your current residency is in Florida and your military service member maintains Alabama as their residence, it could be beneficial to maintain a Florida residency where there is no income tax. While the MSRRA and the proposed Military Residency Choice Act are intended to make taxes easier for military spouses, it may be wise to consult a tax specialist if you have questions.

Remember, you cannot choose a random state to be your state of residency. You must establish residence by living in that state and maintaining sufficient contacts in that state. That can include owning property in the state, holding professional licenses in that state and voting there as well.

What do you think of the proposed Military Residency Choice Act?

Military Savings for Tax Time

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Military couples don’t have to spend money on tax preparation software. There are plenty of free and discounted options available for service members, military spouses and retirees.

Here is a list of military savings for tax time.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program

Have you heard of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program? This program operates free tax preparation centers at military installations around the world. The VITA offices are open to active duty service members, including National Guard and Reserves, military dependents and retirees.

Since the Armed Forces Tax Council partners with the IRS for this program, volunteers received IRS certified training. They are ready  to help military families with tax preparation and answer common tax questions at these centers.

VITA is a great option for young service members who need help filing their taxes.

If you are planning to e-file your taxes at a VITA office, bring the following documents to your appointment:

  • Valid photo identification
  • Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents.
  • Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents
  • Your wage and earning forms, such as Forms W-2, W-2G, and 1099-R.
  • Interest and dividend statements (Forms 1099).
  • A copy of your last year’s federal and state tax returns, if available.
  • Routing and account numbers for direct deposit of your tax refund.
  • Total amount you paid for day care and the day care provider’s identifying number. This is usually an Employer Identification Number or Social Security number.
  • Other relevant information about your income and expenses.

If you are married and filing a joint return, both of you need to sign the return.

What if my service member is on deployment?

If your service member is on deployment, you have a few options. If there’s a VITA site at their location, they can e-file their taxes there.

If you, as the military spouse, plan to file a joint return, bring a valid power of attorney when doing your taxes. The IRS recommends using Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative when completing your taxes.

If your service member is in a combat zone, the military spouse can file a joint return with “a signed statement explaining that the other spouse is in a combat zone and unable to sign,” according to the IRS.

Click here to see the list of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance offices around the world.

“MilTax” Software Available Through Military OneSource

If you feel confident that you can complete your taxes online, consider e-filing using Military OneSource’s free filing service, MilTax. This service allows military members to complete and electronically file federal and up to 3 state tax returns, according to Military OneSource.

If you have questions about this tax service or about your own tax returns, please call 1-800-342-9647 and ask to speak with a Military OneSource tax counselor. Trained tax counselors are available 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., EST. For online assistance with questions about deductions, exemptions and filing deadlines, send inquiries to TaxQuestions@militaryonesource.com.

This service is available to active duty, National Guard and Reserve, and spouses. Users must create a free account with Military OneService before taking advantage of this military savings.

TurboTax Military Edition Software

Active duty and reservists, who are USAA members, can get TurboTax Deluxe Online Federal for free. All USAA members can save up to $20 on TurboTax federal products.

Visit USAA’s website for more information the TurboTax Military Edition Software.

Did we miss any other tax preparation services that offer military savings? Tell us about it in the comments section.

3 Commissary Myths that Need to Be Busted

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For the past 2 years, there’s been a lot of talk about possible changes to the commissaries. The talk has come from all directions. There was talk about possible changes from Congress. There was talk about possible changes from the consultants hired by the Defense Commissary Agency. There was talk about possible changes from commissary employees and shoppers.

Now commissary shoppers may be asking themselves which (if any) of these commissary changes are happening. Here’s a little hint: only 1 of the proposals is scheduled to happen in 2017.

What about the other possible changes? For now, these recommendations move to the land of myths and rumors.

Here are 3 myths that you may hear commissary shoppers talking about.

Commissary myth #1: DeCA is merging with the military exchanges.

If you thought this was happening, it was because the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission presented a proposal with 15 recommendations to modernize the commissaries. One of those recommendations was a proposal to combine the commissary and exchange systems into a single defense resale organization. This proposal was intended to reduce the overhead costs of operating the commissaries and exchanges separately.

When MilitaryShoppers wrote about this proposal nearly 2 years ago, readers said that this proposal was a terrible idea. Repeatedly, readers wrote this comment:

“Do not combine. We would lose our privileges.”

For now, the commissary and exchange are not combining.

The statement that DeCA is merging with the exchanges is a myth, according to DeCA officials. They also said

“DeCA leadership continues to explore different levels of cooperation with the military exchanges. To the extent the Defense Department plans to implement any of those options in future, DeCA is committed to ensuring that employees are well-informed and equipped with information to understand any potential impacts.”

Commissary myth #2: DeCA is exploring a privatization pilot program.

Privatization is happening, right? Wrong, according to DeCA officials.

“Upcoming pilot programs will not be exploring potential privatization (i.e., a private sector company taking over DeCA operations). Privatization was not a part of the changes proposed in the 2016 NDAA and is not planned for DeCA at this time.”

The proposal to privatize the commissaries was discussed repeatedly over the course of the last 2 years. At one point, several large unnamed retailers were approaching DeCA and expressing their interests in running the commissaries.

Like the recommendation to merge the commissaries with the exchanges this idea was met with many vocal opponents. They argued that privatization is not the answer to Congress’s budget concerns. Skeptics argued that privatization wouldn’t save the taxpayers money and would lead to price increases for commissary patrons.

Privatization is off the table. For now.

Commissary myth #3: DeCA’s mission is changing.

“DeCA’s mission has always been to offer the right products at the right prices as a critical benefit to its patrons,” DeCA said on its website.

One proposal, a private label brand, is happening and DeCA is confident that is program will “offer more flexibility in how DeCA delivers that benefit, and positions the agency to be more cost-effective, efficient and better able to protect the benefit for future generations of patrons.”

Congress wants DeCA to be cost-effective and efficient. Veterans want to keep this military benefit without increasing the prices or surcharge. Military families want groceries at a competitive price compared with civilian grocery stores.

We all want the same things for our commissaries. Will the private label brand be enough to save the commissary benefit without raising prices or reducing the benefit?

We’ll just have to wait and see.

Are you hearing any other rumors about changes to your commissary? Tell us in the comments section.

Will Concealed Weapons Carry Permits Keep Us Safe?

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Seeing weapons in a military environment is nothing new. Part of all military instruction includes training with firearms. Rules and regulations are paramount for safety and the security of military armories is taken extremely seriously. And life on and around military installations post 9/11 has seen armed security become part of the norm, for service members, civilians and family members alike.

But even with heightened security, gun violence and tragedy has impacted our military communities.

We will never forget the horror and aftermath of the shooting at Fort Hood in 2009 or forget the lives lost at the recruiting station in Tennessee in 2015. When these kinds of tragedies strike, it is human nature to immediately look for ways to prevent them from happening again.

Many called for the option for all active duty personnel to be able to carry weapons. And so, it seems, the DoD has listened to these calls for concealed weapon carrying on military installations.

After a review of the shootings in Texas and Tennessee, and with the acknowledgement that all duty locations do not the same level of security, the DoD authorized both its civilian and military personnel to carry private, concealed weapons onto DoD property. This includes military installations, DoD buildings and facilities, and recruiting stations.

In a 26-page directive issued on November 18, 2016, the DoD clarified guidelines for personnel authorized to carry weapons and use deadly force in the course of official duty. The directive also provides for the command’s ability to authorize private, concealed weapon carry onto DoD property for DoD personal who do not require a weapon for the execution of their daily duties.

No Blanket Permission Policy

Permission to carry weapons is not an absolute. Permission must be granted by an O-5 level officer or higher and must be provided in writing. Authorization to carry cannot exceed 90 days, but permission may be re-authorized for additional 90-day periods.

Authorization to carry private weapons does not extend to members of the National Guard, as rules and regulations pertaining to the use and carry of weapons is governed by each individual state government.

Private, Concealed Gun Carry Has Many Restrictions

DoD personnel who wish to carry private weapons onto DoD property must:

  • Be at least 21 years of age and licensed in the state or host-nation they wish to carry in.
  • Must not have had previous USMJ disciplinary action or be under investigation for any offenses that would bring their “fitness to carry” into question.
  • Must not have been previously convicted or be currently charged in a civilian court for substance abuse, stalking, harassment, or domestic violence.
  • Must not be under the influence of alcohol or hallucinatory drugs while carrying the weapon.
  • Must provide proof of “competence with a firearm” from a certified training course offered by the U.S. government, a police agency, DoD, state, local or tribal government-approved safety or training course. Or a course offered by a law-enforcement agency or college.
  • Must notify the authorizing authority immediately should their ability to follow these guidelines change.

A concealed weapon must be completely covered by clothing or uniform at all times and it must not impair a carrier’s normal job function. State laws must be followed with regard to “caliber, ammunition, capacity, and design,” and while the weapon is on-person, it must kept in holster, even if carried in “purse, backpack, handbag, or case.”

When a weapon is not being carried, it must be stored unloaded in a secure gun-storage device and if it is stored in a vehicle, that storage device must be hidden from view. Carriers transporting a concealed weapon off of DoD property must follow all state, local, and/or host-nation laws pertaining to the carry of that weapon.

And last, but certainly not least, personnel wishing to carry a concealed weapon must understand that they are personally liable for any injury, death or damage to property that occurs due to negligence “in connection with the possession or use of privately owned firearms that are not within the scope of their federal employment.”

Will Concealed Weapons Carry Permits for Service Members Keep Our Military Bases Safer?

It is hard not to see the logic in charging more members of our community with its safekeeping. However, there are questions to be asked and legitimate causes for concern.

Will arming additional personnel help to prevent or end shooting incidents faster?

Or will it create another layer of confusion and slow security personnel and first responders when reacting to a firearm incident?

Are the safety risks associated with gun carrying acceptable and reasonable for stateside and non-combat duty locations? Or are we willing to accept that level of risk if it could possibly prevent injury or harm on a larger scale?

What do you think of the Pentagon’s decision to allow service members to carry concealed weapons?

Would You Visit a Medical Clinic at Your Commissary?

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The Navy is in the planning stages of a pilot program that would put corpsmen-led clinics in commissaries around the country.

The 38th surgeon general of the Navy, Vice Adm. C. Forrest Faison III discussed this idea of revamping Navy medicine to mimic walk-in clinics at large retailers at the conference of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States last month.

“We’re in the early stages of discussing a pilot program that would develop corpsmen-led clinics that might be in our commissaries or in our exchanges, connected by telemedicine to doctors at the hospital,” Faison said in an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune. “So if you’re a patient, while you’re in the commissary you can get your health-care needs met by a corpsman, and that corpsman is getting the opportunity to keep his skills up.

“More importantly, because he’s the guy there, he’s developing the confidence he’s going to need to save lives on the battlefield — but in a structured way that we’re providing good, safe health care using telemedicine links to experienced physicians in the rear.”

The Navy is planning to have the first medical clinic at a commissary in Jacksonville, Fl. The details of this clinic including if patients would be required to have an appointment haven’t been announced yet. The Navy also hasn’t announced what type of medical care would be offered at this clinic. DeCA hasn’t said if its organization is in support or even interested in this pilot program.

Yet, despite the lack of specifics, I’m strongly in favor of this pilot program. I hope this concept is implemented at Jacksonville and then replicated at military installations around the country.

Here are 4 situations when I would have jumped at the convenience of a medical clinic at my commissary.

The Overseas Medical Screening Process

I was overjoyed when we found out that the Navy was relocating us to Japan. But before I could get excited about learning the traditions of a tea ceremony, I had to first work my way (and I say work because it felt like a full-time job) through the system of the overseas medical screening process. This process is very detailed and may require multiple trips to your medical clinic.

Imagine if the medical clinic at the commissary had an overseas screening day where you could come in with your medical history and vaccination records and then get your overseas medical screening efficiently completed. Once you’re done with that short appointment, you could stroll into the commissary and pick up some sushi for lunch.

Flu Shots for the Entire Family

Every fall it’s the same thing. Time to make your appointment to get your flu shot at your medical clinic. It would be super convenient have a flu shot walk-in clinic at a medical clinic at the commissary. I could take my children and we could get our flu shots before doing our weekly grocery shopping.

The 0730 Fight for a Parking Space

Finding a parking space at a medical clinic can be…well exhausting. There never seems to be enough parking spaces for the patients on any given day.

The commissary’s parking lot is spacious. Let’s take advantage of that ample parking by moving a clinic to it.

Immediate Medical Care That Doesn’t Involve Broken Bones

As a mom, I know when my child has an ear infection.

I know when she has pink eye.

I know when she has strep throat.

In all of these cases, she needs immediate medical care but our military treatment facility may not have any same-day appointments available so I take her to the emergency room. I would love to see a medical clinic in the commissary that operates as an urgent care clinic.

Right now, we don’t have the details of the Navy’s proposal to put a medical clinic in a commissary. But I think there are a lot of potential benefits. I would use it if it was available to my family. Would you?

What do you think of this proposal to put a medical clinic in a commissary?

Commissaries Will Offer 400 Private Label Items Starting in May

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For the first time in its history, private label items will be found in your military commissary.

Commissary shoppers know (and often complain) that generic products aren’t available at the commissary.

If you want ketchup, you buy Heinz.

If you want oatmeal, you buy Quaker Oats.

If you want cola, you buy Coca-Cola or Pepsi.

The same quality for a lower price product often referred to as a generic brand, like the Best Value brand found at Walmart stores or the Market Pantry brand in Target stores, isn’t an option at your commissary. There isn’t a store brand for DeCA.

Soon that will change.

The Defense Commissary Agency selected MDV SpartanNash LLC to be its first private label supplier.

“We are excited that DeCA has selected us to support this important initiative, and to provide commissaries with private label products for the first time in their history,” said Dennis Eidson, SpartanNash CEO and Chairman of the Board in a press release.

“This partnership will provide military families with quality options and the opportunity to stretch their food budget. Many of our active duty and veterans are on a limited income, and their military benefit provides savings which are key to meeting their families’ food and household needs. Patriotism is one of our core values, and we are extremely proud to serve our nation’s service members, their families, and military partners around the world,” Eidson said in the press release.

Starting in May, commissary shoppers will see private label items on the shelves in their stores. DeCA officials said the plan is to introduce an initial assortment of 400 items in commissaries worldwide in May 2017. The amount of private label products will be gradually increased with the goal of 1,000 available at commissaries by the end of 2017.

DeCA’s director and CEO Joseph H. Jeu said he is excited to bring private label products to military families.

“They are smart, savvy shoppers who know that private label products are cost-effective alternatives to national brands. We’re excited to help them save more at our commissaries,” he said in a press release.

DeCA reported that 60% of commissary patrons said they would be interested in a DeCA private label.

“Our customers have been asking for private label for a long time,” Jeu said.

Customers aren’t the only ones asking for private label products. Congress had a hand in this decision too.

The 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) nudged DeCA to explore the option of private label products. DeCA has been researching ways to keep the commissaries open with less federal funding. The private label brand is only option out of many that DeCA is exploring in the next year.

What do you think of DeCA’s decision to have a private label brand? Would you buy private label products if they were available at your commissary?

Should BAH Be Excluded from Food Stamp Eligibility?

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In 2015, more than $80 million in food stamp benefits were spent at military commissaries. That is an astonishing figure and that amount does not cover every family that needs financial help to feed their family. There are many more military families that would benefit from food stamps, now known as SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Congresswoman Susan Davis, the Ranking Member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, introduced the Military Hunger Prevention Act. Its purpose is to exempt the military’s Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) in the determination of a military family’s eligibility for particular federal benefits. This bill is specifically aimed at making it easier for military families to qualify for SNAP.

While BAH varies based on region, pay grade and dependency, in many cases it still is not enough to cover housing. This leaves families using other components of their pay to cover rent or mortgage that would otherwise go to food. Because of this, many military families are forced to use emergency food relief. Investigators at Camp Pendleton reported last year that 400 to 500 military families used one of the food pantries on base. That is just the statistic of one of the 4 food pantries on Camp Pendleton.

Rep. Davis introduced this bill after learning that numerous families in the San Diego area, specifically Camp Pendleton, were unable to meet the basic need to feed their families.

By removing BAH from the annual income of military families, more will qualify for food stamps. This shift may provide relief to the overwhelmed food banks.

The bill has been introduced and referred to the Committee on Armed Services as well as the Committee on Agriculture for further review.

In the meantime, military families will continue to stand in line at 7 a.m. to receive meals from food pantries on base as well as off base. To beat the stigma of getting help, a program was introduced in schools where children receive a backpack of food to help them get through the weekend when free breakfast and free lunch are not available. Sadly, nearly a quarter of the children in on-base schools receive free meals. This means thousands of children potentially do not have access to food at home, particularly over the weekend when free meals are not available.

While receiving SNAP benefits might sound like the answer to this problem, it isn’t a lot of money.

States vary on the amount of money that is allocated per person based on certain criteria. In 2015, California’s program paid on average $1.58 per person per meal a day. Last year Alabama paid on average $1.40 per meal per day.

Imagine how much you spend on your meals. Would this amount cover it?

In 2013 a Census Bureau study showed that about 2% of active duty families used SNAP. That is roughly 23,000 military families.

Six percent of those that responded to the Blue Star Families Military Family Lifestyle Survey said they had to use emergency food relief last year. Military families are struggling to feed their families.

The Department of Defense tried a program in 2001 known as the Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA) to help military families. This program was meant to provide up to a $1,100 a month supplement to put service members over the requirement for SNAP. The program was terminated in September 2016 because not enough families qualified for it.

If the Military Hunger Prevention Act passes, will being able to qualify for SNAP be the answer to thousands of military families’ hunger problem or is there a better solution for those facing food insecurity?

What do you think of this proposal to exclude BAH from food stamp eligibility?

How to Know if Your College Is Military Friendly

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Perhaps the greatest gift we can give ourselves and our children is an advanced education.

My oldest is finishing up her first college semester and it has been an eye-opening experience for both of us. Luckily, her chosen school is extremely military friendly. A tour of the campus included the opportunity to meet with a military veteran turned school administrator and ask the litany of questions we had compiled.

If you are a service member, veteran, military spouse or military family member looking to further your education, make sure you take advantage of the benefits that military affiliation can bring.

If enrolling at a military-friendly college is on your list of things to do, here are 6 things to look for when considering an university:

Is This College a Yellow Ribbon School?

Established by the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, the Yellow Ribbon Program can help veterans and children of active duty service members to offset the cost of college tuition. Typically, GI Bill benefits will pay for tuition and fees at public institutions, but are limited to a nationally capped amount for private institutions (currently, just under $22,000 per academic year).

Universities and colleges participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program enter into an agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for additional funds. A Yellow Ribbon school will contribute a specified amount of money toward tuition and fees, an amount then matched by the VA.

Not all private universities participate in the program, so if the cost of getting a degree, even with GI Bill benefits, seems out of reach consider looking at a Yellow Ribbon school to help offset the costs.

You can find more information about the Yellow Ribbon program and a list of participating colleges on the VA website.

Does This College Have a Student Veteran Affairs Office or a Veteran Student Organization?

A quick tip-off that a school is military friendly is the availability of staff and personnel dedicated to veteran and military students. It’s always nice to talk to someone who has been there done that.

Student Veteran Affairs staff members can be tremendous sources of information when you are trying to figure out the intricacies of the GI Bill and campus life.

Some colleges even offer veteran-only study halls and sponsor veteran and military-family oriented social events.

Does This College Allow for In-State Tuition Rates for Military Personnel and Families?

Surprisingly, at least for me, not all schools offer in-state tuition rates for military dependents. Most schools will offer in-state tuition for active duty dependents with a copy of the sponsor’s orders.

Thanks to a new law, passed just last year, in-state tuition is now guaranteed for all veterans and their dependents for the 3 years following separation from the military.

However, outside of that time frame, availability for in-state tuition depends on the institution.

Are There Plenty of Options for Housing within GI Bill Housing Allowance?

In addition to paying tuition and fees, the Post-9/11 GI Bill also allows the children of active-duty service members, veterans and military dependents to receive a housing allowance to help offset room and board expenses. Typically, that amount is the E-5 with dependents BAH rate for the ZIP code for your college or university.

Pro-tip: Make sure there are several options for housing within that range of pay. Military-friendly universities will sometimes also reserve a set number of on-campus housing options for military dependents and veterans, but you won’t know unless you ask.

Do They Offer Flexible Schedules?

For active-duty service members or working veterans and dependents, flexible scheduling options are a must. Many universities and colleges offer short-term course study or online class options.

Even some of the largest universities offer online courses, so don’t assume just because it isn’t local, it isn’t military friendly. Some also offer discounts to military service members and their dependents for online programs. Again, ask about a flexible schedule when meeting with university representatives.

Does This College Offer Credit for Military Experience?

For veterans and active duty service members, you can save a ton of time and expenses by using your on-the-job training as substitutes for some degree-required classes.

Many universities and colleges will evaluate your military training records and award you college credit for things you already know. You may earn credit for basic training.

There may be a small fee for transcript evaluation, but many military-friendly colleges will waive that fee for military-affiliated students.

As someone who only recently earned her bachelor’s degree, my hat is off to anyone who is willing to make that commitment.

No matter the university or college you chose, take the time to find out what opportunities and options they have for military students. The resources are out there, so take advantage of them.

Did you attend a military-friendly college? Tell us about your experience in the comments section.

15 Military Coupon Mistakes That Smart Military Spouses Make

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Shopping at the commissary is a great way to save money and having military coupons make it even better. Are you a savvy shopper that clips military coupons before heading to the commissary? Even the best couponers make mistakes.

Here are 15 military coupon mistakes that smart military spouses make and how to avoid them.

Not Having a Commissary Rewards Card

The Commissary Rewards Card should be your first stop when looking for military coupons. You can digitally clip military coupons and add them to your Commissary Rewards Card. If you don’t have one, you can pick one up at any commissary.

Forgetting to Register at MilitaryShoppers.com

MilitaryShoppers has printable military coupons and the commissary flyer.  Sign up for emails and get commissary deals, product highlights and more.

Not Scheduling Adequate Time to Shop

When you’re in a hurry, you don’t pay attention to detail. Make sure you plan your trip to the commissary with enough time to shop. Eat before you go so you aren’t tempted to put things in your shopping cart that you don’t have military coupons for.

Not Picking Up the Military Coupon Flyers at Your Commissary

There are military coupon flyers at the commissary. Don’t skip those thinking you have all the military coupons you need. There might be a better military coupon inside the flyer.

Ignoring Military Coupons on the Shelves

Often there are military coupons on the shelf. Compare them to the ones you have and see which one is the better deal.

Not Knowing When New Military Coupons Are Available

If you only look for coupons in the Sunday paper, you are missing out on great savings. The Commissary Rewards Card site has new coupons almost daily. As soon as manufacturers provided them, they are live on the site. Many other sites like coupon.com post new coupons daily.

Couponing on Your Own

Learning from others will help you expand your savings. Contact your local Fleet and Family Center to see if there is a coupon exchange program. It’s also a great way to get to know other military spouses.

Buying the Item Even if It Doesn’t Scan at the Discounted Price

Sometimes coupons don’t scan. Don’t settle and buy a product if you aren’t able to get the discount. Ask the clerk to scan the military coupon again or to type in the discount. If that doesn’t work, ask to speak to a manager.

Buying Something You Don’t Need Just Because You Have a Coupon

Just because there is a military coupon for an item does not mean that you should buy it if you aren’t going to use the product. Pay attention to what you are buying and don’t stray from your grocery list just because there is a coupon.

Failing to Stock Up on Items Your Family Uses

If there is a product, such as toilet paper, that your family uses often consider stocking up when there are good military coupons for it. You will save money over time if you purchase bigger quantities.

Having a Disorganized Coupon Folder

Everyone has their own way of sorting military coupons. Organize your folder the way that works best for you. Is it grouping coupons in the order that you will find items in the commissary or putting all the soon-to-expire coupons up front?

Not Taking All Your Coupons in the Store with You

Don’t just take the coupons that you are going to use into the commissary. Perhaps you will find an item that your family uses on sale. Add a coupon to that and it’s a great day to stock up.

Not Knowing the Commissary’s Coupon Policies

It’s important to know store coupon policies. The commissary, for example, does not double coupons. If you print a coupon and have a digital one for the same item on your Commissary Rewards Card, you cannot use both. The commissary also does not take expired coupons stateside, but will take them up to 6 months expired overseas.

Not Reading the Fine Print on Coupons

Always read the fine print on coupons. Some have a specific size the coupon is good for while others are for multiple items. Make sure you buy all items required and place them together on the conveyor belt.

Failing to Watch the Monitor as Items and Coupons Are Scanned

Our final tip is to make sure you pay attention as your items are scanned. You’ve done all the work to find coupons; make sure you get the discount. If the coupon scans incorrectly, point it out to the cashier. If you have a problem, ask to speak to a manager. It’s your money; make sure you get the most from it.

Want military coupons, discounts and savings delivered to your inbox? Sign up for MilitaryShoppers email newsletter today.

Why Waiting Is the Hardest Part of a PCS

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Every 3 years or so it rolls around: the inevitable PCS.

The most predictable and hardest part of a PCS is the time spent waiting for the orders.

From the moment you realize that THIS is your PCS year to your final move-in day could be months. And that’s without factoring in unexpected changes like last-minute orders to a completely different location!

For military spouses especially, the PCS waiting game is hard.

Our lives depend so much on where our spouse is going next. From jobs to housing to schools for the kids, everything depends on where the service member ends up next. Plus, despite years of knowing otherwise, we enjoy planning the next phase in our adventure.

So, if you are dying to start house hunting or scrolling through job boards, here are 5 things to keep you occupied while you hurry up and wait for those orders.

1. Make a duty station bucket list

No matter where you are, CONUS or OCONUS, there are sure to be a few things that you never quite got around to doing. Make a final bucket list of cool things to see near your current home and start checking things off right now!

Hit up the local wine region, check out cool historical sites or explore the biggest city near you. Most places have festivals year-round that would be fun to swing through before you leave. Or grab a few unique souvenirs from local businesses.

2. Weed out your closets

We all have some clothes and shoes kicking around that we are never, ever going to wear again. No matter what. It could be any reason: size, way out of date or just not your taste.

Take the PCS wait time to really go through your things and toss anything that you know you’ll never wear again.

Don’t talk yourself into keeping something “just in case we move to _______.” Some things need to leave your closet, no matter the clime or place you move to next. I promise you will be able to find new, weather appropriate clothes at your new home. And if not, many companies will ship worldwide.

Ditto for your kid’s clothes. Those little ones grow like weeds, and before you know it you are hauling around pants that Junior hasn’t worn for 3 years.

Before the movers come, go through all the children’s clothing that you own. Yes, even the baby clothes that you have been saving “just in case.” Donate reusable items to charity or hand them down to another family. Trash everything else.

3. Downsize your stuff

Do you have picture frames that haven’t been seen in a few moves? Maybe a table that never quite seems to fit? Now is the time to toss or donate those things. Seriously, just do it. If you haven’t used it in about 6 years, chances are you probably won’t miss it when it’s gone.

For those with kids, I absolutely know that there are toys that go unplayed with. Get rid of them now. You know you want to do it! Plus, think about how much more space that will leave for other things on the moving truck. Things like your collection of shoes that you can’t part with or yet another bulky unit farewell gift.

4. Plan a farewell dinner or party

As the time gets closer, make plans to host a get-together with all your friends. This can be a great way to say “Sayonara” to your best buds, and to use those last items in your pantry or empty your liquor stash.

Get creative with the Pinterest recipes or DIY new concoctions. You can also use up the last of your propane or charcoal by grilling.

If, at the end of your pack-out, you have things left over that won’t move with you, a farewell party is also the perfect time to off-load those things to your friends as they leave. You could make a “take me” box for friends to pick from or you could create personalized goodie bags. It’s great for cleaning supplies, half used bags of flour or random craft things.

5. Organize your pictures

Along with downsizing, use your pent up energy to organize your photo files either on your computer or actual pictures. You could sort by location, by date or by person. Really, the options are endless!

While you’re in there, maybe you’ll finally get around to making those scrapbooks you’ve been talking about for the last few years. Probably not, but you at least thought about it. And that’s what counts.

Tell us how you spend your time waiting for PCS orders in the comments!