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Commission Recommends Combining Commissaries, Exchanges

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Commission Recommends Combining Military Commissaries, Exchanges

What proposed changes do you support for the commissaries?

The commissary. It’s one of those bread-and-butter military perks that comes with having your military ID. The commissary is where military families, old and young, get their milk, meat and cereal. It’s used by active duty families and retirees alike. Shopping and saving money at the commissary is one of the benefits available to our military community.

The commissary also seems to be one of the first benefits discussed every year when Congress, the Department of Defense and lobbyists are debating ways to trim the defense budget. This year isn’t any different.

Tucked in the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission’s 15 recommendations to modernize the military is a proposal to combine the commissary and exchange systems into a single defense resale organization. The commission’s final report was released in late January. You can read the entire report here.

Currently, the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) operates commissaries that provide groceries to authorized patrons (you and me and anyone else with a valid military ID) at cost with a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. DeCA promotes that commissary shoppers “save an average of more than 30 percent on their purchases compared to commercial prices – savings that amount to thousands of dollars annually when shopping regularly at a commissary.”

On the flip side of military retail coin is the DoD operated exchange system that includes the Army Air Force Exchange System (AAFES), the Navy Exchange (NEX), and the Marine Corps Exchange (MCX). Exchanges have everything from beer to military uniforms and sell their merchandise at a profit. The benefit of the exchange is no sales tax.

Keep in mind that the “gross profits (from the exchanges) are used to support the exchange system, covering operating and other expenses; recapitalize facilities and systems; or are provided as dividends to fund MWR programs.”

When you’re stationed overseas, both the commissary and exchange are vital to your quality of life. Both retail organizations hire military dependents and veterans.

Together, commissaries and exchanges provide goods and services with total annual sales of more than $17 billion in 2013.

Based on an in-depth study that included town hall meetings and quality of life surveys, the bipartisan Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission unanimously recommended a consolidated resale organization.

A consolidated resale organization, with combined resources, increased operational flexibility, and better alignment of incentives and policies, would improve the viability and stability of these systems. It would sustain the benefit while reducing the combined reliance on appropriated funding over time. The increased flexibility and opportunities available to a consolidated organization could enable a deeper level of cooperation to improve quality and drive the efficiencies recommended by numerous studies. The many similarities, overlaps, and redundancies in processes, staffing, and support infrastructures favor the consolidation process. Establishing an executive structure and means of oversight that ensures alignment with the needs and goals of Service members and the Military Services is critical.”

–the 2015 Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission Final Report

The proposal also said that a portion of profits would continue to support MWR programs and the commissaries would keep their current 5-percent surcharge. The surcharge was set at 5 percent in 1983.

This consolidated system would “allow the sale of convenience items in commissaries at a profit, including products and services typically found in commercial grocers.” Food and other “essential items” would still be sold at cost.

The report also said “This expanded commissary product line would include beer and wine, but those sales must align with DoD’s efforts to deglamorize alcohol and reduce its abuse.”

Basically in a nutshell, this proposal is intended to reduce the overhead costs of operating the commissaries and exchanges separately. It’s not expected to affect the costs of shopping at either store and if approved, this consolidated system may make shopping on-base more like shopping at Walmart.

Now it’s your turn: What proposed changes do you support for the commissaries?

How Young is Too Young for Social Media?

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My oldest son is almost 10.5 years old. He hasn’t yet asked about social media although he has asked when he can have a cell phone. I tell him that can happen in junior high. As far as my children having their own social media account? I want to wait on that. Facebook wants your kid to be thirteen but I know some parents make accounts for their kids at a younger age.

The big question is when should you let your child, pre-teen or teenager create a social media account on Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram?

When I think about my child on social media, I think about what they would use it for. For friends, to connect with us and other family members, to be apart of that world. I am not sure I am ready for that kind of connectivity at the ages my kids are. My kids know about the Internet. They use it at home and at school. They know how to look up information about their favorite video games.

They are not really aware of social media even though they do know that there is a place to share photos with Grandma.

I know for myself I would like to use the guidelines Facebook puts out. No Facebook account until you are 13 years old. But with that will come a lot of moderation and rules. I don’t want them just talking to random people. I would want their friends list to be very small and I would need to have access to it. I wouldn’t want to be a spy but I also want to make sure that my children know I can read it at anytime.

I have some friends with teenagers and it seems to be that Instagram is the place to be these days. Facebook is for “old people.” I am not sure what will be popular when my oldest turns 13 but something about a photo-sharing site being where the kids are seems a little scary to me. It isn’t that I would worry about what they were sharing with their friends, I would worry about the outside world following and tracking them.

As a military family they will always have to be concerned about talking about their father’s job, where is he, if he is home or at training or if he is deployed. They would have to be old enough to know what they are allowed to share and what they are not. At 10 years old, I don’t think my son is ready for that yet. It is possible that some 10 year olds are but I would still caution parents on giving a child that age their own social media account.

When I was 16 my Dad got us the Internet for the first time and I found myself talking to strangers on there. The internet was very new and I don’t think my parents realized the danger in that. I think it is important that when you do allow your child their own social media accounts that they come with the understanding that they will follow a set of rules. Without that they could be put in danger. Even more so if they have a family member in the military.

How Young is Too Young for Social Media?

Does your child have an Instagram account? How do you monitor it?

So when should your child have their own social media account? When you as the parent feel they are ready, when your child truly understands what social media is and when they can agree to your rules about using it. I say 13 or junior high is a good age to start.

What do you think? At what age is it appropriate for a teen to have a social media account? How do you monitor their social media presence?

5 Things That Can Destroy a Military Marriage

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Marriage is work and done with the right attitude it’s fulfilling work.

5 Things That Can Destroy a Military Marriage

How does military life put a strain on your marriage?

Despite all the love you and your spouse have for each other, a marriage still challenges the dynamic between the two of you. It’s only natural to experience conflict, particularly with the one person that you are closest to in your life.

I’ve been taking notes from my parents’ marriage for the longest time– witnessing their good and bad times–and seeing that at the end of every struggle, they find resolution and remember the love they have for each other.

I’ve also witnessed and have firsthand experience with the particular obstacles military marriages encounter.

Sometimes I feel like the military is an unofficial third wheel in my relationship.

Based on what I’ve learned so far, there are certain instances that can strain your relationship, especially with your spouse in the military like:

  1. Never comprising. The military forces us to comprise at times (or another phrase I use is “adjust fire”). We have to adjust fire when we get thrown surprise orders or an unexpected duty. Military spouses need to have a flexible mindset or else, it will be a difficult life. Compromise allows you to find a common ground and can offer a sense of comfort. Make it something you both can stand behind.
  2. Lacking understanding. Understanding is another big factor that should take precedent in a military relationship because the type of compromise you want may be difficult to find. For example, my husband goes out of town for professional development a lot of times and asks that I give him space to study. It’s hard for me to leave him alone because I miss him, but instead of getting upset, I use that opportunity to work on my own personal goals.
  3. Thinking only about yourself. I’ve always been taught that a relationship is a two-way street and to expect as much back as you put forward. If it’s constantly about yourself or even your husband, it doesn’t make it fair to each other. As military spouses, we may have to actually consider our spouses’ career on a high level, but I’ve experienced that even your career can be a two-way street with adding a dash of compromise into the equation. Focusing strictly on one person doesn’t help the relationship as a whole because it could feel belittling to the other party.
  4. Forgetting why you fell in love. Deployments. TDYs. Field exercises. There are several factors that separate us from our loved one. During those times, we go on. We learn to live life in a way that keeps us fulfilled. Don’t get me wrong, my husband’s absence does make me feel crazy. When our spouses’ come back, it’s a whole reintegration period that each person experiences, so be patient and remember why you fell in love!
  5. Resenting the military. I admit that I have moments where I raise my fists in the air and ask “why?!” But, what good does that really do? Nothing. It’s just temporary relief. I can’t constantly harp on the military for everything bad. That isn’t resolving the situation. It’s adding stress and unnecessary tension on your spouses’ choice to join the military.

What obstacles do you think military couples face?

Stay tuned for our follow-up article in April, “5 Things You Can Do to Save Your Military Marriage.”

March Madness Deals at the Commissary

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As March Madness (and hopefully the weather!) heats up, the commissary is keeping its deals hot too. There are a lot of great sales and deals on all types of goodies from mouth-watering biscuits to savory sauces.

 

Looking for something quick and tasty to eat while watching your favorite college basketball team? Totino’s pepperoni party pizza (10.2 oz) is just 89 cents! For the finger-food lovers, Totino’s pepperoni pizza rolls are on sale for $2.25 for a package of 40 bite-sized pieces. I’m not much of a basketball fan, but I’ll be grabbing some pizzas to have on hand for the evenings that I don’t feel spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

If you want something more snack-like for the game, a bag of traditional or bold Chex Mix is $1.25. My favorite Chex Mix flavors are also on sale, dark chocolate and turtle. I definitely prefer sweeter snacks and enjoy the chocolate-covered Chex Mix flavors. Yum.

My inner Southern girl is pumped because of the reduced prices in Pillsbury Grands biscuits too. I usually make my favorite recipe of drop biscuits, but sometimes I run out of time to mix together a batch. Pillsbury has a lot of great options for fast biscuit baking. The sale includes the big homestyle or flaky layers butter tastin’ (16.3 oz) for $1.25 and for a bigger family, the butter tastin’ buttermilk or southern style (25 oz)  is $2. Combine this sale with a coupon to save $0.50 when you buy 2 cans. If you’re like me with a smaller family, I’ll still grab the bigger size and keep them in the fridge for longevity and save them for another evening.

Campbell’s has a great product to help you put together a quick dinner on a busy night. For $1.39, you can buy Creamy Garlic Butter oven sauces (12 oz) or Chicken Marsala Skillet Sauces (9 oz). Then, all you need to do is throw some chicken in the mix. If you need a hearty meal for the kids or for the kids at heart, Campbell’s Chicken & Stars, Toy Story or Disney Princess (10.5 oz) condensed soup is 5 cans for $5.

When I find any deals that I can stock up on food, I jump at the chance. Prego sauces are 2 for $3 this month. You can choose from the 14.5 oz Alfredo sauces: Homestyle Alfredo, Artisan Three Cheese or Roasted Garlic Parmesan as well as tomato sauces: Traditional (24 oz), Spicy Sausage, Italian Sausage, Garlic or Heart Smart Traditional (23.5 oz).

Remember last month when the commissary had some fabulous sales for our furry family members?

Purina is running some additional deals till March 15! Whisker Lickin’s Cat Treat (my cat’s absolute favorite treats) are only 99 cents. Seriously, my cat would literally do tricks for their tuna flavored treats. Some other deals for cats:

  • $4.99 Tidy Cats 14 lbs. clumping litter (multiple cats, instant action or 24/7 performance)
  • $9.99 Friskies 24-pack cat food classic pate or meaty bits
  • $4.99 3.15 lbs. Cat Chow cat food (Naturals, Healthy Weight or Indoor)

The sales for our pooches are: $23.99 for 31.1 lbs. Beneful healthy weight dog food and $5.04 for 12-pack moist and meaty dog food (burger with cheddar cheese flavor or chopped burger).

Don’t forget to look through the rest of the March commissary deals by clicking here!

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Frozen Heart? Photos and Quotes to Melt Away Frosty Feelings About Military Life

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Do you ever need a little military life pick-me-up?

Maybe you’re glued to the news about the Homeland Security budget negotiations or you’re frustrated with the proposals to cut military benefits. Your husband’s homecoming is delayed. Again. Your hairdresser is PCSing across country. Your friend asks how your children are  handling the deployment. When you tell her it’s a struggle, she suggests your husband “leave the service so you don’t have to deal with that anymore.”

Sigh.

Despite these real-life struggles, there are many moments to cherish being married to the military. Despite what you see on the national news, there are many happy military couples. Think of that retired service member and his wife who celebrated 40 years and 25 moves. They know their love is rock solid. Think of those newbie spouses who promise to love, honor and cherish and then say goodbye as their husband goes to Korea for a year unaccompanied. Every day apart is building that rock solid marriage. And for everyone in-between, they are using the tools of date nights and frequent communication to keep their spark alive.

Here are some of my favorite images and quotes that illustrate the love between a service member and their supportive spouse. Let it be your military life pick-me-up today, tomorrow or any day that you need it.

Photos and Quotes to Melt Away Frosty Feelings About Military Life

Photo Credit: Kelly Schwark

 Photos and Quotes to Melt Away Frosty Feelings About Military Life

“Why do I do it? Because nights alone aren’t permanent. Because missing him reminds me that I’m lucky to have someone to miss. Because I am not afraid to make sacrifices for true love.”

“It doesn’t get any easier…You just get stronger.”

“I started missing you the moment you said goodbye.”

“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”

“Love isn’t something you find. Love is something that finds you.”

“I didn’t choose to fall in love with someone in the military. But I choose to love him daily.”

Photos and Quotes to Melt Away Frosty Feelings About Military Life

Photo Credit: Photo Art by Lu

“Love is when he gives you a piece of your soul, that you never knew was missing.”

“Tears last for a moment, but memories are forever.”

“You want to know the best thing about a long-distance relationship? Every kiss is like the first.”

You can’t have homecoming photos without those military brats. Little ones screaming, running and hugging their deployed parent always brings a tear to my eye and a smile to my face.

Photos and Quotes to Melt Away Frosty Feelings About Military Life

Does your military family have a favorite photo showing your love and sacrifice? Submit your photo to MilitaryShoppers’ monthly photo contest for a chance to win a $50 shopping spree.

10 Employment Programs to Help Military Spouses Find Jobs

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There is a constant struggle with finding employment for military spouses. Honestly, that struggle was my biggest fear as I entered the lifestyle. I had a secure job that I absolutely loved, but when my husband received orders to move to another location, I was practically forced out of it because my employer wanted to keep someone in-house. Sounds familiar, right?

At the same time as planning a PCS, I was job hunting and re-evaluating my career path altogether.

I found that lack of consistency seemed to be the classic issue for military spouses. Jobs are difficult to maintain because of the transient lifestyle. National Military Family Association reports that 85% of military spouses either want or need work. To me, that’s a pretty high percentage.

Lucky for us, there is an arsenal full of programs to help ease the job hunt. Researching and utilizing the different programs have helped me understand the job marketplace that’s available to us. So, why not give them a try for your next job hunt?

10 Employment Programs to Help Military Spouses Find a Job

Which military spouse employment programs have you used?

Here are 10 different programs aimed to help military spouses find the perfect job:

  1. Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP): This career portal matches military spouses to appropriate jobs for them. Employers partner with this program, so they already know that you’re a military spouse. Therefore, the job will most likely be one that you can take with you or is friendly to moving with more than one job site. The partnership also provides career advice and education for those that seek it.
  2. Spouse Education & Career Opportunities (SECO): SECO helps military spouses set the career stage meaning it provides guidance and resources to help with mapping out the right career plan for us. If you feel like you need a change of pace or are in a job rut, this program might be something to consider. A counselor can give you the right tools needed to evaluate a career transition.
  3. Veterans Career Transition Program (VCTP): Don’t let the name fool you. VCTP also serves military spouses. The program, run by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, offers free online courses educating and training students by giving them what they need once they enter the workforce.
  4. Military Spouse eMentor Program: I’ve found that networking is a particularly powerful practice for military spouses because it gives us the opportunity to express our passion directly to potential employers. The Military Spouse eMentor Program is apart of the Hiring Our Heroes, a nationwide incentive to help veterans and military spouses find fulfilling employment. It allows us to connect with a registered mentor that’s eager to assist with anything and everything career-related. As you continue your search, your mentor could point you in the right direction to a serious job opportunity.
  5. Career Spark: Also apart of the Hiring Our Heroes incentive, Career Spark is an organization created by military spouses for military spouses. The program helps build and tailor the ideal resume for you and gets you ready for the workforce by offering tips and advice.
  6. Military Spouse Corporate Career Network (MSCCN): This nonprofit organization offers employment readiness programs and job placement solutions for military spouses. They also provide great live training sessions online that are all designed to make you competitive in the workplace.
  7. National Military Spouse Network (NMSN): This organization was my gateway to networking with other military spouses. I attended their career summit a couple years ago and I was immediately hooked with the idea of military spouses helping each other with career advice, professional aspirations and mentorship. They also have lots of resources and content available online.
  8. The Milspo Project: The Milspo Project launched their Embark career conference last year and will be doing the same this year in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Their goal is to raise awareness about the obstacles military spouses face and providing an event environment to empower. Are you near Fayetteville? It’s worth giving their career conference a shot.
  9. In Gear Career: If it’s not obvious, I’m a huge advocate of military spouse networking. Networking is actually how I landed my job(s). In Gear Career takes networking to the local level by connecting career-minded military spouses together to create meaningful relationships. Don’t see a chapter in your area? They also have a virtual chapter.
  10. Local Installation Employment Readiness Programs: When I first moved to the Fort Belvoir area, I was excited that they hosted local job fairs via the Employment Readiness Program (ERP) for both recently separated military members and military spouses. It’s a great resource that’s local to your installation that can assist with locating a job in your area. Keep a very close eye on base or post for events and/or opportunities.

Which military spouse employment programs have you used? Share your experiences.

100 items added to Value Brand Program

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commissary

The following news release originally appeared on Commissaries.com:

Nearly 100 items to be added to Value Brand Program

FORT LEE, Va. (Feb. 5, 2015) – With nearly 100 more items set to be added to the Commissary Value Brand program, military patrons will have even more opportunities to save, according to the Defense Commissary Agency’s senior enlisted advisor to the director.

“The reenergizing of this program is still in its infancy, but we are making improvements each and every day,” said Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Stuart M. Allison. “We recommend that patrons continue to monitor the orange ‘Value’ signs in the stores because they will see a larger offering of products.”

By the middle of February, commissary patrons can expect to see labels identifying the addition of 99 more items to the Value Brand lineup. The new products include several cheeses, condiments, canned and powdered milk, canned soup, dry pasta, honey, rice, laundry bleach and paper towels.

DeCA reintroduced Commissary Value Brand in November, bringing back a sales initiative known 14 years ago as the “Best Value Item” program. The average savings for Value Brand is about 42 percent when compared to national brands and 25 percent against the store brand and private label items found in commercial retail stores.

Amid its resurrection, Value Brand is catching on with commissary customers, said Gordon Jones, the agency’s deputy director of sales.

“We are very pleased with the Value Brand program and have received positive feedback about it from our patrons,” Jones added. “We will continue to look at opportunities to expand Value Brand to other categories within our stores.”

With the influx of new items, the Value Brand mix will boast nearly 400 products such as frozen vegetables, pizza and entrees; pet foods; health and beauty care; cereals; cleaning supplies; soft drinks; coffee; canned fruit, soup and fish; disposable lunch and storage bags; condiments and more.

Shoppers like Dr. Thelma G. Smith, the spouse of a disabled Vietnam veteran, said she’s seen the orange signs at the Fort Lee Commissary. “I’ve chosen a few of them basically because of the pricing. From the few things that I’ve bought, I found the frozen vegetables to be very good – good quality for taste and good quality for cooking.”

The orange “Value” signs on the shelves, along with posters, banners, buttons, danglers and special displays make it easy for customers to spot these extra savings in stores. Shoppers who venture on DeCA’s website, commissaries.com, or stay tuned to the agency’s social media outlets, especially Facebook and Twitter, can get a heads up on value deals before they hit the store.

In addition to Commissary Value Brand items, biweekly promotions and other special sales offer targeted discounts. If commissary patrons take the time to add Value Brand to their savings strategy it will pay off at the register, Allison said.

“We are a big believer in checking the commissary sales flyer found on www.commissaries.com,” said Allison about how he and his wife prepare before they shop. “We also like to check out the promotional sales items, and we use our Commissary Rewards Card. By adding the Value Brand program to the mix, we maximize our savings even more.”

Allison said that commissary patrons can only benefit from a program that is growing and improving every day. His advice: Look for those orange signs.

“We’ve carried most of these items for years, but they were sort of hidden,” he said. “Unless you knew to look for them, you weren’t truly aware they existed. Now we’re giving the customer a highly visible option to compare and add more savings to their shopping experience.”

NOTE: To see photos of the Commissary Value Brand, please visit our Flicker page. And, you can see Value Brand videos on YouTube here and here.

About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Authorized patrons purchase items at cost plus a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. Shoppers save an average of more than 30 percent on their purchases compared to commercial prices – savings amounting to thousands of dollars annually. A core military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America’s military and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.

Media Contact:
Kevin L. Robinson
(804) 734-8000, Ext. 4-8773
kevin.robinson@deca.mil

*SEE THE ORIGINAL NEWS RELEASE HERE

How to Work Out Without a Gym Membership

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I recently joined a gym but it was the first time I have been in a place where I could do so. Up until now I have had to find ways to workout from home with my kids around. This was no easy task.

Whether it was because of where we lived, lack of childcare options with a deployed husband or lack of extra funds to pay for a gym membership, I had to figure out ways to do so on my own. I couldn’t rely on going to a gym a few times a week.

How to Work Out Without a Gym Membership

The first thing I did was invest in a few workout videos. I knew I could do these at home and work around my kid’s schedule. I found that once I got into a good habit of watching them I started to see success. There are a lot of different choices on videos and programs you can get for home.

You don’t have to always buy them either. A lot of libraries offer copies and some can even be found on Netflix. You might want to try a few different types of videos before you decide on one that really works for you.

Another way I was able to workout with kids around was by using my stroller. My older two boys are just over 2 years apart so when they were little I used a double stroller. I tried to take them out everyday for at least a half an hour but sometimes a lot longer than that. I found it easy for me to put them in the stroller and go, no matter what was going on. I could do it whether my husband was home or overseas and it didn’t depend on him, which was nice.

I have recently heard about a great program called Stroller Warriors. You can find this program at many different military bases. They host weekday morning runs as well as other physical activities you can take part in. You can always bring your children which is the best part. You don’t have to worry about childcare or what you will do with them when you are working out. Besides group exercise like this is also a great way to make some new friends. Both for you and your children. It is always nice to be able to make mom friends doing something that you enjoy. Stroller Warriors also does a lot of outreach and fundraising which is a great way to give back to your community. You can view a list of their chapters on their website.

How to Work Out Without a Gym Membership

When you first become a mom it can seem very overwhelming to try to balance the needs of your baby with your own needs. After a few weeks, most moms feel like they should get back to a workout schedule but it might be a bit of a challenge to do so.

My best advice would be to see what you have available to you and go from there. Most people have a living room or other area that they can work out in. Come up with a good schedule, find a workout buddy and get back to working out on a regular basis. You will be glad that you did.

What are your cost-saving exercise tips? Share them in the comments section.

Take the Savings Pledge And Promote Military Savings

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Military SavesMilitary Saves Week 2015 is February 23-28 and is a great time to assess your military savings plan. This is a weeklong initiative of the DoD’s Financial Readiness Campaign to promote military savings within the military community with thousands of businesses participating. Events are being held on military installations around the world during this time to help service members set a goal, make a plan and save automatically. Installations, organizations and businesses will be promoting positive military savings and offering opportunities to learn how to save and build wealth, not debt.

The campaign aims to motivate service members to save a portion of each paycheck, develop a personal financial plan, establish good credit and enroll in programs such as: Thrift Savings Plan, Savings Deposit Program and Group Life Insurance to encourage military savings. Banks, credit unions and financial services organizations are all participating by offering special deals and information sessions during this time to help educate the community about the importance of military savings.

Take the Savings Pledge During Military Saves Week

Military Saves slogan is “Start Small, Think Big.”

Many military installations will be offering workshops and seminars. If you’re stationed at Darby Military Community, Italy, you could learn about military savings while shopping. “Take an adventure in learning basic thrift and savings skills while shopping. The outing includes trips to several consignment and second-hand stores in Livorno and Stagno.” Yep, you win.

Whether you go on an awesome outing in Italy, sit in on a financial savings seminar in Jacksonville or simply scroll through militarysaves.org, you’ll be taking a step in the right direction of moving toward better savings.

So how do you actually save money?

It all starts with making a plan and a commitment to stick to it. You don’t have to be tough on yourself and pinch pennies; make a savings plan that is easy to follow and realistic. It’s easier to have short goals, such as saving $10 a week, rather than telling yourself you need $500 by the end of the year for an emergency fund. This is exactly what I thought of when I read their slogan: Start Small, Think Big. Not only is it catchy, but it’s a great way to look at savings. Many people become intimidated by the big picture and don’t know how or where to start.

You could begin by visiting their website. It offers tips and strategies for saving, lists events hosted on each base and has a long list of resources. Then sit down with your spouse and discuss what your savings goals should be and if you would like to attend an event or make an appointment to speak with a financial counselor. Each step you take strengthens your financial future and having healthy finances and an open line of communication are key to reaching that goal.

Related: 3 Easy Ways to Spend Less Money in 2015

Include children in this week’s activities as well. Military Youth Saves is a program designed to motivate children and teenagers to develop good savings habits early. It teaches them to create their own savings plan and to save a little bit of money each month to reach a goal. This is a great time to start a piggy bank or open a savings account for your child.

Take the Savings Pledge During Military Saves Week

Don’t pinch pennies; pick up loose change! It really adds up.

Be a good role model. Whether you know it or not, your children are watching and learning from what you do. If you drop your loose change in the piggy bank by the door, sooner or later they’ll start snatching up loose coins too and putting them in their piggy banks. Show them that saving money for the future is important.

If you’re on a tight budget, you might think it’s hard to start a military savings plan, but it is possible. Military Saves Week can give you the tools you need to make it happen. It’s up to you to take advantage of them. Take the Savers Pledge and start saving today.

Take the Savings Pledge During Military Saves Week

Military Saves Week activities teach service members and their families to build wealth, not debt.

What events are going on at your installation for Military Savings Week? Have you taken the Savers Pledge? Tell us in the comments section.

Female Pioneers Breaking the Military Elite Barrier, One Pushup at a Time

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Remember Shannon Faulkner? In 1995, Faulkner was the first woman to enroll at the Citadel following a federal court order. I remember Faulkner. I was a high school student at the time and I closely followed her court case. Even though I personally had no intention of attending a military academy or enlisting in the military, I cheered on Faulkner and her right to try. Her right to follow her dream. Her right to prove herself against the male students.

Twenty years later, I find myself again cheering on those female pioneers in the military. The ones who are working to break gender barriers to prove that they are tough enough, strong enough and smart enough to call themselves Army Rangers.

Should women be able to be Army Rangers?

What do you think of women serving as Army Rangers?

Media outlets, from NPR to Fox News, have been closely following 60 women who volunteered and were allowed to participate in the two-week-long Ranger Training Assessment Course (RTAC) that ended on Jan. 31. This first class was aimed at making the training standard for females. And I’m a big believer in that.

Let’s not sell women short by adopting lower standards to earn the Ranger tab. Every single Ranger should be able to meet the same qualifications.

Out of 122 soldiers who started RTAC, 48 percent passed. There were 43 male dropouts in addition to the 21 women, the Army Times reported. Five women, all officers, completed RTAC, which is considered to be a reliable litmus test for which soldiers are likely to have a chance at passing the Ranger Course.

First Females Competing to be Army Rangers

First Lt. Christel Sacco, executive officer of Company B, 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment, at Fort Jackson, S.C., is training to earn her Ranger tab.

Last December, for the first time, 3 women passed the Marine Corps’ physical test to become infantry officers. Two dozen female Marines have tried to pass the test since the course opened its doors to women in 2012. Later this year, U.S. Special Operations Command and Naval Special Warfare are expected to announce if the rank of SEAL will be available to women.

All this female integration stems from former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s announcement in 2012 to open combat positions to women. In 2013, he lifted the military’s exclusion on women in direct ground combat. By 2016, the military must open all combat jobs to women or ask for special exceptions.

Twenty years after Faulkner’s legal battle, I am even more emotionally attached to integrating females into all aspects of the military. Today I’m a Navy wife and I’ve seen my husband work alongside and under the outstanding leadership of women all the way up to Rear Admiral Katherine Gregory. Gregory is the first female flag officer in the Civil Engineer Corps.

I’m also the mother of 2 young girls who are constantly asking if boys are better than girls. Just last night, my daughter asked if girls can be Seabees. Of course, my husband and I reassured her. Girls can do anything that boys can do. Some day soon, they will even be able to serve as Army Rangers.

Now it’s your turn. What do you think about women serving in elite units on the frontlines?