Article MilitaryShoppers Page 58

Stop Saying ‘Army Wife: Toughest Job in the Army’

11/26/2014 By Julie Provost

You have probably heard the phrase, “Army (or Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps) Wife is the Toughest Job in the Army (or Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps) .” You might have seen it on a bumper sticker, T-shirt, keychain, coffee mug, magnet or an online forum. It’s out there and it is something that can cause a lot of frustration for a lot of people.

The reason people say this is because it is hard to be a military spouse.

Being a military spouse isn’t an easy life. You have to give up a lot from where you live to pursuing your own career. You are home with the kids as a solo parent and the military isn’t always the best of letting you know what is going on or what is ahead for your family in the future.

The issue with the saying “Military spouse is the toughest job in the military,” isn’t that military life is hard. We all know it’s hard. The problem with this statement is it acts as though the spouse IS actually in the military which is not true. Spouses are civilians unless they serve in active duty or the National Guard or are reservists or veterans.

If you talk to a spouse who served in the active duty military, she might tell you how frustrating it can be to hear that other spouses act like they too are in the military. They would tell you how different the 2 roles are. They would try to explain that serving in the military is different then serving on the homefront.

While the service member trains for war and is eventually deployed, the spouse stays at home. Whether the spouse works outside the home or not, they are the ones in charge and taking care of the children. They are the ones left behind to keep things going. They say goodbye to their spouse and make do playing the dual roles of mom and dad for months at a time, sometimes years at a time. They take care of what needs to be done while the other spouse is away. All of this is hard and appreciated. It can be frustrating when you have to wait on the military for almost everything. You wait on finding out where and when you will move, when your spouse will be home and what is going to happen next. Forget about planning your future, even if you were able to, the military could change things at the last minute.

None of this is the same as being in the military, to train hard, carry your weapon and put yourself in harm’s way. Nothing a military spouse is doing at home is literally putting yourself in the line of fire.

While we need to remember and recognize the sacrifices that military families and spouses make, we need to stop acting like it is the same as actually being in the military. Because it isn’t and it isn’t fair to act as though it is. We need to stop saying it is harder than what those who have enlisted have had to do. We need to understand that as stressful as it gets waiting at home, at least we wait in a safe place with a warm bed, a full fridge and friends to help us through the deployment.

What do you think about this statement, “Military Spouse is the Toughest Job in the Military?” Does it annoy you? Why or why not?

More than Turkey Sandwiches: 5 Recipes for Thanksgiving Leftovers

11/24/2014 By Rachel Tringali Marston

Hosting Thanksgiving is no easy feat. You spread days (maybe weeks!) of meal planning and preparing with the Thanksgiving turkey as your centerpiece. At the Tringali house, we’re notorious for baking a bird that’s way too big for our small family of three. My mother would receive a 15 (or more)-pound turkey from her employer as a gift. It was tradition for the company to give their employees a little something for Thanksgiving. Needless to say, we always had leftover turkey.

Lots of families opt make turkey sandwiches and there are so many different sandwich recipes out there too. But, how many turkey sandwiches can you eat before you get tired of it?

So, nix the sandwich and try something new!

Even after leaving my parent’s house, I had a habit of putting together large meals, which still meant tons of leftovers. I took it upon myself to create and adapt tasty recipes to use up our turkey and have a couple to share with you below.

Turkey Chili

I’m originally from Texas and Texans LOVE chili. Spice things up a bit with my turkey chili recipe that will also warm you up as the weather cools down.

2-3 cups of shredded and chopped up turkey
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 can (15.5 oz) black beans, drained
1 can (15.5 oz) pinto beans, drained
1 can (15.5 oz) corn, drained
1 Tbsp. chili powder
½ Tbsp. cumin
½ Tbsp. cayenne pepper (more if you want it spicier)
Cheddar cheese (optional)
Sour cream (optional)

First, drizzle a little olive oil in a large sauce pot. Mix together all the ingredients except the turkey and simmer for 5-10 minutes or till it’s all heated through on medium heat. Then, add the turkey and turn to low for another 10 minutes or till it’s at the right temperature for you.

If desired, top with cheese and sour cream. I’m a huge fan of corn bread with my chili, so if you have any leftovers from Thanksgiving add it to this meal. Or try out this corn bread recipe.

Thanksgiving Pizza

Who doesn’t love pizza? I thought I was the only crazy person that thought this up, but go figure that there are actually some other recipes floating around. Take some creative liberties with this one depending on what you have available.

1 Tube of Refrigerated Pizza Dough like Pillsbury
Couple of cups of chopped up turkey
About a cup of stuffing
About a cup of cranberry sauce
Some turkey gravy
Some mashed potatoes
Cheddar cheese to top
And whatever else

Roll out the pizza dough on a greased baking sheet and cook a little less than half way through. Take out the baking sheet and now top with your desired ingredients to cook for the rest of the desired time or till the cheese melts through on the top.

Don’t forget to check out our arsenal of delicious recipes on MilitaryShoppers.com too. There are some great adaptable meals for your leftover turkey like Turkey Noodle Soup. Use this traditional Chicken Noodle Soup recipe and switch out the chicken for turkey.

It’s also easy to make Turkey Ala King. In a large pot, saute butter and green peppers for a couple of minutes then add flour and milk. When the mixture is a thick consistency, add turkey and other veggies. Serve this with warm buttermilk biscuits.

Turkey Casserole is a great one dish meal. All you need to do is mix turkey, macaroni, cream of chicken soup, cheese and milk in a large casserole dish and bake for an hour. Add curry powder for an extra kick.

How do you use your Thanksgiving leftovers? Share your recipe with the MilitaryShoppers recipe contest.

5 Tips for Saving Money During a Deployment

11/21/2014 By Rachel Tringali Marston

Deployments are never fun. Whether it’s your first or fifth, it doesn’t get any easier. One thing is for sure, deployments can offer families some relief by giving us the opportunity to save money.

Is your service member is deployed? Here are the top 5 tips to save money while your loved one is away.

Know the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. This is an important one and it should be on your radar before a deployment arises. There are some critical benefits that help military families during a deployment (and in general), thanks to this special piece of legislation. By utilizing the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, families can break leases that could potentially help with moving to areas that have lower cost of living as well as saving renters for their traditional Permanent Change of Station (PCS). Military members are able to cap their interest rates on loans (mortgage rates and credit cards). Most importantly, military members can cancel or freeze accounts due to a deployment. For instance, my husband’s cell phone bill is about $100 a month stateside. Because he had orders taking him overseas, he cancelled his service that subsequently saved us $1,200 for the year. The same applies for auto insurance or any other account that may have a subscription. They are not going to need those accounts while downrange.
Put Deployment Pay in a Savings Account. Depending on the type of deployment, TDY, unaccompanied tour, etc., your military member is given additional pay. Only 14 days into our marriage, my husband left for an unaccompanied tour to a location that gave him Hardship Duty Pay (HDP). Because I stayed behind, we were given Family Separation Allowance (FSA) as well. I encourage military spouses to understand as much as they can the different military financial terms to help prepare for any situation. We got married while my husband was still living in the barracks and I with roommates, which meant we didn’t have any practical household items like a sofa or kitchen goods. It was really important for us to save, save, save! We put ALL the additional money into a savings account to gain interest for the year he was away along with building a reasonable amount of money to help us get started in what I call the “real start to our marriage.”
Unplug Unused Items in Your Home. My husband has a whole side of the room that is plugged with his electronics. Not to mention, he has an Xbox, Playstation that he keeps in the living room. Unplug everything, especially if you don’t use it because it still uses a bit electricity. Every voltage counts in your bill and that could save you dollars that add up in the long run.
Establish a Tight Budget. Honestly, this is a difficult task, even for me, but it’s a tip that can seriously help with long term planning. I immediately went into a budget funk when my husband left for the very first time and began coping with retail therapy. Let’s be honest, a separation messes with your mindset a bit and it goes for both parties involved. After a month of spending anarchy, I snapped back and realized that I had some craziness coming (aka our PCS). Spend some time to crunch numbers and establish a strict budget. Aside from the deployment pay that’s going into a savings account, what else could you put into savings? What is the figure you have left after bills? There are lots of great resources out there to help military families budget. MilitaryOneSource offers a wealth of information and financial counselors to help you get on the right track. I entered everything into a Google Document and shared the file privately with my husband, so he was able to see how things were going when he got the opportunity to go online. Since then, my husband and I powwow before a departure to make sure we are on the same page. Keep the line of communication open when it comes to budget.
Meal Plan. A relatively mundane tip from the rest, but still important. In my opinion, meal planning doesn’t get enough attention about how it can really save you money. Confession: I was guilty of eating out or ordering in a lot when I was alone. Why meal plan when it’s only yourself feed? Answer: it adds up. On average, a meal out would be around $10 (give or take) with 5 days of purchasing, that would be $50 a week! If you have children, the figure just goes up. I’m not saying to completely nix eating out, just to moderate spending (we all need a little time out). Instead of spending $50 for one meal a day for a week, I use that figure to feed myself all three meals for a week. Use your strict budget to set-up a special allowance that goes to your food. Take some time to map out your meals for the week. That helps with keeping yourself in check with your planning.

How much money have you saved during a deployment? How did you do it? Share your tips.

5 Tips for Job Hunting When You’re Still in Uniform

11/19/2014 By Michelle Volkmann

As military spouses, the job hunt is just another box to check on our PCS checklist. We are constantly updating our resumes, networking with potential job leads and shaking hands at career fairs.

But what about our service members? The military teaches today’s veterans to fight terrorism on foreign soil but writing a stellar cover letter isn’t a component of boot camp.

According to 2 recent studies focused on veterans and unemployment, eight in 10 veterans did not have a job when they left the military and nearly half of veterans stayed in their first post-separation position for 12 months or less (and two-thirds for 2 years or less). These startling statistics shine a spotlight on veteran unemployment and the challenges surrounding this issue. Add the fact that our military is currently facing significant troop reductions, we can all agree that solving the unemployment problem for veterans starts when they are still in uniform.

5 Tips for Job Hunting and Networking When You’re Still in Uniform

Create a LinkedIn Profile. If you are in the military, you need a LinkedIn profile, even if you think you will serve for 20 years. This professional social media platform allows you to connect with former colleagues and potential employers. If you want a job, you need a LinkedIn account.
Befriend Civilians. The longer you are in the military, the more insular the community becomes. Within 5 years, you know loads of Marines, soldiers and sailors, but you don’t know any police officers, facility managers or educators. Solve this problem by joining a professional organization, like Toastmasters International. Toastmasters is an easy way to practice your public speaking skills and connect with professionals in your community. Volunteer to coach your kid’s soccer team or help with a local Boy Scouts troop. These extra-curricular activities will lead to potential jobs outside of the military.
Send Christmas Cards. When you say “see you later” to every captain or sergeant who crossed your path, don’t forget about each other. Dedicate time to keep in touch with service members that you served with at all ranks. Know who you can count on for references when the time comes to write your civilian resume. Build your network within your military community now.
Maintain Your Security Clearances and Certifications. In the military, there are certain boxes that you check for a particular job. It was a requirement for that job, but it won’t always be a requirement. If you speak a second language, take the test to be classified as bilingual. Raise your hand for collateral duties instead of being directed to take these roles within your command. Make sure your certifications and security clearances are up to date and current. Position yourself to be competitive both in and out of the military.
Make a Plan B. The fact is that the Department of Defense is downsizing and every soldier, Marine, airman and sailor needs to have a Plan B. You need to plan to take your military job and convert it to a civilian job in the future. Obviously the majority of military jobs do not have a civilian equivalent, so invent one. The military offered opportunities for leadership, so management is a natural fit for you. The military taught you how to motivate others, so sales may be calling your name. Research specialized programs like Troops to Teachers and Veterans to Farmers while you’re still active duty so that you know your options when you separate from the service.

Spend time twice a year brainstorming ways you can take the knowledge and experience you gained in the military and apply it toward your second career: Your civilian career. The one where you won’t have daily PT, mandatory fun and stand-downs.

What tips do you have for service members preparing to start their civilian job search?

Disclose or Hide? Should You Say You’re a MilSpouse During a Job Interview

11/17/2014 By Kimber Green

Do you tell potential employers that you’re a military spouse?

Should you tell an interviewer you are a military spouse? The answer depends on you. There are many professionals that will tell you both yes and no.

I have always been worried about this situation. I have a fantastic education, I’ve traveled the world and I am a hard worker. Unfortunately, my resume looks like Swiss cheese. Being part of a military family can create gaps in your resume. Moving is just part of the experience and I’ve always had a hard time finding the right job.

There are those questions that military spouses fear in a job interview. Why did you choose to move here? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Why do you have gaps in your resume and why are all of your jobs in different states? The recruiters I spoke with all had different answers.

These are average interview questions, but are they really fishing to see if you are a military spouse? It is illegal to ask an interviewee if they are a military spouse so there are some people that use these types of questions to get around it. My biggest fear in saying I was a milspouse was that they would skip past my other qualifications and see me as someone who is going to leave in a short time. Why hire me when they know they’ll be back searching for another person soon?

I would avoid any mention of the military during job interviews for this reason.

My answers would be that I moved to the area because I loved what it had to offer and I was looking for a place to put down roots. Why did I move so much and change jobs often or have gaps in my resume? I loved to travel and learn new things that would prepare me for the right career instead of just a job. At the time, I thought they were great answers and that I had side-stepped the questions. When I got the job I would always feel guilty that I didn’t tell them that I was a military spouse. They would find out all too soon that I was and surprisingly they have never been upset.

That’s when I realized that being part of the military family was not something I should hold back, but a great asset that I should utilize in an interview. Next time you are faced with these questions consider saying that being a milspouse has made you a flexible team player, a quick learner, a problem-solver and the person that they are going to hire.

Don’t worry too much about the interviewer focusing on the likelihood that you will be leaving in a few short years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the average number of years workers typically stay with a job, as reported in September 2014, was 4.6 years. Turnover is high these days as the younger generation chooses to explore different jobs and opportunities.

If you do want to get a leg up on the competition there is a program, Military Spouse Preference (MSP), which is designed to help spouses stay in the workforce and find jobs easier when PCSing. It only applies to positions with the Department of Defense (DoD) and for military spouses who meet specific criteria. There are two types of federal employment within the DoD. These include civil service or Appropriated Fund and Non-Appropriated Fund. Those that make the short list of candidates for a job are given preference. If a federal position with the DoD is something you are interested in, utilize this program.

What questions have you been asked in an interview?

What questions have you been asked in a job interview?

For tools beyond Monster.com and Craigslist, use military spouse specific search engines when looking for a job. Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) is there to help you hone your skills and find the right job.

MSEP, a targeted recruitment and employment solution, creates employment connections that provide companies with direct access to military spouses seeking career opportunities and spouses with direct access to employers who are actively recruiting. MSEP currently has more than 220 partners, who have hired over 60,000 military spouses.

Don’t be part of the 25 percent of military spouses that are looking for employment but haven’t found a job just because you are afraid of saying, or not saying, in an interview that you are a milspouse.

Have you experienced this disclosure dilemma in a job interview? How did you handle it?

More Than a Sauce: Why You Should Eat Cranberries Daily

11/14/2014 By Kimber Green

When choosing cranberries, look for plump ones that are deep red and firm to the touch.

Many Americans consider cranberry sauce one of the key components to a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner. Whether you serve it whole berry or jellied, made from grandma’s secret recipe or simply opened from a can, it is sure to grace your table this holiday season.

For some, this is the only time of the year they eat cranberries. Why? This superfood doesn’t get the praise and attention that it should. It is more than just a delicious side dish. Cranberries are loaded with health-promoting antioxidants.

Numerous studies have shown the benefits of eating cranberries. These include protection against UTIs, anti-inflammatory benefits, immune support, cardiovascular benefits, antioxidant protection, anti-cancer benefits and digestive tract benefits. The key to getting as much nutrients as possible is eating the entire berry.

The most common reason Americans eat cranberries and drink cranberry juice is to fight and prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs), but did you know the anti-inflammatory properties of cranberries can help lower your risk of periodontal disease? If you are the type of person that hates going to the dentist then you might want to consider adding cranberries to your diet to help lower your risk of periodontal disease and those dreaded dental procedures.

The benefits of cranberries don’t stop there. Antioxidant components of cranberries also hold the key to cardiovascular benefits. This includes a decreased risk of high blood pressure and the lowering of LDL-cholesterol while increasing the levels of HDL-cholesterol.

The biggest studies in the last 10 years show cancer-preventive benefits of cranberries in breast, colon, lung and prostate cancer. It is the phytochemicals in the berries that inhibit the growth and proliferation of several types of tumors.

Fresh cranberries have the highest levels of nutrients. They are harvested in September and October and can mainly be found in grocery stores between October and December. This is perfect timing to add nutrients to holiday meals in a delicious fashion. November 23 is National Eat a Cranberry Day which gives you the perfect opportunity to try out new cranberry recipes before Thanksgiving.

Numerous studies have shown the benefits of eating cranberries.

For some great cranberry recipes including Cranberry Delight, Sherried Acorn Squash & Cranberries and Sweet and Salty Cranberry Clusters, visit MilitaryShoppers Recipes page. Or try this cranberry pound cake with orange glaze by jen miller here.

When choosing the perfect cranberries for these recipes, make sure to look for plump ones that are deep red and firm to the touch. These optimal berries are more highly concentrated with anthocyanin compounds which give you the most benefits. While many fresh fruits and vegetables have a short shelf life, cranberries can be stored in the refrigerator for around 3 weeks. If you want to try out a few more recipes before the big family dinner, the long shelf life will allow you to keep batches longer.

Cranberry season is very short so you may want to stock up and freeze them in groups. You can find dried and frozen cranberries year-round as well as cranberry juice. Remember that most benefits come from eating the whole berry so while drinking cranberry juice will provide nutrients, you won’t be getting all the benefits of this superfood.

Try a new cranberry recipe and leave the jelly in the can this year.

Try a new cranberry recipe and leave the jelly in the can this Thanksgiving.

Make the most of this season and eat fresh cranberries while they are at their peak. You can simply pop a few on top of your morning oatmeal or pack a small bag with your children’s lunch to add a few more into your diet. If you’ve always been the “open a can of cranberry sauce” kind of person, hopefully this information on cranberry health benefits will motivate you to try a new recipe or at least add a few more cranberries to your day.

The George Mateljan Foundation’s website says it best: adding cranberries to your diet can “help make every day throughout the year a holiday from disease.”

How do you plan on adding cranberries to your diet? Share your favorite recipes with MilitaryShoppers.

5 College Degrees Leading to Portable Careers

11/12/2014 By Rachel Tringali Marston

A college degree is a big deal.

A recent article from Kiplinger mentioned that an employee with a bachelor’s degree earns on average almost double the amount of money compared with a person with only a high school diploma.

Basically, that extra piece of paper makes you more competitive, more portable and more money.

Whether you had to put your education on hold or never got the chance to start, it’s important to begin the admissions (or re-admissions) process with a solid direction. Military spouses endure unique career challenges. We need to factor in PCSing, managing a household (sometimes alone) and countless other random military-related last minute craziness when choosing the right time to earn a college degree.

With that in mind, picking a major should be the first decision you make, even before researching schools. Your interest will dictate what school or program you will want to apply for. It will be a huge advantage to establish a path at the very beginning.

Start by thinking about what you see yourself doing afterward you earn your diploma. A lot of military spouses choose to study a program that would result in a portable career. It makes sense. We have a relatively mobile lifestyle, so why not pursue a curriculum that would support a portable career?

Here are 5 college majors for milspouses looking for a portable career:

Management. After you graduate, a degree in management offers a whole lot of flexibility. It sets the foundation for a variety of jobs that a lot of employers seek, whatever your interest. Personally, I have friends that have pursued a sales managerial position, opened their own e-commerce store and another that used it to work admissions at a school. All jobs that are easily transferable. There are many military spouses with great ideas and this degree direction might be an excellent way to build your successful small business.
Health care. From nursing to medical technicians, the heath care field offers a broad selection of degree programs. There are also options for certain professions that may not need a bachelor’s degree, only a certificate or associate’s degree, which gives this path flexibility (i.e. Registered Nurse (RN) versus a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)). Wherever you are stationed, there will most likely be a doctor’s office, hospital, dentist, rehab center, etc. Despite what people may say about the difficulties in finding jobs in heath care, it’s hard to argue against the continuous need for people in the profession. It’s a challenge to find a job in general, so if it’s your passion to help others in this way, go for it! Remember to discuss all the appropriate certifications with your career counselor that way you’re ahead of the curve when you begin the job hunt at your new duty station.
Communications. I was once told that a communications degree was pointless. On the contrary, a B.A. in communications can open doors to a very wide range of opportunities. It’s a creative discipline and if you have a knack for working with people, brainstorming ideas, writing, communicating in general, then this major is for you. I’m extremely bias because I hold a communications degree. I was able to explore several different facets before putting together my portable career. For example, I studied journalism, marketing, and public speaking.
Computer Science. There is no doubt that the digital age is booming. With a computer science degree, you become the go-to person. Other degrees that are similar are computer engineering or computer development. After graduation, use your expertise and land a job being a developer or researcher. There is no denying that a bachelor’s degree in computer science would translate into a very lucrative career. The National Association of College and Employers (NACE) reports that the starting salary for someone with a computer science degree is around $64K.
Information Technology/Systems. Not to be confused with computer science, this degree takes technology systems and integrates them with businesses. For example, the skills you learn with this program can be applied to work for a number of places like IT firms, online Internet security companies or apply for other similar professions. This degree is great because it provides a well-rounded technical education.

If you are still undecided on a major, aim your studies toward a genre like liberal arts, business or science. Once you’ve applied within a certain school, work on your prerequisites before finalizing your major. U.S. News and World Report is a great resource to gather information on universities, programs, and a whole lot more, including some tips too.

Ultimately, choose a major that is right for you, no matter what. It’s best to be in a career that you love because then your job will never feel like work.

Want more information about college degrees that are most compatible with military life? Visit the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities Program website.

How to Teach Your Children About Veterans Day

11/05/2014 By Julie Provost

You want to teach your children about any holiday throughout the year and as a military family teaching them about Veterans Day is a must. What your child understands about the day might depend on the age of your child and their personality. Some will be a lot more interested in it than others.

Here are a few ideas on how to recognize Veterans Day with your children.

One idea is to tell them about the veterans in their family. If you are a military family this will of course include Mom or Dad but they might not know who else in your family served. Get out all the photographs you can find of family members in uniform over the years. Sit down together and show them each person and let them know when they served. Your children will enjoy seeing the photos and will be able to put a face alongside periods of history in our country.

If there are any Veterans Day parades in your area, you should plan to take your children. They can really learn a lot about the day by doing this. They can see the veterans in your community and learn a little bit more about the history of when people served. It is also a great way to participate in your community.

You can also host a Veterans Day craft party at your home. Invite some other families and find some fun crafts on Pinterest. You can find different cutouts and puzzles for them to do. You can also do this before a parade and make banners to hold when you go to it. Just getting the children thinking about what November 11 stands for is very important.

If you have older children that would be interested, you can show them a documentary on what it means to be a veteran. You can find these at your local library, on television or even online. After it airs, make sure to discuss it with your children. Let them ask you any questions they might have. Have them write down what they learned from watching the documentary.

A great way to give back is to have your children write letters to veterans in your community. They can be something as simple as a card with a picture on it. Anything they can do to show their appreciation would be a good thing. You can look in your community about different events that help veterans and see if there is anything you and your children can do to help them out. Doing so will be good for those who have served and will teach your children tangible ways of saying thank you to the military.

Even if you do not live in a military town you should be able to find something going on that you can take your kids to. Make it a habit to go somewhere every year so your kids will know the importance of that day. They will grow up learning what it means to serve and how we as Americans should treat those who have done so.

What are your plans for Veterans Day? Tell us in the comments below.

Save Money with Discounted Thanksgiving Dinner Items This Month

11/03/2014 By Michelle Volkmann

Even though I haven’t completely recovered from my Halloween candy indulgence (I need to get those Snickers out of my house), I am mentally preparing for my family’s Thanksgiving food feast. Have you made your Thanksgiving dinner shopping list yet? How many people are you hosting this November? Are you having a potluck?

Preparing a Thanksgiving dinner is a cooking triathlon. The first event? Shopping for your family’s turkey and the mountain of ingredients for appetizers, side dishes and desserts. The second event is prep work. Thanksgiving-cooking gurus recommend making as much food as possible ahead of time. This sprint of cooking starts a week before the holiday and ends when you take that golden turkey out of the oven. Then the final event…clean-up duty.

Despite this complicated and at times overwhelming meal creation, Thanksgiving dinner remains my favorite holiday meal.

Last year, the American Farm Bureau Federation announced that the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner (turkey, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, etc.) for 10 adults cost nearly $50 in groceries. I’m willing to bet that military families with the advantage of everyday low commissary prices combined with special discounts this month will purchase their Thanksgiving dinners for less than $50. What do you think? How much is your holiday food budget for Thanksgiving? How are you planning to save money while cooking enough food for a small Army? The answer is easy: Shop this month’s commissary specials.

If my favorite Thanksgiving dish– green bean casserole– is on your menu, be sure to stock up on Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup. It’s on sale this month for only 67 cents per can. At that price, you can make green bean casserole for Thanksgiving AND Christmas.

Another pantry staple that you don’t want to run out of is Swanson chicken broth because a dry turkey is a terrible turkey. Keep that bird moist and tasty with plenty of chicken broth in the stuffing. I also put a sizeable amount in the bottom of the turkey roaster to keep it cooking evenly without drying out for hours.

Military families will also save money this month when they buy their Pillsbury crescent dinner rolls at their military commissary. This month, the convenient dinner rolls are on sale for $1.50 each. At that low price, you won’t mind when your husband invites 20 single sailors to Thanksgiving dinner at the last minute.

Prefer biscuits to crescent rolls? You’re in luck. Pillsbury biscuits are also on sale at your military commissary this month. The sale price is $1.28 each.

My mother is on the only person I know who makes her pie crust from scratch. For the rest of us with time and patience on our hands there is Pillsbury pie crust. It’s also on sale this month.

Want more convenient ways to save money at your commissary? Be sure to ask for a 2014 Thanksgiving Turkey Coupon Promotion booklet the next time you shop your military commissary. Quantities are limited.

Good luck to all those Thanksgiving dinner triathletes. May your turkey stay moist, may your leftovers be minimal and may your guests be kind enough to offer to wash your dishes.

Want to know the weekly manager’s specials? Sign up for MilitaryShoppers’ newsletter.

10 Military Discounts for Winter Vacation

10/31/2014 By Rachel Tringali Marston

Summer isn’t the only time to travel! Lots of families opt to plan their vacations during the winter months to save money. Select destinations and resorts offer off-peak prices that are perfect for any wallet. A winter vacation is also a nice change of pace when the temperature drops.

Military families should consider off-season vacationing too. In addition to possible reduced prices, there are significant discounts out there for families to utilize. Not to mention that the holidays might mean the opportunity for military members to take block leave, so it’s easier for families to vacation. My husband and I are vacationing a week before Christmas during his block leave.

Here is a list of 10 destinations and travel companies that offer discounts for military families.

Cruising the Caribbean

1. Royal Caribbean: My husband and I are using the military rate to cruise with Royal Caribbean for the second time. Cruising is a great way to travel and see multiple locations all at once. There are so many different departure ports that you can either drive or easily fly to one. For example, we’re going to drive from my hometown in Texas to sail out of Galveston. We already intended to fly from our duty station to my hometown, so it’s not too much trouble to travel to a departure port.

2. Carnival: There are other cruise lines that offer a military discount. Carnival also has wonderful deals with similar departure ports for families. Don’t forget your passport for cruising the Caribbean. Get started on the process now, if you are planning a trip to the tropics this holiday season.

Resorts and Destinations

3. LEGOLAND: There is so much more than Legos at LEGOLAND! Military families can play, stay and enjoy more than 50 rides and attractions at both the California and Florida locations.

4. Busch Gardens and Sea World: Sea World Parks and Entertainment has a military discount program called Waves of Honor. All Sea World Parks, including Busch Gardens and Sesame Place, have special veteran and active duty rates.

5. Gaylord Marriott Resorts: Marriott Hotels offer a military rate at all of their locations, but 2 resorts also offer military discounted tickets for Christmas shows. The Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville is hosting “A Country Christmas” with ICE! ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. The Gaylord National Resort, a resort in National Harbor, Maryland, has the show “Christmas on the Potomac” with ICE! featuring Frosty the Snowman. This show takes families on the journey of the beloved snowy character.

6. Disney: We can’t leave out Disney Resorts! Both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort offer the Armed Forces Salute program that discounts park entry for military members and their families. There are also special rates for select resorts in the Orlando area that you don’t want to miss. No matter how old you are, Disney guarantees a great time.

7. Las Vegas: The City of Lights is filled with resorts that offer military discounts. The Tropicana Hotel has their “Hero Rate” program and mentions other discounts available in the area, including restaurants. Another resort group that advertises a military program is the MGM Grand. If you’re interested in another hotel, see if they have a military rate. Las Vegas is a military friendly city with discounts for several live shows too, just search around.

8. Puerto Rico: No need for a passport to this tropical location. Fort Buchanan, a U.S. Army Garrison, is just 7 miles away from San Juan. Military families can utilize the MWR for local discounts and deals. Major hotel chains are in the area, so check out the Double Tree by Hilton San Juan, San Juan Marriott Resort or Hyatt Hacienda Del Mar.

Interested in staying in a winter wonderland? Try a ski vacation.

9. Winter Park Resorts: West of Denver, Winter Park Resort is a winter getaway that sells military discounts for lift passes and discount lodging. If you’re stationed in the area, there are season passes available too.

10. Snowshoe Mountain: For those that are on the East Coast, Snowshoe Mountain has military packages for discounted lift tickets and lodging this season. Snowshoe is located at the highest point of the Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia.

If you don’t see a destination that interests you above, do some research on your area of choice to see if there are any discounts or reduced rates for military. Most likely, you’ll find something that you can use.

What’s your favorite military travel discount to use during the holiday season?

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