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Budgeting: A Path, Not a Cage

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*This is a guest post contributed by Catherine Hershey.

Budgeting, much like exercising, only works if you have a clear and realistic path to success. This includes pushing your comfort zone while keeping up some of the things you rely on to ensure you follow-through. It is not responsible to expect yourself to transform from being a spending junkie or a Starbucks addict to a minimalist budgeting angel of peace in one day. It is a process which must start right now, right where we are. It is easy to put things off to the non-existent future saying “after the house is remodeled, then I will be stingy” or “After all my maid of honor duties are over, then I will spend only on necessary things” or “I’m just really having a bad day, I need a shopping spree and a night out. After today I won’t spend money”. Celebrating milestones, making your home comfortable and inviting, or pouring your creative mind into hobbies and passions, are all things that are important and worthy of your hard earned money on. My husband and I both have hobbies and interests which require a bit of spending. Instead of cutting these things out in the interest of saving money, our hobbies serve to fuel our motivation for cutting back the unnecessary spending. In order to make room for the fun things, it is important to have a tight hold on the every day expenses. But taking control does not happen overnight. It requires a path that will lead you on a fulfilling life-changing journey, one step at a time.

STEP 1: TRACK EVERY DOLLAR

Before you can figure out exactly how much life costs you and how much money is wasted, you need a visual representation of all the incoming and outgoing money. In our house, we have a large white board in a visible (yet private) area on which we have listed our spending in categories: Bills, Grocery, Eating Out, Car, Cash, Other. You may also consider adding categories such as Entertainment, Household, Travel, etc. At the bottom of the column we have written the total amount spent, the total amount earned, and the Margin (or difference) between the two. Every Friday, I pull up our bank statement on the computer and write down each transaction in a notebook in the appropriate column, then and update the whiteboard with the totals. At the end of each month, we input the totals into an excel sheet which tracks our averages in each category as well as the total amount earned and spent for the year.
This may seem like unnecessary work considering the existence of banking apps such as Mint that can do this for you. But I find that physically writing each one down helps me to feel like I have more control and more understanding of our current situation. Furthermore, doing this once a week, rather than seeing it every day on my phone, helps me to not obsess and stress over it.

Once you have a clear idea of where the money is going, you can see where spending can be trimmed, which brings us to step two.

STEP 2: IDENTIFY OVERSPENDING AND PROBLEM SOLVE

It is time to examine each column and determine whether there is unnecessary spending going on. For instance, our grocery bill was high for several months in a row. So I decided to get better at cooking and meal planning. My goal was to have 30 good recipes that everyone liked so I wouldn’t have to repeat any and we wouldn’t get sick of them. At the beginning of our marriage, I knew how to make three things. Every week I would try a new recipe (from the internet, or one of the cookbooks I have). Some were terrible and some required a few tries to get right, but we eventually found some keepers and my list steadily grew. Now, I am able to sit down and put together a whole meal plan once a week (accounting for our lunches and the kids’ snacks) and our grocery spending has become more consistent and steady. More importantly, the practice of trying a new recipe every week has become a habit which is steadily making me a better cook and our mealtimes are becoming more diverse and enjoyable. Hint hint: the commissary is a great place to find new ingredients for those diverse, cultural recipes you want to try!

Moving on to the next category, our Eating Out spending was high for several months in a row because my husband was eating out for lunch most days during the week. With some experimentation and creative thinking we finally figured out what kind of lunch I could send to work with him that would be appropriate for the kind of job he was doing and how much time he had for lunch. This saves us on average $50/week.

I did however notice there were still many Starbucks transactions, adding up to about $60/month. This was partly because my husband left for work at 6am every morning and partly because there was a Starbucks near the playground where I frequently took the kids for play dates. We solved this problem by setting the coffee maker every night to turn on at 5:30am the next day, picking up a flavored coffee creamer, and buying a $30 cold brewer. This way we always have several varieties of coffee available to us and are able to take a mug or thermos full when we leave the house. Our Starbucks spending went down to about $10/month.

We believe that budgeting is about problem solving and will take time. It should be treated as a life changing journey with some give and take. Some months you will be right where you need to be, some months you will drop the ball. Those months shouldn’t be discouraging, but a chance to learn what you can do better next time.  You can’t learn to be a good cook in one day, but if you try something new every week you will soon have a months worth of good recipes which will keep you from getting bored and eating out.

STEP 3: SET GOALS

The fun thing about budgeting is there is no set amount that you should be spending in each category, that is totally determined by you. Combing through our lifestyle habits and finding where spending can be trimmed is an exercise that requires a lot of humility and self honesty.

But without something driving you to cut back the extra spending, you will continue bad habits and drown in guilt. This is why it is important to have long-term goals as well as monthly budget goals. Most of us have some sort of debt and this is a good motivator to cut back on spending. When you have figured out how much your spending can be cut down month to month, make big goals for putting that money towards paying off your debt and saving for your future. Because of the lifestyle changes I mentioned above, we were able to pay off our 6-year car loan in 3 years, and cut my student loans in half in 2 years. This kind of success is empowering! Once you achieve one of your goals it becomes easier to conceive the kind of future you want and draft the steps you need to take to get there.

Budgeting needs to be revised for the 21st century. The methods that our parents used are out of date and need some revamping. The envelopes full of money method is no longer effective, as most of our financial transactions are digital. It is time to embrace a journey of honest change rather than simply putting a cage around our money.

 

Smooth Transition to Civilian Life Made Easier By ESGR

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**This is a guest post contributed by Chuck Baker. 

In 1946 William Wyler directed a post-WWII film entitled “The Best Years of Our Lives.” Considered by most critics and film goers as one of the best movies ever produced, the Oscar winning story revolves around three servicemen returning home after the war. In one scene, actor Dana Andrews returns to the drugstore where he worked prior to the service. The manager asks Andrews if he gained any experience that could transfer to the drugstore. For example, was he a supervisor, did he work in the supply room, did he have purchasing skills? Andrews answers that all he did was pilot bombers over enemy territory. The manger shrugged and offered Andrews a job as a soda jerk, which he took. After all, employment was difficult to obtain after the war.

Today, real-life experiences like that are few and far between. Uniformed service members of the National Guard and Reserve have rights and responsibilities when they return from active duty, particularly when it comes to returning to their pre-deployment employment. And employers are also expected to adhere to laws that govern their actions. Mary T. Johnson is a Nevada based local chairperson of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR.) She oversees a large group of State-wide volunteers who help spread the word concerning smooth transitioning of Nevada residents who return to the workforce after serving the nation.

“We’re fortunate to have support from Nevada’s employers,” Johnson said. She explained that ESGR circulates information under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act that mandates obligations for employers to rehire National Guard and Reservists. But she points out that those returning are required to act quickly as well. Upon returning, they must notify companies of the date they plan to go back to work, and they should seek to resolve any pay and compensation issues. Other details that will vary from employer to employer, such as reviewing 401k or other pension plans, discussing retirement and life insurance benefits, updating personal data such as addresses and phone numbers, and determining if training or retraining of job skills is necessary.

Companies are nominated each year to receive awards for their help in transitioning servicemen and women back to work. There are three categories. “We give awards to large firms, small companies and public sector firms,” Johnson said. Work revolving around ESGR is accomplished by volunteers. Johnson, a resident of Southern Nevada, is a Navy Reservist who reports to the Fallon Naval Air Station. Her volunteer work is separate from her Reserve duties. She covers the entire State, but she is always seeking the services of new volunteers.

Find your local ESGR representative by visiting the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve website here.

*Chuck Baker is a free-lance writer specializing in veterans and military topics.

The Tactical Military Guide to Buying Your First Home

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As a thank you for serving the nation, the country gives back to the military personnel by making it more affordable for them to purchase a home. In other words, military benefits could make buying a home 36 percent less expensive than renting. However, these benefits sometimes seem too good to be true and many people rush into buying their first home. You wouldn’t go out in the field without the proper checks and verifiable intelligence, so why would you buy a house without the same information? Check out some of these tips to help you score the home of your dreams.  

Figure Out What You Can Afford

The first step in buying a home is to determine your budget. Typically, you will want to buy a home that including payments and insurance does not exceed 35-45 percent of your gross annual income. Remember though, these are not the only costs associated with buying a home. You will also have to dish out money for things such as home appraisal and inspection so be sure to include this in your calculations. You will also want a lender to pull your full credit report so that you can determine whether your score is good enough for a loan. If you don’t feel comfortable with your credit score, you might want to rent until you bring it back up.  

Find a VA-Savvy Agent

Veterans and active-duty service members are eligible for a VA loan if you have served 90 consecutive days on active duty during wartime, 181 consecutive days on active duty during peacetime, or 6 or more years in the National Guard or Reserves. The benefit of a VA loan is that it makes buying a home more affordable by offering no down payment, no mortgage insurance, lower interest rates and more lenient credit requirements. However, not every realtor is familiar with the VA system, so you need to make sure that you find an agent that is aware of how to navigate these waters. The VA won’t underwrite any house, so your realtor must be sure that you find a home that meets the VA property requirements. You can ask another vet for a referral, or look for reliable military affiliate real estate agents online for the most knowledgeable professionals.

Shop Around

Just like any purchase, it’s always a good idea to shop around and compare VA loan rates from multiple lenders. It’s true that this can cause your score to fall a couple of points, but it doesn’t occur every time and it’s better to be safe than sorry. You will also want to shop around for different houses to ensure you’re getting the best deal. When you decide on the home of your dreams, be sure to do a home inspection. You will want to get a clear look into the things that may be lurking in the darkest parts of the home and it will also allow you to negotiate terms and costs of the home.

Buying the home of your dreams is possible with the right strategy. Take these tactics into consideration and you’ll be lounging in your new home in no time at all.

 

 

2018 Brings Pay and BAH Increases…Or Does It?

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It’s the new year and along with resolutions, new tax regulations and the Winter Olympics, we also have the annual military pay increase.

2018 Brings Pay and BAH Increases...Or Does It?

For active duty, the 2.4% pay increase will be the largest pay raise since 2010. But is it enough?

In years past the raise has been a little lackluster, but this year most folks are pretty happy with the pay increase. How much are we going to see? For active duty, the 2.4% pay increase will be the largest pay raise since 2010. For my spouse, that means a monthly increase of just under $100 a month. Not too shabby, maybe we can finally institute a monthly date night.

For retirees, the annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) pay increase will be 2%, a definite increase over years past.

To see how much the pay increase for active duty personnel will benefit your household, check out the 2018 Military Pay Rates chart here. Retirees and disabled veterans can find more information about the new COLA rate by clicking here.

In addition to all the stir about the pay increase, you might also have heard that BAH rates are ticking up slightly. And by slightly, I mean just barely at 0.7% on average, but an increase is an increase, I suppose.

The average service member will see less than a $20 increase in their BAH rates, but over the course of the year, an extra $240 can come in handy. If you’re like me, that’s my budget to replant my vegetable garden and buy a new watering can.

Keep in mind that the uptick in BAH is not a blanket increase. Some places will see as much as 10% to 15% (Beale AFB, Mountain Home AFB and Fort Wayne), while other places like Fort Riley, Camp Lejeune and Pensacola will see BAH drop as much as 5% or more.

Don’t worry if you already live in one of the areas that will see a decrease. Current regulations prevent BAH dropping for personnel already stationed at a particular location. Only incoming personnel will be affected by the drop.

That being said, make sure you do your research if a PCS is in your future.

One thing many folks may not be aware of, however, is the current BAH dampening plan to push 5% of housing cost responsibilities back to service members by 2019.

Even with the increases offered to many this year, service members will see the increase in their BAH not stretching as far as it did in years past. The published 2018 BAH rates will only cover 96% of the average housing costs, with an additional 1% reduction expected next year. The thought is that this plan will free up some much-needed funds in the defense budget.

I’m not sure how I feel about this idea. In part this feels like another inch in the steady erosion of military pay and benefits. In many specialty job positions, services are struggling to retain qualified military personnel who reap the benefits of training while in service only to be romanced away by the large salary and benefit offers coming from civilian employers.

I understand the money has to come from somewhere, but in my experience, BAH has frequently not kept up with growing housing costs and given that service members have no say in the duty stations they are assigned to, reduction in the BAH benefits will make PCSing to some duty stations that much harder.

In places like Virginia Beach, San Diego and Washington, D.C., where the cost of living is already 15% to 40% higher than the national average, even a 5% reduction in benefits will hit service members’ wallets hard.

And it doesn’t exactly scream “stay in” when it comes time to consider re-enlistment.

When you consider this pay increase – that’s not really an increase – along with some of the jumps in medical costs put out by Tricare for 2018, the benefits so many service members expected as part of their pay is slowly but surely being whittled away.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly not going to turn down a pay increase, but it’s important that we remain aware of what those increases actually mean. And when you consider that the call to serve is answered by so few, I have a hard time understanding why pay and benefits seem to be on the steady decline.

What do you think of this year’s pay increase for service members?

Add Continuity to Your PCS: Tips on How to Work from Home

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by guest contributor Lucy Wyndham

As a military spouse, you spend a lot of time stressing over things every PCS. From finding a new home to meeting new friends, it is extremely hard to settle in every time you move. However, how would you like to have one less thing to worry about? Finding a job is probably one of the biggest struggles for a military spouse. But with 43 percent of Americans spending at least sometime working remotely, the ability to work from home is becoming more possible.

Benefits of Working Remotely

Military spouses have a very unique life that requires a lot of flexibility. A remote job can help improve the flexibility in your life by allowing you to work when you want and where you want. It also allows you to have continuity in your career. You will be able to maintain the same job whenever you have to move.

Top Remote Jobs for Military Spouses

If you’re ready to make the change to a remote work life, check out these jobs that are sure to allow you to make money no matter where you are.

  • Virtual Assistant: More and more companies are outsourcing the role of the admin or assistant to cut on overhead costs. In this role, you can do many jobs from scheduling and bookkeeping to event planning all while in your PJs.
  • Social Media Manager: More than 50 million businesses use Facebook to connect with their customers. Social media is an important aspect of a company’s brand, presence, and marketing. Therefore, there are many jobs in the market related to maintaining social media sites. If you’re savvy with applications like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, this might be a good field for you.
  • Survey Taker: Survey site companies invest billions of dollars into online market research. They pay you to help companies determine product marketability and consumer behavior. All you need is a phone or computer and you can get paid for every survey you complete. Some of the best paid survey sites include Swagbucks, Harris Poll, Inbox Dollars, and MyPoints.
  • Freelance Writer: A freelance writer earns an average of $24.70 an hour from the comfort of their own home. This includes bloggers, ghost writers, and the academic writers. Find something that you love to write about and get your work out there. The best way to get attention is to create a blog. Since you’re a military spouse, one great idea is to provide advice to other spouses or military families. Once you’ve built up your portfolio, start applying to some paid freelance jobs or consider ways to make money directly on your blog.
  • Photographer: One of the great things about moving so much is that you get to see parts of the world that others do not have the opportunity to see. Why not bank on this and start up a career in photography? If you have a good eye, you could sell your pictures online. Simply create your own online portfolio and reach out to potential customers.

With the increase in technology, working from home is a reality for many people. Figure out which of these jobs calls to you  and start your journey towards a new career.

*this article was submitted by guest contributor Lucy Wyndham

11 Companies That Will Let You Move Within Their Corporation When You Move

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PCS time often means that military spouses are forced to hand in their notices. But there are some awesome companies that will let military spouses transfer their jobs when they move.

11 Companies That Will Let You Move Within Their Corporation When You Move

Do you work for a military spouse-friendly employer? Are you looking to work for one?

11 Companies That Will Let You Move Within Their Corporation When You Move

Comcast-NBC Universal

This media heavy hitter is the top-rated employer by Military Friendly for 2017. Not only has Comcast-NBC Universal committed to hiring 10,000 veterans and military spouses, they make it easy to balance work and life. There are military advisory committees, the option to move to part-time during deployments and job relocation assistance. Even if there is not a position with the company at the next duty station, Comcast-NBC Universal will help military spouses find their next position.

Hilton

Hilton has committed to hiring 10,000 military spouses and veterans by 2018. In addition to this commitment, Hilton has properties around the world. While not explicitly stated, it is implied that military spouses hired at one Hilton location may be able to transfer to another location. There are also remote positions available.

Adecco

Adecco is a staffing agency that provides temporary workers in a variety of fields. According to Rachelle Chapman, Military Liaison and Senior Manager for Strategic Partnerships, temping is a great fit for military spouses. Adecco has national reach, which allows military spouses to continue to work through Adecco to find new temporary employment after a PCS. Plus, there is the ability to work in several fields which will diversify your skill set.

Starbucks

Along with a great cup of coffee, Starbucks offers competitive job benefits for military spouses. There are expanded education benefits, flexible scheduling and the opportunity to transfer to another Starbucks location following a PCS. Starbucks has also created 32 military-friendly stores across the United States. These stores are primarily operated by military spouses and veterans.

U.S. Government Agencies

Military bases are often a hub of federal employment. Military spouses can leverage their recent PCS to receive hiring preference. There are positions in a wide variety of career fields and for those with different levels of education or experience. Spouses can claim hiring preference for 2 years following their sponsor’s PCS orders.

Being hired for a federal position does require work and lots of documentation. However, you can register in advance of your next PCS move to facilitate easier job searching and hiring.

AAFES

Every military base has one. Your local AAFES Exchange is a great place for military spouses to seek employment. Military spouses can readily transfer their position to another AAFES location too. To be eligible, spouses must:

  • be PCSing with their sponsor
  • have worked for AAFES for at least 6 months
  • have at least satisfactory employee evaluations
  • and be transferring withing the same employment category

MCCS

For Marine Corps spouses, working for Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) is a great option. There are opportunities across a variety of fields available and military spouses can claim preference. There are positions available at Marine bases in the United States and overseas.

La Quinta

La Quinta Inns & Suites are located nationwide. For many military families, La Quinta provides a welcome pet-friendly refuge during PCS season. The hotel chain also has a military spouse and veteran hiring initiative in place. According to their website, La Quinta offers jobs in a variety of roles that are transferable and has the opportunity to promote within the company.

Booz Allen Hamilton

Booz Allen Hamilton is a diverse company and a leader across many sectors. Having been founded by a veteran and working closely with the DoD, Booz Allen Hamilton is committed to employing military spouses and veterans. They have dedicated military hiring programs and offer benefits to military spouses and veterans. According to first-person stories featured on their website, military spouses have been able to transfer jobs within the company after PCSing.

L Brands

L Brands’ stores are ubiquitous in malls across the world: Bath & Body Works; Victoria’s Secret, La Senza and Henri Bendel. The company employs over 88,000 people across their brands and corporate office. L Brands frequently promotes from within its current employee pool and offers relocation. While there is no specific military spouse or veteran hiring program, with stores located around the world, you stand a great chance of being able to transfer to another location.

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo has made a commitment to support veterans and military families. The banking firm has opportunities to translate military service into job skills. They also provide relocation assistance for spouses who are moving because of their family member’s military service. Wells Fargo will help employees to find a similar job in their next location. There are more services dedicated to hiring veterans, but there are also military support teams and initiatives within the company.

Do you work for a company that allows you to move your job with you? Give them a shout out in the comments. Thank them for being a military spouse-friendly employer.

How Do Unemployment Benefits Work for Military Spouses Living Overseas?

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Filing for unemployment isn’t as complicated as it once was. If you are a military spouse that has lost a job due to PCSing with your service member, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. There are many factors that go into determining if you qualify along with how much money you can receive. Finding out if you do qualify and how much you may receive does not have to be difficult anymore as most states have this information readily available online.

How Do Unemployment Benefits Work for Military Spouses Living Overseas?

Many states do not spell out whether moving overseas qualifies or disqualifies a military spouse from receiving unemployment benefits.

There are now 46 states, as well as the District of Columbia, that provide unemployment insurance for military spouses that leave their jobs specifically to follow their service members on a new assignment.

Only Idaho, Louisiana, North Dakota and Ohio consider leaving a job for this reason to be “voluntary” and therefore not a good reason for leaving a job under any wavier.

Ohio worked on legislation last year to include military spouse relocation due to a PCS to be eligible for compensation. It however stalled in the state House in November with some opposing the bill saying they are already borrowing money from the government and without asking for further funds, this would create a heavier tax on businesses.

When filing for unemployment, make sure you apply in the state in which you worked; not the state or country that you have moved to. If you worked in any of those 4 states that do not offer unemployment for military spouses, then you do not qualify unless there are other circumstances you can claim exemption with. A link to each state’s unemployment information is available here. If you are unsure whether you qualify or not, go ahead and apply anyway. You can always file an appeal if you are denied the first time.

Some states have a specific clause under qualifications for unemployment to account for military spouses relocating out of state while others simply have a blanket statement for any spouse that moves a specific distance from their current job to follow a spouse to their new job assignment. The latter is known as a trailing spouse and applies to any spouse, military or not. Both of these are considered a voluntary quit with good cause.

Many states do not spell out whether moving overseas qualifies or disqualifies a military spouse from receiving unemployment benefits. Each state has its own laws regarding unemployment. There are a few states that have laws that specifically exclude moves overseas however. If you can make a case that you will be able to apply for jobs in America while overseas, then you may be approved for unemployment benefits after all.

Remember that each state is different and that laws constantly change. If you did not qualify a few moves ago, don’t be deterred this time. Perhaps the laws have changed in your favor. For example, Virginia only passed the military spouse unemployment compensation bill in 2014 and Ohio is still considering theirs.

Not only does every state have its own rules for qualification, but they also have different steps you must take to get unemployment benefits. The amount of compensation you may receive and the duration of benefits may differ as well.

Before you leave your job, make sure you check your state’s guidelines first. While leaving your job early to prepare for a move or to take a vacation before you PCS may sound good, you may lose out on unemployment if you quit too early. South Carolina for example only allows a person to resign from their job 15 days prior to a move.

Things to know when filing for unemployment:

  • Most states have a minimum amount of time that you must have worked in that state to qualify.
  • The amount of money you will receive is based on a percentage of your earnings over the previous 52 weeks.
  • Most states cap the amount of time you can receive unemployment benefits to 26 weeks.
  • Unemployment benefits are taxed. You will have to report them on your federal income tax return.
  • Filing for unemployment does not penalize your former employer. Unemployment insurance comes from the state’s general unemployment fund.

Go to your state’s website for unemployment and read all of the rules before you quit your job. When filing, you will likely need a copy of your service member’s PCS orders. If you leave a job in America to follow your spouse on their job assignment overseas, you may qualify for unemployment. You would need to be able to show that you are able to continue looking for work from an American business while you are abroad however.

If you worked while overseas with your spouse and have now received orders back to the United States you may be wondering if you can get unemployment that way. In some cases it is possible. You paid taxes on the money you earned abroad. Some of that money goes into the unemployment fund. You can apply for unemployment in your state of residency if you worked for an international company. If you worked for an American company while overseas, then you would apply for unemployment benefits from the company’s state of home office.

What questions do you have about unemployment? Post them in the comments section and we will try to answer them in a future article.

States Aim to Streamline Professional Licensing for Military Spouses

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Moving to Nebraska and want to be a nurse, dental hygienist or athletic trainer? You’re in luck! New laws allow you to obtain a one-year temporary license in several health-related professions.

States Aim to Streamline Professional Licensing for Military Spouses

If your profession requires a license, it is in your best interest to reach out to the licensing agency in your new state.

If you’re not relocating to the Cornhusker State, you can still take advantage of military spouse licensing agreements. Many states have streamlined professional licensing for military spouses.

Which states? Which licenses?

According to Military OneSource, 49 states have agreements in place to help military spouses through the licensing process. Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa do not currently have reciprocity agreements specifically for military spouses.

New York is not indicated to have military spouse specific reciprocity on the map. However, as of March 2017, New York does offer simplified licensing options in many professions for military spouses. There is an application process that is New York specific and your license must be in good standing in another state. Applicants also must pay the appropriate fee and submit the application for their desired license.

This process is true for the rest of the United States as well.

Each state requires a different application process to obtain a reciprocal license. Every state requires that applicants verify their military spouse status. To complete the application you will also need to provide evidence of a current license and/or education from another state. This will require providing transcripts, copies of your license(s) and supporting documents.

There may also be additional requirements in many states. These requirements may include:

  • proof of employment
  • professional exams or equivalent assessments
  • fingerprints or background check
  • first aid, AED and/or CPR certifications

There are also different professions that are considered eligible in each state. Some states don’t appear to target or exclude specific fields. Other states are limited to education professionals. Still other states exclude lawyers and teachers.

The license you can obtain also varies. Some states offer a temporary license as a hold over until the professional license is approved. In many states, the application process is expedited. Often a longer-term provisional license is granted in lieu of a full certification. This can allow professionals to complete additional requirements for full licensure.

What if my license isn’t covered?

For many professions, there aren’t national certification standards. While there are lots of similarities, especially in medicine and health professions, there are also lots of differences.

States naturally tend to favor candidates who have completed education in their jurisdiction. Especially in education and legal professions, there may be statutes and requirements specific to each state.

However, before you give up hope, check out the state licensing agency for your profession. For educators, that is usually the department of education. For lawyers, it is the state bar association. Other professions, like medicine, health or beauty, all have licensing boards. While there might not be specific language related to military spouses, there are usually avenues for professionals who have been prepared out of state or who are seeking reciprocity with a current license.

If you have questions, contact the office indicated by your professional licensing agency. With a few questions, you might be able to clarify the process or ask about military spouse licensing statutes. A new program might have been put in place and not publicized!

Are there any hidden issues?

Reciprocity, whether you are seeking it through a military spouse certification program or through other avenues, seems to mean that if you bring a current license from State A, then you should get a similar license from State B.

This is not always the case.

In some states, certain professions have employment requirements in order to obtain a reciprocal license. This is often seen with teachers. This clause means that applicants must have completed a certain number of years working professionally in order to qualify for reciprocity.

There are often state-specific professional exams. This is the case for lawyers and teachers, as well as other professions. Unless there are other programs in place, applicants might need to pass these tests in order to be licensed. It can pay to keep your results from previous states’ tests and ask the licensing board to review those before you pay for the new tests.

Bottom line: if your profession requires a license, it is in your best interest to reach out to the licensing agency in your new state.

Does your job require a state license? Have you had difficulty getting a state license after a PCS? Tell us in the comments.

How to File for Unemployment When You PCS

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In the 18 years I’ve called myself an Army wife, we have PCSed 9 times. In those same 18 years, I’ve held 16 different jobs and a handful of temp positions.

Up until recently, the longest I had ever a job with the same company was 2 years. Some of that transition was thanks to low pay or lay-offs. Other jobs came and went because of our expanding family.

But the vast majority of jobs lost (and gained) have been because of a PCS.

As if picking up and moving from one side of the country (or world) to the other isn’t stressful enough.

No, there is nothing like worrying about making ends meet while searching for your next house-to-call-home, unpacking your household goods, and just getting a general lay of the land.

Want to find something that utilizes your skill set and offers competitive pay too? Teleporting to Mars might be easier.

How to File for Unemployment When You PCS

Have you filed for unemployment related to a PCS?

Thankfully, most states recognize the unique and transient nature of our particular lifestyle. State legislatures have eased or expanded unemployment benefits to include military spouses who voluntarily leave jobs to follow active-duty service members.

While your unemployment benefits won’t finance a tropical vacation or help put a new car in the driveway, they can help to ease the financial strain of a lost job and give you a little more time to get settled.

What Military Spouses Need to Know About Unemployment Benefits

When we PCSed for the first time, the internet was barely a thing. And Google, well, it was just a number. If a PCS is in your future (when is it not?), then while you are scouring online rental listings and local happenings, carve out a few minutes to check out unemployment benefits for your state.

Remember, unemployment is filed in the state where you are currently employed, not the one you are moving to.

Forty-six states offer some kind of unemployment benefit to military spouses (only North Dakota, Ohio, Louisiana, and Idaho do not.) But, every state is different in its requirements, so don’t just assume you’ll qualify. Check out this list for links to unemployment information in your state.

Get Familiar with Dates and Requirements Related to Unemployment Benefits

While researching eligibility, pay special attention to deadline and cut off dates and requirements for seeking employment once you reach your new duty station. Some states allow trailing spouses to terminate employment 30 days prior to the report date printed on your orders, for others it may only be 15 or 10 days. Plan accordingly.

Also, pretty much every unemployment program requires that recipients be actively searching for a new job. Often there are weekly or bi-weekly reporting requirements.

If you are planning on taking vacation in conjunction with your PCS move, make sure you schedule some time to begin your job search while you are enjoying your time off.

Make Copies of Your Service Member’s PCS Orders

To qualify for unemployment under the military spouse or trailing spouse option, you will need to provide a copy of your active duty spouse’s PCS orders. Just make sure the orders include provisions for accompanying dependents.

If they don’t, you may not be eligible for unemployment benefits. Check your orders and get them amended if need be.

Research Lateral Positions Within Your Current Company

Some states will require military spouses to take lateral positions within a company if one is available in conjunction with or in lieu of unemployment benefits. And the only way to know is to learn the laws that apply to your state.

If you can, make an appointment or call your local labor office. They should be able to help you find the information you need and explain the application process.

And while you’re at it, visit with your employer’s HR department. Many companies have programs to help employees transfer upon relocation.

Find Job Hunting Resources Right Away

Don’t wait until you’re neck-deep in packing tape and inventory sheets to start scoping job resources.

Don’t wait until you’re already feeling the pinch of a lost second income.

Do yourself a favor and start your job search as soon as you find out where you’ll be moving. Use social media to network with military spouses already in the area and contact Fleet and Family Services or Army Community Services at your new duty location. They often have an employment counselor on staff who can help you find job resources while you are transitioning in.

Sites like Indeed.com can give you an idea about the companies and jobs available in surrounding areas. Identify companies you might be interesting in work for and start making connections with recruiters if you can. Just make sure you are clear about your start date availability.

Have you filed for unemployment related to a PCS? Tell us about your experience in the comments section.

 

The Hidden Costs of Your PCS

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Money. You need it, often we feel we don’t have enough of it, and it requires almost constant management. Stir in a PCS and relocation and you’ve got the recipe for some of the unique challenges only members of our community will understand. But like many other things, a shared commiseration gives us the opportunity to share and learn from each other.

Having been through more PCSes than I can count on 2 hands, I’ve learned the best tool we have at our disposal is pre-planning. Good old Uncle Sam pays the movers to come and box everything up and move it, but there are lots of hidden costs that can put a strain on a family budget. Here are 3 hidden costs and strategies for overcoming them.

THE PROBLEM: EVERYDAY HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES

You can’t move liquids (with the rare exception), chemicals, and open food items. This often means that just before a PCS, we’re tossing all kinds of cleaning supplies and emptying the refrigerator of things like ketchup, mustard and salad dressings.

Talk about feeling like you are literally throwing money in the garbage.

And once we arrive, those items must be replaced in a hurry.

SOLUTION: Plan ahead if you can. If you know you are due for a PCS, even if you don’t have orders, try to anticipate. Plan meals that will use up the last of that bottle of ranch dressing and buy smaller bottles of household cleaners. Yes, it might cost a little bit more than buying the family size, but in the end, you won’t end up having to throw away half a bottle.

Once you arrive, try to shop sales and buy in bulk to lower costs. Also consider easing into replacement items. A solid multi-purpose cleaner can hold you over for a few months to help spread out costs and a little meal planning helps to do the same for those refrigerator staples.

Also, as you get ready to PCS, consider selling items you don’t need or want. Use that extra money to help offset some of these hidden relocation costs.

THE PROBLEM: HOME SALE/RENTAL DEPOSIT

You’ve got to put a down payment or deposit down on your new home, but you haven’t closed on a sale or received your last deposit back.

SOLUTION: This one is a little trickier, but again, the key is to plan ahead if you can. Anticipate the overlap in timing by putting a little money in your savings account each month leading up to a PCS. It is much better to have extra money saved then to be caught between paychecks without the funds you need.

You may want to consider taking a pay advance to help cover those large ticket costs, just make sure you plan your follow-on budget appropriately until the advance is paid back.

THE PROBLEM: THE FURNITURE DOESN’T FIT

You did the research, waited for a sale, and landed the perfect couch or set of curtains. Enter a set of PCS orders and a new temporary home. And of course, nothing fits in your new house.

Solution: We learned this lesson the hard way, so my advice? Buy modular furniture as much as possible.

That doesn’t mean you have to buy cheap, just buy smart. Also, before you pack up all that furniture, take some good measurements. Then when you are checking out potential new digs, take some quick measurements to see if what you have will work.

I’m not saying to pick a house to fit your furniture, but if what you have won’t work at all (ask me about the on-post house that wouldn’t allow for us to get a queen-sized bed upstairs!), the cost of replacing furniture might be worth some consideration.

Don’t be afraid to check out consignment and thrift stores, especially those around military housing areas. You’re not the only one struggling to make that new house feel like a home and chances are you can secure some gently used pieces at a killer price.

What other PCS costs have you experienced? What tips can you offer to help offset those relocation costs?