Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Military Discounts for 17 Tech Products, Services

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Military families live in a high-tech world and I’ll be the first to admit, I love it! Getting my hands on the latest technology isn’t always in my budget, but with military discounts from some of the best tech companies out there, bringing the latest tech gear home is a little easier with a little discount.

Military Discounts for 15 Tech Products, Services

Have you used any of these military discounts? Tell us about your favorite military discounts in the comments section.

Here are 17 military discounts that military spouses and service members don’t want to miss when buying the latest tech products and services.

Military Discounts for 17 Tech Products, Services

Military Discounts on Computers

If you’re anything like me, you have a love/hate relationship with your computer. I’ve been known to completely wear out a laptop. By the time I’m done with it only half of the keys on the keyboard are even readable.

If you are in the market for a new computer (which for me, is pretty much all of the time), here’s where to go to score a great military discount on one.

  • Dell offers a 10% military discount on selected computers and laptops. The discount can be redeemed through the AAFES Exchange website or by verifying your military affiliation through TroopID on the Dell website.(Bonus tip: Sign up for Dell Advantage rewards and you could earn 10% plus get free 2-day shipping!). Get the details here.
  • Apple. Their discount varies by product, but in general it ranges from 5% to 15%. Military discounts are primarily offered on computers, iPads and iPhones. There may be an additional discount offered on a protection plan. You can get the details on Apple’s military discounts here.
  • Lenovo offers up to 40% discounts on PCs, including ThinkPad.
  • Microsoft has a 5% discount on PCs, tablets and accessories, plus a 10% discount on software. Get the details here. Service members can also save 30% on Office365.
  • HP offers a 20% discount to service members as well as free shipping. Sign up here for more details.

Military Discounts on Cell Phone Services

I don’t go anywhere anymore without my cell phone. Do you even remember what life was like before we were connected 24/7?

Whatever you do, don’t pay full price for your cellular service.

Almost every major wireless provider offers a military discount.

Keep in mind that all cell phone service discounts require verification with a DD-214, military pay stub, and/or military ID card. Restrictions apply, so make sure you understand the fine print before agreeing to these military discounts.

  • T-Mobile offers up to 15% off to active duty and veterans. Visit a T-Mobile retail store near you for the details.
  • AT&T Service members and veterans get a 15% discount on qualified monthly services. A DD-214 or military ID card is required for verification. Get all the details here.
  • MetroPCS has promotions throughout the year that target military spouses, veterans and service members. Visit your local MetroPCS store for more information about its discounts.
  • Sprint Wireless. Service members and veterans receive a 15% discount on select rate plans. A verification form is required to qualify for this discount. Get the form here.
  • Cricket Wireless offers a 15% discount to eligible military members and retirees. The discount is only available by visiting your local Cricket Wireless store.
  • Verizon Wireless has a 15% off of monthly wireless service and a 25% discount on select accessories.

Military Discounts on Gadgets and Gizmos

What would technology be good for if we couldn’t occasionally use it to have fun or make our lives easier? Check out these military discounts from companies that fall into the categories of gadgets and gizmos.

  • Gotenna. Gotenna can turn your smartphone into a GPS or text device, even if you don’t have a signal. They offer a 15% military discount with service affiliation verification. Get the details on any product listing on their site.
  • iRobot. Thinking about getting a Roomba? Did you know iRobot offers a 15% military discount? Verification is required through ID.me. Get the details here.
  • BestBuy. The discount varies by amount and location. Ask your local store manager if they offer a military discount.
  • UnderArmor offers a 10% military discount on its fitness gadgets. Verification is required through ID.me. Get the details on their site.
  • Dish For My RV extends exclusive offers for military members. Get the details here.

Military Discounts on Home Security Services

Since service members spend a lot of time away for deployments, field trainings or TDYs, making the investment in a good home security system and service just makes sense. Make your home a little safer thanks to these great military discounts.

  • My Alarm Center offers a discount on the installation and reduced monthly monitoring fees for military service members. All the details are available on their site.
  • ADT Home Security. USAA members can take advantage of a 10% discount on installation and monthly monitoring costs. You can find out more about this discount by clicking here.

Are you looking for more military discounts? Visit our Military Discounts page.

Budget Tips for Your Next Military Staycation

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Duty always comes first, even if you already have a vacation planned. There are plenty of service men and women who have found themselves calling hotels and rental companies, to cancel or modify their vacation at the very last minute. Thankfully, many service providers are happy to accommodate the ever changing schedules of the men and women who serve.

Tight budgets of those who serve are often not very vacation friendly. However, a staycation is a marvelous way to get that precious R&R without breaking the bank.  To make the most of a staycation, here are some fun ideas and budget tips.

 

  1. Book a hotel. The best way to feel like you are on a vacation is to book a hotel. One of the best money saving tips is to book based off amenites offered. All hotels have the standard bed and towels. The trick is to find some place that has something super cool that makes you feel like you are on vacation. It can be a pirate ship in the pool with a tiki bar or it can be something as simple as a complimentary cocktail hour. Weekdays are generally cheaper, and less crowded. Tip: Book directly through the hotel to avoid third party fees.

 

LBV_LRG_Banner

Photo of Lake Buena Vista, which offers Military Discounts

 

  1. Become a tourist in your current town. Military personnel are often located in places far away from where they grew up. This alone makes a staycation the ideal low cost activity.  Check out your town’s tourism website or the Chamber of Commerce for popular sights and activities. Pick a hour radius you are willing to drive and explore a new town.

 

  1. Take a walking tour. Many cities and small towns have free or low priced walking tours of historical areas. Some are even called ghost tours and are very popular around Halloween and Christmas. The guides typically relate interesting stories along the way about people and events from days gone by.  Tours usually end with coffee, tea, dining or shopping.

 

  1. Plan your staycation time around local festivals and special events. Small towns to big cities have special events throughout the year. It might be a chili or bar-b-q contest, music festival or art show. Within a short drive from wherever you are, there should be at least one big interesting event that draws a crowd.  Find out what that is and check it out.

 

  1. Have a fantastic lunch. For budget minded folks, fine dining is often out of the question. However, fine dining establishments typically serve the same foods at lower prices during the lunch hour. Look into it and plan a lovely lunch followed by an afternoon movie and ice cream.

 

  1. Use the Groupon app. Sign up for Groupon and be amazed at the savings. There are deals on dining, entertainment and shopping. The deals change frequently so keep checking until something fantastic comes up.  This is a great way to try an expensive restaurant on a budget. Tip: most purchases have a 24 hour wait period before you can redeem them, so read the fine print if you plan to use the deal the same day.

 

  1. Get outdoors. Most towns and almost all cities have parks and recreational facilities from pools and tennis courts to hiking and camping areas. Get out and enjoy the local nature trails. Check out the differences in flora and fauna from where you grew up to where you’re currently stationed.

 

  1. One way of enjoying some down time is by turning off all devices. In today’s world, we live and breathe with devices in hand that keep us connected, sometimes overly so, to the world. Disconnect for a preset period of time such as 12 to 24 hours.  Now you can read a book, take naps, try a new recipe, play with the kids and dog without trying to divide your attention.

 

  1. Look for museums. What sounds dull, such as an old tractor museum, may turn out to be a very interesting day. Plus, some museums are actually free of charge or pay by donation so a couple of bucks gets you in. You can find a list of museums that offer a military discount here.

 

  1. Check for military discounts on hotels. If you live somewhere extra fun but that also has a tendency to be pricey such as Orlando, Florida, don’t despair. Look for deals, especially those military discounts. Often times you have to skip the booking engines and go directly to the site. These are often hotel brands you know and trust like Hawthorn Suites Lake Buena Vista.

 

  1. Look for a local brewery. It’s not only an educational experience, you get to know the locals on a new level by sharing their unique brews and finding out what made them decide to go into business in the first place.

 

  1. Do a movie or bowling night. Again, check Groupon for possible deals but both these activities can be relaxing and fun. If you haven’t bowled in a while, or ever, give it a go. You might be surprised how much fun you have.

 

  1. Take dance lessons. This is something that requires a time commitment of at least a few weeks but once you’ve learned how to rock the dance floor, take your significant other out for dinner and dancing someplace special.

 

  1. Try something new. One of the most amazing benefits of military life, is all the new places you get to see. Take that a step further and try something new. Find out what is popular in the area and give it a try.

 

  1. Look for local theater group performances. A good play is typically entertaining and inexpensive. Some high schools put on amazing performances as well. Dress up more than usual and make a special night of it.  You can find a list of participating theatres here.

 

If done correctly, a staycation can be as relaxing as the real thing. You and your family will get a recharge while the bank account stays intact.  Sounds like a win-win for all military personnel.

Guest Author

Amanda Basse

10 Assumptions I Had About Military Life

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Before I was a military spouse, I had all these notions about who, what and how military wives were and acted. Turns out, most of my assumptions were pretty inaccurate!

10 False Assumptions I Made About Military Life

1. All military spouses are women!

So, the term “military wife” is pretty rampant. After all, when you see those warm and fuzzy homecoming videos, it’s usually the female spouses on camera. So if you thought you would be surrounded by ladies, think again!

A 2011 study showed women make up 14.5 percent of active duty troops, with about 51 percent of these service members being married. Accounting for the 48 percent of married female service members in dual-military families, that leaves about 51,000 civilian spouses who are married to female troops.

Yes, that study didn’t account for same-sex relationships because it was commissioned before the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Even with factoring that in, there are tens of thousands of male military spouses!

2. Being a service member is like a regular job.

This assumption went out the window real fast! With deployments, constant training missions, overnight duty and random weekends in the field, a “regular” job this is not.

There are definitely some assignments that operate on a more typical 7-5 schedule, but those are few and far between.

Our first assignment, right after getting married, was an immediate months-long training cycle for a 12-month deployment. My husband was never home for dinner and was gone before I woke up. That is, if he didn’t just stay at work.

3. All military spouses are the same.

I will be the first to admit that I went into military life imagining a Stepford-like situation: thousands of very conservative, very religious and very patriotic women.

Totally not the case!

Military spouses span the spectrum on both religious beliefs and political leanings. And the community is so inclusive of everyone. Whether you attend church or not, whether you vote red or blue or purple, there is a place and space for you to thrive.

10 Assumptions I Had About Military Life That Turned Out to Be False

What assumptions did you have about military life?

The patriotic thing though? That assumption is mostly true. Military spouses are definitely proud of our loved ones’ military service!

4. Everyone lives on base.

In our 3 tours, we have lived in on-base housing once. The other two times we rented homes off base.

Military housing, depending where you are stationed, can be hard to come by. There are often waiting lists for newly built or recently renovated neighborhoods. Other times, like certain overseas duty stations, military families might be required to live on base.

Often, houses out in town come with different perks. Some service members enjoy the separation of their work life and their home life. School districts might offer different resources in another town. Or the location, like on the beach or in the mountains, might just not be an option otherwise.

5. Everything is free or cheap.

We have all heard about the much touted military discounts and giveaways, right? From groceries to houses to theme park admissions, it can seem like lots of things are free.

This assumption is definitely 100 percent false.

While there are perks to being a military family, like complimentary admission to certain theme parks or organizations that provide things just for us, we are still just regular families who pay our own way.

6. Every sailor is on a ship, every airman flies and every soldier or Marine is infantry.

Each service member has a different job to do, just like in the civilian world.

Not everyone in the Air Force flies, for example. Some are doctors, lawyers or in charge of moving supplies around. Not every Marine carries a weapon and wears camo face paint. Some deal with the news media, some are in HR and some fly aircraft. And while many sailors are on the high seas, there are also those who serve on land in a variety of positions.

You can’t compare jobs, even in the same branch of service. Everyone has their own mission and objectives.

7. The great officer vs. enlisted debate.

Before joining the military spouse community, a lot of the word on the street was that officer spouses were snobby or that enlisted spouses were young.

I am going on record as saying this is absolutely not true! Literally nothing that you have heard about “how” officer or enlisted spouses behave or are is 100 percent accurate for every single person in that community.

Each spouse, each person, is their own individual self. No one fits a category or mold.

For the most part, every person I have come in contact with on this journey has been kind, helpful and generous to me and my family.

And spouses, unless also serving in the military, do not wear ranks. So, let’s just erase this one for good!

8. Military homecomings are picture perfect.

After waiting an additional few days and then several hot, sweaty hours in the sun, this assumption is definitely debunked.

Yes, military homecomings are usually a time filled with joy and happiness. Your service member is back safe and sound! But these events also come with some serious concerns.

Often homecoming dates and times are changed up until the very last minute, leaving families in the lurch when it comes to planning for child care or what to wear and bring.

Reintegration is a very real challenge. Your loved one has served in very different and often difficult situations for many months. He or she might have gone through hard times, including the loss of a friend or teammate. Sometimes, just rejoining family life is tough after months spent living on the military’s schedule.

9. Saying goodbye gets easier.

It’s not that it gets easier, it just becomes more normal.

You will still miss your spouse when they are gone, whether it is for a week or for a year. It is still hard sleeping alone, parenting alone and eating alone. You might still cry every time you say goodbye.

But with each farewell, you also have the knowledge that she or he will come home. You know the routine and can switch into it more easily.

10. You’ll see the world!

Or maybe just Kansas and Oklahoma.

There are military bases around the world, from right here in the United States to exotic overseas locations like Asia or Europe.

But not every military job or branch is able to move to every military base.

Some pilots can only fly their aircraft from certain locations. Or your family might only be able to receive health or educational services in certain places. Or your spouse’s branch of service isn’t in your dream location.

It totally depends in a lot of factors and the needs of the United States government.

The good news is that every duty station, near or far, has its own set of perks and benefits that can help make it feel like home!

What assumptions did you have about military life? Tell us in the comments section.

MLB Offers Discounted Tickets for Military

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Swing, batter batter, swing!

You and your family could soon be cheering on your favorite team at the ballpark. Many major league teams are offering discounted baseball tickets for the 2016 MLB season.

MLB Offers Discounted Tickets, Appreciation Days for Military

Check out this list of discounted tickets for a baseball team close to your duty station.

If you live near Fort Bragg, you might be able to see 2 powerhouse teams play exclusively for the military community! The Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins will face off July 3 at 8 p.m. The game will be broadcast on national TV, live from the military base. Tickets are restricted to military ID cardholders. This will be the first time that an active military base will host a regular season game for Major League Baseball.

If you aren’t in the Fort Bragg area or don’t snag one of the estimated 12,500 seats, you can still catch a foul ball on the cheap this season.

Check out this list of discounted tickets below for your hometown favorites or a baseball team close to your current duty station.

American League

Baltimore Orioles: Your family could visit Camden Yards for $3 off the regular ticket price. However, you might be able to find bigger discounts by visiting your local ITT/MWR offices in the greater Baltimore/D.C. area. Plus, flash your active duty ID at home games for a free O’s hat!

Boston Red Sox: Discounted tickets are available to military service members in select seats and games. Tickets are available for purchase online, as well as at the ball park on game day. Fenway franks are still full price.

Chicago White Sox: Active members of the military can receive 1 free ticket, based on availability, at the U.S. Cellular Field Box Office on the day of the game by presenting their I.D. This offer excludes Opening Day, Cubs series, Red Sox series, Yankees series and Elvis Night.

Cleveland Indians: If you are on active duty, retired or part of the National Guard/Reserve you can watch the Tribe for free! Bringing family along for the game? Up to 4 family members can purchase tickets at the group rate.

Detroit Tigers: Service members and veterans are eligible to purchase half-price tickets to Monday-Thursday regular season home games excluding August 18. Tickets must be purchased at the Comerica Park Box Office and a valid military ID or Veteran ID must be presented at time of purchase. Service members and veterans may purchase a maximum of 4 tickets per customer, per game.

Houston Astros: Everything is bigger in Texas! This might hold true for the discount the Astros give to active duty military and veterans. Discounted tickets are available for most Monday through Thursday baseball games (excludes the July 25-27 Yankees series). ID cardholders can purchase up to 8 tickets at the discounted rate.

Kansas City Royals: With half-price seats in select sections (excluding Marquee games), the Royals sure know how to treat active and retired military personnel. Service members or veterans may purchase up to 4 tickets at this price per game.

Minnesota Twins: Military personnel and veterans, plus up to 4 guests, can receive half-price tickets to select games throughout the regular season. These tickets are located in Home Plate View seating areas, guaranteeing you a great show.

New York Yankees: The Yankees are offering military members 1 free ticket to the grandstand or bleachers. You also can purchase one half-price ticket to other seating areas in their brand new stadium. This complimentary ticket is only available at Yankee Stadium on the day of the game.

Seattle Mariners: Tickets to home games are 10 percent off for military members. You can purchase up to 4 tickets at this price and belt out “Louie, Louie” during the seventh inning stretch.

Tampa Bay Rays: For all active-duty military, retired and honorably discharged veterans, the Rays will offer 2 free tickets for all Monday home games and 8 additional bonus dates throughout the season. This discount is also available to military spouses with a valid dependent ID.

National League

Arizona Diamondbacks: Spend Sunday with the Snake Pit when tickets are 50 percent off! All active, veteran, retired and reserve military personnel can purchase up to 4 tickets at this price for Sunday home games.

Atlanta Braves: Enjoy 50 percent off Upper Box or Outfield tickets for regular season home games at Turner Field. This offer is available to active duty, retired, reserve and veterans.

Chicago Cubs: This Windy City Team will have specially priced tickets for the Terrace Reserved Outfield seating fro service members during its Military Appreciation Night on August 31. Each ticket includes a Cubs military cap.

Cincinnati Reds: Active duty service members will receive 1 complimentary View Level Ticket for Monday-Thursday home games. This ticket is available on the day of the game only.  This ticket is available at the ticket window labeled “Advance Ticket Windows” located at Crosley Terrace at Great American Ball Park.

Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers offer special pricing for military personnel at 1, 2, 3 and 4-star games during the regular season. The discounted tickets are $5 off for Loge MVP, Reserve MVP and Right Field Pavilion seats. Up to 4 tickets to “Blue Heaven on Earth” can be purchased per ID on game day only.

Miami Marlins: All military personnel, veterans and their families receive up to 4 complimentary tickets to Monday night home games.

Philadelphia Phillies: Military Phanatics can receive a $10 discount on Sunday home games in select seating sections. Discounts are also available on August 16, August 31 and September 12. Eligible tickets are priced at or below $41/$47 in select seating areas.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Active duty, reserve, military spouses and DoD employees can receive a $10 discount per ticket for Outfield Box seats for all Sunday-Friday games. The discount is $6 per ticket for Grandstand section seats.

San Diego Padres: The Padres are the hometown team for many SoCal Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps families. This season, Sundays are 50 percent off for all retired, active, Reserve/Guard and veteran personnel, and their families.

St. Louis Cardinals: Military personnel with their friends and family could experience an all-inclusive game in the heart of RedBird Nation. The package, starting at $60, includes a buffet and complimentary beer and soda. This offer is only available on five select games this season.

Washington Nationals: Watching the Presidents race is an awesomely funny summer tradition. To get your discounts, place your order through the official Nats website. Military personnel and families can also visit ITT/MWR offices at one of the area bases or at the Pentagon.

Not near an MLB team? Check out minor league teams near you for military discounted tickets and promotions!

How to Make Money with a Personal Procured Move

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I have a confession.

Although I didn’t enjoy my last PPM (personal procured move, formerly called a do-it-yourself or DITY military move), my husband and I banked a lot of money by during it, which made every roadblock (sometimes literally), headache and painful mile worth it.

How to Make Money on a Personal Procured Move

Have you made money with your personal procured move?

When you’re doing a personal procured move, you need to first understand your PCS entitlements. They differ from move to move and branch to branch, so take a close look at your orders to figure out what you need in your military move.

Before you go forward with finalizing your personal procured move, contact your local Travel Management Office (TMO). They are essential in guiding you through the process and giving you everything you need for a successful PCS.

No matter what you end up deciding to do for your military move, you will most likely receive a travel per diem, dislocation allowance and Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation (MALT), if you choose to travel with your privately-owned vehicle (POV).

You could make some money by being smart with your dislocation allowance and travel per diem. When we PCSed from New York to Arizona, we stayed with family members located at 2 different locations (Texas and Mississippi) and utilized hotel points on our other stays that added up to free future hotel visits.

That same military move, we did a partial PPM. We packed up our car with as many goods as it could fit and we were paid money based on the weight and mileage. If you opt for a partial PPM, be sure you fill out all the appropriate forms and file for it. You need to do the same if you choose to do a full personal procured move. Pay close attention to the rules and regulations regarding weighing your car. The rules may have changed since the last time you PCSed.

With a full PPM the government will pay you 95 percent of the total cost it would be for them to take you from point A to point B. Still interested in doing a PPM? Here’s what you need to know.

What’s needed to make money with a personal procured move or PPM?

  • Packing Supplies
  • Moving Truck
  • Labor

I’m going to talk about my last personal procured move and share with you what worked for us. I’ll start with the packing supplies.

I raided local retail stores around my home for boxes from shipment days. (Don’t be afraid to ask the manager of your military commissary for shipping boxes!) Be sure you plan for time to collect your packing supplies far enough in advance and have an area in your home to put these boxes. I was able to acquire enough to pack all of our household goods. I saved money by not buying any moving boxes.

Another successful strategy would be putting a call-out for boxes on a military spouses Facebook page. I’ve seen lots of boxes get recycled that way as well. That strategy costs nothing, but time and effort!

Next, we priced out all possible moving vehicles. Luckily, most companies like U-Haul and Budget offer military move discounts! With all the labor accounted for (I’ll elaborate on that later), being able to lock in an amazing deal for a moving truck was key.

Of course, we took a little bit of a risk with this one, but we used our own clothing and other fabrics to pad and pack our breakables in the boxes. Once the boxes were sealed, we indicated what was inside them so that we could be gentler with that box over the other ones. It was my husband, myself and a friend moving boxes and furniture, so we only had ourselves to blame if anything broke. We rented the furniture pads to help with the bigger items.

Because labor was my husband, myself and a friend, it was absolutely free! Well, I did pay our friend in food, but that was it. Once we arrived at our new location, it was up to us to unpack the moving truck, but we took our time and unloaded it over the course of 2 days (we paid to have the rental truck for an extra day).

In addition, I’ve seen some military families successfully move with hiring help too. For example, they would hire the labor to pack the furniture and boxes properly in a truck that they rented. It was up to them to drive the truck to the new location and they hired another team to unload it.

Another family used a PODS-type moving system for their military move and I believe that company offers a military discount as well.

Have you made money with your personal procured move in the past? What tips do you have for making money on this type of DITY move?

4 Ways to Save on Your Cell Phone Bill

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As a military family, you are probably looking for different ways to save money each month. One way to do so is with your cell phone plan.

4 Ways Military Families Can Spend Less on Their Cell Phone Bill

Are you shocked by your monthly cell phone bill? Are you looking for ways to reduce it?

We all need cell phones especially since the service member can be away from their family so often. Cell phones are how we communicate and we need them to work well but do we need them to cost so much?

The good news is that there are ways to lower your bill and all military families should look into the different ways to do that.

Here are 4 ways that you can save on your cell phone bill and add a little bit more money back into your budget:

1. Ask for a military discount. With any cell phone company, you will want to ask for a military discount. All of the major carriers; AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile give a 15 percent discount.

If you are with a smaller company, make sure to ask and find out what they offer the military because they might offer a discount too. You will have to show proof that you are a military spouse or service member and usually that is done by submitting your military ID card or even your LES statement. Find out what the company needs you to do so you can be sure to save that money off of your cell phone bill.

2. Compare plans. One of the best things you can do to lower your cell phone bill is by comparing plans. You should do this with the different cell phone companies but also within the same carrier. You might be surprised at how different the prices can be.

Make sure you are only paying for what you need and use and not a lot of extras.

The easiest way to lower your cell phone bill is by making sure you have not added too many of the extras the cell phone companies want you to buy. Think about if you really benefit from paying the insurance every month.

3. Go the pay-as-you-go route. One option to lower your cell phone bill is to switch to the pay-as-you-go method. This means you would buy a phone and then would add minutes and data to the phone as needed.

You could add the amount that you needed on a month-to-month basis instead of being locked into a contract. You could quit using the phone when you wanted to just by not buying the data or minutes for that month.

An example of this would be the Go Phone by AT&T. In the end, you would save a lot of money using these types of phones as you would not be locked into a regular contract.

4. Use less data. One way to lower your cell phone bill is to use less data. Think about how much data you really need. If you and your spouse are only using about 4GB then make sure you are not paying for 10GB each month.

You might be able to lower your cell phone bill by switching to a plan that makes more sense for your cell phone usage.

Use WiFi as often as you can to see if you can lower the amount of data you really need. Although having extra data can be a good thing if your spouse is traveling a lot, think about how often you really need to use that data and see if you can lower your cell phone bill by lowering the amount that you use each month.

How do you save money on your cell phone bill? Share your tips in the comments section!

Spring Case Lot Sales Are Happening!

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Have you been waiting with bated breath for the spring Customer Appreciation Case Lot Sales?  Good news!  They’re here and as most of our fellow military families know very well, now’s the time to

Stock Up and Save!

This spring is no different, if you’re looking to load up on great items at great prices, the National Case Lot Sales event at your local Commissary is the place to do it.  This year, the Defense Commissary Agency is hosting a Customer Appreciation Case Lot Sale at each Commissary nationwide, including those in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. With savings at a maximum, Case Lot Sales are widely anticipated.

When is the Case Lot Sale?

Visit the Case Lot Sale store dates page for your local commissary sale dates.

What items will you see at a Case Lot Sale?

The Case Lot Sales offer items that you typically find at club stores, as well as individually packaged items that can be bought in bulk.  These sales are a great opportunity to stock up on a wide variety of pantry items at extremely discounted prices.  See DeCA’s list of product categories here.

What kind of savings can you expect?

Case Lot Sale commissary shoppers can bolster a savings of “up to 50%” according to DeCA’s Director of Sales, Tracie Russ.

Overseas?

Commissaries overseas will not be officially participating in Case Lot Sales, but commissary customers in Europe and the Pacific may benefit from similar style savings at  “sidewalk sales.”

Don’t miss out on your local commissaries Case Lot Sales! For additional information on the spring Customer Appreciation Case Lot Sales, please visit the DeCA website.

 

Military Lodging Options for Your Beach Getaway

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I love the beach! There is something about the smell of salt in the air and the warm sun beating down on your skin that relaxes me. With that said, I’ve always been drawn to warm tropical areas to vacation. Who doesn’t love a great beach getaway?

Now that the weather is finally warming up, it’s time to think about summer plans. I know my family is already there.

Did you know that there are several military lodging options that are dream vacation worthy?

Planning your next beach getaway can’t get any easier than utilizing military lodging facilities. It is convenient, accommodating and reasonably priced. It’s a little secret among the military community that we should all try and use at some point.

Some military lodging facilities are right on the beach and others are steps away. Depending on your family’s preference, I’m sure you would find a destination that fits your needs.

Military Lodging Options for Your Next Beach Getaway

What are your favorite military lodging options located near beaches?

Here’s a list of the best of the best of military lodging located near beaches.

Fort Story. I have to give the Navy credit for helping us Air Force and Army families with beach front accommodations. The cottages and cabins in Fort Story, Va., are walking distance to the beach and beautiful lighthouse. If you want to experience the energy of Virginia Beach, it’s a short drive away. They have great picnic and grilling areas, not to mention they are also pet-friendly. My spouse and I plan to make our way down there this summer for a mellow weekend.

Navy Lodge Oceana/Dam Neck. If your family opts to stay at this military lodging facility in the Virginia Beach area instead of Fort Story, you’ll still have beach access. This option would be great for families looking to sightsee more in town and not spend a lot of time near your accommodation. Virginia Beach is near Historic Williamsburg and Busch Gardens.

Navy Lodge Pensacola. Located on Naval Air Station Pensacola, the Navy Lodge is close to Barrancas Beach and other installation activities, which makes this military lodging convenient. If you’re looking for more of a cottage feel, your family can stay at Oak Grove Park, where they have cottages that line a Florida beach as well.

Navy Lodge North Island. This military lodging facility is located on Naval Base Coronado and is right next door to gorgeous beaches. Naval Base Coronado is close to San Diego and all its attractions. If your family gets bored lounging on the beach, you can head to the San Diego Zoo or visit the Gaslamp District. I had a wonderful time taking in the sites of San Diego during my visit. We also watched a San Diego Padres game too.

Hale Koa Hotel. One of the most popular Hawaii military lodging destinations for military families, Hale Koa Hotel on O’ahu is more like a luxury resort offering delicious dining and entertainment options for guests. They also have an on-site fitness center and spa facility. I can’t forget to mention that it’s touching beautiful Kahanamoku Beach and neighbors other well-known resort chains. The hotel isn’t affiliated with a particular installation, but has a long history in serving the military community.

Kilauea Military Camp. Boasted as a hidden gem on the Big Island of Hawaii, Kilauea Military Camp is located inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It’s a park full of history and amazing sights that borders the ocean at the south end of the island. The military lodging accommodations include cottages and apartment style living. Although the beach vibe is different than Hale Koa, military families would have a great time trail hiking and visiting museums.

Did we miss any of your favorite military lodging options? Tell us in the comments section.

How You Can Save Money with a Hotel Loyalty Program

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Military families travel. A lot.

They aren’t afraid to embark on an epic road trip during their kids’ spring break. They travel for holidays and every 3-day weekend. Heck, military families travel even when they are moving from one duty station to another. The summer PCS season is also prime vacation time for military families.

Are you planning a family vacation for spring break or this summer? Are you mapping out your PCS route from Maine to California? Do you want to save money when booking your hotel rooms for this trip?

Consider a hotel loyalty program.

A hotel loyalty program is a convenient way to save money when you are traveling. More and more hotel chains are offering loyalty programs to reward frequent customers.

Each program works a little differently. As U.S. News and World Report wrote in an article comparing hotel loyalty programs,

There isn’t one best loyalty program that would suit the needs of every traveler. Each rewards program targets different preferred lodging styles — from boutique to business-friendly — travel habits and goals.

Here are 3 things to consider when reviewing the perks of a hotel loyalty program.

How You Can Save Money with a Hotel Loyalty Program

Are you a member of a hotel loyalty program?

1. The frequency of travel for you and your service member.

Take a moment to review your most recent hotel stays. How often did you book a hotel room in the last year? Did you stay in a hotel once a year or every few months?

Let’s say you, as a military spouse, don’t travel very often. But, your service member does. He or she may have a job that requires frequent travel for classes or training. When your service member is traveling for the military, do they stay in a national hotel chain? If the answer is yes, then a hotel loyalty program may be a good fit for your family. He can earn the points during his military travel and you can use those points later for a free night during a family vacation. It’s a win-win.

2. The hotel chain’s locations in relation to your frequent travel spots.

Geographic coverage is a super important factor to consider when reviewing a hotel loyalty program. Like I said earlier, lots of hotel chains are offering loyalty programs.

But not all hotel chains are nationwide. So if you sign up for a hotel chain with locations primarily in the Midwest, but you are living and therefore traveling in the Northeast, this hotel loyalty program would not benefit you.

This isn’t a problem with the Best Western Service Rewards program. With more 4,000 hotels worldwide, you are nearly guaranteed to find a Best Western on your PCS cross-country route.

The Best Western Service Rewards program, which benefits service members, allows members to:

  • Earn 10 points for every U.S. dollar spent on qualified hotel room rates
  • Receive a military discount of 10% or more on room rates
  • Automatically be upgraded to Gold status, which allows you to earn points faster

With the Best Western Service Rewards program, your points never expire, there aren’t blackout dates (so you can use your points to book a room during Memorial Day weekend) and you have access to their exclusive reservations line.

Always review a hotel loyalty program’s policy regarding the expiration of points and blackout dates. Nothing is more annoying than not being able to use the points that you earned because of blackout dates or your points expired before you could use them.

3. The benefits and savings of the hotel loyalty program.

A hotel loyalty program should be beneficial so pick one that benefits you. Do you want to earn free hotel rooms for future trips? Then find a program that rewards travelers with an easy-to-navigate points system to get you that free room in the future. You should know how many paid nights are required to earn a free stay.

Do you want to be upgraded occasionally from a standard room to a suite? Then pick a hotel loyalty program that rewards with free amenities.

Don’t forget to ask if the rewards can be shared with your spouse. It’s frustrating if your service member earned a crazy amount of points during her TDY, but then you can’t use those points for a free night when you’re driving to Grandma’s house with the kids.

A hotel loyalty program may help you save money when traveling, as long as you understand how it works. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and review the program’s policy before signing up for one. You want to find a program that works for you. Use the program to your advantage and get ready to enjoy the benefits as a loyal and frequent customer.

Are you a member of a hotel loyalty program? How does it help you save money when you travel?

How to Military-Proof Your Vacation Plans

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As my bio mentions, I come from a military family. One of the best pieces of advice that was given to me from my parents was to never lose out on vacation time. When I graduated from college, I took that advice to heart and made an effort to travel someplace new every year.

It didn’t change when I met my spouse. Although he was a little skeptical at first, we’ve been able to successfully vacation at least once a year since we started dating. My parents shared valuable tricks that have allowed us to vacation despite the military influence.

I know it’s hard to believe because we’ve heard so many different horror stories. In fact, my own vacation plans have been thwarted due to a short-notice TDY and unexpected field exercise. But, the important thing to note is that it’s always worth a try and don’t get discouraged.

With the right planning and flexibility, you can create unforgettable vacations, despite military annoyances!

Consider these travel tips that have been tested by my parents and myself:

How to Military-Proof Your Vacation Plans

How has military life interrupted your vacation plans? Don’t be discouraged. Try these 5 travel tips to create unforgettable vacations.

1. Don’t be afraid of planning ahead.

As a rule of thumb, my spouse and I like to map out a year in advance. It sounds crazy, right? But, it’s worked out great for us in the last 5 years.

We booked our Alaska cruise a year ahead of time. Military families can benefit from early bird deals in addition to military discounts. Yes, it’s a little scary, especially when you know things can change at a moment’s notice. That leads me to my next important point.

2. Always buy the travel insurance!

My spouse and I never book without it. Remember that Alaska cruise I mentioned? Well, we had to change the date two times before we actually left for our vacation.

Travel insurance gives you the flexibility to change dates without a hitch. Be sure you read the terms carefully to make sure you have the right type of protection for your vacation. We always make sure that if it gets to the point of not knowing when we could use it, the credit could still be there for us to use at any time.

During our Alaska vacation, we only had to pay the difference of our original sail date to our new one. Because of all the discounts we landed early on, the slight increase didn’t put a dent in our budget.

3. Make the most of block leave.

Depending on your assignment or location, military members can get a sense of when some breathing room comes their way. My spouse seems to get breathing room during the summer and winter months. He typically likes to take at least a week off at those times, so we aim to schedule vacations at that time.

In the last 2 years, we’ve got to go explore a new location along with spending the holidays with family. This past year, we celebrated the New Year and quickly jetset to Vegas to spend the next 5 days with my parents.

4. Plan a PCS vacation.

So far, my spouse and I are 2-2. We’ve PCSed two times together and have taken two vacations. Our first one was a PCS road trip from New York to Arizona. We mapped out a special route for ourselves that included visits through Texas.

Our last PCS is when we went on our honeymoon.

Yes, it can be done and it really doesn’t matter when you do it. My spouse was coming from an overseas tour and took a full month of leave. We moved all of my household goods and then flew out of our new duty station to cruise out of Puerto Rico.

5. Don’t be afraid of short-term planning either.

My spouse had use it or lose it vacation time a couple years ago, so we were encouraged to take time off. I came across an email with last-minute vacation deals and passed it along to my spouse.

If he had time to use, why not use it on a beach? We quickly booked another getaway as we were waiting for our Alaska cruise as a matter of fact. We couldn’t resist because the price was right and it was for the right amount of days off.

How do you military-proof your vacation plans?