Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Springtime Means Case Lot Sale Time

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It’s DECA’s Customer Appreciation Case Lot Sale time at your local commissary. Time to make a list and stock up on some great deals. You can find a case lot sale this April or May at your local military commissary.

The sales were halted for a bit because of budget cuts but are back at commissaries in the United States as well as Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Although they used to have them at commissaries located at overseas bases, they no longer do but each commissary might hold their own type of special sale during the year. Make sure to ask when that sale may be held if you are at an OCONUS location.

A case lot sale is a chance to buy items in bulk for a very discounted rate. That is why these sales are such a good time to stock up on your favorite items. You can’t really beat the prices. They are better than normal commissary sale items. They usually take place in the parking lot or even in front of the store. It just depends on where you are located.

What will you find at a case lot sale?

Here is a list of some of the more popular items that military spouses like to buy at the sale:

  • Paper towels
  • Diapers
  • Ketchup
  • Canned soup
  • Toilet paper
  • Salad dressing
  • Crackers
  • Juice boxes
  • Macaroni and cheese
  • Baking mixes

Each location might have slightly different items so if your friend in California was able to find a great deal on dog food, keep in mind that your commissary in Virginia might not have the exact same deals going on.

If nothing else, you should check out the case lot sale for diapers and paper products. You can stock up on them and get a really great deal. Military families with small children are always looking for ways to save on diapers. When I had 2 children in diapers, I was able to buy 2 different sizes at our local case lot sale. They lasted for a long time and I knew I had found a great deal.

I have also found that case lot sales are a great time to stock up on condiments or other types of products that you put in your pantry. You should also think about buying extra food to have on hand for food drives during the year.

Some case lot sales are very busy and you will have to wait in line for a while to get what you want. I have heard stories of people having to wait hours in order to check out. It was well worth the wait because of the products they were buying and the deals that they found. Other sales are more low-key and you can really just add the products during your regular shopping trip.

Bring your favorite milspouse friend, your patience and a list of what you might be looking for. You might even be able to split something with someone else if you don’t think your family will use all of it before PCSing. Doing this will allow you to still get a great deal without overbuying the product.

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Spring into Savings This April at Your Military Commissary

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I’m a foodie. I’m a local food foodie. When my family moves to a new duty station before I ask for recommendations for a hair stylist or a dentist, I always ask my new neighbors for their lists of favorite local restaurants. Local restaurants are the key for this military spouse foodie. That’s how this Iowa girl fell in love with breakfast burritos in Arizona, udon noodles in Okinawa and grits in Mississippi.

But there’s a problem with all these local eating. The PCS.

Moving means that I find myself craving grits when I’m in California and ramen when I’m in Texas. As a solution-oriented military spouse, I’ve taken these cravings and the international food aisle at the commissary and used it as an opportunity to learn to make “local” food no matter where the Navy sends us.

Tex-Mex cuisine is one of my favorite “local” foods to make at home. Actually it’s a staple in our house and we have more than Taco Tuesdays. It’s Taco Tuesdays, Fajita Fridays, Tortilla Soup Sundays and Breakfast Burrito Wednesdays.

Luckily for me, all my favorite Tex-Mex ingredients are on sale this April at the military commissary.

Starting April 16, a 16-ounce jar of Old El Paso Think ‘n Chunky Salsa, mild or medium, is on sale for $0.99. Even if you don’t use it for a build-your-build-taco night, you can always stock up on salsa and be ready for those last-minute potlucks. Chips and salsa are my go-to potluck contribution at FRG meetings when I’m too busy to bake a dessert.

Here’s what other Old El Paso products are PowerBuys in April:

  • Taco Seasoning, Gucamole seasoning and Fajita seasoning mix packets, $0.45
  • Taco shells, $0.99
  • Chopped or whole green chiles, $0.75
  • Refined beans, traditional, fat-free and vegetarian, $0.75
  • Soft taco, beef carne asada and chipotle chicken dinner kits, $2.00

Once you feed your family, don’t forget to feed your furry family members. Several Purina products are on sale for the entire month of April.

Cat owners can buy 3-ounce Fancy Feast cat food cans for $0.53 each. Tidy Cats cat litter, 24/7 performance and instant action, is also on sale. You can buy two 14-pound cat litter containers for $8. Purina One Smartblend cat food is on sale for $9.99.

Don’t forget to pair these great discounts with coupons from coupons.com.

Purina Pro Plan Savor dog  food is also on sale. The price is $20.99 for the entire month of April. Alpo Wholesome Biscuits dog treats are on sale for $2.07, so treat your pet with this great deal.

Finally, as a mother, I prefer to buy detergent that is recommended by dermatologists. That’s the reason I use all® Free Clear detergent to wash our clothes. All all® detergent, dryer sheets and fabric softener are on sale during April at your commissary.

Don’t forget to sign up for the MilitaryShoppers newsletter to get the monthly commissary specials delivered directly to your inbox!

100 items added to Value Brand Program

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commissary

The following news release originally appeared on Commissaries.com:

Nearly 100 items to be added to Value Brand Program

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*SEE THE ORIGINAL NEWS RELEASE HERE

9 Low-Cost Date Night Activities to Ignite Your Love

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One of the best pieces of advice my parents gave me when I started my marriage is to not sacrifice date night. They’ve been going out at least once a week for as long as I could remember! Now after 30+ years of marriage and a 20+ year military career, they still enjoy the time spent out exploring something new or visiting a familiar place.

Especially with unexpected separations that military couples endure, it’s important to set aside time dedicated to strengthening your relationship. Date night is a great way to rekindle your love and to continue learning from each other. So, taking my parent’s advice to heart, my husband and I are constantly looking for ways to keep the flame alive.

Another important piece of advice, date night doesn’t have to break the bank. My parents love to utilize dining deals from local restaurants (i.e., 2 for 1 pasta dishes or 2 taco dinners for $20). Check out your local eateries to see if anything like that is possible.

Aside from going out to dinner, I wanted to share with you 9 fun and (possibly) romantic date night activities that are easy on your wallet that my husband and I regularly practice.

  1. Cook dinner together: We’ve found this to be our go-to activity because we love the end result! It’s fun to pick a recipe and work together to create a delicious meal. Yum!9 Low-Cost Date Night Activities to Ignite Your Love
  2. Go to the movies: Check out your installation’s MWR for ticket vouchers and/or movie theaters to see if a movie that you’re interested in watching is playing. My husband and I have seen several movies on-post already and utilize the vouchers given out by our MWR. Also, big theater companies like AMC and Cinemark offer discounted rates for military. Call your nearby movie theater to see if they offer a military discount.
  3. Walk in a park: Early in our relationship, my husband and I took a lot of walks on the trails on and around Fort Drum. It was an opportunity for us to talk and soak in the beautiful sights– for free!
  4. Play a game: One evening my husband and I were completely stumped on what to do. Then, he suggested playing cards. We spent the evening teaching each other the card games we knew. That motivated us to purchase other board games like Scrabble and Monopoly to play on other evenings (they are under $20 on Amazon.com). A little competition doesn’t hurt in a marriage.
  5. Shop at a flea market or thrift store: To be honest, I might enjoy this activity more than my husband, but we both like the idea of finding unique items together. Since we’re still on the lookout for items to fill our home, this is a great way to find a bargain too.
  6. Visit the library: Sharing quiet moments together can also be powerful. Swing by your local library to pick out your next read and if it happens to be close to closing time, head to a coffee shop to continue your reading with a coffee or tea.9 Low-Cost Date Night Activities to Ignite Your Love
  7. Start an ongoing project: It’s going to sound silly when I say this out loud, but my husband and I build with Legos. We strategize and come up with ways to put together different structures. There are so many other things that you and your loved one can do. It can be an art project or maybe a home improvement venture. Whatever it is, it’s a great way for you and your spouse to work as a team.
  8. Learn something new together: This should be anything like going to a museum (which many have discounted military rates) or attend an evening class at a community center. My husband and I enjoy learning from our experiences together.
  9. Buy tickets on special military discount sites: For the nights that you want to splurge a little bit, check out GovX, Veteran Tickets or your local USO for discounted tickets to performances in your area.

What’s your go-to activity for a romantic and easy date night? Share your ideas in the comments section.

How to Spend Your Tax Refund Wisely

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It’s that wonderful time of year: tax season.

How to Spend Your Tax Refund Wisely

 

I’m always such a procrastinator when it comes to taxes. I don’t wait until the last minute, but I put it off as long as I can. The first time my husband and I filed taxes together he insisted on going to a tax preparation business out in town. I’ve always done my own taxes so I was quite mad when we finished up and I saw our bill. I’m still annoyed by it so I continue to procrastinate every year.

My husband is adamant that we use a tax preparation company since they offer a guarantee that if something is wrong, they will fix it. Having special military pay and working in tax-free zones for part of the year can all add up to some tax confusion so having the comfort of knowing a professional is doing the paperwork is a bit of a relief.

How to Spend Your Tax Refund Wisely

Recently I discovered that H&R Block has offices on more than 100 military bases offering free tax services. You have options for filing your taxes for free too. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program offers “no-cost tax advice and preparation, return filing and other tax assistance to military members and their families” and through Military OneSource, you can use H&R Block At Home Online Tax Return Preparation. If you want help, you can go in person or call their help line 24/7 until June or if you want to do it yourself at home you can too. You don’t need to spend money to file your taxes. 

However you choose to file your taxes, you have to do it before April 15. Hopefully you’ll be receiving a refund. We can all hope.

Once you file your taxes you still have one big decision left to make, what are you going to do with your tax refund?

There are 5 options of how to wisely reinvent your tax return.

Pay off credit card debt: Take this opportunity to pay off, or at least lower, your credit card debt. If you have student loans, vehicle payments or mortgage payments, you could put your return toward that as well.

Invest in your future: Financial planning, while not very exciting, is important. Meet with a financial adviser and see what types of investments are right for you. Perhaps it’s time to start a Roth IRA if you don’t already have one.

Invest in your children’s future: If you have children and hope they will go to college one day, setting up a college fund now can help offset tuition and other expenses down the road.

Buy a new vehicle: Have you been dreaming of a new car? Your tax refund might give you the additional income desired to put down a significant down payment.

Take a vacation: Everyone needs a little down time. Take some much needed time with your family, or just yourself and get away for a while. While you are vacationing, don’t forget to ask for a military discount at hotels, museums, attractions and restaurants. You can also book a vacation at a military resort if you want to stretch your tax refund dollars a little farther.

No matter how you choose to use your tax refund, do something that will make you happy. While your neighbor is showing off his new shiny car, you might be smiling having invested in your children’s 529 college savings program. It might not be flashy, but it will have a great reward one day when your children head off to college.

What are you planning to do with your tax refund?

3 Easy Ways to Spend Less Money in 2015

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I don’t know about you but when a new year starts I always think a lot about our money situation: how we are spending our income, which debts we are going to pay off and how much money we are going to save. It only make sense to do this when you are starting a new year.

It is always a good idea to figure out how to spend your money wisely. It shouldn’t matter how much you make. It is a good thing to work to make every dollar go a little further.

3 Easy Ways to Spend Less Money in 2015

Here is a list of 3 ways to help you spend less money in 2015.

They have worked for many people and they can help you get on the road to a better relationship with your income.

  1. Use Cash. This is as simple as making a budget and going to the ATM to get your money out. A lot of people like to use envelopes for different categories such as groceries, entertainment and gas. By using cash you can get a very visual idea of where your money is actually going. It is also harder for a lot of people to spend cash. Using a card is easier and requires less thought. Once you run out of cash for a particular category for the month, you can’t spend any more money.
  2. Use Coupons. Couponing can seem a little overwhelming but once you know what you are doing, clipping coupons becomes a habit. All you need to do is start buying your local newspaper on Sundays, find coupons online and go to the right websites to help you match them with your local stores. It will take you about an hour to get ready for your shopping trip but the savings will be worth it. When you match coupons to sales you are able to save more money than you would think. There are also a lot of great resources out there for those wanting to learn about couponing. Don’t forget to add digital coupons to your commissary rewards card app every week.
  3. Save Your Spare Change. Find an extra plastic tub of some kind. You can also buy a piggy bank. Put all your spare change in it. When it is filled, go and cash it in. You would be surprised to find out how much money you can save this way. You could use the money for a family event or put it in savings. Tell your kids about it and have them contribute to the jar. You will have even more change if you use the cash system to help save money.

Even by making a few changes, you can see a big difference. You can make room in your budget to pay down more debt, save a little bit more or vacation a little bit more with your family. Take baby steps to achieve your financial goals and take the time to sit down with your spouse to discuss what you want in the next few years. It is very helpful to have a goal and be able to work together to get to where you want to be financially.

How are you planning to spend less in 2015?

What’s This Surcharge on My Commissary Receipt?

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There are many great reasons to shop at your military commissary and saving money on groceries is usually No. 1. The commissary is able to sell products on average for 30 percent less than those at civilian grocery stores because all items are sold at cost. This is a great savings for customers, but some still question the real savings when they see the 5 percent surcharge added at the checkout.

Why is there a surcharge at the commissary and what does it cover?

It goes right back into the stores, paying for new construction, renovations and repairs, equipment and store-level information technology systems such as the checkouts. This provides modern facilities for service members at a reduced cost to taxpayers.

According to the Defense Commissary Agency, “the surcharge does not diminish commissary savings, because it is included in our savings calculations along with any state sales tax applied at the retail grocery stores, to show how much our customers actually save at the register.”

The surcharge isn’t new. In fact, Congress set the surcharge in 1952 at 2 percent in order to make commissaries more self-sustaining and less reliant on appropriated funding. It was raised three more times over the years and has stayed at 5 percent since 1983. This surcharge covers all stateside and overseas commissaries now.

The law requires the surcharge to be added to all items sold at the commissary and is therefore applied to the total purchase before coupon deductions are made. For example, if you have $50 worth of groceries before coupons then the 5 percent surcharge would be applied as $50 x .05 = $2.50. If you then have $10 worth in coupons the total at the end of your bill will be $50 + $2.50 surcharge = $52.50 – $10 =$42.50

The next time you buy groceries at the commissary look at your receipt. That surcharge is the amount you personally contributed to improve your commissary.

What changes have you noticed at your local military commissary? Do you have questions about the commissary? Ask us in the comment section below.

SCOUT Military Discounts App Makes Finding Discounts Easy

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SCOUT Military Discounts App Makes Finding Discounts EasySCOUT Military Discounts is a fantastic app available for both iOS and Android devices. With more than 125,000 military discounts SCOUT Military Discounts will be your go-to app for all military discounts. Googling military discounts and asking business owners if they offer a military discount will instantly be a thing of the past once you download this app.

The mission of SCOUT is simple: to make every military discount easily accessible to those who deserve it (including your favorite “mom & pop” shops without websites). Our goal is to have this valuable information at the fingertips of the entire military community.

The app is user-friendly, even the least tech savvy user will be able to navigate through it quickly and easily. There is a search feature that lets you find local discounts listed in proximity to your location. You can type in a specific company to see if they offer a discount or browse individual categories. It isn’t limited to retail shops and restaurants; it also includes hotels and travel-related discounts such as rental cars. Auto shops, pet services, photo discounts and more are listed as well.

If you come across a discount, whether online or in-store, you can add the discount to the app. There is a link at the bottom of the home page. Each discount added is verified before being added to the database. This ensures all discounts are properly listed so that they may be utilized fully and accurately. You can also add businesses through SCOUT’s website.

The app has a map view to make finding local discounts easier. Each red flag is a business offering a military discount. Simply tap on the flag to reveal the discount and business information. Tapping once again will take you to a business contact page. From there you can contact the company or get directions to it. This is such a timesaver as it opens in Maps and gives you instant directions.

Another great feature of SCOUT is its USO location finder. Type in a city and it will give you directions to that USO center. There are over 160 locations in 27 states so you are sure to find one near your military instillation. Finding military discounts is fantastic and finding a USO to rest and rejuvenate while getting connected with family is wonderful.

If finding an unbelievable amount of military discounts and USO locations isn’t enough, make sure to keep SCOUT in mind for Veterans Day each year. The app boasts a large list of military freebies offered by businesses that day. This will be great to have at your fingertips, especially since there were hundreds of free meal deals listed last Veterans Day.

With all of these great features, this app is sure to become your go-to app for military discounts, freebies and USO information. When searching for it in the app store type in SCOUT military and it is the first option.

Want to know more about SCOUT Military Discounts? Visit their webpage.

 

Save Money with Discounted Thanksgiving Dinner Items This Month

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10 Military Discounts for Winter Vacation

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

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

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

Happy Young Children Having Fun at Amusement Park

Cruising the Caribbean

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

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

Resorts and Destinations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

wintervacationmilitarydiscounts

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

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