Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

35 Military Discounts Save Veterans Money

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Veterans Day gives a lot of businesses from coast-to-coast a reason to offer wonderful military discounts to our service members, veterans and their families. I’ve seen a handful of commercials on TV that have been advertising deals to veterans, which is great! My husband and I have also utilized these special military discounts in the past.

This time of year, there will be a long list of military discounts for military families. But, most businesses will only offer the military discount on November 11. And then, some places might extend it out a day or so before and after Veterans Day.

What about the other 364 days of the year?

To my surprise, there are a lot of businesses that offer year-round military discounts. From restaurants to retailers, the list is pretty extensive. A handful have special military discount days, while others may offer it at any point. Either way, your military family has other chances to use these deals.

Here are 35 military discounts that help veterans and their family members save money.

35 Military Discounts That Can Save Veterans Money

14 Retailers that Offer Military Discounts

  1. Calvin Klein, 15% off purchases
  2. Columbia Sportswear, 10% off purchases
  3. Dell, 10% off purchases
  4. Foot Locker, 20% off purchases
  5. Home Depot, 10% off purchases
  6. Joann Fabrics, 10% off purchases
  7. Lowe’s, 10% off purchases
  8. Michael’s, 10% off purchases
  9. New York and Company, 15% off purchases
  10. Nike, 10% off purchases
  11. Old Navy, Military Mondays 10% off purchases (A little birdie told me it’s everyday now, at least for my local Old Navy. Worth a shot to check out in your neck of the woods!)
  12. Payless Shoe Store, 10% off purchases
  13. Timberland, 20% off purchases
  14. Under Armour, 10% off purchases

11 Restaurants That Offer Military Discounts

  1. Applebee’s, 10% off military discount
  2. Boston Market, 20% off military discount
  3. Buffalo Wild Wings, 10% off military discount
  4. Denny’s, 10% off military discount
  5. Joe’s Crab Shack, 10% off military discount
  6. Longhorn Steakhouse, 10% off military discount
  7. Quiznos, 10% off military discount
  8. Red Lobster, 10% off military discount
  9. Sonic Drive-In, 10% off military discount
  10. Texas Roadhouse, 10% off military discount
  11. T.G.I. Fridays, 10% off military discount

8 Travel Military Discounts

  1. Amtrak, 10% off military discount
  2. Carnival, offers military fares
  3. Choice Hotels, offers military/government rate
  4. Marriott, offers military/government rate
  5. Hilton, offers military/government rate
  6. Ramada, offers military/government rate (My husband and I got a great deal when we visited family earlier this month.)
  7. Royal Caribbean, special rates on select cruises
  8. Wyndham Hotels, offers military/government rate (Last Thanksgiving, we stayed at the Wyndham in Gettysburg, Penn., and loved the deal we got!)

2 Special Websites Listing Military Discounts

  1. GovX. As a huge shopping hub open to Armed Forces personnel and their closest family members, GovX offers amazing deals! Whether it is technology or tactical gear and everything in between, the online destination has it all. My family uses it to buy sporting event tickets. They offer exclusive discounts to watch your favorite teams no matter the time of year!
  2. ID.me Shop. This is another website that offers special deals to military members. You can get special alerts sent to you, so you’re in the know of the places that are currently running discounts. Some of the places that I mention above offer a cash back bonus in addition to the military discount through ID.me like Under Armour and Dell Computers.

All locations that I mentioned are subject to change, so ask your local store employees if they offer a military discount.

Also, some businesses have limitations. For example, Lowe’s offers 10% up to $500. I shared a lot of businesses that my husband and myself use on a regular basis. In addition, I asked other military friends and families of their favorite places too.

Keep in mind that this list just touches on the available military discounts out there. There are a lot of wonderful local businesses that offer a military discount along with some bigger franchise out here. It doesn’t hurt to ask any business you patronize if they offer a military discount.

Which military discounts do you use the most when shopping or traveling?

A Military Spouse’s Guide to Space-A

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Space-A is a great way for a military spouse to travel.

A Military Spouse's Guide to Space-A Travel

Pack your patience and flexibility when using Space-A to travel as a military spouse.

We used Space-A back in 2009 to get from Germany to California and back again. The whole thing was quite the experience which wasn’t always easy but I am glad that I had the chance to try flying this way. Traveling Space-A isn’t for the faint of heart and knowing how this type of travel works is very important for having a successful trip.

Space-A travel is when members of the military, retirees and their spouses can travel on aircraft under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Defense when there is room available for them to do so. There is no guarantee that you will get a flight and you need a lot of patience and flexibility if you are going to use this method to get to where you want to go.

For us it took about 3 days to get to California from Germany. We were lucky in that we got on the first flight we wanted to get on. However, after 4 hours and after we were seated on the flight, the plane broke down and everyone had to get off and start all over again. This is the type of thing that can happen which can get frustrating but you need to be prepared for delays when you travel using Space-A.

The first step in planning for your Space-A trip is figuring out where you are going to go.

Most Space-A flights leave from Air Force bases around the United States and overseas. You would want to see where you can fly and how often flights go out of that location. Some places might only have 1 or 2 flights a week so your chances of getting out of there would be slim. Sometimes it is best to drive to a better location to get a better chance of catching a flight.

You would then need to figure out what your Space-A ranking is. The Air Mobility Command has a list of what you would be classified as. As a military spouse traveling you would be classified as either:

  • Category III– If your spouse is deployed more than 365 consecutive days or if you are traveling with your active duty spouse.
  • Category IV– If your spouse is deployed for more than 30 consecutive days but less than 365 days.
  • Category V-If you are flying without your spouse and they are not deployed.
  • Category VI– Retired military and their spouses

The lower your category, the better your chances of catching a flight. For example Category III is a higher priority for seating than Category VI. Each flight has a limited number of seats. Sometimes the seats are more than a hundred, other times there are just 4 or 5 seats available. You will need to register at every location you plan to fly out of. Once you have, you still have to wait to see if you get on the flight and you will need to check in as “present” when you get there.

A Military Spouse's Guide to Space-A

Have you flown using Space-A? Where did you go? What was your experience with Space-A travel?

This is where patience and flexibility come into play when flying Space-A. If a flight only has a few seats and you are a lower category, unless a lot of people decide not to get on that flight, your name will probably never get called. You will need to have a plan for if this happens to you. If you don’t, you could get stuck somewhere and that can be really upsetting.

The best way to prepare for Space-A is to do your research.

Since I was flying to the United States from Germany, I figured out which locations in the U.S. could get me to California. Although they did have flights going all the way there from Germany, I knew that might not be possible. I figured out which of the U.S. bases did go there and was open to any of those locations. In the end we flew into Baltimore and then had to make our way to Andrews Air Force Base where we were able to get a flight to Travis Air Force Base in California.

With Space-A you also need to have all of the important travel documents with you for you and all of your children. These documents include:

  • Travel authorization
  • ID card
  • Unaccompanied dependent memorandum
  • Valid Passport
  • Birth Certificates and Social Security cards

Make sure you double-check everything as you will not be able to fly without the right paperwork.

If you do make a flight, you must be there in person to check-in. You must be ready to fly. If you are not, they will go to the next person on the list.

Keep in mind that with Space-A you could be doing a lot of waiting. Plan for a lot of waiting. Bring something for you and your kids to do. Make sure you have the means to stay in a hotel because if a flight gets canceled you might have to wait until the next day to try again.

In the end, you have to decide if Space-A travel is for you. It will not work for everyone. Sometimes buying a commercial airline ticket will be best.

You have to be flexible with Space-A, you have to plan ahead and you have to be willing to change your plans over and over again until you can get to your location.

Have you used Space-A travel? What tips do you have for using Space-A?

Enter to Win with Our Summer Vacation Photo Contest

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Summer is almost over! Did you get a chance to go on a fun summer vacation? Did you spend time with family or take your kids to a fun place like Disney World? There are so many great places you could have gone this summer and I am sure you took a lot of photos while you were there.

Here at Military Shoppers we are going to have a Summer Vacation Photo Contest!

We want to see where you went and how you spent your summer. We want to see families having fun together. We want you to submit your favorite snapshots for our Summer Vacation Photo Contest.

With military families, taking a vacation together is a very special type of thing. Summer vacations can’t always happen because some summers, a family member is deployed, away at training or just unable to take that time off of work to go anywhere. Sometimes our service members have to skip the summer fun.

The summer vacations we have been able to go on throughout the years have been so special to us. Going to see new places, our family back home or just relaxing somewhere together. To be able to get away together from the everyday is so nice. We love having a lot of photos that we can look back on in the years to come. I also enjoy scrapbooking our adventures so I have a fun way to look back at the places we went.

Pictures are the best way to remember your memories.

If you didn’t go anywhere this summer but did have a fun day trip, use those photos too. Staycations can be just as fun and you get to spend the night in your own bed. Explore your own part of the world to learn more about where you live and what you have nearby.

Do you have any fun summer vacation photos that you want to use for our summer vacation photo contest?

Enter to Win with MilitaryShoppers' Summer Vacation Photo Contest

Do you have a favorite summer vacation photo? Enter your snapshot in MilitaryShoppers’ Summer Vacation Photo Contest today.

Here is everything you need to know about MilitaryShoppers’ Summer Vacation Photo Contest.

Summer Vacation Photo Contest submissions need to include:

  • Name of person submitting photo
  • Installation
  • Branch of service

Summer Vacation Photo Contest Rules:

  • Pictures must be received by August 31, 2015.
  • Winner will be selected at random.
  • Entrants must be registered with MilitaryShoppers.com and have checked the box in their profile saying “yes, I would like to receive emails of offers, savings and contests for the military community.”
  • Winner will be posted to MilitaryShoppers Facebook page, MilitaryShoppers blog and MilitaryShoppers.com.
  • One photo per entrant for the Summer Vacation Photo Contest.
  • Multiple entrants will not be accepted.
  • Photo must be submitted by entrant who possesses a valid military ID card (Active Duty, Veteran, Retiree, Reserve, Guard or family member of the aforementioned categories).
  • Entrant (not those within the photo) must be 18 years of age or older.
  • The Summer Vacation Photo Contest winner will be notified by e-mail.
  • No purchase necessary to win.

Enter to win MilitaryShoppers’ Summer Vacation Photo Contest today.

How to Save Money When Flying This Summer

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This country we call home is huge! From coast to coast, it’s more than 3,000 miles. That, of course, doesn’t cover any overseas travel that you desire to do. It takes hours and hours, just to drive hundreds of miles, so naturally flying becomes our main choice in travel to make the best use of our time.

With summer in full swing and our family’s schedule a little more open and available (for the most part!), we’re more inclined to use that time vacationing.

Searching for Cheaper Airfare? Here’s How to Save Money When Flying This Summer

Searching for Cheaper Airfare? Here's How to Save Money When Flying This Summer

If the online prices aren’t appealing to you, call the airlines directly and ask for a military discount.

Like several other military families, I try and fly back to my hometown of Austin, Texas, at least once a year outside of the holidays. Whether you are using your summer time off to go to grandma’s house or to explore a new location, it’s most likely it’s far enough away where you need to hop on a plane. My parents have also spent a lot of time in the air, especially my dad. He utilized frequent flyer miles with his job.

Plan Your Travel in Advance, Avoid Holiday Travel

I give credit to him because he’s the one that has shared tips and tricks for me to get the most bang for my buck when purchasing airline tickets, particularly back to my hometown.

The sooner you have dates locked down for travel is really the best time to buy, especially if it’s during a holiday. Aim to purchase airfare about 50 days out, if you can manage. And really, if you can help it, avoid the holidays (that means, no to a last-minute Labor Day weekend getaway) altogether!

Tuesdays Best Day to Buy, Best Day to Fly

But, we all know that military life can be a bit unpredictable, so it’s good to have a couple more things to consider before buying a plane ticket. There are times of the day and days of the week that yield cheaper prices for everyone. I typically purchase my plane tickets on the No. 1 buying day, which is Tuesday (according to Forbes and Business Insider).

In addition, the day you travel helps with ticket price. CNN says that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the ideal days to travel and to avoid Sundays and Fridays. I’ve come to realize that Saturdays and Mondays sometimes have pricier tickets, so I stay away from those days as well.

I use resources like Kayak.com to gauge the difference in prices between the airlines and it also shows the prices days before and after your requested travel day. I love the ability to compare airlines and days of the week.

If the prices you see online aren’t appealing to you, go straight to the airlines for special rates.

Luckily for the military community, several airlines offer a military discount.

United, Jet Blue, American Airlines (now includes US Airways), Southwest and Delta are the major airlines that advertise a discount for military members. Most require a phone call to receive the military rate as it’s not available to purchase online.

I typically write down what’s available online and then call to see if there is a substantial difference. Generally, the online rate might be cheaper, but that’s only based on my experiences.

For example, on my recent vacation to Seattle, I contacted Southwest airlines because the flight times and prices online were the cheapest. I called to speak to a representative about the military rate and Southwest’s “Wanna Get Away” rate was cheaper, so while I was on the phone with them, I made the online reservation.

Don’t Forget About Space-A Travel

Another great (and sometimes scary) way to save money is to use Space-A travel. I know, yikes! It’s a bit confusing and really, from what I know about it, you really should have a lot of wiggle room with your travel date, if you’re opting to use it.

My parents have used Space-A travel and I’ve participated as a military child. From what I remember, don’t forget to ask a lot of questions and I would suggest having your spouse talk through it with their command. Schedules can sometimes change, so there are a whole lot of things to consider when you decide to fly at the mercy of the military.

Are you planning to fly this summer? How do you save money on airfare during the peak travel season?

Save Money This Summer with These Military Discounts

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Save Money This Summer with These Military Discounts

What are your favorite military discounts to use on your summer vacation?

Summer is almost here and that means vacation time is quickly approaching. Save money, time and frustration by planning ahead and taking advantage of military discounts on summer fun. You’ll be able to make the most of your summer with these great military discounts.

Here are a few military discounts you don’t want to miss this summer.

  • Adventure Island Tampa: Free tickets are available for active duty military and their families; veterans get half off tickets as well.
  • Aquatica San Diego: Active duty military families receive free tickets and veterans get half off tickets.
  • Busch Gardens: Active duty service members and up to 3 dependents get complimentary admission once a year. You’ll need to fill out a form online and bring it to the ticket counter with your military ID to get your actual pass. Don’t wait in line at the gate like I did only to find out you have to go back to the ticket counter!
  • SeaWorld: Free tickets are available to active duty service members and their families. Veterans get a 50% discount.
  • Sesame Park Place: All active duty military families can get free tickets and veterans receive a 50% discount.

    Save Money This Summer with These Military Discounts

    Have you taken your family to Disney yet?

  • Walt Disney World Resort: Disney is currently offering 3-day military park hopper tickets for $132. See your base ticketing office for details.
  • Blue Star Theatres: Military families and veterans can enjoy free admission to over 100 theatres around the country.
  • Water Country USA: Free admission is available for active duty military, reservists and National Guard as well as 3 direct dependents.
  • Cedar Point: Enjoy $21 off regular admission for all active duty, veterans and their families.
  • Colonial Williamsburg: Admission is free for military families May 22-25, 2015. Visit your MWR/ITT office to purchase discounted admission tickets the rest of the year.

    Colonial Williamsburg is a great to visit. It's educational and fun.

    Colonial Williamsburg is a great to visit. It’s educational and fun.

  • Dollywood: Active duty, reservists, veterans and their families receive a 30% discount on one day admission. These tickets cannot be pre-purchased and can only be purchased at the front gate of Dollywood or Dollywood’s Splash Country.
  • King’s Dominion: Free admission is offered May 23-25 and July 4-5 for all active duty and retired military. Active duty and veterans are eligible for discounted tickets, up to 6 with each ID, at the gate throughout the year.
  • King’s Island: Free admission for military personnel May 22-25 and July 3-5. Active duty military receive discounts for themselves and up to 6 others by showing their ID at the gate throughout the year.
  • Lego Land: Active duty military get a free one day pass and friends and family receive a discount on admission at the gate.
  • Six Flags: Most military bases offer discounted admission tickets. Check with your MWR/ITT office.
  • Universal Studios: On-site hotel vacation packages and discounts on admission tickets are available for military families. Contact your MWR/ITT for details.
  • Great Wolf Lodge: All active duty service members receive 20% discount and free admission to the water park with their stay.
  • Museums: Many museums across America including: Museum of Modern Art in New York, the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas, the Southwest Florida Military Museum in Cape Coral and the USS Midway Museum in San Diego offer free entrance or discounts for military families.
  • Movie Theaters: Many theaters offer military discounts, usually the same price as a senior or student ticket. You’ll need to use the actual ticket counter to get them and to show your ID.
  • Summer Camp for Children: Many camps across the country are free or discounted for military dependents, particularly if one of the parents is deployed. Check with your local camps.
  • Major League Baseball: The league offers discounted tickets to many games and each team also has a specific military appreciation day. Check with your favorite team for details.

There are so many fun, exciting and educational things to do with your family this summer and saving money while having fun is always a bonus. If you didn’t see a particular theme park listed here that you are planning a trip to this year, call ahead or check their website for military discounts. Many businesses around the country offer some type of military discount; all you have to do is ask.

What are your favorite military discounts? Tell us in the comments section.

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?

The Top 10 Best Military Vacation Secret Spots

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Acceptable. Fine. A bed. That’s normally how I describe temporary military lodges. As a military spouse, I don’t mind bunking there because it’s cheap, but I don’t brag about the amenities to my civilian friends. seward alaskaI brag about the price. That’s the majority of temporary military lodging. But there is something better.

It’s those cabins, townhouses and rooms with a view that are the best-kept secrets of the military.

They are the lodges that you know you should share with the newbie military spouses, but you don’t want to share your insider information. You are like a screaming toddler saying “it’s mine. It’s all mine.”

If you want super awesome military facilities, try the New Sanno in Tokyo, the Shades of Green Disney Resort, Hawaii’s Hale Koa Hotel or Edelweiss Lodge with views of the Alps. At these facilities you don’t get what you pay for. You get more than what you pay for. There is 1 small problem with these military perk places. Even though these hotels are exclusively for active duty and veterans, affordable doesn’t equal available. Often reservations need to be made a year in advance especially during the peak travel season. So instead of trying to wedge our way into the high-traffic military lodges, let’s take the road less traveled.

Let’s visit the top 10 military vacation secret spots that you will never read about in Travel & Leisure magazine.yellowstone

  1. Marines’ Memorial Club, San Francisco, Calif. Guest reviews on Yelp said “This is our second home away from home when we visit SF. The staff is very accommodating and attentive to your needs, service is top-notch, the location is perfect, the facility is excellent and makes you feel right at home.” Did I mention there is a free happy hour and free breakfast? It’s my No. 1 choice for a hotel in downtown San Francisco.
  2. Seward Resort, Seward, Alaska. Alaska is one of those places that I don’t want to be stationed at, but I would love to visit. The Seward Resort offers a way for my family to visit Alaska without the 3-year orders. The website brags “Are you looking for an exciting and affordable way to see the Last Frontier? You’ve found it! We’ve got the best of Alaska in our backyard: world-class fishing, spectacular glaciers, an abundance of wildlife, and recreational opportunities galore!” Recreational opportunities galore. You know it’s got to be good. Perks? Free cross country ski rental and wine exclusively made for the resort’s guests.
  3. Del Mar Beach Resort at Camp Pendleton, Calif. One Yelp reviewer wrote “Want a little getaway??? This is your spot. Located right on the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base with great prices! The winter rates are 25% off! I stayed here this past weekend and was very pleased. I stayed in the Luxury Villa where you have access to a patio with grill and a bonfire. A full complete kitchen.” I’ve stayed here before and it’s a great facility. It’s perfect for families who want to be near Legoland.
  4. Rocky Mountain Blue at Keystone Resort, Keystone, Colo. Located 1 hour from Denver, this is a must-stay military lodge for service members who loved to hit the slopes. From ice skating to Nordic skiing, snowmobiling to snowshoeing or sleigh rides, Keystone has it all. Going in the summer? No problem. The website outlines a variety of activities. Wagon rides, anyone?
  5. Fourth Cliff Family Recreation Area, Humarock, Mass. According to its website, Fourth Cliff Family Recreation Area is a 56-acre seaside resort located in Humarock (Scituate) on Massachusetts’ South Shore. Fourth Cliff is in a superb location, sitting high on a cliff at the end of a peninsula, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the scenic North River on the other. It offers an excellent opportunity for solitude and relaxation.
  6. Soldiers’, Sailors, Marines’, Coast Guard, and Airmen’s Club, New York City, N.Y. If you want history, you must make a reservation at this “Home Away From Home” from service members and their families. This club has existed for more than 90 years and provides hospitality and accommodations for 15,000 Armed Forces personnel annually. One Yelp reviewer wrote “It’s not the Ritz, but you cannot beat the location for this price. We paid $70/person per night (based on your rate/rank) Just blocks away from the Empire State Building, we felt like we were right in the middle of the action.”
  7. Yellowstone Country Trailers, Mountain Home AFB.  Want to stay 2 miles from the south entrance to Yellowstone National Park? The Air Force maintain 11 trailers at Flagg Ranch Campground. “These trailers are self-contained, include cooking and eating utensils, and are ready for your enjoyment,” according to its website.
  8. Pacific Beach Resort, Pacific, Wash. In the shadow of the snow-capped Olympic Mountains, Pacific Beach Resort offers a Navy-run hotel and cabins lining the bluff along with a full-service restaurant and conference center. Bikes and mopeds are available for rent at the shore.
  9. Fort Tuthill Recreation Area, Flagstaff, Ariz. If you love the outdoors, then you need to stay at the Fort Tuthill Recreation Area. The accommodations range from yurts with wrap-around decks to 2-story, 3-bedroom cabins. The backyard has a fire pit, deck and a picnic table.
  10. Lake of The Ozarks Recreation Area, Linn Creek, Missouri. Nicknamed LORA, this 360-acre facility is designed to provide a relaxing environment for military families. LORA offers cabin rentals, full and partial RV hook-ups, rustic campsites, a lakefront pavilion, a swimming beach, boat docks, a full-service marina, boat and Jet Ski rentals, boat/RV storage rental, parking, picnic areas, a launching ramp, fishing and a small convenience store.  It’s open yearround.

Have you stayed at any of these military facilities? What’s your favorite military lodge?

5 Tips to Reduce Relocation Expenses

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5 Tips to Spend Less During a PCS

How do you save money during a PCS? Share your tips in our comments sections.

I always underestimate the cost of a PCS. I tell myself that the Navy moves us so relocating from one military installation to another isn’t expensive. I don’t pay for anything. Right? This is my mental talk 30 days prior to a PCS. Then the whirlwind of the PCS happens and I am reaching for my credit card more than I have in the last 2 years. 60 days later when I am reviewing our credit card bill at our new duty station, I am shocked by the balance. How did we spend ALL this money?

The average service member shells out $1,725 for non-reimbursable moving expenses. That’s nearly $2,000. Let’s say that we move every 2 years during my husband’s 20-year career. That’s a total of $17,250 of MY money to move for the Navy. No thank you.

This year, we will be moving again and I’m committed to reducing our relocation expenses. But how do I cut costs when we are homeless and living out of our car?

Here are 5 tips for reducing relocation expenses when transferring to a new duty station.

  1. Save for a Sensible Spending Plan.
    Call it a budget. Call it a spending plan. It doesn’t matter. But make a plan for how much it will cost to set up your new home. Calculate an estimate for security deposits for housing and utilities. Cut back on eating out in the last 3 months of your current duty station and put that money in to a savings account. You’ll need it when you establish your new home. Do not depend on your Dislocation Allowance to cover all of your expenses. It never does.
  2. Negotiate and Ask to Speak with a Manager.
    Practice saying this phrase “Is that the best price you can give me?” When you set up your Internet and cable, ask for the “best price.” Let them know that you compared prices between different providers and ask if the company offers a military discount. You will never get a discount if you don’t ask for it. If you have a credit score of higher than 600, ask if your landlord will consider reducing the security deposit. Mention that you’re a classy military person who pays your monthly rent on time every month.
  3. Embrace House Camping.
    Hotels are expensive. Even staying at the lodge on base can get expensive after more than 5 days. If you don’t have your household goods, but you have a home, consider house camping. Eat on the floor, sleep on an air mattress, let your kids bounce a ball against the wall and eat food that you prepare out of your microwave. Is it ideal? No. Will it save you money? Absolutely.FacebookWeb
  4. Buy Used –Not New– Whenever Possible.
    When we moved to Maryland, for the first time we had a yard. This was great news until I realized a yard means grass which means we needed to mow the yard. We didn’t own a lawnmower. Foolishly we bought a brand-new lawnmower. Now we live in California. We don’t need the lawnmower and it sits, collecting dust in our already-stuffed garage. What’s the lesson? Be patient and buy seasonal items used online. I recommend SargesList and those Facebook Yard Sale groups. For every military installation, there is a military spouse monitoring a Facebook group.
  5. Take Another Service Member’s Trash.
    Through Facebook you can connect with military spouses at your new duty station. Guess what? If you are moving there, I bet someone else is leaving that duty station. Most likely they have cleaning supplies, spices and random other things that they can’t or don’t want to take with them. Offer to take it. Free stuff doesn’t cost you anything.
5 Tips for Saving Money During an PCS

Plan ahead to save money during a PCS.

What are your tips for saving money during a PCS?

Is Your Car Road Trip Ready?

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The summer road trip is a classic American vacation for many military families. Before hitting the open road, ask yourself: is my car road trip ready? Not sure. Review this checklist to ensure that your summer road trip will be a safe vacation without any side trips to a unfamiliar auto shop.

Schedule an oil change.

Checklist for Car Maintenance Before a Road Trip

Pack a roll of duct tape in your car emergency kit.

This may seem like the simplest way to ensure a safe road trip, but it is key. There are many different issues that can be aggravated if you don’t provide your vehicle with a change of oil. An engine needs proper lubrication to work well, especially in the summer heat. Secondary to the oil change, a tune-up would be great to add to your list, but first and foremost, give your car that new lubrication it needs.

Tip: If you’re planning on hauling extra weight behind you, like a teardrop trailer for camping, ask the mechanic about using a thicker oil. A car pulling more weight may need an oil that won’t thin out as quickly due to the extra work it will be doing during the road trip.

Create a car emergency kit.

In your trunk, place 2 quarts of the oil used in your oil change, coolant, expendable rags (good for wiping off oil or touching hot engines) and a roll of duct tape. Yes, duct tape is key! If there is a burst in a rubber hose or a spot under the hood where you would like a mechanic to check for a potential issue, duct tape can take care of it. Other tools to include would be a small screwdriver and a wrench. Also include a jug of water in your kit, to cool down your car system in a bind. Don’t forget to have flares and small safety cones in a car emergency kit.

Test your car jack. We always wait until the unfortunate time when we need to use the car jack to actually learn how to use it. A week before your trip, try yours out in the parking lot or driveway. Make sure you know how to use it quickly and easily, and that all of the parts are accessible.

Tip: If you’re not sure how to use your particular car jack, search YouTube for a video tutorial.

Get the radiator checked.

This is another add-on to your oil change but may be even more important. The radiator passes coolant through the engine, so on those hot summer road trip days, it’s much needed. Radiators can get clogged over time and since we don’t think about them until spring and summer when we plan summer vacations, they are neglected the rest of the year. Have your mechanic do a flow test on the car to make sure the right amount of fluids are passing through the hoses and tubes.

How to Get Your Car Road Trip Ready

Don’t forget to ask for a military discount.

Tip: To save money, ask your mechanic to “bundle” your oil change, tune-up and radiator check. See if they offer a military discount on top of the bundle. You could yield some significant savings.

Make a “must-use” mechanics list.

Be proactive and find reputable mechanics within each state that you will be passing through. If you will be staying on or near a main road, like I-95, search for mechanics that are located nearby. If you plan to stick with automotive repair chains, like Pep Boys, map out locations along your road trip journey.

Tip: Look for reviews of mechanics and automotive chains on review sites like Yelp or ask your favorite hometown mechanic for recommendations. You’ll be surprised how many great mechanics they can recommend for each part of your journey.

Tips to get your car road trip ready

Take time for car maintenance prior to hitting the open road.

How many miles will you travel this summer?

Travel Destination of the Month: Malta

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Military Vacation to Malta

Book your Malta vacation today through the Armed Forces Vacation Club.

As a military family, we have traveled to many amazing places during the last 8 years. When we were stationed in Germany, we visited 10 other countries.

Malta was one of my favorites!

If you ever have the chance, I highly recommend visiting Malta. It isn’t too busy and you can get there quickly if you are already visiting or stationed in Europe.

Malta is a beautiful island off the coast of Italy in the Mediterranean Sea. It has breathtaking views and an old-world charm. You can spend your vacation at the beach or walking around the island.

Malta has mild weather. The average temperature is 73 degrees, so you can plan on dining outdoors during your vacation.

We traveled to Malta right before Christmas when this Italian island was decorated for the holiday season. Wearing only light sweaters, we walked through the cobblestone streets and enjoyed looking at the old buildings as well as the town center. We walked to a vista for a beautiful view of the city and the sea. There was nothing like it.

Armed Forces Vacation Club Malta

This resort is 2 minutes from the Mediterranean Sea.

Club Salina Wharf in Qawra, Malta, is one of the Armed Forces Vacation Club resorts. They have a variety of rooms such as studios, 1- or 2-bedroom units, and kitchen facilities. They also have a pool and restaurants on-site to enjoy. The resort is only a 2-minute walk from the sea. What a great way to spend your R&R or family vacation.

You can take lessons at a diving school or participate in other water sports. Nearby you will find nightclubs, restaurants, activities for the kids, a seaside promenade, shops, and even a casino.

If Europe is out of reach for your family this summer, there is a long list of places you can visit in the United States through the Armed Forces Vacation Club. Don’t forget to sign up for their newsletter to receive weekly updates and last-minute deals. It’s the best way to plan your next vacation.

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