Military Life News

Military Life News, Commissary Rewards and Military Discounts

Commissaries Will Offer 400 Private Label Items Starting in May

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For the first time in its history, private label items will be found in your military commissary.

Commissary shoppers know (and often complain) that generic products aren’t available at the commissary.

If you want ketchup, you buy Heinz.

If you want oatmeal, you buy Quaker Oats.

If you want cola, you buy Coca-Cola or Pepsi.

The same quality for a lower price product often referred to as a generic brand, like the Best Value brand found at Walmart stores or the Market Pantry brand in Target stores, isn’t an option at your commissary. There isn’t a store brand for DeCA.

Soon that will change.

The Defense Commissary Agency selected MDV SpartanNash LLC to be its first private label supplier.

“We are excited that DeCA has selected us to support this important initiative, and to provide commissaries with private label products for the first time in their history,” said Dennis Eidson, SpartanNash CEO and Chairman of the Board in a press release.

“This partnership will provide military families with quality options and the opportunity to stretch their food budget. Many of our active duty and veterans are on a limited income, and their military benefit provides savings which are key to meeting their families’ food and household needs. Patriotism is one of our core values, and we are extremely proud to serve our nation’s service members, their families, and military partners around the world,” Eidson said in the press release.

Starting in May, commissary shoppers will see private label items on the shelves in their stores. DeCA officials said the plan is to introduce an initial assortment of 400 items in commissaries worldwide in May 2017. The amount of private label products will be gradually increased with the goal of 1,000 available at commissaries by the end of 2017.

DeCA’s director and CEO Joseph H. Jeu said he is excited to bring private label products to military families.

“They are smart, savvy shoppers who know that private label products are cost-effective alternatives to national brands. We’re excited to help them save more at our commissaries,” he said in a press release.

DeCA reported that 60% of commissary patrons said they would be interested in a DeCA private label.

“Our customers have been asking for private label for a long time,” Jeu said.

Customers aren’t the only ones asking for private label products. Congress had a hand in this decision too.

The 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) nudged DeCA to explore the option of private label products. DeCA has been researching ways to keep the commissaries open with less federal funding. The private label brand is only option out of many that DeCA is exploring in the next year.

What do you think of DeCA’s decision to have a private label brand? Would you buy private label products if they were available at your commissary?

15 Military Coupon Mistakes That Smart Military Spouses Make

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Shopping at the commissary is a great way to save money and having military coupons make it even better. Are you a savvy shopper that clips military coupons before heading to the commissary? Even the best couponers make mistakes.

Here are 15 military coupon mistakes that smart military spouses make and how to avoid them.

Not Having a Commissary Rewards Card

The Commissary Rewards Card should be your first stop when looking for military coupons. You can digitally clip military coupons and add them to your Commissary Rewards Card. If you don’t have one, you can pick one up at any commissary.

Forgetting to Register at MilitaryShoppers.com

MilitaryShoppers has printable military coupons and the commissary flyer.  Sign up for emails and get commissary deals, product highlights and more.

Not Scheduling Adequate Time to Shop

When you’re in a hurry, you don’t pay attention to detail. Make sure you plan your trip to the commissary with enough time to shop. Eat before you go so you aren’t tempted to put things in your shopping cart that you don’t have military coupons for.

Not Picking Up the Military Coupon Flyers at Your Commissary

There are military coupon flyers at the commissary. Don’t skip those thinking you have all the military coupons you need. There might be a better military coupon inside the flyer.

Ignoring Military Coupons on the Shelves

Often there are military coupons on the shelf. Compare them to the ones you have and see which one is the better deal.

Not Knowing When New Military Coupons Are Available

If you only look for coupons in the Sunday paper, you are missing out on great savings. The Commissary Rewards Card site has new coupons almost daily. As soon as manufacturers provided them, they are live on the site. Many other sites like coupon.com post new coupons daily.

Couponing on Your Own

Learning from others will help you expand your savings. Contact your local Fleet and Family Center to see if there is a coupon exchange program. It’s also a great way to get to know other military spouses.

Buying the Item Even if It Doesn’t Scan at the Discounted Price

Sometimes coupons don’t scan. Don’t settle and buy a product if you aren’t able to get the discount. Ask the clerk to scan the military coupon again or to type in the discount. If that doesn’t work, ask to speak to a manager.

Buying Something You Don’t Need Just Because You Have a Coupon

Just because there is a military coupon for an item does not mean that you should buy it if you aren’t going to use the product. Pay attention to what you are buying and don’t stray from your grocery list just because there is a coupon.

Failing to Stock Up on Items Your Family Uses

If there is a product, such as toilet paper, that your family uses often consider stocking up when there are good military coupons for it. You will save money over time if you purchase bigger quantities.

Having a Disorganized Coupon Folder

Everyone has their own way of sorting military coupons. Organize your folder the way that works best for you. Is it grouping coupons in the order that you will find items in the commissary or putting all the soon-to-expire coupons up front?

Not Taking All Your Coupons in the Store with You

Don’t just take the coupons that you are going to use into the commissary. Perhaps you will find an item that your family uses on sale. Add a coupon to that and it’s a great day to stock up.

Not Knowing the Commissary’s Coupon Policies

It’s important to know store coupon policies. The commissary, for example, does not double coupons. If you print a coupon and have a digital one for the same item on your Commissary Rewards Card, you cannot use both. The commissary also does not take expired coupons stateside, but will take them up to 6 months expired overseas.

Not Reading the Fine Print on Coupons

Always read the fine print on coupons. Some have a specific size the coupon is good for while others are for multiple items. Make sure you buy all items required and place them together on the conveyor belt.

Failing to Watch the Monitor as Items and Coupons Are Scanned

Our final tip is to make sure you pay attention as your items are scanned. You’ve done all the work to find coupons; make sure you get the discount. If the coupon scans incorrectly, point it out to the cashier. If you have a problem, ask to speak to a manager. It’s your money; make sure you get the most from it.

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DeCA Dietitian Encourages ‘Thinking Outside the Box’

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Can I confess something? When my children were young and my spouse was constantly coming and going, there was a time when I cooked everything in the microwave.

Looking back, I am more than a little embarrassed at the amount of boxed dinners I prepared for me and my brood. To be fair, when my kids were young, the internet was still a newfangled mysterious thing and Pinterest wasn’t even a word yet.

Shamefully, I sacrificed nutrition for convenience. And I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who has fallen into the trap of ease versus nutrition.

Which is why the “Thinking Outside the Box” initiative created by DeCA’s registered dietitian, Deborah Harris, is such a good idea.

Harris joined the DeCA team earlier this year and her impact has been nothing but positive. In a recent interview Harris revealed she doesn’t “want to tell people what they cannot eat,” instead she wants “them to be knowledgeable about what it is they are eating.”

And what better place to promote that awareness than at military commissaries worldwide? In the biweekly commissary flyer (and online), she offers healthy and easy dinner ideas that feature specials at the commissary.

Dinner plans and a sale? Nothing wrong with that.

Harris Understands the Demands of Military Life

Harris comes to DeCA with plenty of military experience under her belt. Raised as a Navy brat, 1st Lieutenant Harris served as a dietitian in the Army for 4 years at both Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Fort Sill. She is a certified diabetes educator and a maternal child health specialist.

Prior to joining DeCA, Harris was the director of network programs for the Michigan Fitness Foundation. She also worked as a public health specialist for the SNAP-Ed program and worked to help educate students, parents and other community members about nutrition and obesity prevention across the state of Michigan.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in dietetics from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

DeCA’s Dietitian Provides Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas

You can find meal ideas in the biweekly sales flyer, but even if you don’t regularly shop at the commissary, you can still take advantage of Harris’ dinner ideas.

Visit the Healthy Eats section on the DeCA website to browse new and archived recipes.

On the menu this week? Stovetop Tuna Mac. Stovetop Tuna Mac is just a handful of simple ingredients and takes about 30 minutes to prepare.

Quick Stovetop Tuna Mac

  • 8 oz whole wheat pasta (elbow, rotini, or rigati)
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 12-16 oz frozen broccoli
  • 2 eggs
  • 6 oz nonfat evaporated milk
  • 8 oz sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 5 oz can tuna in water, drained
  • Dry mustard, salt & pepper to taste

Boil pasta according to package directions. Add ¼ tsp of salt to the water and cook until pasta is tender (8 to 10 minutes). Drain pasta and return to the pot along with 2 tbsp of butter and mix until butter is melted. Microwave frozen broccoli according to directions on package.

While that’s cooking, whisk together 2 eggs, nonfat evaporated milk, ½ tsp salt, dash of pepper, and ¾ tsp of dry mustard. Add mixture to pasta and stir gently. Set heat to low and add cheddar cheese, heat until the cheese melts and the sauce is slightly thickened and creamy.

Remove from heat and add the drained tuna to the cheesy pasta. Gently mix.

Serve with broccoli and enjoy! This recipe serves a family of 4.

If tuna isn’t your thing, check out these other great recipes:

Thankfully, I eventually realized making healthy choices for my family was infinitely more important than convenience. With great deals and recipes right at your fingertips, you won’t have to make the same mistakes I did.

And just in case you’re still sitting on the fence, just pretend I’m your mother, whispering in your ear, “Eat your veggies and make healthy choices.”

For more “Thinking Outside the Box” recipes, visit DeCA’s Healthy Eats.

Is a Disabled Veteran Eligible to Shop on Base?

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A MilitaryShoppers reader recently asked if a disabled veteran was allowed to shop at the commissary. That’s a good question.

You would think the answer should be yes, a disabled veteran can shop at the commissary but it isn’t that simple.

There are a variety of categories of people who are allowed access to the commissary and unfortunately, being a disabled veteran does not automatically grant you shopping privileges.

The guidelines are clear — a disabled veteran must be 100% disabled to have those privileges. There are other categories the disabled veteran may fall under though that would allow him/her to use the commissary. We’ve gathered all the information below to help you determine who is eligible to shop on base.

Who is eligible to shop at the commissary?

Uniformed Personnel: this includes all military branches, the USPHS Commissioned Corps., the NOAA Commissioned Corps, members of the Reserve Components and cadets and midshipmen of the Military Service academies.

Retired Service Members: There are different categories of retired personnel that are entitled to commissary privileges:

All personnel carried on the official retired lists (Active and Reserve Components) of the uniformed services who are retired with pay, granted retirement pay for physical disability, or entitled to retirement pay whether or not such pay is waived or pending due to age requirement; or enlisted personnel transferred to the Fleet Reserve of the Navy and the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve, after 20 or more years of active service.

Officers and crews of vessels, lighthouse keepers, and depot keepers of the former Lighthouse Service who retired.

Retired wage marine personnel, including retired noncommissioned ships officers, and crew members of vessels of NOAA and its predecessors (the Coast and Geodetic Survey and the Environmental Science Services Administration).”

Medal of Honor Recipients:  All Medal of Honor recipients are granted commissary privileges.

100% Disabled Veterans: Honorably discharged veterans that have 100% service-connected disability or a 100% unemployability as classified by the Department of Veterans Affairs are able to shop at the commissary.

This unfortunately means if you are a 99% or less disabled veteran, you don’t qualify.

Authorized Family Members including dependent children, lawful spouse, former un-remarried spouse, surviving spouse, surviving family member and surviving spouses and dependents of veterans that were honorably discharged posthumously determined to have 100% service connected disability have shopping privileges.

DoD Civilian Employees Stationed Outside the United States and their families can use the commissary.

Official DoD and Military Services Organizations and Activities: Any official DoD organization can use the commissary.

Involuntarily Separated Uniformed Personnel: Any service member that is involuntarily separated from active duty, as long as it is not for adverse reasons, can shop at the commissary for 2 years from the time of separation. A Select Reserve that is involuntarily separated also has a 2-year grace period to use the commissary.

Service Members Who Receive Sole Survivorship Discharge are granted commissary privileges for 2 years after the date of separation or after 2 years from when they were notified they had that privilege.

Hospitalized Veterans: Honorably discharged veterans can use the commissary when they are hospitalized in a location that also has a commissary. Note that this does not include veterans getting outpatient treatment.

DeCA Employees: DeCA personnel can purchase items for personal consumption during working hours to be consumed during breaks.

DoD Presidentially Appointed, Senate-Confirmed (PAS) Officers.

American National Red Cross (ARC) Personnel: They may be granted shopping privileges by an installation commander.

United Service Organizations (USO): USO leaders and their families who are assigned to overseas can use the commissary.

There are a few more exceptions to overseas commissaries. You might be surprised that DeCA does not decide who can shop at the commissary. The government decides based on the compensation status the service member or their family receives.

You can stop by the Pass and ID office if you think you should be able to shop on base but did not find a category here that you fit under. They have information on military benefits and issue ID cards.

They can also supply a visitor’s pass for a guest to join you on base. If you have commissary privileges, you are allowed to bring a visitor to the commissary, but they are not able to make any purchases.

While this is a lot of information, to answer the reader’s question if a disabled veteran can shop on base, the answer is only if they are a 100% disabled veteran or if they fall under any other category.

How do you feel about the requirement that a disabled veteran be 100% disabled to shop at the commissary? Do you think a disabled veteran of any percent should be allowed to shop on base?

Do you have a question about the commissary? We’d love to answer it. Please post your question in the comments section.

8 Apps for Military Coupons

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Military coupons are in abundance if you know where to look. There are amazing apps for your phone full of military coupons and best of all, they’re free.

Here is a list of our favorite military coupon apps.

SCOUT Military Discounts

Looking for a large amount of military coupons in one place? Then SCOUT Military Discounts is the app you want. It has thousands of military coupons and discounts.

Not only does it have great military coupons, but it also has unique features that set it apart from other apps. These include USO locations, military-friendly charities and lists of freebies on Veterans Day.

Commissary Rewards App

Have you signed up for the Commissary Rewards Card?

Once you have, download the Commissary Rewards App and log in. With the Commissary Rewards App, you can clip military coupons on the go with just the tap of your finger.

There is a huge selection of military coupons in the app. When you check out, just scan your Commissary Rewards Card.

Military Cost Cutters

Military Cost Cutters brings together military-friendly businesses and veterans. The app was created by veterans for the military community. Through this app, you can search for military-friendly businesses and find military coupons and discounts.

Some of the perks of this app include: having a QR code scanning function, being able to search any location for specials, upload any military coupons or discounts you find and rate businesses.

They also have a rewards program where you can receive deals from businesses that you have shopped with.

Shop Savvy

The Shop Savvy app is the ultimate shopping partner. Not only does it have great military coupons, deals and specials, but you can also get cash back after shopping.

A great feature is the option to scan barcodes to compare prices from one store to another. If you’re a frugal shopper, you can set price drop alerts for a particular item so you’ll know when the best deal is available.

You can make your shopping list and do all of your shopping right in the app.

Discount Soldier

Discount Soldier is another great app for military coupons and discounts. It is a community where military families share military coupons and discounts they find.

Members of Discount Soldier can add discounts they find right to the app. This app has no in-app purchases to slow you down. They have a great website as well.

Ibotta: Cash Back App

Ibotta is an extremely popular cash back app. They have great deals ranging from clothing stores and craft stores to grocery stores, and don’t forget about military coupons.

The key feature of Ibotta is rebates. All you have to do is scan your receipts with your camera phone and when you’re ready to collect the rebates, they will pay you through PayPal or through a gift card.

To potentially earn more, you can shop with friends to unlock group discounts.

Pro-tip: Ibotta works with commissary receipts.

Checkout 51

If you can’t find a military coupon for something you’ve had your eye on, perhaps you can get cash back with Checkout 51. They give cash back from brand names. Every Thursday new offers are added to the list. You can purchase these products anywhere and then take a picture of your receipt to get cash back.

They will mail you a check when your rebate totals $20.  This app is also available in Spanish.

RetailMeNot

RetailMeNot is an award-winning app and one of our favorites.

If there is a promo code, military coupon or discount available, RetailMeNot will have it.

With this one app you won’t have to search for a promotion code when purchasing products online or cut coupons at home. Simply type in the name of the business you are shopping at and it will show you the coupons available for it, both in store and online.

There are more than 50,000 retailers and thousands of restaurants with discounts and offers in RetailMeNot. Use the map that shows specials near you or set alerts for your favorite shops to see more deals.

These are our favorite apps for military coupons and discounts.

What apps do you use for military coupons?

On-Site Sales Available to National Guard, Reserve

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The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) recently announced that commissaries around the world are offering special benefits for National Guard and Reserve troops. These service members and their families, can take advantage of on-site and online sales through the holiday season. Sites run coast to coast within the United States, with 1 overseas location in Camp Fuji, Japan.

Essentially, this sales program for National Guard and Reserve is like a case lot sale.

Locations that don’t have a commissary will have special short-term sales. These sales will run through both Thanksgiving and the December holidays. While the items at each location may vary, families will be sure to find pantry and holiday favorites. Some of the featured items include: ham, canned fruits and veggies, turkey and snack items.

All eligible commissary beneficiaries can take advantage of this opportunity to stock up on pantry staples and special holiday foods!

However, this program is only being offered at specific locations and on a set number of dates. For information about each site, check out that commissary’s website or contact them via email or phone.

Pre-plan, Pre-order and Pre-pay for Your Holiday Meals

Some of these special sales are offering online pre-orders! That means your family can pick out your grocery items in advance, guaranteeing you that special treat you crave. You will pay for your groceries with a credit card when you place your order.

This online service has the potential to help military families with their holiday budgets. By pre-ordering and pre-paying for your holiday feast, you can get your budget ready for the holiday expenses early. Plus, you won’t be shocked by the cost of your feast!

Take Advantage of Your Commissary Benefits

For most active duty troops, using the commissary benefit is as easy as pie. With the local commissary minutes away from where you work, active duty families can snag cheaper groceries on a regular basis.

For National Guard or Reserve families, it can be harder to access this benefit. There are Guard and Reserve troops in every city and town nationwide. A fully functional base may be hours away!

When going to the grocery store is a full-day event, families might not use the commissary often. By bringing the commissary closer to home, National Guard and Reserve families can exercise their benefits more easily.

This can help trim the bottom line during the holidays too. The cost differences between shopping “out in town” at the local markets and the commissary can be as high as 40 percent! Those precious dollars could mean a huge budget difference for many military families.

On-Site Sales Aren’t Only for Guard and Reserve

Any authorized beneficiary can take advantage of this great offer! From active duty to retired, if you can shop at a commissary you can go to these on-site sales. This will help active duty service members at recruiting stations or located away from a major installation.

Retirees will also be able to come out and purchase their holiday feasts closer to their location.

DeCA May Gain New Customers

By bringing the commissary closer to Guard and Reserve service members, DeCA is spreading some holiday cheer and goodwill.

This shows a real effort by the agency to help all beneficiaries, in all locations.

Reduced hours and required furloughs have been hard for the last few years. For some families, that might have been a turn-off to shopping there.

This program will help to show a friendlier side to the commissary. With special events closer to home, more Guard and Reserve families are likely to shop there. These on-site sales extend the commissary benefits to more families and creates a positive feeling about DeCA with them.

What do you think of this pre-order, pre-pay program for National Guard and Reserve?

Privatization Proposal Leaves Many Questions Unanswered

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In the ongoing battle to retain commissary benefits, privatization is one option being considered. The hope is that privatization will eliminate the $1.5 billion DeCA budgetary shortfall.

Several large retail companies were asked to provide insight on what such a program might look like. Though the names of those solicited was not revealed, it’s hard to imagine that retailers like Walmart and Target weren’t in the mix.

But is privatization of the commissaries really the answer? Let’s break down this proposal.

Would Prices Go Up?

Many might be surprised to learn that most grocers operate at a profit margin significantly less than the 5% surcharge currently charged by commissaries. And that profit margin includes the cost of facility maintenance, labor, and taxes, plus shipping and distribution. Combined with the national distribution capabilities, massive buying power, and private label options of companies like Walmart, it’s unlikely that the overall cost of most items at a privately managed commissary would go up. We might pay more for some items, but less for others.

However, commissary pricing is almost always less expensive for high-ticket items like dairy and meat.

Would a major retailer be willing to reduce an already skinny profit margin to ensure prices on these items stayed the same?

What about taxes? There is currently no tax at the commissary. Would the same be true for a privately managed facility?

And let’s not forget about our OCONUS commissaries. Is a large retailer in a position to manage these overseas locations?

Are there any restrictions on a private company conducting business in foreign country? Would those restrictions potentially add to the cost of items sold there?

And would a private company be willing to eat losses to ensure service members and their families still have access to the products they need at the prices they can afford? Or would those costs, in turn, cause an increase in pricing at OCONUS locations?

Would Jobs Be Lost?

Approximately 60% of DeCA’s 18,00 employees are veterans, dependents and spouses. Any potential for the loss of jobs is reason enough to give careful consideration to any kind of management transition.

That being said, retailers like Walmart have employment programs for military spouses and veterans.

Is it realistic to assume that some employees would be allowed to keep their jobs? Probably, but the big question is would they be kept at the same rate of pay and offered the same benefits?

And how many current DeCA positions would be eliminated due to duplication within a current private provider’s business structure? Positions like purchasing, logistics, accounting, human resources and others could be in jeopardy.

Will Privatization Create Competition with AAFES?

In a recent report presented to Congress, the success of the AAFES Exchange program relies heavily on a close relationship with commissaries.

But with private retailers, even those typically seen as grocery-only, offering up everything from holiday décor to furniture, would privatization create a conflict of interest? Would those retailers be willing to eliminate those items? If not, would the loss in potential sales at exchanges throw a currently self-supported business model into ruin?

Is Privatization a Viable Option?

With so many questions left unanswered and the unlikely willingness of a major retailer to accept the rules that restrict profit for commissaries, privatization hardly seems like the answer to DoD’s budgetary woes.

But in truth, any push to eliminate or change the program feels likes overkill. While the $1.5 billion budget deficit looks like a large sum, it is less than 1% of the total defense budget.

According to a recent nonpartisan report, every single taxpayer dollar spent equates to nearly double the return in value of benefit given to service members and their families.

Is there any other benefit program that can boast such a claim? And what about a plan B? Should implemented privatization fail to support a pricing structure that provides the same level of value, will additional taxpayer dollars then be called upon to increase service member pay to bridge the gap?

Ultimately, it comes down to this: Are the risks of privatizing the commissary worth the potential loss of such a widely used program? Is it worth the loss or erosion of yet another benefit promised to a community who already sacrifices so much in service to their country?

What do you think it means that a “significant number of companies” have expressed interest in operating the commissaries?

10 Tips for New Commissary Shoppers

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One of the biggest and potentially best, perks of military life is the commissary. Land of less costly staples and often unique foreign foods, the commissary can be a pretty great place.

When you are new to military life, the commissary can be a bit intimidating, especially if you are shopping without your service member. It’s a grocery store, but not exactly. There are some written and unwritten rules that run the commissary.

Here are 10 tips to make your commissary shopping experience a pleasant one.

10 Tips for New Commissary Shoppers

1. Always Bring Singles

The very friendly people bagging your groceries work for tips and tips only. Their take-home pay is based on your generosity and goodwill. If you just have a few bags, drop a buck or two in the wooden box or glass jar. If the bagger has packed many bags, takes them to your car and stows them in the trunk, give a bigger tip please!

2. Clip Coupons

The prices at the commissary are already below the out-in-town shops’ prices, but coupons should not be neglected. Grab the flyers at the front of the store and pull out a few before you shop. Or plan in advance with the Sunday coupon inserts or weekly circulars.

Don’t forget to use your Commissary Rewards Card app. You can digitally clip coupons that way or by visiting Coupons.com.

Even if you use coupons occasionally, you can still score big savings on staples like cereal, diapers and snacks.

3. Military Coupons

Throughout all commissaries are special military-only coupons. These deals are often even better than the manufacturer coupons distributed to the general public. Plus, the discount window tends to be longer, giving you more time to stock up.

4. Pay Day

Service members get paid on the same 2 days each month. Like clockwork. If you value your sanity, avoid shopping at your commissary on those days. Go a few days before or a few days after.

The 1st and the 15th are not days you want to “just run in real quick for some milk.”

5. Case Lot Sales

A few times a year, most commissaries will close a section of their parking lots for case lot sales. A case lot sale is the perfect time to stock up on toilet paper, paper towels, canned goods and bulk snack items for hungry kids. Almost everything is even cheaper than normal and there are often coupons that give you an even bigger price cut.

6. Checkout Etiquette

In civilian grocery stores you just find the register with the shortest line and go there. In the commissary there is one giant line that funnels to the registers. It makes sure that each check-out is not overwhelmed with people and that baggers all get equal amounts of work.

On your first trip, don’t be that person who cuts the line. Join the big queue and bring something to entertain the kids (and you) while you wait.

7. Restocking Day

This might vary slightly from base to base. Generally there is 1 day a week that the whole store is restocked. Find out when this day is and shop on that day. By sticking to restocking day for shopping, you will get fresher veggies and produce. You will also get first grab for new items or popular things that go fast at your commissary.

8. Holiday Feasting

If you like a big turkey for your holiday meal, it is better to scope it out early than to wait until the last minute. Since these big ticket items are considerably less than civilian grocery stores, holiday foods tend to go fast. This means that you might not find a turkey the week of Thanksgiving. It’s better to clear some freezer space in late October than to be caught without one later.

9. Item Requests and Suggestions

Food is changing. Americans are eating very different things than they were even 5 years ago. Just look at the explosion of gluten-free and organic products!

If you want to see something on your commissary shelves, ask. Email the manager. Their contact information is always on the receipt and on the commissary specific website.

You can contact the procurement or department manager too. Often, if a regular distributor carries the product you want, it will show up in stores. Then send a thank you note or email.

There are also comment boxes near the management office of every commissary. If someone went above and beyond, or you liked a particular item, write it down and put it in the box. This is the only way that each store knows what is going right and what needs to be corrected.

10. Time to Shop

This varies based on where you are. Many locations, particularly northern Virginia and southern California, have a huge military retiree population with commissary privileges. This group tends to shop in the late mornings on weekdays. If you are OK with moving a little slower and navigating around motorized carts, this might be a good time for you.

Many families with working parents shop on Saturdays or after church on Sundays. The store will be crowded and full of kids. Also, stores don’t restock on weekends, so this is a prime time for something to run out.

The best way to figure this out is to hit your local commissary on a few different days and times. Find out what works best for your shopping style and stick with it.

What commissary shopping tips do you have for new military spouses? Share them in the comments section.

How to Find Military Savings as a Pet Owner

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There is little doubt (and actual scientific evidence) that pets help us live longer, happier lives. The cost of raising a pet can, however, take a chunk out of a family budget.

How to Find Military Savings as a Pet Owner

Adding a pet to your family can be costly. Check out this list of military savings for pet owners.

As a new pet owner myself, exploring ways to save money was at the top of my list. A little research later, and I’ve got an entire list of military savings for pet owners.

How to Find Military Savings as a Pet Owner

Plan Before You Become a Pet Owner

Planning ahead can help to keep pet costs manageable. Before you bring an animal home, take time to do some research.

Some breeds are prone to costly health issues. If the breed you have your heart set on has a propensity for health issues, make sure you plan ahead. Save money each month in an emergency fund or get a pet insurance policy. These policies are inexpensive and readily available. Check with your insurance provider…USAA has a plan!

If you’re thinking about getting a pet, adoption is a great, budget-friendly option. Many shelters and rescue organizations offer free or low-cost adoptions, plus spay/neutering and micro-chipping services at reduced costs.

You might also consider adopting an adult dog. Many adult dogs are already fixed, have all the vaccines younger animals require, and are house-trained.

Don’t forget to consider your military lifestyle when selecting a pet. Long hours away from home, frequent TDYs, pending PCSs and on-post housing restrictions should play a role in the breed, size and age of any animal you decide to add to your family.

Winner, Winner, Fido’s Dinner: Military Savings on Food for Your Pet

Dogs, cats, birds, fish, rabbits, lizards…they all have to eat. But feeding your pet doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Almost every major pet food manufacturer offers a coupon. You can find them on Coupons.com or by using the Commissary Rewards Card app. It only takes a few minutes to print them or sign up for a mailer, so spend the time and save the money.  And don’t miss great deals and contests brought to you by Purina!  Purina has great savings for all of your pet food needs and sponsors a new contest for a $50 Commissary gift card hosted by MilitaryShoppers.com every month.

Pet owners can maximize their military savings by shopping at the commissary and buying dog food in bulk at the case lot sales. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of pet food offered at the commissary. The commissary even has refrigerated organics! Be sure to check the pricing. Sometimes buying multiple smaller bags and boxes is less expensive per ounce than the big bags.

Military Savings on Medicine and Vet Visits

Regular check-ups are essential and ensure any potential issues are found early. Save by using on-post veterinary services when possible.

If no services are available at your military installation, reach out to local shelters or animal control services. They often offer discounted services for things like vaccinations, spay/neutering and emergency care. If neither of these are an option, research reviews of veterinary clinics in your area. Ask for a military discount or new client discount.

Military Savings on Grooming

Grooming is an essential part of pet health and it is something you can master at home. Clippers can be a bit expensive, but properly maintained, they pay for themselves after just a few uses.

And while not all animals enjoy bath time, the cost of shampoo or cleanser, a couple of towels, and some patience is infinitely cheaper than a trip to the groomer.

If you decide to use professional grooming services, don’t forget to shop around and read reviews. Watch the paper and weekly sales mailers for coupons. Ask for a military discount when visiting a professional groomer.

Military Savings on Toys and Accessories

While they love an occasional treat, our pets really love just spending time with us. Instead of buying toys, spend time with your pet, taking them for walks or do whatever rabbits and llamas do for fun.

For non-traditional pets, like lizards or snakes, save the money to invest in a good habitat or warming light so your pet is comfortable and safe.

For cats and dogs, consider making your own toys and scratch posts. There’s no shortage of how-to info online.

Military Savings on Pet Sitting

We hate to leave them, but sometimes it’s just not possible to take our pets everywhere we go. Instead of costly kenneling costs, consider trading pet sitting services with another pet-loving military family or hire a teenage neighbor to care for your pet while you are away.

Be sure to explain specific rules and expectations and let your caretaker know about any allergies or mischievous tendencies.

Are you a pet owner? What tips would you add to this list of military savings for pet owners?

3 Things You Need to Know About Military Coupons

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I often think that grocery store shoppers divide into 2 types of people: those who have a coupon for every single item in their shopping carts and those who shrug their shoulders when asked for their coupons.

When you’re standing in line behind the person who has a coupon for every bottle of shampoo, bag of potato chips and container of baby formula, it is impressive to see their total savings. These commissary shoppers are super organized. They know how to get additional savings using military coupons.

What the rest of us – the ones without the coupons – need to know is that we can all be savvy military coupon users at our commissaries. Here’s how to do it.

3 Things You Need to Know About Military Coupons

Using Military Coupons Has Never Been Easier

Gone are the days when you bought your local Sunday newspaper for the stacks of coupons. Put down your scissors, sister. You won’t be needing that.

Today’s commissary shoppers can find military coupons online with user-friendly websites like coupons.com. Within minutes, you can digitally clip and print military coupons to use during your weekly grocery trip. Here’s what DeCA says about coupons from the internet:

Commissaries gladly accept Internet or home-printed coupons provided they meet the following requirements: the coupons must have a typical barcode and Product Identification Number (PIN) or GS1 DataBar. A Dot Scan Barcode may appear below the expiration date, but is only required if stated on the coupon, e.g., “Do not accept without a Dot Scan Barcode below the expiration date.” Internet coupons cannot be accepted for free products, however, “Buy One Get One Free” coupons are acceptable if they meet all other requirements.

To print these military coupons correctly you may need to download the site’s printer software. Once you do that, you will be ready to print your coupons on a regular basis.

Military coupons are also available through the commissary rewards card. I recommend downloading the commissary rewards card app on your smartphone after you register your card. I use these military coupons like other people use Target’s Cartwheel app.

Near the end of my shopping trip (once my cart is full, but before I’ve gotten in line) I use the free Wi-Fi available at my commissary to open the commissary rewards card app. Then I clip the military coupons for items that I’ve already placed in my shopping cart. When the cashier asks for my military ID card, I also hand her my commissary rewards card.

Commissary rewards cards are free. You can pick one up from your cashier that next time you are at the commissary.

If you really miss the sound of scissors slicing through coupon ads, you can always pick up a military coupons ad section at your commissary. These military coupons can be used only at commissaries. Look for these coupon packets either at your commissary’s front lobby (near the shopping baskets) or ask your bagger for one. My bagger will often slip one in my shopping bag.

You Won’t See Double or Triple Coupons Days at the Commissaries

The commissaries aren’t able to have promotions that increase the value of your military coupons. Here is the reason, according to DeCA’s website:

Commercial stores who offer these types of promotions get paid by the coupon issuer only for the face value of a coupon, and have to absorb the costs of “doubling” or “tripling” coupon face value in their pricing and profit structure.

Because commissaries are required by law to sell goods at prices set only high enough to cover the cost of those goods, commissaries make no profit from which to pay the costs associated with “double” coupon promotions.

Additionally, DeCA cannot use funds provided for the operation of commissaries to support such promotions, because law strictly prescribes the uses of these funds, and “promotional support” is not among the allowable uses of these funds.

Then I read this on DeCA’s military coupon policy webpage:

Commissaries do occasionally offer a different type of “double coupon” promotion than described above. For these promotions, manufacturers or other coupon issuers agree that commissaries may accept more than one coupon on the purchase of an item, and usually supply large numbers of coupons to patrons in the commissary in support of such promotions. These “double coupon” promotions involve doubling the number of coupons accepted on the purchase of an item, but DO NOT involve doubling (or otherwise increasing) the face value of a coupon.

I haven’t seen a double coupon promotion offered at my commissary, so I’m very curious about these promotions. If anyone has seen a double coupon promotion at their commissary, tell us how it worked in the comments section.

You Can Use Military Coupons at OCONUS Commissaries

Military spouses living overseas can redeem military coupons at their commissaries. In fact you can use an expired coupon up to 6 months after its expiration date.

My mom thought that this expired coupon policy was delightful when I was living in Okinawa, Japan. She would send me her expired coupons and I would gladly use them every time I shopped at the commissary.

What questions do you have about military coupons? Tell us in the comments section.