I recently logged into my USAA account to pay a bill and I noticed three large transactions from my joint checking account. My first thought was that my wife may have gone shopping (the category listed was clothing and shoes). But my wife isn't the type of person to spend over $1,000 on three separate transactions at the same store, in the same day - in another country. Further investigation showed ...
VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 – GI Bill for Unemployed Veterans Age 35-60
If you are an unemployed military veteran, you may be eligible for a new GI Bill / career training program: the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 was created to help veterans gain marketable skills to more easily find a job. These new GI Bill benefits include education and training for unemployed veterans who are aged 35-60. The Veteran Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act of 2011 (HR 2433) is part ...
What to Do If You Can’t Afford Your Student Loan Payment
The average amount that college graduates owe in student loans continues to rise—topping $25,000 according to the most recent data—while job prospects for new graduates are bleak to say the least. Students generally have a six-month grace period after graduation to allow them to find a job before the first payment is due. But since jobs are scarce and the minimum payment can be frighteningly high, that grace period can ...
From A to Z: Transitioning from Soldier to Civilian
As an Active-Duty service member, we tend to take things for granted – food, shelter, and even that direct deposit on the 1st /15th. When things are suddenly wrenched away from us – for whatever reason, it can come off as a stiff punch to the gut. Leaving many wondering how they’ll survive in the “real world,” and questioning the rationale behind their departure. But the fact remains, as a ...
Can Your Investment Returns Make REDUX a Good Retirement Option?
We previously wrote an article about the pros and cons of taking the military REDUX retirement option. Service members who joined the military after August 1986 are eligible to choose from one of two retirement plan options: the High 36 retirement system (also called High-3) and the REDUX (CSB) retirement option, which gives eligible military members the opportunity to receive a$30,000 Carer Status Bonus when they achieve 15 years of service. ...
Are Gift Cards the Perfect Christmas Presents?
One of my favorite gifts to give and receive is the gift the card. It allows the recipient to get what he or she wants, while at the same time conveying that you've thought things through a little bit when it comes to choosing the present. Giving gift cards can also help you keep your Christmas gifts relatively inexpensive -- while still being respectable. Here are some of the reasons I ...
Financial Tips to Start the Year on the Right Path
The end of the year is a great time to review your financial situation and start planning for the coming year and beyond. This is also a great time to take advantage of some financial opportunities before the year closes, such as year end tax deductions and retirement plan contributions. You may also find that your personal and financial situation may have changed, so you may need to adjust your ...