Financial Secrets for Military Members

During my time during active duty i've tried to take advantage of all of the financial perks of being in the military. Here are my three favorite benefits:

1.) Credit cards

• Most credit card companies waive annual fee's for military members. I think all military members should have the following three credit cards as a must:
1. American Express Platinum
• $600 sign up bonus. Free $200 in annual Uber credits. Free $200 airline credit
• Sign up here
2. American Express Hilton Aspire
• 100,000 point sign up bonus. Free annual night. Free $250 airline credit
• Sign up here
3. Chase Sapphire Reserve
• 50,000k sign up bonus (worth $750 in travel). Free annual $300 travel credit
• Sign up here

2.) Investments 

• You can contribute to BOTH the Roth IRA and the Roth TSP. Both of these allow your money to grow tax free so that you can keep all your money when you retire. 
• Roth IRA - up to $5500 every year - I would recommend opening account with Vanguard and if you are looking to keep things simple just investing in the S&P500. 
• Roth TSP - up to $18,500 every year
• To manage your finances I like Personal Capital. They are similar to Mint but better. 
• Right now they have a cool promotion going on where if you sign up and link one investment account they will give you a free $20 amazon gift card.
• Sign up HERE

3.) Other Sweet Deals (3 examples)

• Saving 10% at Home Depot/Lowes
• Getting Microsoft Office for $9
• Discounts to Disneyland

Free H&R Block for Military (regardless of rank)

Military OneSource offers COMPLETELY FREE H&R Block online tax software to all military.

Here's how to get it.

1.) Go to http://public.militaryonesource.mil/taxprep and register for a Military OneSource Account

2.) After you've registered, It should automatically direct you to the H&R Block Website. If set up correctly you should see the MilitaryOneSource logo on the top right corner (see image below)

This saved me at least $50-$80. There are a lot of other companies that offer discounts (for example, TurboTax does but only for E1-5.)

The nice thing about this offer from Military OneSource is there are no restrictions on your rank, your income, having additional forms you have to submit like investments, self employment, etc. Its all completely free!

Start your taxes today - http://www.militaryonesource.mil/financial-and-legal/taxes?content_id=295240

Another perk - Free specialized phone support
You can talk with a trained MilTax consultant free during tax season (January through April 18) seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST or EDT at 800-342-9647. After April 18, trained tax consultants are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT. Call anytime to schedule an appointment.

2018 BAH Rates Just Released

2018 BAH rates were just released. Depending on your zip code you may have an increase or a decrease in your areas BAH. For example, I live in San Antonio and will receive an extra $18/month in 2018. 



If you notice that your rates are going to decrease, don't panic!!! If you live in an area where the rate is getting lowered for 2018, you will be grandfathered into your old, higher rate until you leave the area or change rank. Also, if you get promoted and your new rank receives a lower rate, you will continue to receive your old, higher rate.

Click here to check your new rate
https://media.defense.gov/2017/Dec/15/2001857082/-1/-1/1/2018BasicAllowanceHousingRates.PDF

Over the last several years, here are the actual BAH average increases:
2018 - 0.7%
2017 - 2.4%
2016 - 3.4%
2015 - 0.5%
2014 - 5.0%
2013 - 3.8%
2012 - 2.0%

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Military Discount - 2016 Microsoft Office for $9.95

Did you know that Military can download 
2016 Microsoft Office Professional Plus for $9.95! 

This is a steal of a deal. Normally it costs $399...yikes. You can use the download link on two computers also, which makes the final price like $5 per computer. 

Here are 8 easy steps for the Military Discount 

on Microsoft Office

1) Click here to visit Microsoft Hub
***Use your home computer/laptop (not your military laptop or military work computer)***

2) Enter your military email address 

For example: @mail.mil, us.army.mil, navy.mil or usmc.mil

*Your email must be in the following format John.Doe@navy.mil, Jane.Doe@usmc.mil, etc

If you are a veteran and don't have a military email,
 then you can still get a one year subscription for a discounted price ($62)
 at the Microsoft Store for Military

3) Enter the program codes below:
(Updated November 19, 2016)

If that doesn't work than try NOT entering any code. Some people have had success entering NO code. 

Army
enter the code 44C0707F11

Air Force
New code for 2017 Air Force members - 4A82EF7B8F
If you are AIR FORCE....click the blue link that says you do not know the program code and it will send you an email with what you need. I tried with the code first, then without the code... and that is what worked for me.

Navy
This code should work for Navy - 44C0707F11
or 22FCF442D2 or 18DCD3115E
Read our new post specifically for Navy Members - Click Here
For Non-NGEN USMC users: use program code 44C0707F11
For NGEN USMC users: use program code or 18DCD3115E
The code 67F2F2491D also has been reported to be successful as well. 

*Remember try entering your email address without any code FIRST

4) They will then send you an email that contains a link to download the software

 GREAT TIP from comments below - "Make sure to use your work .mil address and then forward the confirmation email to your personal PC. I have done it for both my Mac and Windows 8.1"

5) Click on the link inside the email
GREAT TIP from comments below - "Make sure to use your work .mil address and then forward the confirmation email to your personal PC. I have done it for both my Mac and Windows 8.1"

6) It will bring you to the page below

7) Proceed with the checkout and click install

8) YOU'RE DONE!!! (takes about 5 minutes)

CLICK HERE or click the Picture Below to take you to 
the $9.95 download page or  

Please comment below your Military branch and if it worked for you. If it didn't work for you give us more details then just "the code didn't work". Tell us your branch, status, email address, and details like you didn't get the email, or it wouldn't accept my military address, etc. and we will try and help. 

If you are a veteran and don't have a military email then you can still get a discounted 1 year price ($62) at the Microsoft Store for Military. Right now they are giving an extra 10% off

The military also provides McAfee or Norton Antivirus software free of charge , visit our page Military Free Antivirus Software (McAfee - Norton) to learn how to download it. 

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Get a Top Rated Breast Pump for Free

Did you know if you have TRICARE Insurance you can get a breast pump at $0 cost to you!? 

The Breastfeeding Shop lets you choose from the top rated breast pumps available and will ship directly to you with no out of pocket cost! 

Click Here to learn more or order your breast pump today!

My experience

At my on-post prenatal visit, the doctor gave me a paper prescription for a breast pump, as well as a list of phone numbers of companies to order from. However, I thought it would be more simple to order online than to call and have to get them my prescription somehow. So I went to thebreastfeedingshop.com to order a pump.

It could not have been easier. I filled out the Insurance Order Form (I have Tricare Prime), and the Accessory Order Form. On the Insurance Order Form I uploaded a picture of the prescription that my doctor had given me using my phone.

I got the pump in three days - a Spectra S1 (I've previously owned the Medela, and the S1 is much better in my opinion) and lots of equipment to go with it like bottles, extra tubes, etc. It was the easiest experience and fast shipping! The Breast Feeding Shop made it so fast and easy! I'm recommending them because I've personally used their service!

Veterans Day 2017

Veterans Day is coming up this Saturday (November 11th). As always there are hundreds of restaurants and businesses that will be giving away free food and services to active duty military and veterans. 

Here is the quick low down on the upcoming discounts

• Today (Sunday November 5th)
• Free meal at McCormick or Schmicks Seafood

• Tuesday (November 7th
• Free meal at Chipotle (BOGO)

• Friday November 10th (the day before Veterans Day)
• Free meal at Denny's, IHOP, Farmer Boys, Firebirds, and BJs

• Veterans Day
• 54th Street Grill & Bar - free meal
• Applebee’s - free meal
• Back Yard Burgers - free meal
• Black Angus Steakhouse - free dinner
• Bob Evans - free meal
• Bonanza Steakhouse - free buffet
• Burntwood Tavern - free lunch/dinner
• California Pizza Kitchen - free meal
• Chevys Fresh Mex - free meal
• Chuck E. Cheese - free pizza
• Cicis Pizza - fre buffet
• Dunkin’ Donuts - free donut
• Famous Dave’s - free combo
• Friendly’s - free meal
• Gatti’s Pizza  - free meal
• Krystal - free breakfast
• Little Caesars Pizza - free lunch
• Macaroni Grill - free meal
• Main Event Bowling - free meal and fun card
• Max & Erma’s Free - free burger
• Menchie’s Free Frozen Yogurt - free frozen yogurt
• Mimi’s Cafe - free meal
• On The Border Free Entree - free meal
• Outback Steakhouse  - Free Bloomin’ Onion and a beverage
• Red Lobster - Free appetizer/dessert
• Red Robin - free meal
• Ruby’s Diner - free meal
• Shoney’s - free breakfast
• Sizzler - Free Lunch
• Texas Roadhouse - free lunch
• TGI Fridays - Free Lunch
• Village Inn - Free Breakfast

There are two other sites that I like this year that clearly outline the upcoming military discounts. These two sites get updated daily: Military Benefits 2017 List  and Military Wallets 2017 List

Roth TSP increases to $18,500 in 2018!!!

The IRS just announced that in 2018, uniformed service members can now contribute $18,500 to either a traditional or Roth TSP.

This is an extra $500 per year! If you are active duty your goal should be to try and put away as much as you can each year since you get tax benefits on your contribution.

https://www.tsp.gov/PlanParticipation/EligibilityAndContributions/contributionLimits.html

Free Tickets for Military Members!

If you haven't heard about VETTIX yet than you've been missing out. To date I've gotten free NFL football tickets, MLB tickets, NBA Tickets, Michael Buble tickets, Air Force Football tickets, comedy show tickets, Cirque du Soleil and many others.

Right now I've noticed they have alot of free sports events!

Some of the examples of tickets offered:

• Pro Sports (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB)
• Operas and Plays
• Concerts
• Seasonal Activities (Haunted Halloween Houses or Polar Express)
• College Football, Basketball tickets, etc

HOW DO I SIGN UP????

Click on this link >> Vettix.  After clicking on the link, you'll be brought to a screen like this:

Once here: 

1.)Select your current status in the Military

2.)Scroll to the bottom and Select your Branch

3.)Enter your military associated email address (.mil or .gov, etc)

4.)Click submit. 

They will send you an email with instructions on how to verify your account. That's it!

I recently received tickets from them to a college football game. They sent me the tickets priority mail. The tickets were free of charge but they do charge a shipping fee which was like $10 for 4 tickets.

Here are some Pictures from the game. Thanks Vettix!

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American Express Platinum partnership with Uber and UberEATS

American Express recently (Mar 2017) partnered with Uber to offer a $200 credit to all Uber purchases annually on their AMEX "Platinum" cards. They give a $15 credit monthly (+ $35 in December).

This $15 credit can be used for Uber and for UberEATS. When you add your card to the Uber or UberEATS iPhone app it will show up as a credit. I have three AMEX Platinum cards so after adding them, it showed up as a $45 credit.

I rarely use Uber so I recently used UberEATS for the first time. My wife and I ordered a couple of Subs from Firehouse Subs and had them delivered to our house. There is a $4.99 processing fee that includes the cost of delivery. No tip is required.

What American Express Cards Qualify for this DEAL?

• All regular platinum cards (including the Mercedes Benz, Schwab, Ameritrade variants)
• The business platinum does not count toward the deal. 

Whats the most effective way to maximize the discount?

• If you have multiple cards, make just one order, that way you only have to pay one processing fee.
• If you only have one card, look for a meal around $10. With the $5 processing fee you meal will then come out to be FREE. 
• Use a sign up bonus to get $5 off your first 2 orders. Mine is eats-uberd4m. Just enter in that code on the promo box in the app once downloaded - link - www.ubereats.com or download app

Looking to sign up for the AMEX Platinum. Current sign up bonus is 60,000 points (~$600-800 depending on how you redeem). If interested, email me at d4military@gmail.com and I will split referral bonus with you ($150). 

    ~~~      

Examples of restaurants and specific item options

Other helpful pages
Doctor of Credit
DerpReport

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Cabela's Military Discount

Cabela's has updated their military discount, and is now offering a 5% discount to military everyday. 

The discount applies to Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Active Duty National Guard, and Reserve.

1.) In Store

Simply show your military ID at checkout


2.) Online
Go to Cabela's Military Page, click the "Verify your military status" button. Once verified the military discount will be automatically applied to all future online purchases


3.) Other ways
Call 1-800-237-4444 and they will verify you over the phone

Our Verdict

Obviously awesome anytime a company offers a military discount! Previously they did not have a set discount for military. Some stores offered 0% and some offered 10% off. So this could be a good or bad depending on what you got in the past. 

For more info, click HERE.

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