Good news for military serving overseas, the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit has been extended for an entire year.

From the IRS website:

Members of the military and certain other federal employees serving outside the U.S. have an extra year to buy a principal residence in the U.S. and qualify for the credit. Thus, an eligible taxpayer must buy, or enter into a binding contract to buy, a principal residence on or before April 30, 2011. If a binding contract is entered into by that date, the taxpayer has until June 30, 2011, to close on the purchase. Members of the uniformed services, members of the Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community are eligible for this special rule. It applies to any individual (and, if married, the individual’s spouse) who serves on qualified official extended duty service outside of the United States for at least 90 days during the period beginning after Dec. 31, 2008, and ending before May 1, 2010.

In many cases, the credit repayment (recapture) requirement is waived for members of the uniformed services, members of the Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community. This relief applies where a home is sold or stops being the taxpayer’s principal residence after Dec. 31, 2008, in connection with government orders received by the individual (or the individual’s spouse) for qualified official extended duty service. The credit is still allowable even if this happens during the year of purchase. Qualified official extended duty is any period of extended duty while serving at a place of duty at least 50 miles away from the taxpayer’s principal residence (whether inside or outside the U.S.) or while residing under government orders in government quarters. Extended duty is defined as any period of duty pursuant to a call or order to such duty for a period in excess of 90 days or for an indefinite period.

In other military housing news, the Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) provides relief to families who cannot sell their homes due base closures and realignment. This looks like a great program and has recently been expanded to include assistance to wounded soldiers who are forced to transfer because of their injuries, surviving spouses of wounded warriors,  and military members who cannot sell their house because of the current mortgage crisis. This is a huge benefit, so please share this information with anyone who might be in this situation.

Coupons.com has reset and there are some great Commissary coupon match-ups. Print soon, as some of these coupons go quick. These coupons are not commissary specific and can be used at any grocery store. The other Commissary coupon match-ups and sale prices are valid until March 10.

$1 off YoPlus yogurt $1.49 at the commissary with coupon $0.49 a 4 pack.

$1 off Fiber One multi-pack $1.50 at the commissary with coupon $0.50 a 4 pack.

$0.55 off Yoplait Yogurt 32 oz $1.79 at the commissary with coupon $1.24.

$0.30 off Pillsbury Grands sale price $1.09 with coupon $0.79.

$0.75 off Gold Medal Flour print this coupon to save for later flour goes on sale about every six weeks at the commissary.

$0.50 off Betty Crocker cake mix and frosting print and save for later.

$1 off Freschetta Pizza $4.50 at the Commissary $3.50 with coupon.

Coupons.com will reset on March 1st, so print the coupons you want from this month before Monday. I’ll update this list once the coupons reset.

What’s on Sale at the Commissary

2/25 – 3/10

Aquafresh toothpaste $0.99

Baked Lays, Ruffles, Cheetos, Tostitos, Doritos $2.50

Bayer Aspirin $3.79 (2 printable coupons $1/1 and $3/2)

Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia or Chunky Monkey $1.99 (pint)

Cream of Wheat 2/$5

Crisco Pure Canola Oil $5.99 128 oz ($1/1 printable coupon)

Del Monte 6 pack green beans, corn, peas $3.89

Del Monte 6 pack stewed of diced tomatoes $4.79

Del Monte Tomato Juice $0.99

Folgers Coffee $5.99 28 oz ($1/1 printable coupon)

Kelloggs Strawberry Frosted Mini Wheats $2.00 ($1.50/2 printable coupon)

Kraft 8 oz Chunk Cheese 4/$5 (if you printed any of the cheese coupons from coupons.com a few weeks ago this is a great price on cheese)

Kraft Singles 2/$3

Kraft Deluxe Macaroni and Cheese Dinner $1.50

Kraft  Miracle Whip or Mayo $3.00 24 oz

Nabisco Cheese Nips $1.00

Newman’s Own Balsamic Dressing $1.19 ($.50/1 printable coupon)

Oscar Mayer Bologna 2/$4

Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls $2.25 ($0.40/2 printable coupon)

Pillsbury Grands Biscuits $1.09 ($0.30/2 printable coupon)

Pledge Furniture Polish $2.50 (2/28 $1/1 Smart Source Insert)

Post Fruity Peebles $1.59 ($1/2 2/28 Smart Source Insert)

Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs 2/$3

Oscar Mayer Fully Cooked Bacon 2/$4

Smuckers Jam $1.50 ($1/2 printable coupon)

Starbucks Carmel Macchiato or Frappuccino $1.99

Sun Chips $2.50

Plan your shopping trip before the Sunday coupons are published. Sign up for the Sunday coupon preview (click on the button) and find out what coupons are coming in your paper.

This easy to prepare recipe is inexpensive and freezes well. A perfect dinner on a cold day or a great meal to take to someone in need.

Spaghetti Pie

Ingredients

• 1 box spaghetti noodles boiled and drained ($0.50 on sale plus coupon)
• 1 pound browned ground beef or turkey ($0.99 turkey at either Aldi or Commissary)
• 1 jar spaghetti sauce ( $1 purchased in bulk)
• garlic powder, minced onion, pepper ($0.25)
• 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese ($0.50 Cooper brand at Commissary)
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese ($.50 on sale at Commissary w/ Kraft printable coupon)

Brown meat and boil noodles. In a large pot mix together all the ingredients except the mozzarella cheese. Pour spaghetti mixture into a 9×13 baking dish. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Add mozzarella cheese and bake another 5 minutes uncovered. If you are freezing this dish let it thaw completely before baking and add about 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time.

Total cost $3.74

This meal serves eight and was a big hit with the kids. Even my non-spaghetti sauce kids liked it!

For more bargain meals visit $5 Dinners.

Don’t forget you can check out your specific Commissary sale prices by logging in to the Savings Aisle. Use the Sunday coupon preview to help match up the best commissary deals with your newspaper coupons. The coupon preview can also help you decide whether or not you want to purchase a Sunday paper.

Plan your weekly menus around the Commissary sales. Commissary prices change every two weeks, including non sale items.

Commissary Sales Starting 1/21

Breakstone Sour Cream $1.09 (16oz) ($0.55/1 printable)

Campbells Chunky Soup $1.25  ($0.75 off any 4 Smart Source insert 1/24)

Chex Mix $1.25 ($0.50/1 printable coupon)

Cottonelle 12 roll Toilet Paper $5.79 ($0.50/1  printable coupon)

Clorox Bleach $1.50

Clorox Wipes $1.50

Clorox Clean-UP $1.99

Colgate Total $1.89

Heinz Ketchup  $1.29 (40 oz)

Kraft Natural Cheese $2.79 (16oz) ($1/2 printable)

Lays Potato Chips $2.19

Marcal Toilet Paper 12 rolls $3.99

Ocean Spray Juice $1.99

Old El Pasa Heat and Serve Sides $0.99 ($0.50/1 printable coupon)

Ortega Taco Shells $0.99

Ortega Taco Kit $1.49

Ortega Taco Seasoning $0.39

Ortega Taco Sauce $1.39

Pillsbury Toaster Strudel $1.39 ($0.55/2 printable coupon)

Pine Sol $2.39

Ragu Pasta Sauce $1.69

TGI Fridays Potato Skins $1.67

Tostitos Tortilla Chips $2.19

From January 3, 2010 to July 31, 2010, Active and Retired U.S. Military, including members of the U.S. Coast Guard and active members of the National Guard or Reservists, may purchase 4-Day Walt Disney World Armed Forces Salute Tickets for themselves and up to five (5) family members and/or friends for $99.

Block out dates 3/27- 4/9/2010  for all locations and 7/3-4/2010 Magic Kingdom only. Tickets available for purchase at Shades of Green beginning January 3, 2010.

This program is slightly different from the 2009 Armed Forces Salute. Disneyland is not included in this promotion and tickets must be activated by September 26, 2010 and the tickets expire September 30, 2010.

If you are planning a trip to Disney, you might want to check out my 30 Days of Disney series I wrote last year after our family trip to Disney World.

The Military Spouse Career Advancement Account program is a US DOD only (no DHS – Coast Guard) initiative that is designed to reduce the impact frequent transfers have on the career options for military spouses. This program provides a lifetime benefit of up to $6,000 of Financial Assistance (FA) for military spouses who are pursuing licenses, certificates, credentials or degree programs leading to employment in Portable Career Fields. It won’t pay for classes which provide computers as part of the fee.

These benefits can be yours if you’ll go to My Career Advancement Account and register with a career/degree plan.You have to establish an account and designate a career field. You then select the school and courses which will make you competitive in your chosen field. Be sure to include the name of the school and all course information. Double check this data because if it is wrong you’ll be responsible to pay with no benefits.

As of this writing, there is a backlog of 4 weeks for assistance so I’d advise you to look for courses starting at least 6 weeks out to ensure the money gets to the school in time.

Make the most of your pay and benefits and take advantage of the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account program!

Beginning January 18th a link to the H&R Block At Home® tax service will be available on the Military One Source website. Click through the Military One Source link and create a customized H&R Block account that gives you FREE online tax filing (formerly TaxCut), plus tax consultations by phone.

This offer is available to service members and their spouses.

After their month long Christmas sales, the Commissary deals have finally changed! Don’t forget you can check out your specific Commissary sale prices by logging in to the Savings Aisle.

There are some great deals running from January 7th- 20th, so it’s time to stock up!

If you would like to see what coupons will be in your Sunday paper before you wake up on Sunday morning, sign up for the Sunday Coupon preview. Click on the button view this Sunday’s coupons or have the preview delivered to your inbox each week. It is free!

Super Commissary Savings!

• Aunt Jemima Complete pancake mix $1.50
• Breakstone Cottage Cheese $2 (24 oz)
• Campbells Soup 2/$1 Chicken noodle or tomato 1/14-1/20 only!
  
• Cascadian Farms Cereals 2.25 (assorted)
• Cheez It crackers $2
• Doritos $2.19
• Gortons Frozen Grilled Fish $1.99
  
• Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers (various flavors) $1.59 ($5 off 5 printable coupon)
• Kelloggs Cereal Bars $1.75
• Lois Rich ground turkey $1 a pound
• Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs $1.79
• Newman’s Own Pineapple Salsa $1.69
• Prego Spaghetti Sauce $1.59
• Quaker Captain Crunch $1.50
• Quaker Granola Bars $1.89
• Tropicana Pure Premium 2/$5
• Wishbone Italian Dressing $1.69
• Yoplait YoPlus Yogurt $0.99 ($1/1 printable) FREE!
• Yoplait Fiber One 4pk $1.59  ($1/1 printable) $0.59

Here’s to the Heroes 2010

Free Admission to Anheuser-Busch Theme Parks for Military and up to Three Direct Dependents

The Anheuser-Busch Theme Parks have continued their Here’s to the Heroes program in 2010. During the 2010 season (check your local park to confirm hours) Sea World, Busch Gardens, and Sesame Place will all offer free single day admission to military members and up to three of their direct dependents. We have taken advantage of the Hero Salute since 2005 and enjoyed our trips to Sea World!

I have to say the Anheuser-Busch Theme Parks really know how to support the troops! It might not be a big deal for them, but as a military family member the Hero’s Salute means a lot to me. They even honor military members throughout the park by recognizing them during certain shows and events. Thank you Anheuser-Busch for your commitment to our Troops.