My husband has been in the military for 20 years. He has worked his way up through the ranks, but when we first got married we were a poor enlisted family that did not know how to work the military system to our advantage. Here are some tips I have learned over the years on how to make it on one income in the military.ÂÂ
ÂÂ
- Use the military healthcare system. I realize there are many of you who have horror stories about military doctors. I have them myself, but I also have them about civilian ones as well. There are great military doctors, you just have to be picky. In the military health care system they should pay for everything including some OTC drugs.  If you use a military pharmacy you can even request children’s Tylenol, Ibuprofen (childrens & adult), Claritin, Zyrtec, Robitussin, etc. ÂÂ
- Sign up for WIC.  I know not everyone agrees with WIC but it is something that we used many years ago and it really helped us to make ends meet during that time period. This site will explain the WIC program http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/.  There is probably a WIC office on base. ÂÂ
- Deployment benefits. Deployments are never fun, but if your spouse deploys make the most of this time. First of all most of the current deployments create a situation where your income is now tax free. There are also various deployment pays that your spouse will receive that are non taxable. Use that money to pay down any debt, or if you are debt free beef up your savings. There is also a savings program that allows you to invest up to 10,000 a year with a guaranteed 10% return on the investment.
- Speaking of savings we have had many times in our military life where our pay has been wrong. Once it was a several thousand dollar mistake. You need to have an emergency fund. Having money in the bank can help you through moves, deployments, and promotions which tend to be the time when your pay can be inaccurate.ÂÂ
- Make sure you use the military to cover all other work related expenses.  For example, if your spouse has to take a cab home from the airport after a TDY, the military will reimburse them for it. ÂÂ
- Save money on kids stuff by using  hand me downs, e-bay, thrift shops (including the base thrift shop), yard sales (especially this time of year.)  Go early for the good deals.  Craigslist is also a great resource. ÂÂ
- Talk to First Sergeant if AF or Chief if Navy about money/financial  planning.  ÂÂ
- If Air Force, visit the Family Support Center.  I think they may have changed the name of this to Airman Readiness Center or something. There is a place called Airman’s Attic with all kinds of free stuff. Some with free things including diapers, formula and clothing. ÂÂ
- Whenever you move, even if you have the military hire movers, do a partial DITY move. You can usually make a few hundred dollars just by weighing your vehicle and filling out a few forms.ÂÂ
- Increase the number of exemptions for taxes.  This creates more money in your pocket each pay period.
- If you can live on post, this is almost always a better deal than renting. Everything is covered in your BAH including utilities.ÂÂ
- Shop at the commissary. There has been a lot of debate about whether or not the commissary is cheaper, but I have friends who have made price books and they agree that the commissary is cheaper.ÂÂ
- Many bases offer services for family members of deployed service members. I know that where I live the Army subsidizes drop in child care as well as gives discounts on tons of programs if the parent is deployed.ÂÂ
- Become a resident of state you are stationed if there is no income tax.
- Utilize your local library for entertainment. Books, CDs, movies and activities for preschoolers are all available at the library for free.ÂÂ
- This would be long term, but, your spouse should start on their bachelors degree if they don’t have one already. Apply to Officer Training School or even a ROTC program somewhere.  Let the military pay for it all.  Take advantage of all the tuition assistant programs available. My husband got his commission through the Navy. The Navy paid his salary for 3 years while he got his bachelor’s degree. He also got his masters degree paid for by the Navy, as well as numerous certificates and certifications.ÂÂ
These are just a few ways to thrive on a military income. I hope to continue this series throughout the summer.  Thanks to my friends and military spouses Liz and Nancy for helping me come up with these suggestions.ÂÂ
For more frugal tips stop by Crystal’s blog.ÂÂ
Mrs. R says
Thank you so much for this list of ideas! My husband is in the National Guard and will be deploying soon, and we will be using the extra money to pay down debt. I will be living extreme frugality while he serves overseas so we can hopefully have all our debt paid off when he comes home. I’m glad you mentioned the savings program. I’ll definitely keep that in mind during the next deployment.
Jennifer says
I am not military, but wanted to say what a great list of different ways to save.
Shannon says
You sound so much like us it’s scary!! My husband hits 21 years in July and worked himself up through the ranks. He is not a CW3 and when we married he was an E4. Talk about a huge difference between then and now. I was an accountant so was making more money then him but we started a family right away and and we knew that I would be staying home to raise the family. Boy was it hard for a few years. We also used WIC and I believe it saved us, that and the fact that we lived near my parents so we ate there a couple times a week. 🙂 Living on one income (military) can be done we are living proof of it. We feel like we are rich now. 🙂 We also took full advantage of the COLA we received when we were stationed in Germany. We were there for 3 1/2 years and that is where we paid off all our debt and vowed never to do that again. Of course he’s been deployed more times then I can count on one hand. His last deployment we were able to take advantage of the savings program. That is a wonderful benefit for deployed soldiers. One fairly unknown fact about the program also is you can leave the money in there for 90 days after you return from your deployment. Who couldn’t use 3 more months of interest.
Thanks for your article. It’s nice to know we’re not the only family thriving in the military.
Nancy says
A couple of other ideas:
If your base has Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, you can have your income tax returns prepared for free. The volunteers are very well trained. (I’ve been one.) Alternatively, learn to do your own taxes. Especially if you have no big deductions (mortgage interest, for ex.) or unusual income (rental property, for ex.), doing your taxes is not hard. You don’t need to spend money on tax preparation when the military provides a way to have your return prepared free of charge.
Meet other spouses. It can be hard, with jobs and young children consuming much of everyone’s time, but try to do it anyway. Say hi to the moms at soccer practice. Introduce yourself on the playground or at the base pool. Join a club or take a class on post. Why? Because military folks network better than any other group of people I know. They keep track of who’s where, know what is good and bad about your next duty station, and have already found out who the best pediatrician on post is. If you meet them, they can share this information with you.
Don’t forget to pass along the favors you’ve received and the information you’re given. It may seem strange to think that some day you’ll be the oldest spouse on the block, but it will happen, and you’ll have a chance to help a nervous young bride at her first-ever duty station. Whether you call it Titus 2, the Golden Rule, or just plain good will, please keep the military tradition going…you can’t return every favor, but you can pass each one along to someone who needs your help.
Great post, Toni!
Amy says
We are not a military family, but a family of 5 choosing to thrive on one meager teacher’s salary while I stay home to train up our children. I found your blog through another homemaking blog, and I check in every day. I just wanted to say THANK YOU for all you do as a military wife and mother. It can’t be easy, and I’m certain it is a thankless job sometimes.
Alisha says
Thanks for posting this. Those are some really great ideas! 🙂
michelle waters says
We’re not a military family but I so appreciate all the ways you help and minister to all families, especially military ones. We are so grateful and blessed to have such fine men and women serving our country, and sacrificing so much to do so. Thank you!
candace says
Thanks, Toni. Lots of great info:)