Recent Posts
The Net Worth Payment
For personal finance DIY’ers, trusting the long term effects of financial decisions can be difficult. Even when everything makes sense on paper, it isn’t always
One TAP Class Is Not Enough
The Transition Assistance Program covers a tremendous amount of information. Employment. VA benefits. Healthcare. Education. Life insurance. Taxes. Retirement pay. Disability claims. Resumes. Networking. Relocation.
SGLI is Not Enough
Serviceman’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI) is the inexpensive term life insurance we can purchase through our pay during active and reserve service. Congress determines how
Military Topics
One TAP Class Is Not Enough
The Transition Assistance Program covers a tremendous amount of information. Employment. VA benefits. Healthcare. Education. Life insurance. Taxes. Retirement pay. Disability claims. Resumes. Networking. Relocation.
Are You Down with SBP? (Survivor Benefit Plan)
This blog present a framework for understanding SBP and its role in long-term financial planning When military members retire, one of the biggest decisions they
Financial Freedom! A 4 Step Guide for Women Servicemembers to Build Financial Resilience
Every day, women servicemembers balance mission demands, family responsibilities, and personal goals. But building financial resilience for women servicemembers is what ultimately creates the freedom
Rolling out of the military: Do I have to roll out of the TSP?
Rolling out of the military: Do I have to roll out of the TSP? Getting out of the military, whether at the end of your
Qualifying Life Events: How a PCS Affect Your FSA Benefits
For military personnel, managing Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) during transitions like a PCS can be complex, especially when it comes to adjusting healthcare and dependent
Your Pension and Your Portfolio
Your Pension and Your Portfolio So you have a pension, now what? Retirement income is difficult to imagine. For many folks out there, retirement savings,
Financial Planning
One TAP Class Is Not Enough
The Transition Assistance Program covers a tremendous amount of information. Employment. VA benefits. Healthcare. Education. Life insurance. Taxes. Retirement pay. Disability claims. Resumes. Networking. Relocation.
When the Clock Strikes 21: Navigating TRICARE Coverage Changes for Military Dependents
For military families, TRICARE is one of the most valued benefits of service. But when a dependent child turns 21, the coverage landscape shifts dramatically,
Serving Out Loud: Why LGBTQ+ Military Financial Planning Looks a Little Different
When Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) was repealed in 2011, and federal marriage benefits were extended to same-sex military couples in 2013 following the Supreme
Paying the “Neglect Tax”
We live in an age that glorifies replacement and undervalues maintenance. If something breaks, we don’t fix it, we replace it. A car starts making
I Have A Military Pension: Do I Still Need An Emergency Fund?
I Have A Military Pension: Do I Still Need An Emergency Fund? For years, the standard financial advice has been simple: Keep three to six
Cost Segregation Studies: A Smart Tax Move… Sometimes
Cost Segregation Studies: A Smart Tax Move… Sometimes If you are a landlord with rental properties, you’ve probably read an article or listened to a
Taxes
New Year IRA Tips
New Year IRA Tips Still want to save for retirement in 2022? You can! Wait, what? Did you say I can still save for retirement last
End-Of-Year Planning Checklist
If you’re like me, you’re probably thinking how can it be December? Where did 2022 go? Before we turn the page to 2023, there could
Is My Military Retired Pay Tax Free if I have a VA Disability Rating? – NO!
Is My Military Retired Pay Tax Free if I have a VA Disability Rating? – NO! Every year I have a handful of clients
Which is Better—A Roth or a TSP?
Which is Better—A Roth or a TSP? If my math is correct, half of the readers of this article’s title are about ready to blow
2021 Tax Updates
Understanding 2021 Tax Updates (before you file your taxes) This meme pops up in my social media feed from time to time: It’s clever and
Military Retirement: Should You Take SBP?
Military Retirement and the Big SBP Decision This article was jointly written by Adrienne Ross, CFP ®, AFC ®, and Pam Bergeson, CRPC As you’re
College & Education Planning
When the Clock Strikes 21: Navigating TRICARE Coverage Changes for Military Dependents
For military families, TRICARE is one of the most valued benefits of service. But when a dependent child turns 21, the coverage landscape shifts dramatically,
Saving For Your Kids – Do They Need A Trump Account?
Did someone say free money? Yes! And if your child qualifies, opening a Trump account is a no-brainer. What if they don’t qualify for the
Scrubs and Student Loans: Financial Planning for Military Medical Professionals
Scrubs and Student Loans: Financial Planning for Military Medical Professionals You’ve put in the hours, the degrees, the residencies, and the deployments. You’ve juggled patients
GI Bill for Guard and Reserve
Navigating the many GI Bill For Guard and Reserve options I have been a member of the Air National Guard for almost 25 years at
Student Loan Update- Where are we now?
For many student loan borrowers, the CARES Act, which paused student loan repayment and drove interest rates to 0.0%, was an extraordinary gift. Since that
SECURE Act 2.0: Expanded College Savings & Roth IRA Opportunities for Military Families
SECURE Act 2.0: Expanded College Savings & Roth IRA Opportunities for Military Families Leading into the New Year, Congress passed a $1.7 Billion spending package
Investing
Saving For Your Kids – Do They Need A Trump Account?
Did someone say free money? Yes! And if your child qualifies, opening a Trump account is a no-brainer. What if they don’t qualify for the
Cost Segregation Studies: A Smart Tax Move… Sometimes
Cost Segregation Studies: A Smart Tax Move… Sometimes If you are a landlord with rental properties, you’ve probably read an article or listened to a
Rolling out of the military: Do I have to roll out of the TSP?
Rolling out of the military: Do I have to roll out of the TSP? Getting out of the military, whether at the end of your
The Veteran’s Guide to TSP Rollovers
The Veteran’s Guide to TSP Rollovers Separating and retiring military servicemembers (& federal employees) are often faced with a number of financial decisions. One of
Back to Basics: Account Types
Back to Basics: Account Types Some years ago, when some of our fellow steely-eyed killers started swapping paint at 600 knots a bit too frequently,
The Balance Sheet Deception: Understanding the Liabilities of Assets
Veterans aren’t strangers to the concept of assets and liabilities. One of the first things anyone does when thinking about personal finance is to map