Are you eligible to get a refund of the VA home loan funding fee? Home mortgages guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are a valuable benefit of military service. One characteristic of a VA-backed home loan is that you pay a funding fee when you get the loan. However, some folks are exempt… | Read More…
Should You Sell Back Your Military Leave, or Take Terminal Leave?
One hot topic in transition planning is terminal leave vs. the selling of leave. Generally, these are folks who are separating or retiring. They have leave, and they’re trying to figure out what to do with it. I used to have a single answer, and then I opened my mind a little. I discovered that… | Read More…
Will The Military Get Paid If We Hit The Debt Ceiling?
Update 30 May 2023: It looks like there is going to be a deal. Which we all hoped, obviously. So we can not worry about this for a few years. But it’s good to know what could happen, because this issue has not been resolved forever. What the heck is a debt ceiling? And is… | Read More…
Resume and Job Hunting Help for Service Members and Spouses
Everyone needs a little resume and job hunting help! Getting a job can be intimidating, especially if you’ve been serving in the military, or out of the workforce for a while. How do you translate your military service into terms that a civilian employer will understand? Or how do you craft a resume if you… | Read More…
Your Military Family’s Confidently Prepared™ Life Binder
After several long years and 100s of revisions, the Your Military Family’s Confidently Prepared™ Life Binder is finally available for purchase! This great tool will make your life more organized and provide a guide to help others help you if this is a situation. What Is This Binder? The Confidently Prepared™ Life Binder is a… | Read More…
Unemployment For Military Veterans and Retirees
Leaving the military is a time of big transition: you’re looking for a new job, probably moving to a new location, and everything is unsettled. One benefit that can help is filing for unemployment insurance through the UCX (Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Military) program. Eligibility for UCX You are eligible for UCX if you: Have recently left… | Read More…
The Best Veterans Day Deals and Discounts for 2021
I’m always amazed at how many companies offer generous discounts over Veterans’ Day. Veterans’ Day was created to recognize the service of our military veterans, and corporate America continues to provide that recognition in a very tangible way with amazing Veterans Day deals and discounts. I know it’s good public relations, but it’s also just… | Read More…
Changing Direct Deposit for VA Benefits
I receive a lot of emails asking how to change the account to which benefits are paid from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This includes disability, education, and survivor benefits. There are three ways to change your account: online, via telephone, or via the mail. Changing direct deposit for VA benefits will make sure… | Read More…