
Has the New Year been a great start or are you looking at the bills from Christmas and the holiday season and shaking your head?
Do you have credit card debt that is being carried month to month? Or do you have savings that you would like to invest for college or retirement? In either case, you should read this blog!
I had the privilege to interview the president of an organization that can help with your financial issues and their services are free! My excitement grew as I realized how many resources there were to help the military community. FINRA – (who said civilians do not have acronyms?) Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has an Investor Education Foundation with a
military resource section. Gerri Walsh made time in her busy schedule to talk so I could help point you to their information and resources to make your lives better!
End of purpose – not a sale, no agenda except to help you!
Gerri Walsh was friendly, well in tuned to military issues and was able to list off the names of the family services at each military service (do you know each one?) and a highly experienced financial expert and attorney. We talked for a long time and covered a lot of ground about your finances. I felt like she had walked the military life as we shared information.
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Gerri Walsh, President FINRA
Investor Education Foundation |
Let’s start with debt –
the biggest mistake that military folks make is overspending and getting deep in debt. Walsh described it as an “endless cycle of debt” with “balances carried over” from month to month on credit cards, use of payday loans and other high interest loans to meet obligations. How do you track your spending? Do you know where your dollars are going? We recently purchased a new computer with software to track our personal spending but at
SaveandInvest there are some handy tracking tools as well! She said, “we have resources” that are free and include Tips, Worksheets, Printable Budget Plans and Excel Products to track your spending.
Did I mention this is free?
Let’s move on to employment! Gerri said that at the end of February/early March
they will announce the 50 fellowships available for military spouses to learn and earn an Accredited Financial Counselor™ certificate. FINRA pays for the cost of training and military spouses then use an online program, webinars and two exams at the end of the program to earn this credential while supporting the military community with financial counseling. Great mixture of education, advancing your career and supporting the military at the same time! Interested?
Starting to think about moving on to that video game you received as a Christmas gift? Instead let's play "
Moneytopia!”. The military money center at
SaveandInvest describes it as a way to “…learn more about managing your money while having fun.” This game has the purpose to help you reach "
The Big Dream” and has short tutorials on every type of financial transaction. This is a resource for young couples and singles wishing to learn more about their finances, reaching a goal and having fun while doing it. Or is military retirement or separation looming? Find out if you are ready or what income you will need from that next job to maintain your lifestyle.