Episodes

Step 9 in our 10-part series: build the life you want and save for it. Spencer and Jamie step away from the spreadsheet to remind listeners that financial independence is a means to an end — not the end itself. Topics covered...

Step 8 in our 10-part series: max out your Roth TSP. Spencer and Jamie explain the triple tax benefit military members get by combining low-taxed allowances with Roth contributions, and why maxing the TSP is a stretch goal — ...

Step 7 in our 10-part series: open a Roth IRA at Vanguard, Fidelity, or Schwab and max out your contribution into a total stock market index fund. Spencer and Jamie break down why the LADS method (Low-cost, Automated, Diversi...

Step 6 in our 10-part series: grow your emergency fund to cover three months of expenses. Spencer and Jamie explain why your "SWAN number" (Sleep Well At Night) matters more than the math, why you should default to your partn...

Step 5 in our 10-part series: pay down your high interest rate debt. Spencer and Jamie share how they each paid off six figures of debt on military pay, why debt robs your future self of choices, and where to find free help i...

Step 4 of the 10-part military finance essentials series. Spencer and Jamie explain how to create a realistic budget focusing on "the four walls": food, utilities, shelter, and transportation. Learn which budgeting tools work...

Step 3 of the 10-part military finance essentials series. Spencer and Jamie explain why every service member needs a $1,000 emergency fund. This starter fund stops you from living paycheck to paycheck, prevents debt accumulat...

Step 2 of the 10-part series on military finance essentials. After setting up your 5% Roth TSP contribution in Step 1, now you need to create your TSP account online and make sure your money is invested in the right fund. Spe...

Military Money Manual may receive compensation from JPMC. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. What if you could set yourself up for financial success...

30+ premium credit cards—including the Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve—without paying a single dollar in annual fees? Spencer Reese breaks down exactly how active duty service members, Guard/Reserve on orders, and mi...

What if you could have SIX Chase Sapphire Reserve cards—each with zero annual fees—while maxing your TSP and living an incredible life of travel? Air Force Captain Jared Mataitusi reveals exactly how he and his wife stack pre...

Did you know your military pension is worth over $1 million? Most service members approaching retirement don't realize they're already work optional - and that changes everything about the decisions you should be making right...

Spencer Reese welcomes Amy and Taryn, two of the three military spouses behind the booming Military Travelers Facebook Group , 25,000 members strong! Together, they debunk four major myths about military credit cards and shar...

In this episode, Spencer Reese is joined by Paul , a recently medically retired National Guard officer, and Joel Petit , a military disability retirement attorney, to break down the medical retirement process , VA disability ...

Spencer Reese welcomes Ross Alcorn from Itinerary Boss https://itineraryboss.com/ to discuss credit card points and miles strategies, with special focus on small business owners. Ross shares how he saved $19,000 on his honeym...

Spencer and Jamie break down the 10 core principles of Bogleheads investing and show how military service members can apply this simple, low-cost approach to build wealth through the TSP and other accounts. If you're overwhel...

Starting January 28, 2026, military members can finally convert their traditional TSP to Roth while still serving...and if you're deployed to a combat zone, you could convert tens of thousands at near-zero tax rates. Brian "A...

Leaving thousands of dollars in credit card offers on the table because you forgot to activate them? Brooke Merkle from CardPointers reveals how the Chrome extension and app automatically track 40+ credit cards, find the best...

Is 2026 the year you finally take control of your military finances? With a 3.8% pay raise, new TSP contribution limits of $24,500, and proven strategies that helped one E-7 reach $600,000 in net worth by year 14, Spencer and...

What have learned as we've recorded over 200 episodes now? What have we changed our minds about? We reflect back on our years of podcasting, recording over 200 episodes with hundreds of positive reviews, hundreds of thousands...

$7,500 is the new maximum amount you can contribute for your IRA in 2027. We recommend generally that you and your spouse (if applicable) both do Roth IRAs, after 5% to the the TSP for the match. Spencer and Jamie offer one-o...

What if you could fly your family to Europe in first class, stay at luxury resorts for $400 a week, and spend less on vacation than you do at home? Chelsey from Camouflage Perks shares how military families are using fee-waiv...

Don't want to feel stressed about money this holiday season? Here are 5 ways to prepare your family's mindset and spending for the season of giving! Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your ...

Join Spencer Reese and Carissa Rawson, Director of Travel and Marketing at Rove and Air Force veteran, for an in-depth discussion about maximizing credit card rewards and travel benefits as a military service member. Carissa ...