Episodes

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 now. In this episode, retired Marine and CFP Omen Quelvog reveals why the highest-paid contractor job might be the worst choice for your future, how to discover what you're actually curious about (not just good at), and why you need to attend TAP twice. Plus: the new TSP R...

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 share how military families can unlock thousands of dollars in travel perks—without falling into debt. Whether you're brand new to award travel or a seasoned cardholder looking to optimize your benefits, this episode is packed with practical, real-life strategies that can help ...

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 ratings, and how IDES really works. What We Cover Medical retirement vs. standard 20-year longevity retirement When medical retirement can make sense financially How the IDES (Integrated Disability Evaluation System) works Common misconceptions about VA disability and "100%...

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 honeymoon, reveals tactical business spending strategies, and explains how military service members can leverage TDY travel and small business expenses to fund dream vacations. Guest: Ross Alcorn - Charlotte, NC-based travel strategist, former sales rep road warrior (6-7 years), ...

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 overwhelmed by investing advice or tempted by day trading and crypto, this episode cuts through the noise with a proven strategy that's worked for decades. Hosts: Spencer Reese (former Air Force pilot, 12 years active duty) and Jamie (active duty officer) The 10 Bogleheads Princip...

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 "ALF" O'Neill from Wingman Wealth breaks down the game-changing TSP in-plan conversion feature and reveals why this could be a 6- or 7-figure lifetime tax savings for service members who get the strategy right. Main Points Roth vs Traditional Basics- Roth is "tax insuranc" 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 card for every purchase, and helped one user rack up $40,000 in statement credits, all without spreadsheets or mental math. CardPointers is a tool that automatically adds credit card offers, tracks points across multiple cards, and recommends which card to use for every pu...

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 Jamie break down exactly how to build wealth while serving, even if you're starting from scratch or recovering from financial setbacks. In this episode, we provide a comprehensive 2026 financial reset for military families, covering everything from emergency funds and debt...

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 of downloads, and hopefully countless military families helped. In this milestone 200th episode, Spencer and Jamie sit down in person to reflect on four years of the Military Money Manual Podcast. From recording the first episode in a living room before a PCS to reaching ...

$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-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call. militarymoneymanual.com/mentor Over 20,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free course a...

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-waived credit cards and exclusive military discounts to travel the world. Today's guest is Chelsey from Camouflage Perks - Military spouse and travel expert with 45,000+ Instagram followers sharing military-exclusive travel benefits and points strategies. Key Takeaways Exclus...

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 personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call. militarymoneymanual.com/mentor Over 20,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the...

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 shares her journey from enlisted Arabic translator to becoming a leading voice in military credit card content, having written for The Points Guy, NerdWallet, USA Today, and Forbes. Building Credit from Scratch Starting with secured credit cards (Capital One recommended) ...

Hot new bennies are live on one of our favorite cards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve! EDIT TO ONE MISPEAK IN EPISODE: site to search for Chase Dining benefit locations is https://useyourcredits.com/maps/chase-reserve/ As of 10/26/25, many new benefits are available for you to activate or take advantage of, such as: $300 per year ($150 per semi-annual period) for dining at restaurants in the Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables portfolio $500 per year ($250 per semi-annual period) for "The Edit" hot...

Jamie's no longer a "Citi hater" because Citi just changed the game. The new $595 Citi Strata Elite now has automatic annual fee waivers for military—no complex formulas, no statement balance tricks, no emails required. Plus $500 in easy-to-use annual credits and a 100,000 point welcome offer. Key Benefits Annual Fee Waiver $595 fee automatically waived for MLA covered borrowers Fee charged on first statement, then automatically refunded same day No documentation or emails required Works f...

Spencer Reese welcomes Lieutenant Commander Webster Felix, a Navy prosthodontist, for an in-depth discussion about maximizing military medicine benefits. Webb's journey from enlisted E6 dental student to O5 prosthodontist showcases the incredible opportunities available in military healthcare. This episode unpacks lesser-known scholarship programs, specialty training funding, loan forgiveness strategies, and GI Bill transfers that enabled Webb and his wife to complete advanced degrees debt-free ...

Spencer Reese, founder of the Military Money Manual, joins Jesse Kramer to discuss the unique financial landscape of military service and the critical transition to post-service life. Spencer separated from the US Air Force in 2022 after 12 years as a pilot and now helps military families reach financial independence through his book, podcast, course, and website. Host: Jesse Kramer - Financial adviser and host of "Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors" Guest: Spencer Reese - Former Air For...

Travel Planning with Points & Miles Join Spencer Reese and Jamie as they dive deep into the tactical strategies for planning and booking travel using credit card points and miles. This comprehensive guide walks through the entire process from initial flight searches to hotel bookings, with a focus on maximizing value while avoiding common pitfalls. Topics Covered Flight Booking Strategies: How to prioritize travel goals (destination, dates, airline, class of service) Finding direct flight ro...

Updates available on militarymoneymanual.com/shutdown Air Force Aid Society – Falcon Loans up to $1,500 and Standard Assistance, up to 24 months of repayment. Space Force also eligible. Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society – Quick Assist Loan and Financial Assistance available Army Emergency Relief – Normally assistance available same day but no later than 48 hours. AER will provide rapid, zero-interest loans to help cover financial needs until normal operations and back pay resume. Assistance is ...

Spencer Reese and Jamie deliver a no-nonsense, tough-love episode for military families struggling with paycheck-to-paycheck living. This episode cuts through excuses and provides three immediate, actionable steps to regain control of your finances and stop the financial bleeding. If you're stressed about money, fighting with your spouse about finances, or feeling overwhelmed and behind—this episode is your emergency action procedure. Topics Covered Three Immediate Actions: Delete Social Media...

Think military divorce means automatically splitting everythign 50/50 and going to court? Wrong on both counts! Certified Divorce Financial Anaylst David Smith reveals what most military families get wrong and what it costs them! In today's episode, we'll discuss the complex financial and logistical aspects of military divorce, covering everything from pension division to healthcare benefits, tax implications, and emotional support strategies. Key Topics Jurisdiction & Legal Considerations Multi...

Dont' fall for these traps! This "convenient" payment option could be sabotaging your financial future and even your security clearance! Military financial expert Lacey Langford returns to sound the alarm on what she calls "the new payday loan," Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services. With over $170 billion in BNPL transactions this year and 91.5 million Americans using these services, this seemingly innocent payment option is creating a financial minefield for military families. Main Topics Covere...

New benefits are available immediately as of 9/18/25!! Learn how to apply for the The Platinum Card® from American Express: https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ Learn more about American Express military annual fee waivers: https://militarymoneymanual.com/american-express-military/ Learn how to maximize your military credit card benefits in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course: https://militarymoneymanual.com/umc3/ Episode Description Hosts Spencer Reese and Jamie discu...

"Rising tides lift all ships!" MilMoneyCon 2026 dates just released! May 26-28, 2026 in Savannah, GA. See https://milmoneycon.com/register/ The military finance community doesn't have to operate in silos. Through strategic networking and mentorship, veterans and military spouses can accelerate their finance careers while building a supportive ecosystem that lifts everyone up. In this episode, we sit down with Lacey Langford, founder of MilMoneyCon and host of The Milmo Show, to explore how she ...