Episodes

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 ...

Is the wrong strategy for your GI Bill costing you over $100,000?! Today's guest is Kate Horrell, author of the new book "College Finances for Military Families," reveals why the "fair share" approach to education benefits might be the most expensive mistake military families make, GI Bill basics, and all the things to know about college for your military kids. Key Topics: GI Bill Transfer Strategy Why transferring your GI Bill at exactly 6 years of service is important The one-time 4-year s...

Think your military career ends with active duty? Think again. Sam Lewis reveals how Guard and Reserve service can unlock financial freedom, career flexibility, and long-term stability...without sacrificing family life or future goals Guest: Sam Lewis, CFP®, ChFC®, MQFP Founder of SJL Financial | Delaware Air National Guard | Member of Military Financial Advisors Association Key Topics Covered: Transitioning from active duty to Guard/Reserve service Flexibility in career paths, retraining, an...

How much life insurance do military servicemembers need? What about military spouses? Is SGLI enough? In this episode, Spencer Reese and Jamie sit down with Jerry Quinn, a 40-year Army veteran and executive at Armed Forces Mutual (formerly AAFMAA - American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association), to discuss everything military families need to know about life insurance. Topics Covered: SGLI (Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance) Understanding the $500,000 term policy for service members Spouse...

Are Mini Retirements, Optionality, and Side Hustles Possible in the Military? From seven-month sabbaticals to turning a hobby into a thriving side business, Justin Peters from the FI Minded Podcast shares how dialing back work can supercharge your career, creativity, and financial freedom. Key Points & Topics Part-time work and mini sabbaticals Recognizing burnout and funding a seven-month break Differentiating sabbatical versus mini retirement Logistics: nest egg size, remote options, hea...

Financial Coaching & Money Mentor Opportunities Feeling confident in your research but stalled when it comes to taking action on your military family's financial plan? From TSP questions to credit card strategies, this episode explains how an hour with a dedicated coach can transform hesitation into clear, personalized next steps. Key Points & Topics Defining financial coaching vs. advisory services No sales pitches, no commissions, no product upsells Confidential, unbiased guidance tailore...

Wondering how to unlock premium travel perks and avoid annual fees while serving on Active Duty, the Guard, Reserves? Or maybe you're a military spouse and curious if you qualify for the same protections and waivers? This episode dives deep into the ins and outs of MLA and SCRA protections, credit card strategies, and maximizing those free hotel nights and points. Links & Resources Mentioned: Spencer's article explaining MLA Database MLA Database Lookup SCRA Request Page – Amex Mentorship with...

Remember when you were spooked by April's market dip? Spencer and Jamie unpack how to discuss your feelings of panic this past April, stay calm, stick to your investing philosophy, and make smart moves post-crisis. Key Takeaways: The S&P 500 dropped 19%, sparking fear, but headlines thrive on panic. Debriefing your emotional response helps clarify your strategy. Automate contributions to reduce emotional decision-making. Now's the time to create or revise your personal investing philosophy a...

If you've ever felt torn between soaking up life now and securing your future, you're not alone. In this episode, we explore what it really means to invest in "future you" and how to do it without sacrificing everything you love today. Whether you're a beginner or behind on savings, the best time to start is today. Key Points The Saver vs. Spender Dynamic Compound Interest Explained Retirement is More Than Just Money or a Pension Understanding the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Insight from th...

Carol and Ken didn't just imagine a life beyond the military- they designed one. In just four years, they transformed from brand-new ensigns with zero TSP contributions into self-made millionaires. In this episode, we'll unpack the financial strategy, discipline, and teamwork that helped them achieve Lean FIRE (financial independence, retire early) before 30—all while navigating dual military careers and deployments. They get real about: Starting from scratch: Misconceptions about TSP, militar...

Spencer and Jamie break down all the major updates to the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card and why military families should still consider it their top travel rewards card despite the annual fee increase to $795. What You'll Learn: Military Benefits That Make This Card a No-Brainer: How the Military Lending Act (MLA) waives the $795 annual fee for active duty, Guard, Reserve (on 30+ day orders), and military spouses Why the $300 flexible travel credit alone makes this card worth it How to ...

Bonus episode! Target is offering 10% off twice for verified military families! Here's a quick episode were Jamie shares everything you need to know to save big during this limited-time promotion. Whether you're prepping for a move or restocking your household essentials, this discount is an easy win. 🗓️ Promo Details: What: 10% discount at Target—available twice When: June 22 through July 4 (verify in your app—some say July 5) Who: Military members, veterans, and eligible family members Wh...