Welcome to The Military Money Manual Podcast!

Episodes

Blended Retirement System | BRS Pension, Matching Contributions, Continuation Pay #149
Nov. 11, 2024

Blended Retirement System | BRS Pension, Matching Contributions, Cont…

Do you still get a pension under the BRS? YES! We can't believe this myth and misinformation is still spreading around the military. Spencer and Jamie break down the three components of the military's Blended Retirement Syste...

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Money Mindset | Growth vs Fixed #148
Nov. 4, 2024

Money Mindset | Growth vs Fixed #148

"I'll always be broke." "I can't build wealth with this salary." "I'm just a spender- I can't help it." In this episode, Jamie and Spencer discuss how adopting a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset can transform your approa...

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"I Only Want 1 Credit Card!" Best Military Credit Card Strategies for 1, 3, or 5+ Cards #147
Oct. 28, 2024

"I Only Want 1 Credit Card!" Best Military Credit Card Strategies for…

This may surprise you! Want to experience an easier and simplified strategy for military credit cards? That's fine! We'd ask "why" you don't want more, but in today's episode we share which cards we'd recommend for listeners ...

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HCFSA for Military | Health Care Flexible Spending Account FSA Worth It? #146
Oct. 21, 2024

HCFSA for Military | Health Care Flexible Spending Account FSA Worth …

A new benefit for military families! How good is it? In fall of 2024, SecDef announced a new Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) for military families. In March 2025, you'll be able to sign up for it for the first ti...

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Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) | Roth vs Traditional | How RMDs Affect Military Finances, Inherited IRAs #145
Oct. 14, 2024

Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) | Roth vs Traditional | How RMDs…

Did you know Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) will be a factor in your future that you may not be tracking? If you have any traditional TSP or IRA money, you'll be required to take a portion of that money starting at 73 ...

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Gap Funds for FIRE | How to Save for Early Retirement in Taxable Accounts for Military #144
Oct. 7, 2024

Gap Funds for FIRE | How to Save for Early Retirement in Taxable Acco…

How do you finance the life between possible early retirment and 59.5 years old when you can access you retirement accounts? A gap fund is one common approach. Today we discuss: What is a gap fund? Is it necessary? Where does...

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DCFSA | Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account FSA for Military | With Brandon Lovingier, the Enlisted Money Guy #143
Sept. 30, 2024

DCFSA | Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account FSA for Military | W…

Dependent care flexible spending account- is it even worth your time? (note: this is different than the HEALTHCARE FSA which was announced in Sept 2024- we have an episode coming out on that in a few weeks) Open season is com...

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Amex Pop-Up Jail, TSP Contributions, Combining Accounts, Low Fee Investments: Reader Question & Answers #142
Sept. 23, 2024

Amex Pop-Up Jail, TSP Contributions, Combining Accounts, Low Fee Inve…

In this mailbag episode, Spencer and Jamie answer various listener questions about investing, credit cards, and military-specific financial topics. They provide insights on compound growth, TSP options, Roth vs. Traditional a...

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Air Force Pilot: Buying Multiple Homes on Active Duty, Building Wealth, Teaching Financial Habits to Your Troops with Garrison #141
Sept. 16, 2024

Air Force Pilot: Buying Multiple Homes on Active Duty, Building Wealt…

$85,000 in debt and a brand new truck to a wealthy and generous life?! In this episode, Air Force officer Garrison shares his financial journey from $85,000 in debt to working towards financial independence. He discusses foll...

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Military Financial Readiness Study | Tom McLean & Jodi Vickery from Armed Forces Bank #140
Sept. 9, 2024

Military Financial Readiness Study | Tom McLean & Jodi Vickery from A…

The May 2024 Military Family Financial Readiness study from Armed Forces Bank highlighted unique financial challenges military families faces due to the nature of their service. Today, Spencer and Jamie are joined by Tom McLe...

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Enlisted Success Story! $500,000+ Invested by Age 31 |  Financial Independence by 38 | Darren Thedieck #139
Sept. 2, 2024

Enlisted Success Story! $500,000+ Invested by Age 31 | Financial Ind…

Enlisted Airmen with half a million dollars invested?! Meet Darren Thedieck, US Air Force E-7 who was recently featured by CNBC . and Stripes . We talk very practical tips with Darren about how he learned to save, where he sa...

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Health is Wealth | Physical Wellness and the Connection to Financial Wellness | Increasing your Healthspan and Enjoying your Wealth #138
Aug. 26, 2024

Health is Wealth | Physical Wellness and the Connection to Financial …

What's the point of building wealth if you're not healthy enough to enjoy it? Today, Spencer and Jamie explore the connection between physical health and financial health. Although this is a slight diversion from our money-fo...

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Vanguard Founder Jack Bogle: 10 Step Wealth Building Bogleheads Investing Philosophy for the Military #137
Aug. 19, 2024

Vanguard Founder Jack Bogle: 10 Step Wealth Building Bogleheads Inves…

Does a simple Bogleheads style of investing work for military families? YES! The Bogleheads are followers of the philosophy of Vanguard founder John C. "Jack" Bogle. Live below your means Develop a workable plan Never bear t...

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New TSP Fund: L2070 Lifecycle | What are Lifecycle Funds? Are Lifecycle Funds a Good Option? #136
Aug. 12, 2024

New TSP Fund: L2070 Lifecycle | What are Lifecycle Funds? Are Lifecyc…

The L2070 lifecycle fund is available now in your TSP as of July 2024. If you were born after 2005, this will be your default fund you'll be automatically enrolled to contribute to. This is for those of you who'll reach retir...

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Dave Ramsey 7 Baby Steps - Do They Work for Military Families? | How to Get Out of Debt, Build Wealth, Give Generously #135
Aug. 5, 2024

Dave Ramsey 7 Baby Steps - Do They Work for Military Families? | How …

Dave Ramsey's 7 baby steps have helped millions of families. Do they work for military families? Today, we discuss each of the 7 baby steps and how they can work for military families. Both Spencer and Jamie started on the Da...

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Don't Buy a House on Active Duty | Reduce Stress, Hassle, and Build Liquid Wealth While Renting #134
July 29, 2024

Don't Buy a House on Active Duty | Reduce Stress, Hassle, and Build L…

It's okay to rent on active duty! You don't need to buy a house to build wealth. You can safely ignore the push from VA loan sellers, real estate agents, and mortgage brokers. In this episode of the MMM podcast, Spencer and J...

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Listener Success Story! Travel Hacking Military Honeymoon to Tahiti | Free Flights and Hotels for Military with Brian #133
July 8, 2024

Listener Success Story! Travel Hacking Military Honeymoon to Tahiti |…

Listener Brian joins us today to share how he used annual-fee waived credit cards to save about $6,000 on his honeymoon by saving big on his flights and hotel. Learn how to get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards ...

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Enlisted Military's Guide to Money | Advice for New Military Members, Boot Camp & First Paycheck #131
July 1, 2024

Enlisted Military's Guide to Money | Advice for New Military Members,…

New enlisted servicemember's guide to personal finance! In this episode, Spencer and Jamie share all the financial advice they'd share with a new enlisted troop in their unit. It is possible to accumulate and save while on ac...

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Military Officer's Guide to Money | Building Wealth for Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Space Force, Coast Guard, NOAA, USPHS Officers #132
July 1, 2024

Military Officer's Guide to Money | Building Wealth for Army, Navy, A…

New officer's guide to personal finance! In this episode, Spencer and Jamie share all the financial advice they'd share with a new officer in their unit. You CAN become rich on active duty as a military officer! If you're an ...

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Military Taxes, State Tax Laws & Spouse Side Hustles | Military Spouse Residency Relief Act | Military Tax Experts Alliance w/ Paul Allen #130
June 24, 2024

Military Taxes, State Tax Laws & Spouse Side Hustles | Military Spous…

Taxes can be complicated. Military families have a number of unique concerns when thinking about their taxes- which state(s) to file in, how to withhold taxes, how a gig economy or side hustle affects the plan, how to handle ...

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Tips for Separating from Active Duty, Avoiding Index Universal Life Insurance (IUL), and Military Entrepreneurship with Erik Baskin #129
June 17, 2024

Tips for Separating from Active Duty, Avoiding Index Universal Life I…

For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Coaching sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Real-estate returns, disability insurance...

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Continuation Pay Calculation & Timing With BRS & TSP With Brandon Lovingier, the Enlisted Money Guy #128
June 10, 2024

Continuation Pay Calculation & Timing With BRS & TSP With Brandon Lov…

For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Coaching sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. Confused about continuation pay? Join the...

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12% TSP Returns? How Long to Become a TSP Millionaire #127
June 3, 2024

12% TSP Returns? How Long to Become a TSP Millionaire #127

For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Coaching sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call! 12% annualized return in my TSP?? Take an...

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Upgrading Flights on Military TDY / TAD with Points and Miles #126
May 27, 2024

Upgrading Flights on Military TDY / TAD with Points and Miles #126

For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Coaching sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. You can easily explore flight upgrades on...

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