The Military Money Manual Podcast

Spencer Reese from MilitaryMoneyManual.com

Military Money: Investing, spending, saving, financial freedom, and getting out of debt. Real world tactics and strategies for active duty, Guard and Reserve, military spouses, veterans, enlisted, and officers.

The Military Money Manual Podcast is all about achieving financial independence while you serve in the US military. Spencer and Jamie, Air Force officers, share everything you need to know to achieve your financial goals while you serve in our Armed Forces.

Learn about Military Credit Card annual fee waivers exclusively for active duty, Guard, Reserve, and military spouses in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at https://militarymoneymanual.com/umc3

Find Spencer's 5-star rated book, The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or https://shop.militarymoneymanual.com

Special military credit card benefits, points and miles, investing in the TSP, financial independence, retiring early, military FIRE, maximizing military pay, deployment finances: Jamie and Spencer cover it all.

Your hosts are Spencer Reese and Jamie. Spencer served for 12 years in the US Air Force flying C-17 aircraft around the globe. Jamie is currently an active duty Air Force officer.

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243 episodes
Updated Monday

Episodes243

Newest first

Monday · 7 min
5 Most Asked TSP Questions: Roth vs. Traditional, L Funds, & What to Do After You Separate #240
Spencer Reese tackles the five most common Thrift Savings Plan questions he receives from listeners via email, Instagram, and the podcast inbox. He covers the Roth vs. Traditional decision for service members, how to think about TSP fund selection within your overall asset allocation, why the TSP's tax advantages make it a standout account for military members, what happens if your contributions exceed the annual limit, and what to do with your TSP after separating from the military. Questions asked and topics covered: Should I choose Roth or traditional TSP? Why most service members should default to Roth given low taxable military pay Combat Zone Tax Exclusion (CZTE) pay and why it makes Roth especially powerful When traditional starts to make sense — 22%+ bracket, field grade officers, pilot or medical bonuses, high-earning spouse The option to mix and match contributions What TSP investment strategy should I pick? Applying your asset allocation across all accounts, not fund by fund How C and S fund allocations translate to total US stock market exposure Where international exposure fits in your IRA or brokerage account The case for defaulting to a Lifecycle (L) fund based on birth year plus 65 or 70 Why there's plenty of time to adjust before bond allocations ramp up Is there a big reason to use the TSP over other investments? Taxes as the primary driver — the triple tax benefit of untaxed military pay into Roth accounts BAH, BAS, COLA, and CZTE as untaxed income The automatic 5% BRS match after 24 months of service In-plan Roth conversions for moving matched traditional dollars to the Roth side Low costs and built-in diversification What happens if my contribution percentage exceeds the annual limit in December? How DFAS caps and auto-adjusts your final contribution How excess contributions are refunded if a mistake occurs The 2026 contribution limit of $24,500 Why missing the max by a couple hundred dollars doesn't matter What should I do with my TSP after I leave the military? Why leaving it in the TSP is the default recommendation Continued access to the G Fund Rolling outside 401(k) funds into the TSP to consolidate When rolling over to a new employer's 401(k) or a traditional IRA might make sense
July 27 · 17 min
Military Mega Backdoor Roth: Invest $87,000 Into Roth (IRA + TSP) in 1 Deployment #239
One deployment. $87,000 into Roth accounts. Never taxed going in, never taxed coming out — and if you're 25, that grows to roughly $1.5 million by 60 without a dollar of federal income tax. In this solo episode, Spencer Reese breaks down the military mega backdoor Roth: the combat-zone strategy that lets you blow past the normal TSP limit using tax-exempt CZTE pay and the Roth in-plan conversions that became available in January 2026. He walks through the exact myPay percentages, the monthly conversion rhythm, and the mistakes that can lock you out of contributions or cost you the BRS match. Questions Answered What is the combat zone tax exclusion (CZTE), and who qualifies? What's the difference between traditional and Roth contributions? Which two limits make this strategy work — and why doesn't CZTE pay count against the elective deferral limit? How much extra TSP space does a combat zone deployment actually open up? What percentages should you set in myPay? What are the Roth in-plan conversion rules and restrictions? Why convert monthly instead of once at the end of the year? What happens to the taxable portion, and how do you pay those taxes? What if you're only deployed six months? Where do people screw this up? What should you change when you get home? Main Topics Covered The triple tax advantage of CZTE pay: tax-free in, tax-free growth, tax-free out 2026 limits: $24,500 elective deferral vs. the $72,000 annual additions limit Why tax-exempt combat zone pay only counts against the higher limit Worked example on $100,000 base pay: ~24–25% to Roth TSP, ~43% to traditional TSP Roth in-plan conversions — up to 26 per calendar year, $500 minimum, $500 must stay behind The pro rata rule and why monthly sweeps beat one December conversion Stacking Roth IRAs on top: $7,500 single / $15,000 married filing jointly Common mistakes: maxing the Roth TSP early and losing the BRS match, the 92% myPay cap that makes DFAS reject the whole transaction, and letting gains pile up before converting The six-month deployment version — still roughly $74,000 into Roth accounts Turning off the extra contributions once you're back home Deploying next year? Pre-loading traditional contributions to convert at a low rate Resources Mentioned Full article + calculator: https://militarymoneymanual.com/max-tsp-contributions-combat-zone/ — or search "military mega backdoor Roth" CZTE area list: irs.gov TSP contribution rules: tsp.gov (contributions section) TSP in-plan Roth conversion guide How to max your TSP and get the full BRS match Savings Deposit Program (SDP) — guaranteed 10% on $10,000 while deployed Book: The Military Money Manual Advertiser Disclosure: This video may contain links through which we are compensated when you click on or are approved for offers. The information in this video was not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. All opinions, analyses, and recommendations are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain. Military Money Manual may receive compensation from JPMC. 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 24,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free, Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual. Offers may be expired: Offers, rates, fees, and benefits are subject to change and may have ended since this video was published — please verify the current terms on the issuer's official website before applying. Terms apply, and all cards are subject to credit approval. Any comments below are from individual users and are not provided, reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any issuer.
July 20 · 27 min
Military Credit Cards in 2026: How to Get Premium Cards With No Annual Fees #238
It might be the greatest military discount in history — and most service members are leaving it on the table. In this solo episode, Spencer breaks down how active duty members, Guard and Reserve on 30+ day orders, and military spouses can carry the best premium credit cards on the market and pay $0 in annual fees, thanks to two federal laws. He covers exactly how it works, the optimal order to open cards, how far you can push it in "two-player mode," and the real refund stories — including one veteran who got over $8,000 back. Questions Answered What's the big deal with military annual-fee waivers, and why do the banks do it? Who qualifies as a "covered borrower"? What's the difference between the MLA and the SCRA — and which applies when? How do you check the MLA database before applying? How do you get started, and are you actually ready for this hobby? What's the optimal order to open cards? How far can you take this, and what is "two-player mode"? Which cards are eligible for fee waivers? Are military spouses eligible for their own cards? (Yes.) What if a spouse opened a card before active duty? Will all these cards hurt my credit score? What about business cards? What happens to the annual fees when I leave active duty? Main Topics Covered The two laws that power the waivers: Military Lending Act (MLA) and Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) Who's covered: active duty, Guard/Reserve on 30+ day orders, and DEERS-listed spouses MLA's 36% rate cap and why banks just zero out fees instead Treating credit cards like debit cards — the prerequisite for playing Referral bonuses and spouse "two-player mode" A sample card-opening sequence Stacking recurring benefits across multiple cards (travel credits, Uber Eats, hotel credits, free-night certs) How multiple open cards can actually help your credit score What to do with cards after separating: keep, downgrade, or close Real UMC3 success stories, including large SCRA refunds Resources Mentioned Top card list: militarymoneymanual.com/cards Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course: militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 MLA database check: militarymoneymanual.com/mla-database Episode 215: "Military Spouse Credit Cards: 4 Myths Debunked" with The Military Travelers Instagram: @militarymoneymanual Email: podcast@militarymoneymanual.com For Bilt MLA waivers: support@cardless.com Advertiser Disclosure: This video may contain links through which we are compensated when you click on or are approved for offers. The information in this video was not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. All opinions, analyses, and recommendations are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain. Military Money Manual may receive compensation from JPMC. 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 24,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free, Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual. Offers may be expired: Offers, rates, fees, and benefits are subject to change and may have ended since this video was published — please verify the current terms on the issuer's official website before applying. Terms apply, and all cards are subject to credit approval. Any comments below are from individual users and are not provided, reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any issuer.
July 13 · 32 min
"What If You Had to Start Over?" Brand New Military Officer and Enlisted Advice #237
If Spencer commissioned today, at 22 years old with everything he learned from 12 years on active duty, what would he actually do with his money? A listener on Instagram asked exactly that, and this episode is the answer: a 13-point playbook for brand new officers and enlisted servicemembers, from your first bank account to the books that will shape your investing philosophy. Plus why "borrow the Career Starter loan and invest it" is less of a no-brainer than the internet claims, and why achieving financial independence might be the worst thing that ever happens to you. Questions Answered If you were starting over as a new military officer, what would you do differently? Should you take the Career Starter loan and invest it? How much should a new servicemember contribute to the Roth TSP? Which lifecycle fund should you pick when you first create your TSP account? How big should your emergency fund be when you're just getting started? How do you change your state of legal residency to a no income tax state? What savings rate is reasonable without sacrificing your 20s? Whose financial advice can you actually trust as a new servicemember? What books should every new officer or enlisted member read? Main Topics Covered The 5-step quick start: military-friendly bank, emergency fund in a HYSA, 5% into Roth TSP, pay off debt, build your savings rate Everybody has an angle: how to filter advice from senior NCOs, Facebook TSP-timing groups, and finance influencers (including Spencer's own credit card affiliate incentive) Why "you gotta buy real estate every PCS" advice may not survive 6-7% interest rates Career Starter loan math: borrowing and investing $36,000 vs. just investing the payments, over 5 years and 40 years Roth TSP setup, the 24-month wait for the 5% match, and the Lifecycle 2075 fund Opening a Roth IRA at Schwab, Fidelity, or Vanguard and starting with VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) LADS investing: low-cost, automated, diversified, simple, and why bonds can wait until your 40s Emergency fund milestones: $1,000, then $5,000, then $10,000 Changing your state of legal residency with DD Form 2058, the 8 no income tax states, and home of record vs. state of legal residency Sustainable savings rates: the ski trip Spencer still regrets skipping as a lieutenant Why financial independence can leave you lost if you sacrifice relationships and experiences to get there Turning your commute into a financial education with podcasts and audiobooks The military financial order of operations, step by step Books Mentioned The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom by Spencer Reese (Amazon or shop.militarymoneymanual.com) I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John Bogle A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel Die With Zero by Bill Perkins Money for Couples by Ramit Sethi Resources Mentioned Free Ultimate Military Investing Course: militarymoneymanual.com Military Financial Order of Operations: militarymoneymanual.com/foo r/MilitaryFinance on Reddit (50,000+ members) and the Military Money 101 prime directive flowchart TSP: tsp.gov myPay for TSP contributions and LES DD Form 2058 (change of state of legal residency) Military-friendly banks: USAA, Navy Federal Credit Union, PenFed 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 24,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free, Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.
July 6 · 42 min
Stop Overpaying for Flights: How to Get Refunds & Upgrades After You Book | with Sam Hollander of Autopilot #236
The person next to you probably paid less for their seat than you did — and you'll never know it. Spencer talks with Sam Hollander, founder of Autopilot (withautopilot.com), about the overlooked art of saving money after you've already booked. Since U.S. airlines killed change fees, you can claw back cash every time your fare drops and snag last-minute premium-cabin upgrades for a fraction of the sticker price. Sam breaks down how to automate all of it, which tools every points-and-miles traveler should be using, and why free elite upgrades are quietly disappearing in 2026. Questions Asked What is Autopilot, and how does it save travelers money after booking? Are you canceling and rebooking the ticket, or filing a claim for the fare difference? What happens if the price drops multiple times? Does this work on codeshare flights? What do you need to share with Autopilot to get started? Does it work if you book with points or miles? How does the pricing and success-fee model work? How do the upgrade-offer alerts work, and do you recommend a bid amount? Do you need a credit card on file for the free tier? What travel tools are you using besides Autopilot? What's most exciting to you in the travel space right now? In 2026, with airlines selling most premium seats, what actually works to get up front? Where can people find you and follow what you're building? Main Topics Covered How the post-COVID end of change fees created the opening for Autopilot Lowest Fare Guarantee: automatic refunds when your booked fare drops $20+ Automation as a money philosophy — low-cost, automated, diversified, simple Importing trips via Gmail sync, email forwarding, or confirmation code Free tier vs. 25% success fee vs. $9.99/mo Pro plan Upgrade-offer bidding and how to judge whether an upgrade is worth it Why 2026 airlines are pulling back on free elite upgrades Day-of-departure price drops and pricing anomalies (business cheaper than premium economy) Best days to book and fly, and why "book now" beats waiting Building Alaska/Atmos Rewards miles through Bilt Autopilot's new hotel repricing feature Resources Mentioned Autopilot (withautopilot.com) MLA & SCRA fee waivers Google Flights (https://www.google.com/travel/flights) Seats.aero (https://seats.aero/) PointsYeah (https://www.pointsyeah.com/landing) ExpertFlyer (https://www.expertflyer.com/) CardPointers (https://cardpointers.com/) Travel Freely (https://travelfreely.com/) Max Rewards (https://maxrewards.com/) Flighty (https://flighty.com/) Bilt Rewards (https://www.bilt.com/) BofA Atmos Rewards Summit card Sam Hollander on X @samhollander_ https://www.withautopilot.com/ Advertiser Disclosure: This video may contain links through which we are compensated when you click on or are approved for offers. The information in this video was not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. All opinions, analyses, and recommendations are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain. Military Money Manual may receive compensation from JPMC. 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 24,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free, Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual. Offers may be expired: Offers, rates, fees, and benefits are subject to change and may have ended since this video was published — please verify the current terms on the issuer's official website before applying. Terms apply, and all cards are subject to credit approval. Any comments below are from individual users and are not provided, reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any issuer.
June 30 · 42 min
How to Use Your VA Disability, GI Bill & Healthcare Benefits While Living Overseas | Conversation with Fiscal Foxhole #235
Advertiser Disclosure: This video may contain links through which we are compensated when you click on or are approved for offers. The information in this video was not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. All opinions, analyses, and recommendations are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain. Military Money Manual may receive compensation from JPMC. Spencer joins the Foxhole to talk about something most veteran benefit conversations skip: what happens when you take those benefits outside the United States. A former Air Force C-17 pilot now living in New Zealand, Spencer shares hard-won lessons on collecting VA compensation abroad, navigating overseas healthcare, stretching the GI Bill, and the realities of immigration and quality of life beyond the U.S. border. Topics Covered Spencer's background: Air Force ROTC, flying the C-17 for 10 of 12 active-duty years, and leaving at the 12-year mark without a 20-year pension How militarymoneymanual.com started and the military's unique investing culture The TSP, Roth IRA, and the "triple tax benefit" of contributing while deployed in a combat zone Collecting VA disability compensation anywhere in the world via direct deposit and foreign bank accounts Using the Wise app for low-cost currency conversion and multi-currency accounts (vs. the old daily-ATM-withdrawal trick) The limits of VA healthcare overseas and the frustrations of scheduling from abroad Using AI tools and VA chatbots to help with disability claims (and a caution about predatory claim firms) GI Bill benefits at overseas universities, including OCONUS BAH and host-country student stipends What healthcare actually costs abroad: New Zealand's public/private systems, plus cash-pay care in Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam Residency and immigration pathways: EU citizenship by ancestry, New Zealand's investor visa, marriage, the student-visa route, and Germany for retired U.S. military The case for trying before committing: rent an Airbnb and live somewhere for a month or two first Quality of life abroad vs. the U.S. — social safety nets, lower "hustle culture," and Spencer's observations on trust and anxiety back home Resources Mentioned Military Money Manual community app — launching in beta; coming to the Apple App Store and Google Play Instagram — @militarymoneymanual Wise app — currency conversion and multi-currency banking The Military Guide to Early Retirement and Financial Independence by Doug Nordman The Military Wallet by Ryan Guina The Golden Albatross by Grumpus Maximus — on evaluating defined-benefit pension "cliffs" Bogleheads — the simple, low-cost, automated investing philosophy Spencer follows va.gov and the VA mobile app — for tracking claims and updating your address GI Bill — Chapter 33 vs. Chapter 35 considerations for overseas study TSP, Roth IRA, USAA — referenced throughout ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) — New Zealand's no-fault accident coverage 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 24,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free, Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual. Offers may be expired: Offers, rates, fees, and benefits are subject to change and may have ended since this video was published — please verify the current terms on the issuer's official website before applying. Terms apply, and all cards are subject to credit approval. Any comments below are from individual users and are not provided, reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any issuer.
June 22 · 44 min
How to Travel for Free (Without Going Into Debt) | Fiscal Clinician #234
Spencer Reese has earned over $100,000 in travel rewards — booked a $27,000 first-class flight to Tokyo, a $1,700/night Ritz Carlton bungalow, and flew his parents to Italy in business class — all for nearly nothing. In this crossover episode with The Fiscal Clinician, Spencer breaks down how credit card points actually work, what the industry doesn't want you to know, and the financial foundation you must have before playing the game. Topics Covered The Biggest Credit Card Lie — Why spending alone will never fund your vacations, and why the welcome bonus is where the real value is Credit Score vs. Net Worth — Why obsessing over your credit score is a distraction from actual wealth building Financial Prerequisites — The non-negotiables (emergency fund, 401k match, debt-free except mortgage) you need before touching travel rewards The Anti-Budget Strategy — Pay yourself first, automate savings, then spend whatever's left Tracking Your Spending — How to use AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini) or apps to categorize your transactions and find spending blind spots Welcome Bonuses vs. Spend Multipliers — Where points actually come from and which matters more Redeeming Points — Cash back, travel portals, and transfer partners (and why transfer partners win) Points Inflation & Devaluations — Why you should earn and burn, not hoard Beginner Credit Card Strategy — 1, 2, and 3 card recommendations for different lifestyles Travel Insurance Benefits — The underrated perks hiding in your Chase Sapphire Preferred (car rental coverage, trip delay, and more) Downgrading vs. Canceling Cards — How to protect your credit score when a card no longer serves you Military-Specific Advantages — Annual fee waivers and why the strategy shifts for active duty members Student Loans & Credit Cards — When it's okay to dip a toe in even with six-figure debt Resources & Tools Mentioned The Fiscal Clinician Podcast — https://thefiscalclinician.com Financial freedom for healthcare professionals, hosted by Josh Sheen DPT doctorofcredit.com — https://doctorofcredit.com Best resource for tracking current credit card welcome bonus offers Travel Freely App — Tracks your cards, annual fee due dates, and helps you decide when to keep, downgrade, or cancel (built by Zach) Monarch Money — Spencer's go-to spending tracker YNAB (You Need A Budget) — Popular budgeting app Every Dollar — Dave Ramsey's budgeting app Claude / ChatGPT / Gemini — AI tools for categorizing exported transaction data and visualizing spending Books Mentioned The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey — Recommended for debt payoff motivation and the gazelle intensity framework Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor — The behavioral book behind Spencer's "create the environment to thrive" philosophy 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 22,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free, Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.
June 15 · 54 min
Deployment Money & Survival Guide for Military Spouses | Wives of the Armed Forces #233
Spencer sits down with Jen from Wives of the Armed Forces to talk about the real side of deployment no one prepares you for: how to build your support system, spend money without guilt, avoid resentment, and actually come out the other side stronger as a couple and a family. Topics Covered The Two Deployment Mindsets — Grind mode vs. survival mode, and how to figure out which one fits your season Giving Yourself 24 Hours — Why you need to sit in the hard feelings before jumping into action mode Buying Back Your Time — House cleaners, grocery delivery, nannies, and why paid help is sometimes the smartest financial decision you can make Combat Zone Tax Exclusion — How a deployment can increase take-home pay and where that extra money should go Per Diem Conversations — How to have the "how much of this is yours vs. ours" talk before resentment builds up The Slam Clicker Problem — Balancing crew culture and going out with budgeting as a team Leaning on Neighbors — Why asking for help actually builds stronger relationships, and how to get comfortable saying yes Reserve vs. Active Duty Deployment Differences — How the experience differs and how to tap into the broader civilian community for support On-Base Resources — MWR childcare hours for deployed families, on-base playgrounds, and the new children's museum at JBLM Give Parents a Break (GPAB) — $40/month per child in childcare support for families with a deployed service member SGLI and VRED — Making sure life insurance is maxed ($500K) and all documents are copied before departure TRICARE Changes on Activation — How Reserve TRICARE costs drop when a service member activates MLA Database & Credit Card Fee Waivers — Step-by-step: how to check eligibility and apply for annual fee waivers on Amex, Chase, Citi, US Bank, and Bank of America cards SCRA Benefits — How to get annual fees waived on cards opened before active duty, including the Capital One Venture X timing trick The Monthly Money Meeting — Ramit Sethi's approach to keeping finances connected across the distance Lifestyle Inflation — Why income level doesn't determine financial health, and the trap of spending expanding to match earnings Freezer Meal Strategy — How Jen prepped 32 meals for under $2.50 each to avoid convenience food spending during solo parenting Military Spouses as CFO — Reframing the home front role as a financial contribution, not just a sacrifice Resources & Tools Mentioned wivesofthearmedforces.com — Community, blog, and Instagram for military spouses; free deployment checklist available (search "Wives of the Armed Forces deployment checklist") Military OneSource — Benefits, counseling, and support resources for military families care.com — Vetted nanny and caregiver search; free or discounted for military families Walmart Plus — Grocery delivery; Amex Platinum travel credit can cover the membership Rocket Money — Budgeting and spending tracker (Jen's go-to for daily financial check-ins) MLA Database (DMDC) — Search "MLA database single record search" to check eligibility for credit card annual fee waivers militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 — Free Ultimate Military Credit Cards course covering MLA and SCRA fee waivers shop.militarymoneymanual.com — The Military Money Manual book (use code PODCAST for a discount) Books Mentioned Money for Couples by Ramit Sethi — How to have productive money conversations as a team; includes the monthly money meeting framework The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman — Relationship exercises that work great done remotely during deployment Find Jen and the Wives of the Armed Forces community on Instagram and Facebook. Download their free deployment checklist at their website. 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 22,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free, Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual. 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 22,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free, Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.
June 8 · 47 min
PCS Season Payoff: How Military Families Turn Moving Expenses Into Free Vacations #232
20,000 Dollars, 4 Cards, 400,000 Points. Spencer Reese of the Military Money Manual podcast sits down with Taryn from The Military Travelers to break down how military families can turn PCS moving expenses into free travel — without spending a single extra dollar. From sign-up bonuses to Hyatt Globalist status, this episode is packed with practical strategies for the upcoming PCS season. Topics Covered PCS Season Spending Strategy — Why PCS moves generate $10,000–$20,000+ in spendable expenses and how to redirect that spend to hit credit card sign-up bonuses GTC vs. Personal Cards — The frustrating reality of the Government Travel Card and why (for most branches) personal cards make more sense Branch-Specific Rules — Important caveats for Navy families and other branches regarding on-post lodging forms and card usage policies The Math of Points — Why putting PCS spend on one existing card (like the Amex Platinum at 1X) leaves massive value on the table compared to opening new cards Business Cards for Military Families — How a PPM qualifies you as a sole proprietor, why business cards don't hit your personal credit report, and how the Chase 5/24 rule makes them essential for bigger families Current Elevated Offers — Hot cards highlighted: Chase Sapphire Reserve (150K points), Atmos Summit (100K points + 3X on foreign transactions), United Club, Marriott Brilliant, Hilton Aspire, and Delta Reserve TLE Maximization — Using all 21 days of Temporary Lodging Expense, loyalty numbers, and stacking hotel promos during your move Hyatt Globalist Corporate Challenge — How a .mil email address unlocks Globalist status after 20 nights in 90 days (valid through February 2028) Multiple Cards Strategy — Holding multiple Hilton Aspires and Chase Sapphire Reserves, and the tip to align annual free night certificate expiration dates Military Spouse Eligibility — A reminder that spouses are fully eligible for annual fee waivers under MLA/SCRA Resources Mentioned The Military Travelers — themilitarytravelers.com | Facebook Group: "The Military Travelers" | Instagram: @themilitarytravelers Travel Freely (travelfreely.net) — Zach's beginner's guide to business cards and sole proprietor applications IRS EIN Application — Free Employer Identification Number at irs.gov (2-minute online form) Hyatt Globalist Corporate Challenge — Search "Hyatt Globalist Corporate Challenge" and enroll with a .mil email 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 22,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free, Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 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. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.
June 1 · 43 min
Coast Guard Academy Graduation Talk: Money Playbook for New Military Officers #231
Most new officers will blow their first paycheck on too much car, too much apartment, or too much wedding. Don't be most officers. This episode is your 60-minute shortcut to building wealth, freedom, and financial confidence from the moment you commission. Host Joe Brown of Always Ready Financial Planning sits down with Spencer Reese (Military Money Manual) and Rob Shaye (Institute for Leadership / Fireside Finances) to deliver a financial fast-start guide for newly commissioned officers. The conversation covers everything from compound interest to avoiding the biggest wealth killers in military life — and why getting the basics right early beats chasing shortcuts forever Topics Covered Why Personal Finance Can't Wait — The cost of delaying good money habits and why commissioning is the perfect moment to get the vector right The Power of Compound Interest — How $500/month invested over 40 years at 10% can grow to $3 million, and what that means for your 30s and 40s, not just retirement Financial Discipline as Leadership — Why money stress is a distraction from leading your people, and how a clean financial house makes you a more present and effective officer The #1 Wealth Killer: Too Much Car — Why junior officers buy more car than they should, and how delaying that purchase by a few years changes everything The Three Biggest Wealth Destroyers — Expensive cars, oversized apartments, and fast weddings that end in divorce TSP Basics Done Right — Start contributing immediately, bump it to 10–15%, and put it in the Lifecycle Fund (L2070/L2075) — then mostly leave it alone Roth TSP vs. Roth IRA — Why the Roth accounts are the right choice for most junior officers, especially given the tax-free housing and sustenance allowances Combat Zone Tax Exclusion (CZTE) — The "triple tax advantage" of contributing tax-free combat pay into Roth accounts that grow and distribute tax-free Avoiding TSP Get-Rich-Quick Distractions — Day trading the TSP, Robinhood accounts, and newsletter schemes: why consistent singles beat swinging for the fences Business Cards & Business Cards — Why 90% of active fund managers can't beat index funds over 10–20 years, and why you don't need to either Post-9/11 GI Bill Strategy — How to transfer the GI Bill to dependents, why timing matters, and why it can be worth $400,000–$500,000 if handled correctly Military Grad School — Going to graduate school while still getting paid and preserving your GI Bill for your family Living Like the Rank Below You — The "live like an O-2 when you're an O-3" mindset and how each promotion is an investment opportunity Time as Wealth — The concept of being a "time billionaire" and balancing saving with creating memories in your 20s and 30s Resources Mentioned Related Military Money Manual Podcast episodes — Episode 132 (financial guide for new officers) and Episode 2 (deep dive on the TSP); available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon TSP Lifecycle Funds — tsp.gov (L2070 or L2075 recommended for the Class of 2026) Always Ready Financial Planning — alwaysreadyfp.com | joe@alwaysreadyfp.com Fireside Finances (Rob Shaye) — rob@firesidefinances.com | LinkedIn: Robert Shaye Military OneSource — militaryonesource.mil (general military financial resources) Spencer Reese — spencer@militarymoneymanual.com | Instagram: @militarymoneymanual 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 22,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free, Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 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. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.
May 25 · 55 min
Travel for Free with Jason Steele #230
Jason Steele hasn't paid for a flight or hotel in 20 years — and he has a family of five. In this episode, the credit card expert, Card Con founder, and author of Travel for Free breaks down exactly how military service members can build a sustainable points and miles strategy, avoid the money traps that sink young service members, and why the best card s help you travel for free. Spencer Reese sits down with Jason — a freelance credit card expert, founder of Card Con, and author of Travel for Free — to talk travel, military credit card benefits, and building a sustainable points strategy. Topics Discussed How Jason got into Points & Miles consulting — after years of writing about award travel, people kept asking him to just tell them what to do; he turned that demand into a consulting practice What makes a great consultation client — financially responsible, pays statement balances in full, has some flexibility with cards, and is genuinely excited about travel Sustainable travel engineering over a military career — opening one card per year per spouse = up to 40 cards over a 20-year career with no annual fees and millions of points American Express and military fee waivers — Amex tends to be the most accessible issuer for young active duty members; Jason's own daughter (USAF Academy cadet) was immediately approved for the Platinum card The biggest financial mistake young service members make — buying too much car too early; the Hellcat in the parking lot vs. the Corolla driven by the commander Brokerage accounts vs. credit card rewards — a brief nod to the value of flexibility in personal finance, mirroring themes from other episodes Managing multiple credit cards — auto pay, spreadsheets, and apps like Card Pointers; focus on big-win credits first (Chase Sapphire Reserve $300 travel credit, Hilton free night certs) before chasing $7 Dunkin credits Amex Platinum airline credit — buy refundable Southwest tickets under $100, cancel within 24 hours; the credit triggers and the refund posts Redeeming points for others — using miles to fly family members to visit you overseas; points can be redeemed in anyone's name at no extra cost Best sweet spots mentioned — ANA (All Nippon Airways) miles for business class to Japan and Africa; United Polaris via Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer; Southwest companion pass Jason's book, Travel for Free — written for beginner to intermediate award travelers; includes personal stories, client case studies, and travel "recipes" (reusable booking frameworks for common trip types) The "how much would you travel if it were free?" question — Jason's framing for why this hobby is worth building Resources Mentioned JasonSteele.com https://jasonsteele.com— book a free 50-minute award travel consultation; link to Travel for Free Travel for Free: How to Use Points and Miles to See the World — available on Amazon Card Con https://jasonsteele.com— Jason's annual conference for credit card media professionals Card Pointers https://cardpointers.com/military— app for tracking credit card benefits and coupon book credits (military discount available) Chicago Seminars & Frequent Travel University — large conventions for award travel enthusiasts Slick Deals, Nav, SoFi — outlets where Jason currently publishes points valuations and credit card content Military Money Manual Podcast Ep. 217 — Jared Mausi flying his mom to Rome in business class using points 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 22,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free, Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ 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. Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.
May 18 · 48 min
Rob Moore on Roth IRA Conversion Ladders to Fund Early Retirement #229
What if you could retire from the military at 50, bridge a decade of income, and pay less in taxes than you ever expected? It sounds too good to be true — but it's written right into the tax code. Spencer and Rob walk through exactly how a Roth conversion ladder works, who it's built for, and whether a simple brokerage account might actually beat it. Spencer Reese interviews Rob Moore, Army veteran, CFP candidate, and founder of Everman Wealth and Prosperity. Topics Discussed What a Roth Conversion Ladder is — moving funds from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA each year before military retirement to create penalty-free supplemental income during the bridge period between military retirement and age 59½ Who it's for — service members retiring before 59½ who need to bridge their income gap, and those in the FIRE community with lower taxable income Contribution vs. Conversion — contributions can be withdrawn penalty/tax-free anytime; conversions require a five-year waiting period per conversion year The Five-Year Rule — each conversion starts its own five-year clock on January 1st of the conversion year; after five years, the converted amount can be withdrawn penalty and tax-free TSP limitations — Roth conversion ladders live entirely in the IRA universe; TSP rules are different and don't qualify (though the new TSP Roth conversion feature, live in 2026, is noted as a separate benefit) Practical example — a service member at age 49, five years from retirement, converts $20,000/year; at retirement (age 54), the first conversion is available penalty/tax-free, with each subsequent year unlocking the next rung Alternatives to the Roth ladder: Rule 72(t) / SEPP — rigid but allows early retirement account access Rule of 55 — penalty-free TSP access if retiring in the year you turn 55 Taxable brokerage account — flexible, no rules, and often more tax-efficient than people assume Brokerage vs. tax-deferred comparison — Rob's case study on a retiring O-5 showed the brokerage account came out ~$13,000 ahead in aggregate taxes over 16 years vs. a Roth conversion ladder strategy Tax bracket inflation adjustment — a reminder that brackets adjust for inflation, so projecting future RMD tax burden in today's dollar terms overstates the hit Backdoor Roth contributions — briefly mentioned as an option for those without existing traditional IRA funds; subject to the same five-year conversion rule and annual limits ($7,500/person, $15,000/couple in 2026) Resources Mentioned Fiscal Foxhole Podcast https://www.instagram.com/fiscalfoxhole— co-hosted by Rob Moore and Oman Quavo; available on all major podcast platforms Everman Wealth and Prosperity https://www.prosperwitheverman.com/— Rob's financial planning firm (Northern Virginia, fee-only) How Tax-Advantaged is Tax-Deferred? https://www.prosperwitheverman.com/podcastarticles/how-tax-advantaged-is-tax-deferred— Rob's article comparing brokerage vs. tax-deferred retirement savings Moneychimp.com http://www.moneychimp.com — simple compound interest/tax calculator mentioned by Spencer Military Money Manual Podcast Ep. 216 — prior interview with Oman Quavo Military Money Manual Podcast Ep. 162 — backdoor Roth IRA deep dive with Brian Alf O'Neill of Winged Wealth 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 22,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free, Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ 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. Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.
May 11 · 15 min
Save Aggressively, Retire Optionally | 5 Minute Military Money 10/10 #228
Episode 10: Save for Rapid Financial Independence — (10-part series finale) Jamie and Spencer close out their beginner-friendly 10-step series with the final move: saving aggressively to fast-track financial independence (FI). Topics Covered Quick recap of all 10 steps in the series (from getting the 5% Roth TSP match → building a life you want → saving enough to rapidly achieve FI) What financial independence actually means: living off your accumulated assets The 4% safe withdrawal rate and the Trinity Study (1998), pioneered by Bill Bengen How savings rate dictates years to FI: 2% → 85 yrs, 10% → 50 yrs, 15% → 41 yrs, 20% → 36 yrs, 30% → 25 yrs, 40% → 20 yrs, 50% → 17 yrs FI as optionality, not forced retirement — career flexibility, caregiving, sabbaticals, starting a business, going back to school Stat: 58% of people retire sooner than planned (health, job loss, organizational changes, unhappiness) Why not to rely solely on Social Security Military-specific advantages: low expenses on deployment, tax breaks, and stacking VA disability + pension on top of personal savings Avoiding lifestyle inflation as income grows Resources Mentioned Savings-rate-to-years-of-work chart — page 35 of Spencer's book The Military Money Manual Trinity Study, Journal of Financial Planning (1998) — Bill Bengen's 4% rule Instagram: @MilitaryMoneyManual Email: podcast@militarymoneymanual.com 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 22,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free, Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ 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. Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.
May 4 · 11 min
Build the Life You Want, Then Save for It. 5 Minute Military Money 9/10 #227
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: Why high savers can lose sight of why they're saving and fall into a "scarcity mindset" The danger of grinding toward a 20-year retirement without enjoying the journey along the way How Spencer and Jamie made the deliberate choice to spend above BAH in Hawaii — and why it was worth it The concept of Coast FI: once you've saved enough, dialing back from a 40% to a 30% savings rate may only push your FI date back by a year The transition from scarcity to abundance mindset — and why you'll inevitably spend money on things that don't bring you joy (and why that's okay) How to "test" big splurges before retirement: try the business class upgrade once, see if it's worth it to you Why spending on experiences now is an investment in understanding what actually makes you happy Don't wait until 55 or 75 to enjoy your money — build the life you want intentionally, on the way to FI Resources mentioned: The Golden Albatross by Grumpus Maximus (book on cliff-vested military pensions) 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 22,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free, Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ 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. Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.
April 27 · 9 min
Max Out Your Roth TSP | 5 Minute Military Money 8/10 #226
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 — not a year-one expectation. Topics covered: The 2025 Roth TSP contribution limit is $23,500 (Spencer's projection for 2026: ~$24,500) Why BRS participants need to spread contributions across all 12 months to get the full match How deployed servicemembers in a Combat Zone Tax Exclusion (CZTE) area can contribute above the standard limit The triple tax benefit: BAH and BAS are untaxed allowances, Roth contributions grow tax-free, and qualified withdrawals after 59½ are tax-free What maxing looks like in practice: ~49% of base pay for an E-5 over 6, ~28% for an O-3 over 4 Why this is an "advanced" step — most Americans barely save 5% for retirement It's okay to save 20% instead of maxing out — you're just pushing your FI date back Annual contribution limits are use-it-or-lose-it — you can't recover last year's unused space Why starting early matters more than the amount, thanks to compounding Spencer's TSP max contribution chart by rank and time in service Resources mentioned: tsp.gov (to confirm current year contribution limits) militarymoneymanual.com/tsp Military Money Manual TSP max contribution chart by rank and time in service Past episodes covering TSP contributions in Combat Zone Tax Exclusion (CZTE) areas 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 at militarymoneymanual.com/mentor. Over 22,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. In the course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5-star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual. 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.
April 20 · 10 min
Open Your Roth IRA, Invest in a Total Stock Market Index Fund | 5 Minute Military Money 7/10 #225
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, Diversified, Simple) beats stock picking and why Roth almost always wins for military pay. Topics covered: Why to open a Roth IRA at one of the big three: Vanguard, Fidelity, or Schwab Total stock market index fund options: VTI, SCHB, FZROX, VTSAX, VT Spencer's LADS method: Low-cost, Automated, Diversified, Simple How low fees compound — 3 cents per $100 vs. high-load funds from military-targeted advisors Buying the haystack instead of hunting for the needle (you already owned Nvidia a decade ago) Mutual funds vs. ETFs — why the difference doesn't matter for most investors Recreating a total US stock market in the TSP with 80% C Fund / 20% S Fund How the Roth IRA is a separate bucket from the Roth TSP — both have their own contribution limits Why Roth (pay taxes now) beats Traditional for most military families with low effective tax rates The narrow edge cases where Traditional might make sense (O-5+ doctors, some dual-military couples) Spencer's effective tax rate as a pilot and major was under 10% — often under 5% Resources mentioned: Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab (Roth IRA providers) VTI — Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund SCHB — Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund FZROX — Fidelity Total Stock Market Index Fund VTSAX — Vanguard Total Stock Market mutual fund tsp.gov (for current contribution limits) Bogleheads forum (for the mutual fund vs. ETF deep dive) 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 at militarymoneymanual.com/mentor. Over 22,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. In the course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5-star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual. 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.
April 13 · 5 min
Build Your Emergency Fund | 5 Minute Military Money 6/10 #224
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 partner's comfort level, and why this money is insurance — not an investment. Topics covered: Why three months of expenses is a solid starting point for most military families The SWAN number concept — your emergency fund should let you sleep at night If you and your partner disagree on the amount, default to whoever wants more Emergency funds turn emergencies into inconveniences This is savings, not an investment — you can't afford for it to go down in a market dip Adjusting your emergency fund for PCS season or military separation Your budget may reveal expenses you don't actually value (streaming subscriptions, etc.) Keep your emergency fund in a separate account, completely earmarked from other money Resources mentioned: Military Emergency Fund Q&A — Military Money Manual Podcast Episode 51 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 at militarymoneymanual.com/mentor. Over 22,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. In the course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5-star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.
April 6 · 10 min
Pay Off High-Interest Rate Debt | 5 Minute Military Money 5/10 #223
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 if you're overwhelmed. Topics covered: Why non-asset-backed debt (credit cards, auto loans, student loans) is working against you The 5-6% interest rate threshold for "high interest" vs. "low interest" debt Why Spencer has become more debt-averse over time — even toward low-interest career starter loans The emotional and psychological weight of debt, and how paying it off changed both hosts' financial trajectories Scarcity mindset vs. abundance mentality — and why you might need a temporary scarcity mindset to get out of debt Ways to increase income in the military: spouse employment, side hustles, DoorDash, garage sales, Facebook Marketplace Debt affects all ranks and all ages — don't let embarrassment keep you from getting help Resources mentioned: The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey (available on Libby app and base libraries) Financial Peace University (Dave Ramsey) Dave Ramsey's 7 Baby Steps — Military Money Manual Podcast Episode 135 How to Get Out of Debt in the Military — Episode 14 Spencer & Jamie's Debt Stories — Episode 15 On-base financial counseling services (accredited financial counselors) Military OneSource (text, chat, phone, video counseling) Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Coaching sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5-star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops. 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. 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 22,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free, Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.
March 30 · 5 min
Budget for the "Four Walls" | Food, Utilities, Shelter, Transportation: 5 Minute Military Money 4/10 #222
_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> 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 best, why tracking spending matters, and how to avoid the biggest financial trap in the military—buying too much car. _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> Create a Realistic Budget _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> Focus on the Four Walls first: Food Utilities Shelter (rent/housing) Transportation _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> Then track: Other necessary expenses Discretionary spending Where money is actually going _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> Recommended Apps: Monarch Money - $100/year (Spencer's current choice, replaced Mint.com) YNAB (You Need A Budget) - $109/year (Jamie's choice) Google Sheets or Excel - Free (works fine for beginners) Pen and paper - Free (better than nothing) _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> Cash Envelope Method Key Points _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> Military Advantages: Housing usually covered (BAH or base housing) Food access (DFAC for single members) Should be "almost zero situations" where four walls are an issue This frees up money for other goals _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> Biggest Trap: Buying Too Much Car _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> What to Look For _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> The Goal: Align spending with your values—spend on what matters, cut what doesn't _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> Important Reminders _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> Budget = A Plan Not restrictive, just intentional Know what's coming in, what's going out Ensures you're being efficient with money _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> Credit Cards Are NOT the Solution Don't solve overspending with credit cards Credit cards are great tools (right time, right place) Not for covering expenses you can't afford Not for living beyond your means _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> If You're Behind: Focus on four walls FIRST Pay rent, utilities, food, transportation Everything else comes after Create safe, stable environment so you can focus on work/mission _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> Resources _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> Episode 48: Four Ways to Budget a Military Paycheck (deep dive) Monarch Money: monarchmoney.com YNAB: youneedabudget.com Military Money Manual Book: Full budgeting strategies 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 22,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free, Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ 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. Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.
March 23 · 4 min
Save Your $1,000 Emergency Fund: 5 Minute Military Money 3/10 #221
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 accumulation, and turns emergencies into inconveniences. What to Do Save $1,000 Emergency Fund Timeline: $100/week = 10 weeks $250/month = 4 months Where to keep it: High yield savings account (separate from checking) Must be FDIC or NCUA insured Options: Ally, Marcus, Capital One 360, USAA, Navy Federal Key Points Why $1,000? Covers most common emergencies (flat tire, minor repairs, appliance breakdown) Creates mental clarity and breathing room Prevents credit card debt and payday loans Most Americans can't cover $1,000 emergency - don't be one of them The Mental Shift: With $1,000 saved: emergencies become inconveniences, not crises Flat tire = annoying, not catastrophic Unexpected expense = manageable, not panic-inducing Important Notes: This is a starter emergency fund (you'll build bigger later) Okay to temporarily keep at USAA/Navy Federal Must be in separate account from daily spending Don't skip this to invest more Bottom Line: $1,000 emergency fund = financial breathing room. Transforms emergencies from crises into inconveniences. Start saving now. 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 22,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free, Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ 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. Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.