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Which Benefits Are Available to LGB Military Families?

Gay soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have been able to serve openly since September 20th, 2011, when the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy was officially revoked. However, due to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the federal government is barred from recognizing same sex marriages – even if a couple...
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Proposed Defense Budget May Leave Behind Some Military Families

“Personnel cuts aren’t the only cuts in store for military families. Service members also will face increased health care fees, deductibles and co-payments phased in over several years, although the Pentagon didn’t offer specifics. Military-age retirees who make more than $45,179 annually – a pension usually reserved for officers –...
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Full-Time Student on the GI Bill? You Might Be In a Unique Tax Situation

I had someone propose an interesting question to me the other day regarding Tax Returns. The basic question went something like this: “I’m a full-time student on the GI Bill and I have zero income. Should I file a tax return?” My first thought was, “No you have no requirement...
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Proposed Changes in Tricare Prescription Coverage

The following is a guest post provided by Matt Puettmann, content manager at Veterans United Home Loans, the nation’s leading dedicated provider of military family home loans. *** Service for military members is tough regardless of which branch they serve in, and many come back from service with various physical...
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The 9th Wonder of the World

I’ve been told that Albert Einstein stated that compound interest was the 8th wonder of the world. My 6th-grade teacher, Mr. Rast, helped demonstrate that to me more than a few years ago. He asked me if I would prefer $100,000 or one penny doubled every day for a month....
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There Are Really Only Four Ways to Cut Your Taxes

That is right. I said it. There are really only four ways to cut your taxes. When you look at all the things out there, they break down into four different areas. So, let’s take a look at each area and the pluses and minuses. Spend a Dollar to Cut...
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Tax Preparation, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Computer

It’s tax time again, which means the countdown to April 15th is on. According to a recent government survey (reported in Forbes magazine), taxpayers will spend a whopping 6.1 billion hours “complying with the tax code.” If you believe the latest census, that’s the equivalent of every man, woman, and...
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3 Tips to Improve Your Estate Plan

I recently attended a day of continuing education conducted by the National Association of Personal Financial Advisers or NAPFA. About one-half of the day was dedicated to the review of an actual estate settlement and several examples of what is called “Post-Mortem Planning”. To be honest, the scenario probably doesn’t apply...
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Five Tax Tips for Military Families

It’s tax time again, and that means my phone will be ringing with friends who ostensibly want to say “hello” but in reality have a tax question. Sit for the CPA exam and see if you don’t get the same treatment! Being a military family offers some tax advantages, but...
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Veteran’s Guide to Final Arrangements, Part 4: Cemetery Options

You can read Part 1 of the Veterans Guide to Final Arrangements here, Part 2 here, and Part 3 here. National Cemeteries Any veteran who meets the eligibility criteria may be buried in a National Cemetery. The Department of Veterans Affairs maintains 131 National Cemeteries in thirty-nine states (and Puerto...
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