They’re the free programs, services, and support resources available through the military community. From financial counseling and career support to child care assistance and crisis resources, these programs can help families navigate challenges, reduce stress, and avoid costly setbacks. Here are some of the resources every military family should know about.  

Military OneSource – If there’s one resource every military family should bookmark today, it’s Military OneSource. Military OneSource provides free support, expert consultations, and confidential assistance for a wide variety of military life challenges.

• Available services include:
  • Financial counseling and money management support
  • Budget planning assistance
  • Career coaching
  • Relationship resources
  • Parenting support
  • Elder care consultations
  • PCS and transition assistance
  • Confidential non-medical counseling
• Whether you’re creating a budget, preparing for a move, exploring a new career opportunity, or navigating a major life change, Military OneSource can connect you with trusted experts at no cost. 
• Phone: 800-342-9647
• Website: militaryonesource.mil
• Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Financial Emergencies Happen – Even the most carefully planned budget can be impacted by unexpected expenses. A vehicle breaks down. Emergency travel becomes necessary. Housing costs increase unexpectedly. A family emergency arises. Military relief organizations exist to help eligible military families through these situations before financial hardship becomes overwhelming. 

• Army Emergency Relief (AER) – Army Emergency Relief provides financial assistance to eligible Soldiers and their families facing unexpected financial challenges.
  • Website: armyemergencyrelief.org 
• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) – The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society offers financial assistance and educational programs designed to help Sailors, Marines, and their families achieve financial stability.
  • Website: nmcrs.org 
• Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) – The Air Force Aid Society supports Airmen, Guardians, and their families through financial assistance and community support programs. 
  • Website: afas.org
• Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) – Coast Guard Mutual Assistance provides financial and educational support programs for Coast Guard members and their families.
  • Website: cgmahq.org 
• Depending on eligibility and circumstances, assistance may be available for: 
  • Emergency travel
  • Rent or housing expenses
  • Utility bills
  • Vehicle repairs
  • Essential living expenses
  • Disaster-related needs
  • Family emergencies
• Knowing these organizations exist before a crisis occurs can save both money and stress.  

Protect Your Financial Wellness by Supporting Your Mental Wellness – Financial stress rarely exists on its own.  Major life challenges, deployments, relationship challenges, caregiving responsibilities, and mental health concerns can all impact a family’s financial well-being. That’s why military families have access to several free support resources.  

• Military and Family Life Counseling (MFLC) – Military and Family Life Counselors provide free, confidential, non-medical counseling to help military families navigate everyday challenges. 
  • Support is available for: 
    • Stress management
    • Relationship concerns
    • Parenting challenges
    • Deployment-related stress
    • Grief and loss
    • Military transitions
  • Contact your installation’s Military and Family Support Center to learn about available services.
• Installation Behavioral Health Resources – Most military installations offer behavioral health and mental health services through military treatment facilities and support centers. Taking advantage of available resources early can help prevent challenges from becoming larger issues later. 

Career Resources for Military Families – Military families often face career disruptions to PCS moves, deployments, and changing duty assignments.  Fortunately, several military-focused programs exist to help spouses and service members build long-term career success. 

• Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) – The Military Spouse Employment Partnership connects military spouses with employer partners committed to recruiting, hiring, promoting, and retaining military spouse talent.  These employers understand military life and unique challenges military spouses face. 
• SECO Career Center – The Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program provides: 
  • Career coaching
  • Resume assistance
  • Interview preparation
  • Education guidance
  • Employment resources
  • Learn more through Military OneSource. 
• Investing in your career can create long-term financial stability for your family, and these resources are available at no cost. 

Child Care Support for Military Families – Child care is one of the largest expenses many families face.  Military families may be eligible for programs that help connect them with quality care and reduce out-of-pocket costs. 

• Child Care Aware® of America – Child Care Aware of America helps eligible military families access quality child care and fee assistance programs. 
  • Website: childcareaware.org
• MilitaryChildCare.com – MilitaryChildCare.com is the Department of War’s gateway for military-operated and military-subsidized child care programs worldwide. For many families, these programs can provide both financial savings and peace of mind. 
  • Website: militarychildcare.com 

Resources for Veterans – Veterans and their families have access to a wide range of benefits and services through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

• Department of Veterans Affairs
  • The VA offers benefits and services that support Veterans throughout every stage of life, including: 
    • Health care services
    • Mental health care
    • PTSD treatment
    • Telehealth appointments
    • Women’s health services
    • Caregiver support
    • Housing resources
    • Benefits assistance 
  • Phone: 877-222-VETS (8387)
  • Website: va.gov
  • Many Veterans are eligible for programs and services they may not realize are available, making it worthwhile to explore available benefits regularly. 

Save These Numbers Before You Need Them – Some resources are important enough to keep readily available. 

• Veterans Crisis Line – Free, confidential support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who support them. 
  • Call: 988, then Press 1
  • Text: 838255
  • Website: veteranscrisisline.net
• Emergency Services – If someone is in immediate danger or at risk of harming themselves or others: 
  • Call: 911
  • Visit: Your nearest emergency room

A Different Kind of Savings

At My Military Savings, we’re passionate about helping military families save money, but some of the most valuable savings don’t come from coupons, discounts, or cashback offers. They come from knowing where to turn when life becomes challenging. 

The right resource at the right time can help prevent financial hardship, reduce stress, support a career transition, strengthen a family, or provide help during a crisis. Save this guide. Bookmark it. Share it with a fellow military family, because one of the smartest investments you can make isn’t something you buy. It’s knowing how to access the benefits, programs, and support you’ve earned through military service. 

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Military Life & Family!

AT doesn’t just pull you out of your routine. It stretches everything around you: your time, your energy, your budget, your household. If you’re a parent or balancing multiple roles, you feel that stretch immediately.

Every year, I’ve learned to stop pretending I’m going to “wing it” and instead just plan for what I already know is coming. 

Childcare is always the first thing on my mind. Schedules don’t line up the way you want them to. Report times are early, days run long, and field time does not care about your normal routine. Even with a solid plan in place, something always shifts. I’ve gotten to the point where I just expect to need backup options, extended hours, or a last-minute save. The peace of mind alone is worth budgeting for it. 

Then, there’s the reality of being exhausted. During AT, I am not the version of myself who meal preps and makes intentional grocery runs. I’m grabbing coffee, picking up food on the way home, and calling it a win if everyone is fed. Could I try and be more disciplined? Sure. Am I going to after a full day of training? No. So, I stopped pretending and started planning for convenience instead of guilt. 

Uniforms and gear will humble you every single time. You can lay everything out perfectly and still end up needing something: a missing patch, boots that suddenly don’t cut it, or something that disappears at the worst time. I always leave room in my budget for those last-minute fixes because they are not “ifs,” they are “whens.”

Then, there’s the part people don’t always see: the impact on your income and your normal workflow. AT doesn’t always fit neatly into your civilian life. Maybe that means missed opportunities, using PTO, or just a temporary shift in how money is coming in. Even when everything is supportive on paper, it still creates a ripple. I’ve learned to respect that and plan ahead for it instead of being caught off guard. 

At home, everything keeps moving, just without you there to help manage it. If anything, it becomes more expensive. More convenience, more support, more little things that make life easier for the people holding it down while you’re gone. That matters to me. I want my kids to feel stability, not stress, even when my schedule is anything but normal.

Honestly, the part that caught me off guard the most was coming home. No one really talks about that reset. You’re tired, your house needs attention, your routine is off, and you’re jumping right back into real life. I’ve started planning for that too: restocking groceries, giving myself an easy night, catching up on the things that had to wait. It makes the transition feel a lot less overwhelming. 

Annual Training isn’t just about showing up in uniform. It’s about holding your entire life together while you do it. The biggest mindset shift for me has been this: I’m not budgeting to be perfect. I’m budgeting to feel steady. Steady enough to focus on the mission. Steady enough to take care of my kids. Steady enough to not feel blindsided by things I already know are coming, because the truth is…none of this is actually unexpected. We just don’t say it out loud enough. 

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Guard Life! 

If I am being honest, it is also one of the only times I sit down and look at my life in a practical way. Not emotionally. Not aspirational. Just realistically. 

This lifestyle does not give you a lot of room to figure things out later. When things get busy, they get busy fast. And if something is not already handled, it becomes one more thing you are trying to fix when you are already tired. 

So, I do not approach Memorial Day sales like a shopping event.  I treat it like a reset. 

I find myself standing in my kitchen, usually reheating my coffee, thinking through the next few weeks. What do I keep running out of? What do I always end up buying last minute? What stresses me out every single drill weekend that I could have handled ahead of time?

That is where I start, because I am not asking what I want. I am asking what I am going to have to buy anyway.  That shift alone has saved me more money than anything else. 

Living this Guard life means you are constantly transitioning. From civilian work to drill. From mom mode to mission mode. Those transitions are where the cracks show. That is where you realize you are out of something, forgot something, or did not plan as well as you thought you did…and those moments almost always cost more. 

So now, Memorial Day is when I get ahead of that version of me. The tired one. The one packing a bag late at night. The one grabbing whatever is easiest, because there is no time left to think. 

If it touches drill, I think about it now. I pay attention to the things I replace over and over again. The things I’m always scrambling for, and instead of dealing with it later, I handle it while it is on sale.  Not excessively. Just enough to stay ahead. That same mindset carries into everything else. 

I have learned that the real money does not disappear in big purchases. It disappears in the small, constant ones. The extra store runs. The quick orders. The “I will just grab it real quick” moments that add up over time.  So, I look at my everyday life and ask where that is happening. 

It is usually in the basics. Coffee. Snacks. Quick meals. The things that keep everything moving when I do not have time to stop. Buying those intentionally, and usually one place like Amazon, keeps me from making five separate trips during the week when I am already stretched thin. Honestly, it is not just about money. It is about time and mental space too. 

I also take a look at my home, but not in a way that has anything to do with how it looks. I think about how it functions.  If I am constantly dealing with the same frustration every morning, if something is making my routine harder than it needs to be, that is what I fix, because when everything else in life is unpredictable, your home should not be another source of stress. 

Sometimes saving money is not about buying less. It is about buying smarter so you are not replacing the same thing over and over again.  Even clothing falls into that for me now. I am not shopping for new outfits. I am paying attention to what I actually wear when I am tired. What I reach for without thinking. That is what I stick with, because it simplifies one more decision in a day that already has too many. 

At this point, Memorial Day sales are not about getting more.  They are about staying ahead.  They are about setting up the version of me that is about to be pulled in multiple directions and still expected to show up fully in every role.  That version of me is coming whether I prepare for her or not. 

Memorial Day will always be about honoring first. That never changes, but it is also a moment to take care of your life while you are living it. To prepare. To simplify. To remove as many unnecessary stressors as you can before everything speeds back up again…because this life is full. 

So, if I can make it even a little bit easier on myself and my family, I am going to do that. Every single time. 

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Some mornings I promise myself I will just make coffee at home and then somehow I am pulling into a gas station anyway, wishing I had planned ahead with a strong cup from Black Rifle Coffee Company waiting for me instead. 

Nothing crashes. Nothing spirals. It just gets a little chaotic. A little “I will deal with this later.” Then, spring shows up, the weather softens, and I realize it is time for my annual life reset.  Not a full reinvention. I am not waking up at 5 a.m. to journal or suddenly becoming a budgeting influencer. It is more like sitting down with my coffee and having an honest conversation with myself about how the last few months actually went. 

The first thing I do is look back at what drill season really cost us. The extra gas stops. The convenience meals after long weekends. The small purchases that felt completely deserved in the moment because sometimes you just need life to be easier for five minutes. I do not shame myself for any of it. Winter is the survival season. I just take notice because awareness is where better habits start. 

Then, I switch from reactive mode to prepared mode. I start planning for drill weekends instead of winging them. I stock up on freezer meals when sales hit, because Sunday evenings are not the time for ambitious cooking plans. Sometimes that means keeping simple meal options from Home Chef on hand so dinner is already decided before I even walk through the door. I actually check rewards apps before grocery shopping and make sure I am using military savings programs instead of remembering them halfway home. 

Spring is also when I reset the practical side of my Guard life.  Uniforms get properly checked. I reorganize my gear and inevitably find something I almost repurchased because I thought it disappeared into the void. Replacing things calmly is always cheaper than replacing them in a panic.  After that, I zoom out and look at the bigger picture. 

Are we still moving toward our savings goals? Did winter utilities quietly attack our budget? What do we need to adjust before Annual Training sneaks up on us? Writing everything down helps me see patterns instead of stress, so I sit with my planner and map out the next few months. Lately, my planner has become part budgeting tool, part life checkpoint, and part reminder that I am actually doing better than I think. 

Guard life has its own financial rhythm, and pretending every month looks the same just does not work. This seasonal reset helps me feel in control again instead of constantly trying to catch up with life. 

What I have learned is that financial organization is not about perfection. It is about maintenance. Small resets. Gentle course corrections. Giving yourself credit for managing a lot while still choosing to be intentional. 

Spring, for me, is less about fixing mistakes and more about setting future me up for success. I stock easy snacks, toss a few Liquid I.V. packets into my bag for drill because hydration somehow becomes optional when weekends get busy, and try to remove as many small stressors as possible before they start. When there is a peace of mind, a stocked freezer, and knowing drill weekend is already planned out? That is the kind of luxury I actually want now. Oh yeah…I will probably still buy the occasional gas station caffeine. It’s about growth, and not perfection.

Find Out More with My Military Lifestyle and Guard Life!

Either way, you’re still showing up with a gift in hand and probably a little glitter on your uniform. So, if you’re staring at your exchange name thinking, “What do I even get for this person?” I’ve got you covered.

Caffeine is the Love Language

Across the Guard, we’ve all got our caffeines of choice. Your MPs are rolling in with Monsters, Ghosts, and probably a Zyn pack or two. Meanwhile, your PAO are sipping Starbucks or Dutch Bros like it’s a lifestyle.

You can’t go wrong with a fun mug, a pack of someone’s go-to energy drink, or even a little “drill fuel” basket. Check your local Exchange for Starbucks gift sets or energy drink bundles, or browse the Commissary’s holiday deals for some festive finds.

Because whether it’s caffeine, chaos, or both, it’s basically how we function.

Tactical Stocking Stuffers

We all know that one person who’s always losing their flashlight. Nothing says “I care about you, battle” quite like a multitool, a Gerber, or another knife. Because can you really ever have too many?

You can find great stocking stuffers in the Exchange Sports & Outdoors section, or grab quick-shipping tactical gear on Amazon. Throw in some 550 cord or a mini first aid kit, and boom. Practical, thoughtful, and guaranteed to get used.

Cozy Barracks (or Office) Vibes

Tell me you’re in the Guard without telling me you’re in the Guard. It’s winter drill, the barracks thermometer is stuck at 65, and you’re layered up like you’re going to the field. Let Santa help your battles out this year with something cozy like a twin-sized fleece blanket or those fuzzy socks that feel like a warm hug.

Or better yet, an extra-long phone charger! Amazon has great charging cord bundles that save the day when everyone’s fighting over one outlet during AT season.

Snack Attack Pack

If you’re getting food, you’re bold. Super bold. But honestly, it’s a power move. Some of the biggest hits I’ve seen across the guard have been the fancy tropical gummy bears, jerky and cheese combos, chips, and gum. All the gum.

You can load up on drill-day favorites and grab those boujee candies and jerky packs from the Exchange’s Food & Gift section.

Oh, and if your unit allows it, and you don’t have anyone under 21, a little bottle of something festive never hurts. Just sayin’.

Bonus Idea: The Big Dill Gift

The biggest hit of our unit’s party last year was the Big Dill gift. I’m talking pickle socks, pickle chips, a pickle ornament, full commitment. It started as a joke and somehow turned into the most traded gift of the day.

You can find pickle-themed gifts and ornaments galore on Amazon or even grab some snackable bites.

Every unit’s got its own vibe. Ours does a $20 limit, but honestly, it’s never about the price tag. It’s about the creativity, the inside jokes, and the memories that make it all worth it.

Wrapping it Up (Literally)

Whether you go funny, cozy, or caffeine-fueled, the best Secret Santa gifts are the ones that make your battle laugh, feel seen, and maybe even say, “Dang, that’s actually useful.”

So, grab your wrapping paper, cue up your favorite holiday playlist, and sleigh this year’s unit party because if anyone can bring the holiday spirit in between drills, it’s the Guard.

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Holidays & More!

But honestly, I would not have it any other way.

Serving in the Guard has taught me a lot about balance. How to shift from soldier mode to mom mode, from field gear to casserole dishes. I’m even thinking about trying those yummy looking Roasted Rainbow Carrots this year. This season, I’m extra grateful for the chaos, because it means I’m home. It means I get to be “Mom” again, not just “Sergeant.” It means I get to savor the things I missed while I was away, like bedtime giggles, coffee that isn’t instant, and the smell of something baking instead of that good old barracks scent.

And let me tell you, nothing warms my heart quite like my Guard family. The constant “hey, I miss you boo,” the “how are you holding up,” and the “take care of yourself” messages mean everything. It’s those little check-ins that remind me we are never really doing this alone. The Guard community shows up for each other, no matter how far apart we are or how busy life gets.

I have also learned that gratitude doesn’t need perfection. The turkey might be slightly overdone, the mashed potatoes might come from a box, and I might still be living out of my duffel bag. But it is ours. It is real, and it is messy, and it is full of love.

And yes, this Guard mom is still on her saving grind. Stretching that grocery budget, catching Commissary sales, and finding creative ways to make the holiday special without spending too much. Every little bit saved means more room for joy and maybe a second slice of pie.

So this year, I’m giving thanks for it all. For the service, the savings, and the savoring. For my military family who always checks in, for my kids who remind me why I serve, and for this incredible community that keeps me grounded through every season.

Here is to full hearts, full plates, and finding gratitude in the beautiful in-between moments, even if your uniform is still in the laundry and the cranberry sauce is straight from the can.

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Helping kids care for pets doesn’t have to mean power struggles or chore charts taped to the fridge. Letting them pour kibble, refill the water bowl, or brush out the fuzz from the shepherd’s fall coat becomes more than just a task. It builds consistency. It grows empathy. It gives them a chance to feel proud of something, even if the dog still rolls in leaves five minutes later.

Let’s be real: military life already stretches our time and our wallets. That’s why picking up your favorite Purina products at the Commissary is a solid mom move.

When PCS season hits, or even just a quick holiday trip, your pet is right there in the backseat, drooling on your kid’s backpack and keeping the vibe calm. Giving your child a role in the travel prep builds connection and confidence. Let them pack the treats, update the microchip, or make a checklist for moving day. Bonus tip: toss a travel sized bag of treats in the car for low-mess snack breaks (for the dog… but honestly, your kid might try one too). 

November is all about togetherness, and in a military household, that might look a little different. Maybe you’re planning a Thanksgiving meal early before someone leaves, or maybe you’re setting an extra place at the table over FaceTime. Including pets in these traditions gives kids something joyful to hold onto. Let them bake treats for the dog, write a “thankful for my pet” list, or help choose a new seasonal toy. Even the little rituals help your family stay connected. 

Don’t forget to check those Commissary deals, especially as holiday savings roll in on your favorite Purina items. It’s a simple way to stretch your budget while still showing love to your four-legged MVP.

Military kids grow up side by side through every move, every home, and every season. Each time they cuddle up on the couch or pour kibble into the bowl, your child is learning how to care, how to show up, and how to love big in small ways.  

Want more ways to care for your pets without breaking the bank? Join the Military Pet Club, for rewards, tips, and savings made for military families like yours.

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As a Guardsman, a milspouse, and the proud aunt to a few spoiled cat nieces and nephews, I live for the flannel, the lattes, and that crisp-leaf energy. And while I don’t have a cat of my own, I’ve met enough to know these little furballs are fall girls at heart.

Cats have incredible senses of smell—about 200 million scent receptors to our five million. So when your kitchen fills with pumpkin bread vibes or that candle from the PX? Trust, they notice. And honestly, they’re probably into it.

The best part? Pumpkin isn’t just a seasonal aesthetic. Plain pumpkin (not pie filling!) is actually good for cats in moderation. It can support digestion and makes a fun food topper. Want to keep it even easier? Make this super simple Push Pop Pumpkin Treat. It’s cat-safe, super tasty, and bring those cozy autumn flavors straight to your feline.

Picture it: soft socks, PSL in hand, an autumn candle flickering, and your cat niece or nephew enjoying a pumpkin treat. It’s giving main character energy—and we’re so here for it.

Just be sure to introduce new snacks slowly and skip anything with added sugar or spice. Keep it simple and safe so your favorite feline can enjoy the season too.

Want to level up the fall vibes? Join the MilitaryCatClub.com for surprise goodies and exclusive giveaways made just for military families and their fabulous felines.

So grab your latte, embrace the cozy, and let your cat crew in on the pumpkin spice joy. Fall is officially in season.

Find Out More with MyMilitarySavings.com and Pets!

Between the post-PCS haze, new school routines that don’t feel routine, and the usual layer of dog hair that’s become part of the décor, this season is already full. Still, we’re showing up—maybe a little scattered, definitely tired, but all in with heart and probably a leash in one hand. 

In our house, “somehow making it work” looks like: 

• Healthy snacks in almost every diaper bag/ backpack. 
• Dog hair on every piece of clothing I own. 
• Dinner that may or may not involve chicken (again). 
• Letting go of the picture-perfect and leaning into what’s authentic.

Look, I know it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one fumbling through this season. Social media will have you believing everyone else’s house smells like fall candles and not wet dogs, but here’s the truth: you’re doing better than you think.

Your dogs don’t care that your hair’s in a bun for however-many days in a row. Your kids won’t remember if dinner was chicken almost every night this week. What they will remember is that you showed up. That you were there. That you made a space for love and laughter, even in the middle of the mess. 

So, if this season feels like survival mode with a side of Fruit Rolls and dog drool – same. You’re not alone, friend. We’re all out here figuring it out one fur-covered day at a time. 

However, when you do have a minute to catch your breath? Treat yourself to something that makes life easier (and maybe saves you some money too). Find Out More with My Military Saving and check out our Food & Drink section to find something besides chicken—because this season’s hard enough. Let’s not make it harder. 

While the National Guard resets its spending plans and budgets, we’re over here doing the same, but with our caffeine of choice in hand, a cart full of snacks, and that familiar feeling of “how do I make this all work without breaking the bank?”

Between back-to-school shifts, fall holidays creeping in, and the colder months coming fast, now is the perfect time to reset your own mission: stock up smart, plan with purpose, and stretch those dollars like the budget boss you are. 

Whether it’s prepping for a drill weekend, building out an emergency stockpile (because we know random weather and surprise orders are real), or just getting back on track after a summer of we’ll figure it out later, a little intention goes a long way. 

You don’t have to DIY with your budget refresh. We have you covered with: 

• Coupons you can use now – simple & no stress.
• Commissary deals on your go-to brands – think Purina, General Mills, Kraft, and more.
• Seasonal recipes to help you meal plan around what’s on sale (and what your picky eaters will actually eat). 
• Savings tips tailored for military families – because we get the unique juggle you’re managing. 

Guard families don’t wait until January to make resolutions. We do it on the fly, in the aisles of the grocery store, with a toddler on one hip and drill gear in the trunk. This new fiscal year is your reminder: you’ve got another fresh start to prioritize your people, your pantry, and your peace of mind. 

So whether you’re meal prepping before a weekend out in the field, buying bulk snacks for the FRG event, or just trying to keep your household from spiraling into a fast-food-every-night hole — now’s the time to shop smart, save smarter, and make that Guard Life hustle just a little easier. 

Check out the latest Commissary savings, grab your coupons and load your digital ones to your Rewards Card, and keep showing up for your family and your wallet this fiscal year. 

You’ve got this — one clipped coupon and stocked pantry shelf at a time.

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Guard Life!