Don’t worry, I’m not one of those moms who likes to gatekeep her secrets; I will share my favorite things to ensure you spend your Back to School time more than just surviving and maybe even thriving! My kids never complain when I pack their favorite Lunchables in their lunchbox! I don’t know about you, but when I was a kid, only the coolest kids had those on the regular! Don’t tell my kids, but I still enjoy this nostalgic treat from time to time! Insert another nostalgic favorite with… OREO Minis. I don’t know why everything that is bite-sized just happens to taste better; this goes for both kids and adults! Now you’ll want a delicious drink to wash it down with, and you can’t ever go wrong with Capri Sun Roarin’ Waters. The sweetness of a juice and the hydration of a water, this is something both kids and adults love.

 Now that you have the perfect lunch packed, it’s time to feed those kiddos before, or often in my case, as you head out the door! I’ve got the perfect items to ensure you’re on time to the Drop Off Line! My oldest loves to grab Too Good: Strawberry Banana, and I love that he starts his day with 5 grams of protein! My two middle kids are always grabbing Danimals: Strawberry & Mixed Berry. They love these smoothies because they can continue to be on the go, and I love them because they’re made for growing kids! I can’t forget the littlest member of my crew, and for her, I’m always grabbing Happy Baby: Bananas, Raspberries & Oats. This is a favorite of hers, and they’re not kidding she’s one Happy Baby! I know that these favorites of ours will ensure you actually get to drink your coffee warm on the way to school! 

We did it! We survived drop off and we finally have a moment for ourselves. This is the perfect time to make a lunch that’s not only delicious but filled with fiber and protein that leaves us feeling great! What is on the menu you ask? Well I’m grabbing StarKist Chunk Light Tuna and another pantry staple, Bush’s Original Baked Beans. I always keep these items on hand because they’re the perfect quick lunch that I can feel good about! However, all this driving has left me quite parched. I love to treat myself to a Pink Lady Apple Health-Aid Kombucha. I know that this will help me better prepare for the calm before the storm…AKA School Pickup! 

The one thing that they don’t prepare you for in motherhood is all the germs that kids will bring home. Back to School time is a prime example of that, so before you head to get your favorite sidekicks, make sure you’re stocking your house, car, bathroom, purse, and their backpack with the tried and true favorite, Kleenex Facial Tissues. I love that these tissues are gentle enough for little noses, but still get the job done when sniffles enter the scene! 

I don’t know about you, but a practice run of my day sure does make me feel better about Back to School time looming on the horizon. Another thing that always makes me feel better is a good giveaway, so I’m excited to share that from July 13th through September 13th, five lucky winners will each receive a $100 Commissary Gift Card. Enter at MMSGiveaways.com. If that giveaway didn’t get you in the Back to School spirit, we’ll also be making a donation to the Fisher House Foundation Scholarship for Military Children Program. The program awards 500 scholarships of $2,000 each to military children at participating commissaries around the world every year.

So even though back-to-school time may feel a little chaotic with a trip to your favorite local Commissary, you will enter this era thriving and not just surviving! 

That’s what makes Click2Go Commissary Ordering such a convenient option for military communities.

With Click2Go, shoppers can order groceries online from participating base Commissaries and choose curbside pickup for an easier, faster shopping experience. Even better, some Commissaries now offer home delivery for customers within a 20-mile radius, depending on the location and availability.

It’s one of those simple services that can make a big difference in everyday life. Instead of wandering crowded aisles trying to remember everything on your list, you can order from home, stock up on essentials, and spend more time doing things you actually enjoy, like relaxing with your pets.

For pet owners, it’s especially convenient when it comes to grabbing the basics:

• Cat or Dog food and treats
• Litter and cleaning supplies
• Household essentials
• Pantry staples for busy weeks

Some days, grocery shopping feels productive. Other days, staying home in sweatpants with your cat or dog sounds significantly better. Click2Go helps make that possible.

Whether you’re managing a packed schedule, avoiding another last-minute store run, or simply wanting an easier way to shop, the service offers a flexible option for military families looking to save time while keeping both their homes and pets well stocked.

Learn more about Commissary Click2Go and check whether your local Commissary offers pickup or delivery options.

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Pets!

Tax-Free Shopping by State:

• Alabama – 7/17/26 – 7/19/26 – Clothes, computers, textbooks, school supplies, school art, and school instructional material
• Alaska – No state sales tax – Some locations may waive local sales tax
• Arizona – None scheduled
• Arkansas – 8/1/26 – 8/2/26 – Clothing, electronics, school supplies, school art, and school instructional material
• California – None scheduled
• Colorado – None scheduled
• Connecticut – 8/16/26 – 8/22/26 – Clothing
• Delaware – No state sales tax
• Florida – 8/1/26 – 8/31/26 – Personal computers and accessories, wallets, backpacks, school supplies, learning aids, and clothing
• Georgia – None scheduled
• Hawaii – None scheduled
• Idaho – None scheduled
• Illinois – None scheduled
• Indiana – None scheduled
• Iowa – 8/7/26 – 8/8/26 – Clothing and footwear.
• Kansas – None scheduled
• Kentucky – None scheduled
• Louisiana – None scheduled
• Maine – None scheduled
• Maryland – 08/09/26 – 8/15/26 – Clothing, footwear, and backpacks.
• Massachusetts – 8/15/26 – 8/16/26
• Michigan – None scheduled
• Minnesota – Proposed but not enacted – 7/1/26 – 7/31/26
• Mississippi – 7/10/26 – 7/12/2026 – Clothing, footwear, and school supplies
• Missouri – 8/7/26 – 8/9/26 – Clothing, computers, and school supplies
• Montana – No state sales tax
• Nebraska – None scheduled
• Nevada – None scheduled
• New Hampshire – No state sales tax
• New Jersey – None scheduled
• New Mexico – 7/25/26 – 7/27/26 – Clothing, shoes, computers & software, school supplies
• New York – None scheduled
• North Carolina – None scheduled
• North Dakota – None scheduled
• Ohio – 8/7/26 – 8/9/26 – Clothing, school supplies, school instructional materials
• Oklahoma – 8/7/26 – 8/9/26 – Clothing items
• Oregon – No sales tax
• Pennsylvania – None scheduled
• Rhode Island – None scheduled
• South Carolina – 8/7/26 – 8/9/26 – Clothing, accessories, shoes, school supplies, backpacks, and computers
• South Dakota – None scheduled
• Tennessee – 7/31/26 – 8/2/26
• Texas – 8/7/26 – 8/9/26 – Clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks
• Vermont – None scheduled
• Virginia – 8/7/26 – 8/9/26 – (Virginia Department of Taxation website not updated as of 6/15/26)
• Washington – None scheduled
• Washington D.C. – None scheduled
• West Virginia – None scheduled
• Wisconsin – None scheduled
• Wyoming – None scheduled

Prefer to shop on base? Military families can prepare for the back-to-school shopping season with double the savings on back-to-school essentials at Exchange Stores during their state’s sales tax holiday.

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Finance!

Are you ready to see a difference in your pet’s health? Then you are ready to take the Purina ONE 28 Challenge. From stronger joints and teeth to a healthy heart, Purina ONE delivers high-quality nutrition for every stage of your pet’s life. 

See the visible difference in just 28 days! Purina ONE uses real meat as the #1 ingredient, so that means more excitement at meal time. Additionally, the carbohydrate sources support more energy health, so your pet will have more energy to play. Highly digestible ingredients support better absorption of nutrients. Purina ONE continues to deliver visible proof that it is working through vitamins A and E, providing healthy skin and coat from Omega 6 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Lastly, minerals selenium and zinc help nourish your dog’s immune system.

We took the challenge and after the first 7 days, my dog’s zoomies were back in action and my cats had kitten energy. Their coats were shinier, eyes were brighter, and we were able to enjoy our evening walks again! 
So what are you waiting for?? Start the challenge today. Sign up online today, then head to your local Navy Exchange grab your FREE bag of Purina ONE! For more information check out MilitaryPetFood.com.

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Pets!

The burger station was the main event. I set out juicy grilled burgers, melty Kraft Singles, sliced avocado, lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles so everyone could build their own plate. For a fun twist, I mixed ketchup and mayo with a little chipotle seasoning for an easy burger sauce and added a drizzle of A.1. Sauce to the Cali-style burgers. I also kept classic ketchup, mustard, and mayo on the table because no cookout is complete without them. One thing I always recommend when hosting? Make at least one cold side dish ahead of time. I made mainly all of them ahead of time.

I made a simple pasta salad with rotini pasta, chopped veggies, mozzarella, and Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing and it ended up being one of the first empty bowls of the night. It’s easy, inexpensive, and tastes even better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours before guests arrive. I also added a Cobb salad with ranch dressing because having at least one fresh option balances out all the burgers and chips.

For comfort-food sides, I kept it simple with Velveeta Shapes & Cheese. Honestly, easy crowd-pleasers are the secret to stress-free hosting. Nobody’s expecting a five-star menu at a pool party, they just want food that tastes good and feels nostalgic.

My favorite hosting hack of the night was using Cool Whip on cupcakes instead of traditional frosting. It stayed light and fluffy in the heat and made desserts super easy to prep ahead of time. I also recommend keeping extra towels outside, using disposable trays for easy cleanup, and setting up a self-serve food table so people can snack whenever they want.

By the end of the night, there were wet flip-flops by the pool, empty burger trays on the tables, and people still hanging around the grill talking long after sunset. It was the perfect summer party to me….simple food, summer nostalgia, and a backyard full of people having a good time.

Food-wise, I’ve been trying not to skip meals, but I need something quick. OIKOS yogurt has been clutch because I can throw in some fruit, and it actually holds me over. Starkist Tuna has been just as helpful. I can eat it with crackers and call it a day when I don’t feel like figuring out a full meal.

Drinking water is something I’m always trying to do better with, so I’ve been more consistent. MiO helps because I can switch up the flavor when I get bored, and it’s even helped my kids drink more water without always reaching for juice.

I’ve also been more mindful about what I’m drinking besides coffee and water, and Health-Ade Kombucha is something I’ll grab when I want something different without reaching for soda.

Some of the other things I keep stocked are just everyday staples that make life easier. Cottonelle is one that I don’t ever want to run out of. Bush’s Baked Beans are an easy side, and Oscar Mayer is a go-to for quick lunches when I need something fast. Honey Maid Graham Crackers have been in rotation for snacks because the kids actually eat them, and Beggin’ Strips are a must for the pup; he hears the bag and comes running every time.

I’m just trying to be consistent with what works for me. If something is easy and fits into my routine, I’m more likely to stick with it. And honestly, stocking up on the things we actually use has made a bigger difference than I expected. It saves time, cuts down extra trips, and helps me stay on budget without overthinking it.

While you’re stocking up, you can enter the Stock Up & Save Sweepstakes at MMSsweepstakes.com for a chance to win. Five winners will each receive a $100 Commissary gift card!

This program supports Operation Homefront, which helps provide relief and support to military families. Knowing that the everyday shopping I’m already doing can also give back in some way just makes it feel a little more meaningful.

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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When the dog food bag is suddenly empty, the cat has decided today’s flavor is unacceptable, and the treat jar is suspiciously bare, convenience matters.

With Click2Go, you can order groceries and pet essentials from the Commissary online and choose curbside pickup or, at participating locations, delivery. In fact, about 70 Commissaries now offer delivery if you live within 20 miles, making it even easier to stock up without rearranging your whole day.

A typical pet parent cart might include:

• Dog or cat food
• Treats (obviously)
• Training treats
• Pet toppers or broth
• Cleaning supplies

If spring has taught us anything, it’s that mud season is real and those cleaning supplies come in handy.

For military families juggling busy schedules, Click2Go means fewer last-minute runs and more time for the important stuff, walks, couch cuddles, and backyard zoomies. Personally, I love that it saves me time so I can spend more of it with my dog, whether that’s heading out for a hike, wandering along the beach, or just getting outside together instead of running errands.

Here at Military Pet Club, we’re always looking for ways to save time to spend more time with our furry kiddos and sharing seasonal pet tips that will help make this military life better. So next time the treats run out overnight (again), try Click2Go, your pets will definitely approve.

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Pets!

Feel free to decorate your space with festive decor. You can display flags, a festive tablecloth, centerpieces or colored utensils as a simple way to brighten up your table.

It doesn’t matter if you prefer gas or charcoal; go ahead and fire up the grill! We’d love to know what flavor combinations you come up with. All your favorite condiments and ingredients for side dishes, desserts and drinks can be picked up at your local Commissary.

Find the full recipe for the American cheeseburger on mymilitarysavings.com/recipes/dinner/american-cheeseburger  

You can get a sneak peek of the full line up on this year’s titles! Which ones will catch your eye? Maybe Archie or Sonic? Could it be the Flash Gordon or the Conan the Barbarian? I wonder if it will be Conan the Stitch or Mega Man?!?! There are so many that will be available that you will surely find something for everyone in your family!

Make sure to mark your calendar for 2 May 26 for this fun event! You can find all of the details through FreeComicBookDay.com!

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