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!

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!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tbsp. ground black pepper
• 1 can of Pepsi

Directions:

• Add all the ingredients in with the steaks in an air tight container.
• Let marinate over night.
• Cook your steaks and enjoy the tender juicy flavor.

I am sure your family will love this marinade for your next steak night! It is just so flavorful and the steaks come out so juicy! Happy Grilling!

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Food & Drink!

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! 

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.

Let’s break it down in a way that fits the realities of military life.

What Is a Credit Freeze?

• A credit freeze (also called a security freeze) is a free tool that restricts access to your credit report. When your credit is frozen, lenders can’t pull your credit file, meaning no one can open a new credit account in your name, even if they have your personal information.
• You can still use your existing credit cards and accounts normally. A freeze only blocks new credit from being opened.

Why Consider Freezing Your Credit?

• Military families face several identity‑theft risks that civilians don’t:
  • Frequent PCS moves increase the number of organizations handling your personal information.
  • Deployments make it harder to monitor accounts regularly.
  • Living overseas can expose your data to unfamiliar systems or scams.
  • Military records are high‑value targets for cybercriminals.
• A credit freeze is one of the most effective ways to shut down unauthorized credit activity.

Advantages of Freezing Your Credit

• Strong Protection Against Identity Theft – A credit freeze blocks criminals from opening loans, credit cards, or accounts in your name, even if they have your Social Security number or other personal information.
• It’s Free – Federal law requires all three major credit bureaus to offer freezes at no cost.
• It Doesn’t Affect Your Credit Score – Freezing your credit will not change your credit score up or down. Payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, recent credit applications, and your credit mix determine your credit score.
• You Can Lift It Anytime – If you need to apply for a loan, you can temporarily “thaw” your credit online or by phone.

Disadvantages (and How to Manage Them)

• You Must Unfreeze Before Applying for Credit – If you’re buying a car, applying for a mortgage, or opening a new credit card, you’ll need to lift the freeze. This is usually quick—often just minutes—but requires planning.
• You Must Freeze/Unfreeze with All Three Bureaus – A complete freeze means contacting:
  • Equifax
  • Experian
  • TransUnion
• You Need to Keep Track of Your PINs or Login Credentials – Losing access can delay your ability to lift a freeze when needed.

When Should a Service Member Freeze Their Credit?

• A credit freeze is especially useful during:
• Deployments – If you’ll be away from home and unable to monitor your accounts regularly, freezing your credit is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself.
• PCS Moves – Each move increases the number of offices, landlords, and agencies handling your personal data. A freeze reduces the risk of misuse.
• Extended Overseas Assignments – Foreign networks and systems may not have the same security standards as U.S. institutions.
• After Any Data Breach – If your information was exposed—whether through a government breach, a retailer, or a financial institution—a freeze is a smart next step.

How to Freeze Your Credit (Step-by-Step)

You must contact each credit bureau individually. The process is free and takes about 10–15 minutes per bureau.

• Equifax
  • Visit the Equifax freeze page
  • Create or log in to your account
  • Verify your identity
  • Apply the freeze
• Experian
  • Visit the Experian freeze page
  • Follow the identity verification steps
  • Freeze your credit
• TransUnion
  • Visit the TransUnion freeze page
  • Create an account
  • Freeze your credit

You’ll receive confirmation and instructions for lifting the freeze later.

Special Considerations for Military Personnel

• Active-Duty Alerts Are Available – Service members can place a free, one‑year active‑duty fraud alert. This requires businesses to take extra steps to verify your identity before issuing credit.
• A fraud alert is helpful, but a credit freeze is stronger.
• Overseas Phone Numbers May Not Work – Some credit bureaus require U.S.-based phone numbers for verification. If you’re stationed overseas:
  • Use a U.S. phone number (Google Voice, VOIP, or a U.S. line on your plan)
  • Set up your online accounts before leaving the country
• Power of Attorney (POA)
  • If you’re deployed, consider giving a trusted spouse or family member POA so they can:
    • Freeze or unfreeze your credit
    • Handle financial matters on your behalf
• Keep Your Login Credentials Secure
  • Store your credit bureau login information in:
    • A secure password manager
    • A sealed envelope in a home safe
    • A secure digital vault
  • This is especially important if you’re deployed or moving frequently.
• Children’s Credit Freezes – Military families often move frequently, and children’s Social Security numbers can be vulnerable. You can freeze your child’s credit for free with all three bureaus.

Should You Freeze Your Credit?

• For most service members and military families, the answer is yes.
• A credit freeze is:
  • Free
  • Fast
  • Reversible
  • Highly effective
• If you’re deploying, PCSing, or living overseas, a freeze gives you peace of mind and reduces the risk of financial chaos waiting for you back home.

Military life comes with enough challenges—identity theft shouldn’t be one of them. A credit freeze is one of the simplest, strongest ways to protect your financial future, especially when your lifestyle makes you a bigger target.

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Finances!

As a huge thank you to military families past and present, you have the opportunity to enter an amazing sweepstakes. In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, Stories of Service is giving away FIFTY $100 gift cards. And what’s even better is that if you share your story and are selected as a winner, you can pick between a Commissary or Exchange gift card.

It’s so easy to enter. Just head over to their website and tap the link, enter your info and join the celebration! You have until July 6th to enter, so don’t miss your chance.

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.

Ingredients:

• Refrigerated Cinnamon Rolls
• Canned Pie Filling (Peach)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Remove cinnamon rolls from packaging and flatten to fit into muffin tin cups.
3. Spoon the pie filling in each cup
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 13-18 mins.
5. Remove from the oven and allow the rolls to cool.
6. Remove the rolls from the muffin tin and drizzle the icing over the rolls.
7. Serve warm.

Notes:

• Using canned pie filling is an easy shortcut to a delicious dessert.
• You can use other flavors such as apple, blueberry or cherry as well.

Be sure to follow along to see what the next recipe will be…

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Muffin Mania!

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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