On this episode we jump into what we have learned first hand from the CDCs here at Ramstein! We don't have all the information regarding your specific needs, but the links provided below should help you get things sorted out! Have any helpful info you'd like to share? Shoot us an email or get in touch on socials, we would love to spread the information to best help over families! https://themilitarywallet.com/military-child-care-fee-assistance-programs/ https://www.militaryonesource.mil/benefits/military-child-care-programs/

Join us in Maddies basement for some entertaining coffee chat! We talk about caffeine consumption, traveling in different countries, pets, and more! Stick around to hear all about our misfortunes and fun life moments.

absolute basics you should know when you see big changes to your pay. - Saving recipes, taking notes on who you talk to, why you are seeing changes, and more. Join us as we walk you through our best tips to keep up!

Welcome to this week’s episode on our podcast where we will be discussing a unique situation that we are currently experiencing with our children. Military families often move frequently, which is extremely difficult for children to adjust to, especially when it comes to making and maintaining friendships. We start out talking about the emotions that we are currently feeling when our kids’ first friend is PCSing. Granted our children are around 3, and probably do not realize what is happening. We talk about the emotional toll that kids of all ages can take with a move including feelings of isolation and loneliness. Then we somehow end up talking about our childhood and the difficulties our children will now have to face. Our conversation made us reflect on what our own mothers must have felt during specific times in our lives, trying to make sure our siblings and us felt at home, granted neither one of us moved like the military kids. 

DISCLAIMER WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONAL FINANCIAL ADVISORS THIS IS JUST OUR PERSONAL OPINIONS AND TIPS THAT HELPED US. The key to having a successful budget is to create it in an excel spread (or use ours that will be specifically to match the LES) and sticking as closely as possible & make adjustments when necessary (when your financial situation changes) Calculate your income Track expenses Categorize expenses Set budget goals Allocate your income to each category Review and adjust your budget Budget tracker: www.whatrankpod.com

On this episode we discuss our top items to pack when you move OCONUS! Basic needs, Paperwork, Pets, Babies, Unaccompanied Baggage, and some good old fashion conversation. *These are all recommendations based off our personal experiences*

This episode is all our opinions on the best ways to learn to like a duty station.  We know that not every assignment is a great one, but we are here to remind you that you only get out as much as you give. Dive in with us as we talk about what events to look for on base, what to do if you have kids, how to use social media as a stepping stone to make new friends, and more! Sit back, relax, and let us encourage you to enjoy your new home!

First, we will delve into the costs associated with moving pets. According to our survey, families with pets are likely to spend anywhere from $500 to $10,000, depending on the number of pets, their size, and whether they are traveling on the rotator or via a pet shipping company. We'll explore various options and provide insights into how you can save money on pet transportation and lodging. Next, we'll dive into the costs of housing, including temporary housing, deposits, first-month rent, and rental cars. These expenses can add up quickly, especially if you have to stay in temporary lodging for an extended period of time. We'll offer tips and advice on how to minimize these expenses and find affordable housing options. Moving also often requires purchasing necessities like furniture and baby gear. We'll discuss how to budget for these expenses and where to find deals on essential items for your new home. We'll also cover damages that may occur during the move and how to navigate the claims process. Finally, we'll touch on some unexpected expenses like hiring house cleaners or car detailers, particularly if you are moving overseas. We'll explore why these expenses are important and how to budget for them. We hope this episode has provided valuable insights into the unexpected expenses of PCS moves and how to prepare for them. Thank you for listening, and we'll see you next time. Resources: For the Pet Transportation Assistance You would apply by filling out a Standard Assistance Application. You can do so by going to the Air Force Aid Society, www.afas.org.

In this episode, we'll be discussing the difference between hard orders and assignments and what they mean for your next PCS (Permanent Change of Station). Segment 1: Assignments Your assignment is where you are slated to go for your next duty station, which may or may not be reflected in your hard orders at the time they are issued. Assignments can be amended based on the needs of the military, so it's important to keep this in mind when preparing for a PCS. It's important to stay in communication with your chain of command and transportation office throughout the PCS process to ensure you have the most up-to-date information about your assignment and any changes that may occur. Segment 2: Hard Orders Hard orders are official orders that have specific information that the transportation office needs to book a move. These orders are usually issued several months in advance of the PCS date (but can be within a few weeks of your Report No Later Date) and contain information such as the destination, reporting date, and the authorized weight of household goods. Hard orders are considered binding and are unlikely to change, but like most things military there’s always a slight chance. It is important to read and understand your hard orders thoroughly to ensure a smooth transition to your next duty station. Segment 3: Unaccompanied Orders Unaccompanied orders are when a service member is moving to their next duty station without their family members. These orders do not include any information about family members, as they are not expected to accompany the service member to the new location. Unaccompanied orders can occur for a variety of reasons, such as the service member's family members remaining behind for personal or medical reasons. It is important to note that unaccompanied orders may be amended to include family members at a later date if circumstances change. Conclusion: It is important to understand the difference between assignments and hard orders while also knowing the possibility of unaccompanied orders. As always, be sure to read and understand your orders thoroughly and reach out to TMO if you have any questions or concerns Resources: Every Base has a different TMO Contact Information, be sure to check your specific base’s resources for the necessary contact information needed.