2011/06/26

PCS

I will be offline for a few weeks due to our PCS move.  See you on the other side.

2011/06/20

Money Monday

Be sure to check out information this week from The Paycheck Chronicles


Senate showdown over limiting debit card fees


Don't waste money on your car


Lies homesellers tell


Soney PS Vita


Stores stock new light bulbs


Make your own detergents


Credit report items that scare lenders


Can zero balance hurt your credit score?


Avoid this car rental surprises


Things to do when a company leaks your information


Where real estate listings fail


When to fight restocking fees


Financial mistakes newleyweds make


Surging college costs price out middle class


What is a college degree really worth?


Gas guzzling mistakes to avoid


High gas prices drive up the trade in value of some cars


Uncommon ways to raise credit score


Is it safe to bank online?


Watch TV online for free


What lowers home values


Ways adult caregivers can boost finances


Airline shoppers shouldn't procrastinate


Residents moving out of 'Nanny States'


Citi hack, more accounts impacted


Questions to ask before opening an online bank account


Best day for grocery shopping


Google web mapping can track your phone


Fake check scams


Why your dentist costs so much


Your CLUE report can affect insurance costs


Prepaid cards go mainstream


Red flags on your credit report


Think hard before signing up for buy back programs


Pawngo

What not to buy at Sephora

Best beach hotels

States are looking to online tax to close budget gaps

How to write a will

Save on summer travel, hostels with kids

Fake check scams

Rising costs of public school fees

10 Best colleges for the money

Time is running out on the debt ceiling

Most annoying bank fees

Supermarkets going retro

Senate votes to repeal ethanol tax credit

Summer style under $50

High food prices prolonged?

Review - e-readers for less than $175

Robot vaccum floors tester

2011/06/08

Delta Airlines



UPDATE:  Delta changes policy

2011/06/05

Money Monday

Wired's Father's Day Gift Guide


Speeding tickets raise insurance rates


How to wreck your credit score


What you may not know about doing laundry


Common car buying mistakes


Ways to make batteries last longer


Companies for work, life balance


Ways to save on household outdoor jobs


Confessions of a car salesman


Nintendo says US Server breached, no data lost


Sony breach, 120 passwords from Sony Europe hacked


What your credit card won't let you buy


Ways to cut the cost of car ownership


Pros and Cons of prepaid tuition plans


Save on your power bill with plug in timers

Amazon may soon need to collect sales tax

Finding the right cruise for you

Google Chromebook explained

OPEC to consider increasing output

Gmail hack

Groupon travel deals coming soon

Best values in public college

Reasons to avoid salvage title cars

Things homeowners can haggle for

Tips for profitable yard sale

Budget travel tips

Life after bankruptcy, rebuilding your credit

Adjustable for fixed mortgage?

iPad 3 coming at Christmas?

Gmail, Yahoo and Hotmail Hacked

Labels:

2011/06/01

Money Monday

Be sure to check out this week's updates at The Paycheck Chronicles

Vacation tips


Credit score spring cleaning

Dishwasher dilemmas solved

Why airfares are high

Mystery of the check engine light

10 days, no spending

Printers under $200

100 words that can change your credit history

Make a digital degree pay off

Things to know about free IRA rollovers

How to beat new banking fees

How to avoid contractor scams

Improve your gas mileage

Cheapism.com - local guides to cheap eating

Ways to avoid scams

Is lasik right for you and your budget?

Finding a rental after foreclosure

Things the consumer financial protection agency can do for you

Ways social security payments are being cut

Housing prices plunge

Best AC for $300 or less

Ways to cut your grocery bill

Secrets about your debit card

How to get more bang for your buck this summer

Tips for lowering property taxes

What to know about secured credit cards

2011/05/31

Postponed

'Money Monday' will be posted on Wednesday this week.

2011/05/27

Lasting Legacy

Website plans lasting memorials to fallen troops

For the last month, site administrators and online members of TogetherWeServed have been compiling basic profiles of every servicemember who died in the Afghanistan, Iraq and Vietnam wars. Now, they’re hoping that family members of those troops will pick up the project, providing a more complete profile of the fallen heroes.

Brian Foster, founder of the military-themed social networking site, said most of the profiles already contain some personal information, like photos and hometowns, thanks to the work of site members who “adopted” the pages.


“But we want to get in touch with families, really create a lasting legacy for these troops,” he said.


The website, a fee-based membership site only open to those who have served in the military, is offering free access to families who contact administrators to update those fallen hero profiles. The offer is also open to families of veterans from earlier wars as well, although many of those profiles have not yet been created.

2011/05/25

My PCS Chronicles

I have been out of town for awhile.  My MIL has cancer and I was away helping her.  She is doing rather well at this juncture, but I still feel guilty about preparing to move further away from her.

We had our transpo appointment.  The folks were very nice.  We have dates set for the packers/movers and have our partial DITY (I refuse to call it PPM) details set and ready to go.  My motto is always to hope for the best, prepare for the worst - so I do have scenarios in the back of mind - what if the moving season is like last year?  Many of our friends that PCS'd last year had moving dates set - the movers either didn't show up or moved their dates around and made it very difficult on everyone.  We are told that they have planned for a very busy moving season due to BRAC and are prepared.  Because we will likely be awhile getting housing they will store our goods nearby our current installation.  It will take longer for us to get our things on the other side, but they tell us that this should help with things as a whole.  We shall see.

We received our alleged housing assignment.  We did not get the type of house nor neighborhood that we had hoped for.  I am optimistic though that our housing assignment may end up being better for us on the whole due to location.  I also have to be thankful that while we may have to wait a bit for a house, we will likely get a house.  I know that this move will likely be the last one we make to an installation where housing will be available sooner rather than later.

They did change our dates around and I had to cancel reservations.  I was able to get most things changed without too much hassle.  We had planned to stay in temporary lodging on installation at our new location, but when I canceled and tried to rebook, they were full for our new dates.  We were lucky to find another hotel nearby that accepts pets and had rooms available.  It isn't as nice as the hotel on post, but when you move with pets sometimes you have to take what you can get and be happy about it.

Housing here says that they will get our BAH refund two weeks after we clear.  I am not sure that I trust that, but we shall see.  We will take our DLA and use it for upfront rent at the next location.  We are only getting a portion of DLA upfront.  I hate that they changed how to they disburse DLA.  I suppose I should just be thankful that we receive it.

As for rental trucks for our partial DITY, we ended up going with Budget.  Overall they were cheaper and they gave a military discount.  Uhaul was going to be more expensive and no discount. 

I continue on my daily quest to purge things from our house.  I have boxed up items and written 'Do Not Pack' on them.  I have gone through all linens, curtains, etc.  Washed them and packed them into large Ziploc bags so that they do not have to be touched, only boxed.  I have a lot more to do, but I am on the right track.  Now if time will just slow down. :)

2011/05/18

Military Pay Seems To Be A Political Game

Military paychecks not assured in August should government default

Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., is among the lawmakers seeking to reassure service members and their families that they won’t miss out on a paycheck, even if the government faces a financial crisis this summer.

In the wake of Monday’s announcement that the U.S. has reached its $14.3 trillion debt limit — and is now using extraordinary means to keep paying bills — Hunter is urging quick passage of HR 1551, a bipartisan measure to guarantee military pay. He is the chief sponsor.


House leaders have made no promises to pass Hunter’s bill, nor any of the several similar bills that also would protect military pay in case the government runs out of money. If pay protection is granted, it is likely to be done at the last second, because the threat of not paying troops is a powerful motivation to get a debt ceiling agreement.

Hunter’s Guarantee Paychecks for America’s Military Families Act would guarantee that military members, and federal civilians working in combat zones, would continue to be paid even if the government runs out of money or there is a lapse in federal funding.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told Congress on Monday the government is borrowing money from government trust funds and delaying some payments to keep spending through Aug. 2. At that point, the government would go into default. One of the things that might not be covered is military salaries, Treasury officials have warned.


Service members and their families already suffered through a threat to their pay in April, when a government shutdown was avoided at literally the last hour. After that, Hunter — a Marine veteran — said he doesn’t want military families to worry again while Congress and the White House try to negotiate an increase in the debt ceiling.

“Each one of our military families deserves to know that paychecks won’t be withheld,” Hunter said in a statement. “My bill provides that certainty, so that service members won’t have to worry about whether their families at home have money to pay bills, put gas in the car or go to the grocery store. These men and women have enough to worry about already — and paychecks should not be on the list. It’s time to put this nonsense behind us.”

2011/05/16

Money Monday

Short and sweet this week.........

Smart Products

How to protect yourself as a consumer

Grocery savings tips

Thieves swipe debit card information

How to retire with no savings

How to win in small claims court

Tips for hassle free road trips

Frozen credit reports

What to do when a company leaks your information

Finding frugal family fun

Are credit card protection plans worth it?

Settling debt and your credit report

What to expect from a college consultant

Netflix arrives on some Androids

Can your bank stop ID theft?

How the home buyers tax credit costs you

New tools for your money

Where to travel on the cheap

Gas prices expected to drop soon?

What info you can be asked when using a credit card

Great laptops that are cheaper than a chromebook

How to cut car insurance costs

ID thieves targeting babies video - article

Do you really save at outlets?

How to stay safe with mobile banking

Labels:

2011/05/09

Money Monday

Check out The Paycheck Chronicles for this week's Military money related updates.


Sticker Shock


Cutting costs by $14000


Focus on earning more


Most stolen cars and trucks


Lower your cell phone bill


Tips to limit student debt


Lessons to teach kids on how interest works


Building blocks of good credit


VantageScore, why it matters


College tuition reality check


How credit card data is stolen and sold


Second Sony hacker attack


Antitrust probe of AT&T, TMobile deal deepens


Things to know about credit card interest rates


Amazon to launch fashion deals site


College costs that you can deduct


Is home ownership overrated?


Cool Deals and Bargains


AT&T Caps Broadband and DSL


Suit against Aaron's Rental Raises Privacy Questions


Solutions and Savings for Tech Problems


Sony offers ID theft services


iOS4.3.3 Kills iPhone Tracking


US Chamber to publish gallery of pirate websites


Best digital cameras


Developer offers new homes for $1 down


Tips to lower gas costs


Gaming extras to skip


Save time and money on dog grooming


Gas prices break their streak, for now


Oil prices drop, will gas?


Middle class in crisis


Is debt collector legit?


Reps. want review of rule limiting credit for stay at home parents


Getting the best deal on rent


Methods used to get you to buy more


Reasons to steer clear of coupon madness


Mobile banking features you need


Spring car care


Real cost of divorce


Bumped from Alltel to AT&T - you have options


Neighbors that can sink home values


Spending cuts that equal big savings


Best and worst kitchen appliances


$15 a month Android data plan


Cost cutting gone wrong


Gas prices expected to drop by summer?

Labels:

2011/05/02

Money Monday

Ethanol - friend or foe?


Best mother - daughter vacations


Hackers bring down PlayStation network, may have stolen credit card information


Money saving mistakes


Rising gas prices leave people running on empty


Unexpected costs of the health care law


EPA to toughen up on fuel economy standards


Yahoo buys IntoNow


Why you should care about the iPhone tracking issue


What you should know before booking a cruise


Tips to lower car ownership costs


What cars cost to fill up


Sony issues warning about hacker stealing personal information


Best schools for your real estate bucks


Overdraft fees pile up despite regulations


Manipulation driving gas prices?


Traditional light bulbs on the way out, learn to read the new packaging


Amazon explains cloud disaster


Verizon phone warning label


Android to get google talk


BofA to hike rates for late payment


Are car safety extras worth it?


New math for college savings


What your phone knows about you


Amazon launches .69 song store


Ways you can sell old gold


Drugs that will go generic in 2011

Guide to buying laptops

Best cars for families

iPhone tracking story, the fix?

Tips for the iPad 2

Ebay buys Where

Alaska cruise tips

Some banks still not disclosing all fees

Toyota recalls 2011 Tundra

Nissan recalls

Diaper prices rising

Tips so you aren't compromised by your smartphone

TV without cable

How to unload groupon vouchers

Used car prices surging

Sneaky retail pricing tricks

Crude oil declines

How to play the new credit card offers

Travel Apps

Restoration plans for Sony network

Labels:

2011/04/25

War reporters leave families behind

This is eerily similar to what military spouses and families go through each day.  I watched it once.  The second time I only listened to the audio and substituted in my mind the word reporter or service member.

Money Monday

Finances: Back to Basics Week 1

Ways to raise credit score


Flat Tax


Pharmacies that consumers like best


New website showcases beachfront hotels

Airfares going up $10

GAP discounts via text

Amazon to launch library lending for kindle books

What to do about a lost ATM card

iPhone tracking, what you should know

No new XBox or Playstation until 2014?

Weird ways to use reward points

Gadget secret powers

Don't waste your money

New Airline requirements

GA Hacker caught with 675,000 credit card accounts

Get what you need without paying

Ace college financing while in high school

Disaster proof your budget

How to remove authorized users

Why families should not share credit

Groups wants government to link gas prices to mileage, prod you to purchase certain cars

Credit Cards and Cell Phones

Bank settles military foreclosure claims

Wash. considers annual fee for electric cars

Best Washing Machines

Ways Menus Make You Spend

$5.69 for Gas

Driving myths that cost you

Secrets to saving money

Q & A: Smartphone tracking

Wi-Fi Privacy Dangers

Walmart testing home delivery in CA

When is tracking too much?

Costly home buying contract errors

Track your own phone

Rising oil and falling dollar reset summer travel plans

Travel Deals

How to avoid taxes on life insurance

Dodging Phone Fees Overseas

Double Dip Recession?

What is the cheapest long distance?

Prices that will rise along with your gas

Low cost summer daycare alternatives

College debt worse than credit cards

Google testing google offers

When to start prepping for college

Alternatives to college

How to retire a millionaire

Money lessons from childhood

Labels:

2011/04/20

Unscheduled “fundamental review of America’s missions, capabilities, and our role in a changing world"

The Mother of  All Reviews

President Obama was calling for an altogether new review on Wednesday in saying he, Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen would search for places to cut the Pentagon’s budget over the long term — or so DoD understands. When’s it going to start? Who’s going to run it? There aren’t many details, and the White House apparently hasn’t issued instructions for what’s going to happen next, but this much we do know: Obama wasn’t referring to a Quadrennial Defense Review or any of the other regularly scheduled reviews, said Pentagon spokesman Col. Dave Lapan.



For many people inside the Beltway, life is review whack-a-mole. A general wants a study on what to do about a program. Members of Congress want reviews about why DoD should buy the widget produced in their districts. The budget is coming up. Or there’s a big one like the QDR, the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, the Quadrennial Missile Defense Review, and so on. Often these reports appear with great fanfare and have absolutely no effect. Every once in awhile, a review will uncover something the brass doesn’t want to see the light of day, and so the report never materializes.

But a big, unscheduled “fundamental review of America’s missions, capabilities, and our role in a changing world,” as Obama called for Wednesday, is definitely unusual. This is bigger than whether DoD should buy 41 more F/A-18s. This could raise long-simmering questions about whether the services should be funded unequally — we’re never going to fight another big land war, right? (The argument goes.) So cut the Army and Marines and grow the Navy and Air Force. Or could it mean fewer troops forward deployed in Europe and Asia? Could it mean the U.S. scales back its nuclear umbrella?


So not only will DoD be forced into a major review to define its future, it will force Washington to confront some unpleasant realities about the future of American power.