Article courtesy of USAA
Finances were front and center in the 2014 Blue Star Families Military Family Lifestyle Survey. But not in a good way.
A hefty 60 percent of survey respondents reported having “some” or a “great deal” of stress related to their current finances. Participants also identified three primary obstacles to their financial security: spouse employment, uncertainty in military life and potential benefits changes.
Until you get out, you may be facing similar concerns, so let’s talk about those sources of financial stress.
1) Spouse employment
I’m excited to see the government and private sector put more energy into helping military spouses find work. Hopefully, you’re seeing the fruits of their labor, but there’s still work to be done. Roughly 60 percent of U.S. families are dual income, but those numbers don’t hold true for military families. According to the Blue Star survey, only 43 percent of military spouses are employed — and many who aren’t want to be.
Stress-reducing suggestions: Strive to build a lifestyle based on one income. Alternatively, develop a spending plan where your fixed core expenses can be covered with military pay and allowances. If or when your family has two incomes, focus on building a cash cushion for when you don’t.