Let’s get started building a financial future together.
Military Personal Finance. For Beginners and Veterans.
Knowledge. Passion. Ideas.
As a Father I constantly interject my thoughts and opinions on my Son.
This is not to micromanage him, but to assist his decision making capabilities so he will learn from my mistakes.
Does it work?
Nah, maybe 2.3% of the time. He’s still in the phase of learning through his own mistakes. Which usually entails numerous bruises, a cut lip and an ER visit.
Ok Chris….. what does this have to do with me?
I hope through my investment experiences and “learned” knowledge, I can assist your financial decisions so you don’t make the same mistakes I did.
I will tell you there is no “get rich” scheme or magic button that will fix your finances.
I apply a few financial mantras:
- invest regularly
- be mindful of your spending
- avoid unnecessary financial risk
- let your money work for you
- take advantage of military finance benefits
- utilize military finance resources
These have proven to amass assets and wealth.
How do I know? Because I do it and the results have been fantastic.
About Me
I am active duty Naval Officer trying to help people align their financial goals with their life goals.
I spent the first 22 years navigating the ebb and flow of life. Unsure what I wanted to be or do. In 2008 I made the best decision. I joined the Navy as a Corpsman. Structure and discipline was something I needed and longed for.
In 2014, while still active duty, I pursued a college degree. Within 2 years I completed my Bachelor’s of Science with an emphasis in Management from Excelsior College. The end of 2017, I graduated with a Masters of Healthcare Administration from the University of Scranton. I submitted a commissioning package and by April 2018, I was sworn in as a Naval Officer.
These programs sparked my passion for financial planning and investing.
Military Personal Finance
One of the many benefits serving in the Military is the consistent stream of income. Paid on the 1st and 15th of every month. It never changes!
This makes budgeting easy. Now you just need to track money earned and spent each month.
But to me, the most intriguing benefit was the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Established by Congress in the Federal Employees’ Retirement System Act of 1986. It offers the same types of savings and tax benefits that many private corporations offer their employees under 401(k) plans.
Once I started contributing (15% each month) and saw the results, it flabbergasted me. Set it and forget it.
If investing is this easy, why aren’t more people doing it?
I can’t answer that with 100% certainty. But the fear of the unknown, or not knowing is the most common responses I hear from people. That’s OK! I thought I could help.
I decided this year to start a personal finance blog geared towards beginners and veterans.
Why?
My mission is simple. Provide financial guidance, not advice, so you can align your financial aspirations with your life goals.
Financial independence? Retirement? How to Invest? How to create a budget?
Our goals might be different now, but we all want to retire and stop working at some point. Maybe, just maybe, some of the information I provide will help you achieve that sooner.
It’s about time you got invested!
Get Educated. Get Invested. The Halfbare way.