Who Doesn't Love a Discount?

There's just something about seeing those numbers automatically reduce at the cash register that makes my heart go "pitter patter." If you love a discount as much as I do, then you're in luck. Being in the military alone entitles us to a bevy of various price reductions...got to love those perks! 


I have to admit that I often forget to ask stores, restaurants and hotels if they offer a military discount. However, after seeing the HUGE list of participating stores, I have vowed to make a conscientious effort to always ask. 


Below are some of the participating retailers that I am particularly excited to utilize this wonderful perk towards! (Information provided by Military Connection) 


- Verizon:  23% discount on monthly bills. The discount applies only to the military member's primary line (for cell phone service)  


- New York and Company: 15% off military discount


- Michael's: 10% off every Wednesday


- Home Depot: 10% off year round - just make sure to bring a valid military ID in with you


- D.S.W Shoe Warehouse: 10% military discount 


- Chipotle: Discount varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you


- Toyota: $500 off + $500 for firs time buyers with military ID


You can checkout the complete list of military discounts at Military Connection. Now get off the computer and start shopping!  Please refrain from giving angry husbands my blog address... ; )

Working on Your Fitness

As I've mentioned previously, my husband and I try our best to maintain healthy/balanced lifestyles. We aren't perfect at it, but we know how good it can feel when we are taking care of our bodies. Are we ones to turn down a perfectly baked, fresh-out-of-the-oven cookie? Most definitely not. Do we have days when lounging in front of the TV for hours at a time is much more appealing then going for a run? Of course. Do our "workouts" sometimes consist of just doing a warm-up stretch and then calling it quits? Unfortunately, yes.

While we are prone to slack off from time-to-time, it's difficult to keep up this "slacker" mentality when the military makes it fairly easy to stay on track. Here are some ways I've been able utilize the benefits of being in the military to, in the words of Fergie, work on my fitness:

Workout Classes

Some of the best workout classes I've ever participated in have been on base. Most bases offer a variety of workout classes and at alternating times to fit your schedule. At our base, they have classes like Zumba, Yoga, Spin, Body Sculpt, TRX, Bootcamp etc. So stop by your base gym and pick up a schedule! You'll work up a sweat and hey, you may make a few friends too. 

Base Runs

Almost all bases have a number of runs they do throughout the year. Some are to fundraise for a cause, some are competitive and most are just for fun. There are all different lengths of runs (half-marathon, 7k, 5k) and you can go at your own pace. Grab a friend and start training!

Bod Pod

Many bases have invested in a Bod Pod, which is an amazing/terrifying piece of technology. It's basically this egg-shaped equipment that you sit in (usually in a swimsuit or undergarments...don't worry, there is only one other person in the room coaching you through the whole thing) and it measures your body composition to give you an idea of what your fitness goals/regime should be. It's awesome in that you learn a lot about your body and how much you need to progress. However, it is equally as terrifying because some of those numbers are a bit scary!!!

Running Clinic

If you're a runner, then you must see if your base has a running clinic! It's a free service that is typically offered at the Health and Wellness Center (HAWC) that helps you select the right kind of running shoes based on your running style, and specialists will work with you on your form. Pretty awesome, right?

Sports Teams

Like some fun competition? See if your base has any sports teams you can participate in. A number of bases have sports teams that dependents can be apart of: softball, basketball, cross country, etc. 

Finally, I'd like to end this post with some inspirational quotes and images (via Pinterest) to get you moving!

Eating Healthy on a Military Budget

During a recent trip to a local grocery store, I was ecstatic about all the healthy food options loaded in my cart....until I got to the register. I spent how much?! I can't even tell you the number of times I've walked out of a grocery store with a cart full of bagged goodies with a look of complete shock on my face, still double-checking the receipt to make sure the cashier didn't pull a fast one on me.

I am sure many of you know this feeling, especially if you like to buy fresh produce as much as I do. As a military spouse, I like to make sure that my hubby (as well as myself) eats nutritiously so he can feel energized, focused and ready to take on his long work days. 

So, not willing to compromise on eating healthy and determined to spend under a certain dollar amount at the grocery store, I started doing some research on the best ways to buy nutritious food without breaking the bank. Below is a list of money-saving tips I've compiled: 

1. Shop at the commissary!!! This may seem like an obvious point to make, but as a new military spouse I did not realize how much money you can truly save shopping at the commissary - especially when it comes to any meat products. I often have saved $40-$60 shopping at the commissary as opposed to a local grocery store while still buying the same or similar food items and without the use of coupons!
2. Subscribe to a healthy-eating blog or magazine. I have found that getting creative and nutritious recipes makes eating healthy much more fun. I stumbled upon this wonderful website, Eat Healthy Your Way, that comes out with a new magazine every season that contains money-saving coupons and is packed full of healthy recipes tailored specifically for commissary-shopping...and the best part??? It's FREE! You can pick up a copy at your local commissary OR look at the most recent issue on the website. They also have a handy little commissary checklist you can print out and bring with you on your next visit. 
3. Plan menus in advance. Planning out your weekly menu can help you eat economically and avoid impulse purchases. Also, to save on money make sure to include a couple meatless meal options (i.e. whole wheat veggie pasta, grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, etc.) Here is a fun and colorful weekly meal planner you can print and write down your menu for the week.
4. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables in season. Buying "in season" will allow you to get produce at its peak nutrition level and at the lowest price. Wash, cut and freeze extra portions in meal-size freezer bags. Not sure what fruits or veggies are in season? Check out this seasonal produce list on The Food Lovers Kitchen website. If you want something that's not in season, consider buying frozen fruits and veggies.
5. Buy staples foods and lean proteins in bulk. Beans, brown rice, oatmeal and other whole grains should be bought in bulk and placed in food storage containers in a cool, dry place. The extra portions of lean proteins (chicken, salmon, pork) can be frozen. 
6. Buy large containers of food vs. individual serving size. The larger containers of yogurt, cottage cheese,  lunch meats are less expensive than the individual serving packets. You can always separate these items yourself once you get home and store them in plastic containers so they are ready to eat. 
7. Bring a calculator and add up what's in your cart as you shop. Great way to avoid sticker shock once you reach the register and can also ensure you don't go over your budget! 

Now armed with a number of money-saving tips, I hope your able to kick that grocery store receipt in the booty during your next trip! 

Military-Paid Vacations: For the Adventurous and Patient

I often get Europe "cravings" ever since I spent some time there in college. The history...the architecture...the culture ahhhh! The travel bug has bitten me BAD. My husband and I even got the opportunity to travel to Europe for our honeymoon and he fell in love with it just as much as I had. Since our honeymoon, we've both been itching to go back. So you may ask, what's the hold-up? Well, to be straightforward - it ain't cheap. Airfare, hotels, food, car rentals, obligatory daily gelato and cappuccino...it all adds up! After doing some simple addition, the odds of a return trip to Europe for us in the near future weren't looking good. Until... (cue harp and Angels' singing), we heard about this awesome travel opportunity for military families: Space A!

What Is Space A?

Space A (Space-Available) or military hops, is a program that allows eligible passengers to fill unused seats on a military aircraft once all the required (duty) passengers and cargo have been accommodated. If you have the time and flexibility, Space A offers incredible discounts for air travel (fees will vary by destination and which base you fly out of, but I've heard of people flying for a measly $30!)

The inside of a Space A aircraft

Since 9/11, most information regarding Space A travel times and schedules has been removed from the internet. The best way to get information regarding schedules and times is to call a Space A Gateway. There's a number of bases that have Space A travel, for a complete list click here. 

How does it work?

Each passenger is categorized by his/her priority of travel and by sign-in time - these two factors will determine the precedence you have of getting on the flight versus other passengers. In terms of your category, each passenger is placed in one of six categories based on your status (i.e. active duty, reserve, etc.) and your situation (i.e. emergency leave, ordinary leave, etc.). The closer your category is to 1, the greater of a chance you have of getting on a Space A flight (i.e. a category III would board before a category IV). For a list of the different categories by status and situation, click here. In terms of sign-in time, you will get higher priority if you registered for the flight earlier or before another passenger. The date and time you sign-up is valid until your destination and then a new date and time will be assigned to you for your return travel. So to sum it up, your category and sign-in time both play into how likely it is you'll get on a particular Space A flight. 

That is some serious baggage

Another bonus! Each passenger may check two pieces of checked baggage at 70 lbs each (for an overpacker like myself, this is wonderful information). You can also bring hand-carried luggage as long as it fits under your seat or overhead compartment, if available. However, be sure to check this information with your Space A Gateway as baggage weight may change due to type of aircraft and other restrictions. 

How do I register?

At most bases, there are four ways to sign up:

1) A completed AMC Form 140

2) Online registration via email

3) Fax

4) In person 

If your spouse is active duty, he/she MUST be on leave or pass status at the time you register for Space A travel. 

The following information is generally required for a successful sign up:

• Name
• Rank/Grade
• Social Security Number (of all travelers) 
• Branch of service
• Start and stop dates of leave (for active duty only)
• Category number (I-VI)
• Number of passengers you're traveling with
• Destination (up to five may be chosen)

Sponsors who register in person for family members traveling with them should present the following documents:

• Identification cards 
• Passports
• Immunization records
• Visas when required by the DoD Foreign Clearance Guide 

For more Space A travel tips, click here.

I hope this post provided a nice overview for you on how Space A works. It's a complicated, unpredictable process, but if you have time and patience then it's well worth any frustration it may cause! And hey, you may end up going on an even bigger adventure then you originally planned!

New to the Air Force? Heart Link is a Must.

A few weeks ago I attended Heart Link, an Air Force spouse awareness program that helps spouses understand more about their base's mission, military lingo, protocol and available resources/services. I have to say, if you are a new military spouse it is well-worth the few hours to check it out.

For those who may have missed the Heart Link program at their base, I have outlined in this post some of the new items I learned/thought were interesting. ENJOY!!!

• You DO actually have to stop driving your car and pull over every time the national anthem is played on base
• If you're outside when the national anthem is played, stop, face the flag or music and put your hand over your heart (or hands to your sides)
• The AFRC offers a financial assistance program that will put together a personalized budget based on your income and expenses
• There are a variety of community programs available that offer free child care (Give Parents a Break for spouses of deployed family members, Permanent Change of Station program, AFAS care program for volunteers) 
• Many Health and Wellness Centers (HAWC) will offer nutrition classes, tobacco cessation and discounted massages (!)
• AND onto a not so fun topic: it's really important that Casualty Services has your updated address for when your spouse deploys. If, god forbid, something were to happen to your deployed spouse Casualty Services would need your updated address to contact you and eventually discuss your survivor benefits with you.

I got a large folder FULL of other useful information (i.e what all those stripes and stars on their uniforms mean, important telephone numbers, various scholarships, etc.) So the next time you hear people murmuring about an upcoming Heart Link, make sure you sign up. Plus, if you decide at a later date you'd like to become a Key Spouse, then you've already fulfilled one of the requirements - woo hoo!