Financial Tips

Active duty servicemembers, their families and veterans face unique challenges such as having to manage money during overseas deployment, balancing a spouse's career during frequent relocations, and transitioning to civilian life after leaving the military. These financial tips are extracts from the Financial Frontlines Resource Guide and can help tackle these challenges.

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Budgeting & Saving Budgeting and saving are the secrets to realizing your dreams. Read this excerpt from the Financial Frontlines Resource Guide on how to develop life long habits that will net you financial security.
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Editable Budget Sheet Use this editable budget sheet to begin your budgeting journey today. Having a bird's-eye view of your expenses will help you make informed decisions about saving and paying down debt.
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Military Lending Act The Military Lending Act protects servicemembers and their families from certain lending practices. It limits interest rates on many types of consumer loans and provides other protections.
light skinned woman on couch worriedly reading paperwork in front of open laptop
Service­members Civil Relief Act The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act allows servicemembers to suspend or postpone certain civil obligations that could adversely affect their rights during military or uniformed service.

Reviewing Your Credit Report and Why it's Important

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Federal law gives you the right to request a free copy of your credit report be mailed to you every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus, Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. In addition, the three bureaus have permanently extended a program that lets you check your credit report online, once a week, for free. To obtain your reports, visit AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228. To protect your credit information, you will undergo a verification process; be sure to have your records on hand. Avoid other websites claiming to offer free credit reports — they may be scams. AnnualCreditReport.com is the only federally authorized place to get free credit reports.

Read your report carefully. If you spot mistakes, read Disputing Errors on Your Credit Reports by the Federal Trade Commission for bests steps to take. If you find suspicious activity, report it at IdentityTheft.gov.

Credit freezes and fraud alerts are another way to protect yourself from identity theft. Please refer to our Fraud and Scams section for more information.