Best Spencer Reese from MilitaryMoneyManual.com Podcasts (2025)

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Credit Cards for Military Q&A | Military Credit Card Waivers and Strategies #187 20:49

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3d ago20:49

20:49

Wondering how to unlock premium travel perks and avoid annual fees while serving on Active Duty, the Guard, Reserves? Or maybe you’re a military spouse and curious if you qualify for the same protections and waivers? This episode dives deep into the ins and outs of MLA and SCRA protections, credit card strategies, and maximizing those free hotel ni…

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Gut Check! Remember How You Felt When the Market Dropped? #186 18:52

10d ago18:52

18:52

Remember when you were spooked by April’s market dip? Spencer and Jamie unpack how to discuss your feelings of panic this past April, stay calm, stick to your investing philosophy, and make smart moves post-crisis. Key Takeaways: The S&P 500 dropped 19%, sparking fear, but headlines thrive on panic. Debriefing your emotional response helps clarify …

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Why Save for Retirement #185 29:03

17d ago29:03

29:03

If you've ever felt torn between soaking up life now and securing your future, you're not alone. In this episode, we explore what it really means to invest in “future you” and how to do it without sacrificing everything you love today. Whether you’re a beginner or behind on savings, the best time to start is today. Key Points The Saver vs. Spender …

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Dual Military Millionaires: Financial Independence in 4 Years, Navy Lifestyle Tips, and Maintaining Connection as a Couple #184 1:02:48

24d ago1:02:48

1:02:48

Carol and Ken didn’t just imagine a life beyond the military- they designed one. In just four years, they transformed from brand-new ensigns with zero TSP contributions into self-made millionaires. In this episode, we'll unpack the financial strategy, discipline, and teamwork that helped them achieve Lean FIRE (financial independence, retire early)…

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Chase Sapphire Reserve Military Update | $795 Annual Fee Still Waived, New Benefits #183 34:17

1M ago34:17

34:17

Spencer and Jamie break down all the major updates to the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card and why military families should still consider it their top travel rewards card despite the annual fee increase to $795. What You'll Learn: Military Benefits That Make This Card a No-Brainer: How the Military Lending Act (MLA) waives the $795 annual fee fo…

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Target Military Discount | 10% off for 4th of July and Veterans Day #182 7:49

1M ago7:49

7:49

Bonus episode! Target is offering 10% off twice for verified military families! Here's a quick episode were Jamie shares everything you need to know to save big during this limited-time promotion. Whether you're prepping for a move or restocking your household essentials, this discount is an easy win. 🗓️ Promo Details: What: 10% discount at Target—…

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$5M by 40: Military Medicine FIRE | Benefits and Pay for Military Doctors with CPT (Dr.) Pritish Sahoo #181 56:38

1M ago56:38

56:38

What do you get when you combine a passion for service, a pivot to medicine, and a mastery of money? In this episode, Army doctor Pritish Sahoo breaks down how he leveraged military programs to fund $700K in education—and built a real estate empire along the way. Topics Covered: Pivot from engineering to medicine Navigating the HPSP (Health Profess…

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Why File for VA Disability | "I'm Good" and Other Lies Veterans Tell Themselves with Doug Nordman #180 48:36

2M ago48:36

48:36

Did you know even a 0% rating can unlock important benefits for you and your family? Why do so many veterans delay or avoid filing for VA disability compensation? It’s not about the money—it’s often about identity, pride, and a labyrinth of red tape. Doug Nordman joins Spencer to break the silence and stigma surrounding VA disability claims, while …

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Beyond Money Rich: Five Types of Wealth #179 55:12

2M ago55:12

55:12

Your net worth isn't the full picture of your wealth. Financial independence is great, but if your health, relationships, and purpose suffer, are you really wealthy? In this episode, Jamie and Spencer break down The Five Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom and how to create a life that’s truly rich—beyond just the numbers in your bank account. Overview:…

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529 Debate - Are 529s Helpful or Too Restrictive? Spencer & Jamie Have Differing Views on College Savings for Military Families#178 41:05

2M ago41:05

41:05

Too restrictive or a key part of a military families financial planning? Today's episode is a no-holds-barred discussion about the pros, cons, and real-life strategies behind 529 plans. Episode Summary: In this episode, Spencer and Jamie dive deep into the world of 529 college savings plans—a tax-advantaged tool designed to save for qualified educa…

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CZTE The Triple Tax Benefits of Combat Zone Tax Exclusion | Tax Free Pay for Military #177 20:01

2M ago20:01

20:01

Did you know there’s a way to get tax-free income, tax-free growth, AND tax-free withdrawals—all legally? If you’re in the military, you have access to one of the most powerful wealth-building tools that civilians can only dream of. Combat Zone Tax Exclusion (CZTE) is the golden ticket, and in this episode, we break down exactly how you can leverag…

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7 Levels of Wealth for Military Families | Everyone Starts Somewhere #176 35:30

3M ago35:30

35:30

Are you just trying to survive financially? Or are you on your way to building a lasting legacy? Discover the 7 levels of wealth adapted for military life and learn how to move from paycheck-to-paycheck living to financial freedom and abundance! This isn't about rank or time in service – it's about intention and systems. This episode is inspired by…

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PCS like a Pro! Our Top Tips for Military PCS, PPM, and Being Financially Ready #175 31:49

3M ago31:49

31:49

Navigating PCS Chaos, Saving Money, and Finding Adventure! PCSing is a constant in military life, often bringing stress, extra costs, and confusion. But it doesn't have to be a nightmare! In this episode, we dive deep into practical tips and strategies to help you survive your next Permanent Change of Station (PCS), save money, and maybe even make …

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Is Military Retirement Worth It? | Valuing Military Retirement w/ The Enlisted Money Guy, Brandon Lovingier #174 34:21

3M ago34:21

34:21

The military retirement is one of the best benefits in the world... but is it worth the cost in years of your life? Summary: How is military retirement pay calculated Military retirement can be worth at least $1,500,000! Benefits for military retirees Intangible benefits of military service What veterans miss about the military after retirement Lin…

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Money for Military Couples | Money for Couples, Military Edition #173 50:36

3M ago50:36

50:36

Most couples would rather talk about their sex life with a friend than money! What would it look like if we both felt good about money? Today we talk about how to get started with dreaming together and how to discover how to create a shared vision and discussing what kind of money stories do you want to write together as a couple Jamie's 3 main tak…

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Too Much Cash? How Much Cash a Military Family Must Have with Erik Baskin #172 23:02

3M ago23:02

23:02

Holding too much cash can be a drag on your gains. You shouldn't have too much of it sitting in your account without a specific purpose. Today you'll learn answers to questions such as: How much is too much? Where should I keep my cash? What should I do today if I have too much cash? Links from today's episode: Erik Baskin at Baskin FP Past podcast…

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Lump Sum Vs Dollar Cost Averaging #171 14:46

4M ago14:46

14:46

Which is better, lump sum investing or Dollar Cost Averaging? Bottom line, neither is significantly better, although lump sum investing statistically wins slightly. The more important factor in you building wealth is that you invest consistently for the long-term! Missing just the 10 best trading days between 2002-2022 would cut your returns by 50%…

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Practice over Perfection - Shifting Your Money Mindset to Reduce Frustration & Improve Communication #170 22:27

4M ago22:27

22:27

Better every day. That's the goal. Not perfection. What skill have you ever learned that you were perfect at right from the start? Then why are you so hard on yourself when your financial journey isn't perfectly smooth and easy? Each positive decision you make, each money conversation you have with your spouse is like a good set at the gym. Not eve…

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Money for Military Women, How Gender Roles Affect Your Finances, VA Loan House Hacking, & Off-Duty Employment with Lanae Lang of @Lanaeslife1 #169 44:34

4M ago44:34

44:34

"Reading changed my life!" Today's key topics include: VA House Hacking as a young officer, military influencer and off duty employment in the Air Force, personal finance for military women, and self improvement for new officers and cadets. As a young officer, Lanae is debt free except her mortgage, owns a home using her VA loan, has a very high sa…

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International Stock Investment for Military Families with Erik Baskin, CFP #168 25:21

4M ago25:21

25:21

30%-40% international funds in your portfolio!? What is home-country bias and why you may want exposure to markets other than just the US stock market. Links: https://www.baskinfp.com/ Military Tax Experts Alliance Vanguard article on international investments "U.S. stocks are unlikely to repeat their past outperformance over the coming decade" - V…

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Military Entrepreneurship, Guard Benefits, Contributing $70k into TSP while Deployed with Ryan Guina from The Military Wallet #167 42:41

5M ago42:41

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Entreprenuership, Guard benefits, TSP while deployed, and more! Topics from today: Starting TheMilitaryWallet.com Joining the Guard after 8 years Why he joined the Guard VA disability Guard pay, healthcare, and retirement differences Transition Assistance Medical Program (TAMP) TSP contributions in a combat zone Annual additons limit Ryan's persona…

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Don't Buy a House When Leaving the Military with Kate Horrell #166 50:24

5M ago50:24

50:24

64% of veterans will leave initial first post-military job in the first two years! Repeat guest Kate Horrell joins us again to discuss her thought-provoking post on this topic. Of course there are always outliers and unique circumstances, but in genral we hope this conversation helps you slow down and question the pressure to "stabilize" and find y…

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"It Feels Like I'd Be Stealing From My Kids" | Jamie's GI Bill Discussion & Financial Therapy with Daniel Kopp #165 23:53

5M ago23:53

23:53

As an optimzer, Jamie was concerned about how to perfect his family's GI Bill strategy. In the middle of a discussion (after we wrapped up last week's podcast recording with Daniel), we hit record for this non-standard format. As Jamie allows himself to be vulnerable and curious about the words he used, Daniel is able to help him work through some …

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Raising Money Smart Kids in Military Families with Daniel Kopp #164 56:58

5M ago56:58

56:58

How to teach your military kids about healthy and positive money habits, set expectations for college, use the GI Bill, and leverage 529s and other investment accounts for your military family. With today's guest, Daniel Kopp, we discussed: Teaching kids spending, saving, and giving buckets Teach, demo, supervise with your kids Give them chances to…

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5 Money Questions to Future Focus Your Spending #163 36:02

6M ago36:02

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Making your money more focused on your future expenses, goals, and desires. We were inspired by the updates to the YNAB method to share these powerful questions and help your family become more intentional and proactive. Main themes from today's episode: Use these 5 questions to give every dollar a job for what matters to you What to do when you fe…

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"Will the Stock Market Crash in 2025?" Plus Military Transition, Backdoor Roth IRAs with Brian "ALF" O'Neill, Winged Wealth #162 53:40

6M ago53:40

53:40

"What's the mission for this money?" "Wealth is what you DON'T see." "Go find something you're really excited about." "Contributions, Conversion, Characterization." "It's OK to follow your curiosity!" This episode is full of gems of wisdom from ALF. Some major questions include: Do political changes adjust my investing strategy? How do I fight agai…

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Military Credit Card Update 2025 | Military Annual-fee Waived Credit Cards Explained #161 31:29

6M ago31:29

31:29

Military servicemembers and their spouse can get annual fees waived on personal cards from top banks such as American Express and Chase! Today's episode covers: What's the big deal about these cards? Why are they good? How does this waiver thing work? What order should I open my cards in? How far can I take this? Is it going to be complicated? How …

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Air Force Pilot Bonus 2025 Update | Up to $600,000 Bonus #160 24:16

6M ago24:16

24:16

The 2025 Air Force pilot bonus is out! This episode is specifically for USAF pilots (or anyone else oddly interested in the numbers). There are also bonuses for CSOs/Navs, RPA pilots, and ABMs, although we focus specifically on the pilot bonus. There are a few types of bonus money available this year for those who UPT ADSC expires in FY25, FY26, or…

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Money Can be Simple | How to Reduce Stress with your Finances #159 18:39

6M ago18:39

18:39

Money doesn't have to cause stress. It doesn't have to be complex. It doesn't have to require a lot of time to build wealth. Learn how to simply your: Budget Bills Investment Tracking Links: Money for Couples podcast w/ Ramit Sethi LADS Philosophy, episode #158 Money Scripts episode #82 w/ Daniel Kopp YNAB app Monarch money For a limited time, Spen…

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LADS Principle: Low-Cost, Automatic, Diversified, and Simple #158 41:38

7M ago41:38

41:38

Low-cost, Automatic, Diversified, Simple (LADS). Consistent, automatic savings poured into my simple and diversified index funds at low costs have been the cornerstone of my successful investment portfolio. Low-cost: Select low-cost index funds with low-cost expense ratios. All of the funds in the TSP meet these criteria and many Vanguard funds do …

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Cybersecurity 101: Credit Freezes, 2FA, & Tips for Military Families #157 18:03

7M ago18:03

18:03

Protect your credit, protect your identity, and keep your money safe online. You can easily freeze your credit with each of the 3 credit bureaus to ensure no one can open accounts in your name. You don't need to pay for credit monitoring service in most cases or pay to know your credit score. It's very simple and easy to quickly unfreeze your credi…

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Always Do Roth | Roth vs Traditional for Military Families #156 29:34

7M ago29:34

29:34

Roth is the way to go for almost all military families. Because of the unusually low taxable income military families have (since allowances like BAH and BAS aren't taxable income), we're going to take a hard stance on this one and show the benefits for Roth: You can always access your Roth contributions tax free and penalty free (can help with gap…

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"Why?" | A Powerful Question You Can Ask Yourself to Get to the Heart #155 32:05

7M ago32:05

32:05

Dissect your money stories, the traditions you've adapted from culture and your family of orgin to understand WHY you make the money decisions you make each month? What are money stories you tell yourself? Money is _____. Why do you value what you value? Why do I think ____ about money Does this belief still serve me? Links: Our podcast episode on …

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Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, & a Happy New Year in 2025 from Jamie & Spencer! 1:40

8M ago1:40

1:40

Merry Christmas from the entire Military Money Manual team! What a year... We hit 250,000+ total downloads this year. Not bad for two pilots who didn't know how to podcast when we started. We're looking forward to helping everyone with their military money next year.

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2025 Max Out Your TSP & Earn Full 5% BRS Match #154 19:21

8M ago19:21

19:21

Spencer and Jamie explain how to maximize TSP contributions under the Blended Retirement System (BRS), including calculating monthly contribution percentages and avoiding common mistakes that could result in missing matching funds. They break down the 2025 contribution limits and discuss strategies for both BRS and legacy retirement system particip…

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Financial Wisdom from the Almanack of Naval Ravikant #153 39:10

8M ago39:10

39:10

Biggest financial lessons from The Alamanc of Naval Ravikant 3 biggest decisions: where you live, who you’re with, and what you do Does money make you happy? How to get rich Outsourcing 3 way to retire Cultivating wisdom Things money can't buy Links: The Almanack of Naval Ravikant on Amazon Don't buy a house on active duty (episode #134) Money mind…

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Tax Intro: What Military Families Need to Know About US Tax Code to Max Your Paycheck #152 33:47

8M ago33:47

33:47

Tax advantages, confusing tax brackets, marginal vs effective tax rates, and more! Spencer and Jamie discuss how military service members benefit from unique tax advantages, including untaxed allowances and combat zone tax exclusions. They also break down real examples of effective tax rates for different ranks and locations, explain tax brackets, …

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"Where Do I Invest Cash?" Holding a PCS House Down Payment #151 27:11

9M ago27:11

27:11

Spencer and Jamie address a listener question about where to save money for a house down payment, which leads to a broader discussion about short-term savings strategies based on different time horizons. Main Topics & Questions Covered: Where to save money for a house down payment How to handle proceeds from a home sale while waiting to buy another…

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2025 TSP & IRA Contribution Limits: $23,500 & $7,000 #150 5:17

9M ago5:17

5:17

2025 contribution limits are out! In this episode, Spencer and Jamie discuss the newly announced IRS contribution limits for retirement accounts in 2025. They break down the changes for 401(k), TSP, and IRA accounts, explaining the limits for both standard and catch-up contributions, while also highlighting an important opportunity for military fam…

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Blended Retirement System | BRS Pension, Matching Contributions, Continuation Pay #149 23:11

9M ago23:11

23:11

Do you still get a pension under the BRS? YES! We can't believe this myth and misinformation is still spreading around the military. Spencer and Jamie break down the three components of the military's Blended Retirement System (BRS) and address common misconceptions. They explain how the pension calculation works, discuss TSP matching benefits, and…

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Money Mindset | Growth vs Fixed #148 27:17

9M ago27:17

27:17

"I'll always be broke." "I can't build wealth with this salary." "I'm just a spender- I can't help it." In this episode, Jamie and Spencer discuss how adopting a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset can transform your approach to personal finance. Drawing from Carol Dweck's book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success," they explore how changing y…

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"I Only Want 1 Credit Card!" Best Military Credit Card Strategies for 1, 3, or 5+ Cards #147 30:17

10M ago30:17

30:17

This may surprise you! Want to experience an easier and simplified strategy for military credit cards? That's fine! We'd ask "why" you don't want more, but in today's episode we share which cards we'd recommend for listeners who reach out wanting smaller numbers. Links: Ultimate Military Credit Cards course (free) Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR) Amex …

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HCFSA for Military | Health Care Flexible Spending Account Worth It for Military Families? #146 13:07

10M ago13:07

13:07

A new benefit for military families! How good is it? In fall of 2024, SecDef announced a new Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) for military families. In March 2025, you'll be able to sign up for it for the first time. It may give you a minor tax savings but also may complicate your situation a little. We break down the details of this pr…

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Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) | Roth vs Traditional | How RMDs Affect Military Finances, Inherited IRAs #145 25:49

10M ago25:49

25:49

Did you know Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) will be a factor in your future that you may not be tracking? If you have any traditional TSP or IRA money, you'll be required to take a portion of that money starting at 73 (as of 2024, scheduled to go up to 75), and that distribution will be taxable income. This can affect how to withdraw from ac…

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Gap Funds for FIRE | How to Save for Early Retirement in Taxable Accounts for Military #144 30:28

10M ago30:28

30:28

How do you finance the life between possible early retirment and 59.5 years old when you can access you retirement accounts? A gap fund is one common approach. Today we discuss: What is a gap fund? Is it necessary? Where does it fall in priority order when saving for early retirement? How do you invest a gap fund? For a limited time, Spencer is off…

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DCFSA | Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account for Military | Possible $5,000 Tax Benefit | With Brandon Lovingier, the Enlisted Money Guy #143 17:30

10M ago17:30

17:30

Dependent care flexible spending account- is it even worth your time? (note: this is different than the HEALTHCARE FSA which was announced in Sept 2024- we have an episode coming out on that in a few weeks) Open season is coming up in mid-November to mid-December! For a limited time, Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Coaching sessions! …

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Amex Pop-Up Jail, TSP Contributions, Combining Accounts, Low Fee Investments: Reader Question & Answers #142 58:31

11M ago58:31

58:31

In this mailbag episode, Spencer and Jamie answer various listener questions about investing, credit cards, and military-specific financial topics. They provide insights on compound growth, TSP options, Roth vs. Traditional accounts, credit card strategies, and investment return estimates. Questions discussed: - Is there a benefit to combining mult…

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Air Force Pilot: Buying Multiple Homes on Active Duty, Building Wealth, Teaching Financial Habits to Your Troops with Garrison #141 37:03

11M ago37:03

37:03

$85,000 in debt and a brand new truck to a wealthy and generous life?! In this episode, Air Force officer Garrison shares his financial journey from $85,000 in debt to working towards financial independence. He discusses following Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps, buying a home in the military, running a crash pad rental business, and helping his Airmen wi…

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Military Financial Readiness Study | Tom McLean & Jodi Vickery from Armed Forces Bank #140 33:32

11M ago33:32

33:32

The May 2024 Military Family Financial Readiness study from Armed Forces Bank highlighted unique financial challenges military families faces due to the nature of their service. Today, Spencer and Jamie are joined by Tom McLean and Jodi Vickery, hosts of the Militarily Speaking podcast, join us to discuss the financial challenges military families …

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Enlisted Success Story! $500,000+ Invested by Age 31 | Financial Independence by 38 | Darren Thedieck #139 48:29

11M ago48:29

48:29

Enlisted Airmen with half a million dollars invested?! Meet Darren Thedieck, US Air Force E-7 who was recently featured by CNBC. and Stripes. We talk very practical tips with Darren about how he learned to save, where he saves, speicific ETFs we like, and handling his family's journey from debt to financial independence. How to handle debt Where to…

Spencer Reese From MilitaryMoneyManual.com Podcasts