MILMO Show

Something rare is going on in the military community. Right now, until the end of 2023, there is an Open Season for the Survivor Benefit Plan. It's part of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) enacted by Congress. The SBP is one of the biggest decisions you make retiring from the military, one that can have a lasting impact on your retirement money. If you weren't happy with the deci...

Setting and creating a plan to accomplish your goals can greatly increase your chances of being successful with your desired outcome but too often, people feel like goal setting is pointless or don't end up not sticking with it.  In this episode, I talk to Certified Financial Planner Matt Miner about how you can take your goals to the next level, how to stay with them, and the resources and techni...

Building a career around military life is challenging for military spouses. Out of frustration, many spouses choose an entrepreneurial path to take control of their career path and earning power. But being a military spouse entrepreneur comes with its own unique set of challenges. In this episode, I talk with Attiyya Ingram about the things military spouses should know about being an entrepreneur,...

I think most of us have daydreamed about making or winning a bunch of money. I mean, who wouldn't want to come into money? It's a thrilling thought. The lottery or gambling is built on the dream of hitting it big. But what happens when it goes too far and impacts your finances and life? In this episode, I talk to Dave Yeager, a recovering gambling addict, about how gambling addiction took hold of...

January is financial wellness month and a time to remember the importance of your financial well-being. You'll always work on financial well-being, like your physical health, but what are some best practices to stay in top financial shape? In this episode, Dr. Megan Ford shares tips on how to develop and maintain financial wellness for the long haul. Dr. Ford is a financial therapist and consultan...

Many parents struggle with saving for their own future while paying for their children's education. It's a tough call, your future or theirs. The decision doesn't have to be all or nothing.  In this episode, I talk to Matt Meline about how you can balance saving for retirement while paying college expenses for your kids and how to prepare for life after your kids leave the nest.  Matt is the Found...

If life throws curve balls, military life throws wrenches. No joke, It seems like the unexpected happens at a higher frequency in the military. And it's often things we don't have experience with. Because of that, it can be hard to figure out how to handle the challenge or situation put in front of you. In this episode, I talk with fellow milspouse and Accredited Financial Counselor Kate Horrell a...

Veterans are no different from service members regarding being targets of predatory financial practices and fraud. According to a 2019 report put together by the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust and the Association of Military Banks of America, called the Military Consumers & Marketplace Trust: An Analysis of Marketplace Challenges Facing the Military Community, of the scams reported, the milit...

Being in the position to give money to help others is amazing. To be able to give to those in need can have a lasting impact on a person, family, or organization. But how do you give in a way that aligns with your values and where it will have the greatest impact? In this episode, I talk with Michael Thatcher about how to make smart, informed financial decisions regarding charitable giving.  Micha...

If you are even thinking about your kid going to college, you'll want to learn more about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA® form. You may or may not have heard of it, and be aware of all of the benefits your child can receive by filling it out.  In this episode, I talk to FAFSA expert, John Tamrat about the form, when, and how to fill it out, and the benefits...

One way or another, you will leave military service, and your finances will change when you do.  In this episode, I talk to Clay Stackhouse, about how you can prepare your finances long before you leave the military.  Clay Stackhouse is a Regional Outreach Manager at Navy Federal. Clay previously served in the Marines for 25 years, having been a Navy Federal member for 34 years. He is passionate a...

There are two ways you can increase your financial situation. Make more or spend less. Geoartbigae is a way to reduce your living costs and make your income go further. Have you heard of it? If not, in this episode, Stephanie Montague shares her knowledge and tips geoarbitrage. She explains what it is, who it's for, and how it works best.   Stephanie is the founder and President of Poppin' Smoke,...

Managing your money goes beyond spending less than you make and saving money. You also want to get the most out of every dollar you work your butt off for. Using tax advantage accounts is one way to squeeze the most out of your money. But how do you know where to put which dollar?  In this episode, I talk with Sean Mullaney about picking the best tax basket for your different types of assets.  Sea...

What you do right now can have a positive impact for your future self. The planning and actions you take now can mean a better retirement for you and your family. But what should you be doing and when? In this episode, I talk with my friend and fellow podcaster, Wes Moss, about habits you can practice right now to become a happy retiree. Wes Moss is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, managing partner...

Investing is for the future, but you're still spending your money. We invest in funds but do you really know what you're investing in or how it works? When you're putting money on it, it's good to know how your dollars are being invested. In this episode, I talk with Julie Cane about how we can better be aware of how we are investing our dollars. The show notes can be found here: https://laceylang...

You all know, I'm a big fan of free financial help. It's a major benefit service members receive while on active duty and in retirement. It's also a benefit available to their family members. Just like anything in life, sometimes the information isn't relayed correctly.  In this episode, I talk with Lieutenant General (retired) Raymond V. Mason, the director of Army Emergency Relief, about some of...

November is Veteran's Appreciate Month. It's a whole month to support the veteran community. A special part of this month is veteran business week. In honor of the special week. I want to talk about some of the biggest lessons I've learned in business in hope it will help other veterans and military spouses in the entrepreneurship journey. I also reached out to some past Military Money Show guests...

So you have a TSP account that you're putting money into each month. Now what? Deciding what to put your money into can feel like an overwhelming decision. In this episode, I talk with Patrick Elliott about strategies you can use to invest in your Thrift Savings Plan. The show notes can be found here: https://laceylangford.com/podcast/ tsp-investment-strategies /

Separating or retiring from the military is a big undertaking that encompasses your world. It causes many shifts in your life, from finances to location to your identity. It's a lot for one person or family to take on alone. Getting a helping hand can go a long way to ensuring a successful transition out of the military. In this episode, Jodi Vickery breaks down the Partnership for Your Success pr...

It's still happening. Inflation is high. In fact, it's at a 40-year high and impacting service members and their families in a big way. With the increase in inflation comes an increase in interest rates, making people feel it from groceries to cars and homes they buy. In this episode, corporate economist Robert Frick is back to give an update on the state of the economy and how you can take steps...

Decisions that have the potential for big financial impact can be difficult to make. Especially if the decisions don't go according to plan and have negative financial consequences. In this episode, I talk to Certified Financial Planner Adrienne Ross about how you can simplify complex money decisions in a way to help you make them quickly with the best possible results. Adrienne is the founder of...

To celebrate Episode 200 of the Military Money Show, I'm opening it up for listeners to Ask Me Anything. I'm answering questions listeners have sent in and want to know about me. You can find the show notes here: https://laceylangford.com/podcast/ 200th-Episode /

Many families in the military community are dealing with the BIG D, and I'm not talking about debt. I'm talking about divorce. It's the reality many married couples face, whether your military or not. Unfortunately, the military ratchets the degrees of difficulty in relationships when you add in frequent moves, unemployment, deployments, PTSD, and high-risk jobs. It's not a fun topic, but one many...

September is College Savings Month which is an important part of many people's finances. For most military members, the GI Bill plays a part in the planning. We often talk about what the GI Bill is and the benefits you receive but what we don't talk about enough is how to actually use it. In this episode, I talk with Mike Hunsberger, a Chartered Financial Consultant, and Air Force veteran, about u...

It's that time of the year, folks. It's my Birthday week, which means I get to do whatever I want. I love being able to celebrate my bday every year with you and the special people in my life. In years past, I've had my siblings, my Dad, and last year, my grandma on the show to help me celebrate. This year, I have another special guest to help me celebrate. The show notes can be found here: https:...