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  • Military Credit Cards & Travel Rewards Strategy with Jared Mataitusi #217

    Military Credit Cards & Travel Rewards Strategy with Jared Mataitusi #217
    Feb 23 2026
    What if you could have SIX Chase Sapphire Reserve cards—each with zero annual fees—while maxing your TSP and living an incredible life of travel? Air Force Captain Jared Mataitusi reveals exactly how he and his wife stack premium credit cards, earn elite status, fly family to Europe for free, and still save aggressively toward financial independence. This is the ultimate military financial strategy you've been waiting for. Jared shares how he went from credit card float in college to managing 32 cards with his wife, earning six-figure travel benefits annually while maintaining a high savings rate. The conversation covers upgrading Freedom cards to multiple Sapphire Reserves, using deployment sprints to accelerate wealth, flying family overseas on points, TSP automation strategies, and how military service is a "cheat code" to financial independence when approached intentionally. Key Topics & Questions Covered Credit Card Strategy Building Wealth on Active Duty Travel & Lifestyle Military Life & Financial Independence Philosophy & Mindset Resources & Links Mentioned Jared's Content: The Military Miler Podcast https://themilitarymiler.com/Military Travel Rewards https://militarytravelrewards.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/military_miler Credit Card Tools: Chase Sapphire Reserve & Freedom card upgrade strategyAmex Platinum multiple card strategyUnited Travel Bank for airline creditsStubHub credit usage internationally Budgeting & Tracking: YNAB (You Need A Budget) https://www.ynab.com/Monarch Money https://www.monarch.com/Net worth tracking tools (Kubera, Google Sheets) https://www.kubera.com/ Books & Concepts: The Motivation Myth by Darren HardyDie With Zero by Bill PerkinsThe Second Mountain by David BrooksDave Ramsey's debt snowball methodMorgan Housel on moving goalposts TSP & Investing: Military Money Manual TSP Course https://militarymoneymanual.com/tspLADS Method: Low-cost, Automated, Diversified, SimpleFinancial Order of Operations (Military Version) Other Resources: Reddit Military Finance community https://www.reddit.com/r/MilitaryFinance/Jesse Mecham (YNAB founder) on lifestyle creepRamit Sethi: "No prize for living a smaller life" Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call. militarymoneymanual.com/mentor Over 20,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. Want to be confident with your TSP investing? Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.
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    1 Std. und 55 Min.
  • Military Retirement Planning 2-3 Years Out with Omen Quelvog #216

    Military Retirement Planning 2-3 Years Out with Omen Quelvog #216
    Feb 16 2026
    Did you know your military pension is worth over $1 million? Most service members approaching retirement don't realize they're already work optional - and that changes everything about the decisions you should be making right now. In this episode, retired Marine and CFP Omen Quelvog reveals why the highest-paid contractor job might be the worst choice for your future, how to discover what you're actually curious about (not just good at), and why you need to attend TAP twice. Plus: the new TSP Roth conversion opportunity that could save you hundreds of thousands in taxes. Key Topics Covered Transition Planning Financial Strategy TSP Roth Conversions Career & Lifestyle Finding Financial Help Resources & Links Military Financial Advisors Association (MFAA) - Fee-only CFPs with military background https://militaryfinancialadvisors.org/Fee-Only Network - Directory of fee-only advisors https://www.feeonlynetwork.com/Nectarine - Book CFP consultations https://www.hellonectarine.com/TSP Roth Conversion Calculator https://www.tsp.gov/ Connect with Omen: Fororer Wealth Management - Omen's fee-only financial planning practice https://4myndr.com/The Fiscal Foxhole Podcast - Omen Quelvog & Rob Moore https://fiscalfoxhole.com/ Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call. militarymoneymanual.com/mentor Over 20,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. Want to be confident with your TSP investing? Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.
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    59 Min.
  • Military Spouse Credit Cards: Annual Fee Waivers & 4 Myths Debunked with The Military Travelers #215

    Military Spouse Credit Cards: Annual Fee Waivers & 4 Myths Debunked with The Military Travelers #215
    Feb 9 2026
    Spencer Reese welcomes Amy and Taryn, two of the three military spouses behind the booming Military Travelers Facebook Group, 25,000 members strong! Together, they debunk four major myths about military credit cards and share how military families can unlock thousands of dollars in travel perks—without falling into debt. Whether you're brand new to award travel or a seasoned cardholder looking to optimize your benefits, this episode is packed with practical, real-life strategies that can help you fly business class for almost free, book luxury hotel stays, and even score $18K+ in annual perks—all while building excellent credit. Main Topics Covered: The Origin of the Military Travelers Facebook Group How a chance basement conversation turned into a movement for military spousesThe viral growth of the group from a few neighbors to 25K+ members Debunking the 4 Biggest Military Credit Card Myths Myth: Only active duty service members get annual fee waivers Truth: Military spouses can get their own fee-waived cards Difference between being an authorized user and having your own account Myth: One card is enough to earn free trips Why relying on just one card (like Amex Platinum) limits your rewards How strategic "welcome bonus" stacking earns 10x more points Myth: Opening many credit cards means you're in debt Using credit cards like a debit card: no debt, no interest, all rewards Real stories of people earning big while maintaining $0 balances Myth: Opening multiple cards hurts your credit How smart credit use improves your score (700–800+) Breaking down the credit score formula for military families Getting Started: Best First Cards for Military Spouses Amex Gold and Chase Sapphire Preferred explained Building credit as a non-U.S. citizen military spouse Maximizing Military Perks (Even Beyond Travel) Earning and tracking $18K+ in annual card benefits Tips for using credits for everyday needs like holidays, gifts, and subscriptions Managing Multiple Cards Without Overwhelm Tools: Travel Freely app (with military mode)Systematizing applications for P1/P2 (you and your spouse)How to know which card to open next Key Questions Answered: How can military spouses get credit cards without income? What counts as household income on credit applications? How do military benefits apply to foreign spouses? Is it really worth it to open more than one card? Can credit card usage hurt my credit score or lead to debt? How do I track and manage multiple cards without going crazy? Resources & Mentions: Military Money Manual Ultimate Military Credit Card Course Military Travelers Facebook Group Travel Freely App – Card tracking tool with military mode Military Travelers' Beginner's Guide and Next Steps Guide Episode 112 with Travel Freely Founder Zach Hood Budget Apps Mentioned: YNAB (You Need a Budget) Connect with the Guests: Instagram: @themilitarytravelers Website & Blog: TheMilitaryTravelers.com Enjoying the Show? Please consider rating and reviewing the podcast to help other military families discover these valuable insights and perks. Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call. militarymoneymanual.com/mentor Over 20,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. Want to be confident with your TSP investing? Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.
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    46 Min.
  • Military Medical Retirement: VA Disability, IDES, PEBLO, PEB, MEB, + More #214

    Military Medical Retirement: VA Disability, IDES, PEBLO, PEB, MEB, + More #214
    Feb 2 2026
    In this episode, Spencer Reese is joined by Paul, a recently medically retired National Guard officer, and Joel Petit, a military disability retirement attorney, to break down the medical retirement process, VA disability ratings, and how IDES really works. What We Cover Medical retirement vs. standard 20-year longevity retirement When medical retirement can make sense financially How the IDES (Integrated Disability Evaluation System) works Common misconceptions about VA disability and "100% ratings" The role of PEBLOs, medical boards, and appeals Financial impacts on retirement pay, VA compensation, and Tricare Why many service members are discouraged from pursuing medical retirement Key pitfalls, timelines, and why being proactive matters Advice for putting yourself and your family first during transition Who This Episode Is For Active duty, Guard, and Reserve members nearing separation or retirement Service members facing medical issues that impact continued service Anyone confused about VA disability, medical boards, or retirement options This episode pulls back the curtain on a complex system and gives practical, real-world insight into how to navigate medical retirement the right way. Resources Mentioned Guest: Joel Pettit Website: https://joelpettitlaw.com/Instagram: @JoelPettitLawYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@The_PEB_Channel Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call. militarymoneymanual.com/mentor Over 20,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. Want to be confident with your TSP investing? Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.
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    1 Std. und 28 Min.
  • Business Credit Cards, Points, & Miles with Ross Alcorn, Itinerary Boss #213

    Business Credit Cards, Points, & Miles with Ross Alcorn, Itinerary Boss #213
    Jan 26 2026
    Spencer Reese welcomes Ross Alcorn from Itinerary Boss https://itineraryboss.com/ to discuss credit card points and miles strategies, with special focus on small business owners. Ross shares how he saved $19,000 on his honeymoon, reveals tactical business spending strategies, and explains how military service members can leverage TDY travel and small business expenses to fund dream vacations. Guest: Ross Alcorn - Charlotte, NC-based travel strategist, former sales rep road warrior (6-7 years), real estate investor, and founder of Itinerary Boss. Key Topics Covered Getting Started - The Low-Hanging Fruit: Sign up for FREE hotel loyalty programs (Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Hyatt)Add loyalty numbers to TDY/TAD stays retroactively if neededMilitary discount: Epic Pass for active duty/spouses ~$200 (normally $1,200)Start with no annual fee cards to build credit and learn the basicsNever carry a balance - if you're paying interest, you're doing it wrong Business Spending Strategies: Most common mistake: Using Amex Platinum for everything (only 1x points on most purchases)Capital One Venture X Business: Uncapped 2x points, no preset credit limitCards earning 3-4x on ad spend (Facebook, Google ads)Use Melio (M-E-L-I-O) to pay vendors who don't accept cards via ACH (2.9% fee)Negotiate early payment discounts (net 15 vs net 30) to offset processing feesMillions in business expenses going uncharged to credit cards The 2.9% Fee Debate: Worth it if redeeming points at 1.5+ cents per point valueEffective 25-40% cash back when factoring welcome bonuses + transfer valueBusiness expenses are tax deductibleRoss personally pays fees on all expenses knowing he'll redeem at 2-6 cents/point Real-World Example - $19,000 Honeymoon Savings: Cards used: Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture, Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Ink Business UnlimitedFlights: Qatar Q-Suites business class using 200K points (Chase + Capital One)Stayed 11 nights using Hyatt points at Alila properties in BaliBuilt point stash over 1-1.5 years through group travel booking + daily spend + business welcome bonusesStrategy: Booked award availability 355 days out when British Airways/Qatar released schedulesFlexibility: Mixed business and premium economy on return flight Transfer Partners & Redemption: NEVER redeem for Amazon gift cards, statement credits, or low-value portal bookings (0.6-0.7 cents/point)Transfer to airline partners for 2-6+ cents per point valueDon't use Amex points for hotels (poor value)Example: 175K Amex points = potential $12,700 business class seats to South AfricaTools: Points.Yeah.com for flight availability and award searching Military-Specific Advantages: Overseas duty stations = less competition for award space (Frankfurt, Tokyo, Seoul)Different inventory than US-based flyersTDY/TAD stays earn hotel points and elite statusAnnual fee waivers on personal cards (not business cards) via MLA/SCRAChase Sapphire Reserve: $0 annual fee for military/spouses Strategic Tips: Always volunteer to pay group bills/dinners (earn points, get reimbursed)Premium economy fine for daytime flights under 8-9 hoursBusiness class essential for overnight/long-haul flights (9+ hours)Plan 1-2 years ahead for big trips - comfortable pace to build pointsOpening velocity: Ross did one card every 91 days at peak (very aggressive)Combine household points (Chase, Amex, Capital One allow this)Book tickets in anyone's name, not just your own Credit Card Stacking Strategy: Don't use one premium card for everythingMatch card to spending category for maximum pointsChase "cash back" cards earn Ultimate Rewards points if you have Sapphire Reserve/PreferredTransfer between household members before bookingWelcome bonuses are the real value - daily spend is bonus Business Culture Hack: Instead of $5-10K cash bonus, give employees 500K miles + book their dream tripTax deductible, builds culture, retains talentMore memorable than cash bonus IHG Five Free Nights Strategy: Five free nights at properties up to 60K points/nightRoss staying 4 nights in Grand Cayman at $800/night hotel = $3,200 savedFourth night free on award bookingsAnniversary free night each yearUsed for wedding block, earning 26x points on wedding expenses Common Mistakes to Avoid: Not asking vendors if they accept credit cardsUsing wrong card for spending category (leaving 2-3x points on table)Redeeming points poorly (gift cards, statement credits)Not tracking card benefits and creditsWaiting too long to book award travelNot being flexible with dates/airports Tools & Resources Mentioned: Points.Yeah.com - Award availability search, flight ideas mapMelio - Pay vendors via card when they only accept ACHPlastiq - Pay rent/large bills with credit card (2.9% fee)Free Points & Miles Cheat Sheet at ItineraryBoss.comTransfer partner guide and credit card multiplier sheets Key Quotes "There's millions of dollars that aren't being put on cards because of just not asking the right questions." "If you're earning 2x ...
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    49 Min.
  • 10 Step Investing Plan for Military Officers & Enlisted | Bogleheads for Military #212

    10 Step Investing Plan for Military Officers & Enlisted | Bogleheads for Military #212
    Jan 19 2026
    Spencer and Jamie break down the 10 core principles of Bogleheads investing and show how military service members can apply this simple, low-cost approach to build wealth through the TSP and other accounts. If you're overwhelmed by investing advice or tempted by day trading and crypto, this episode cuts through the noise with a proven strategy that's worked for decades. Hosts: Spencer Reese (former Air Force pilot, 12 years active duty) and Jamie (active duty officer) The 10 Bogleheads Principles Develop a workable plan - Create an investment policy statement (even informal) to guide decisions during market volatilityInvest early and often - Automate contributions to remove decision fatigue; increase TSP allocation todayNever bear too much or too little risk - Age-appropriate asset allocation; avoid the old G Fund default trap Diversify - Don't put all eggs in one basket; TSP funds cover entire US market plus international exposureNever try to time the market - Time IN the market beats timing the market; market dropped 19% in April 2025, now up 38% from that lowUse index funds when possible - TSP offers five low-cost index funds; 90% of active managers can't beat index funds over 20 yearsKeep costs low - TSP expense ratios under 0.1%; avoid predatory companies charging 1-2%+ feesMinimize taxes - Leverage Roth TSP and Roth IRA; military tax advantages (BAH, BAS, combat zone exclusion)Invest with simplicity - LADS approach (Low-cost, Automated, Diversified, Simple); Warren Buffett's S&P 500 bet crushed hedge fundsStay the course - Measure performance in decades, not days/weeks; don't panic sell during downturns Key Takeaways Why Bogleheads Philosophy Works for Military: Takes power back from financial advisors and complex productsSimple enough anyone can succeed with minimal effortPerfect match for TSP's low-cost index fund structureRemoves emotion from investing decisions TSP Advantages: Five index funds (C, S, I, G, F) cover nearly entire investable marketLifecycle funds automatically balance risk by retirement yearExpense ratios under 0.1% (incredibly low)Now defaults to lifecycle funds instead of G Fund (huge improvement with Blended Retirement System) Common Military Investing Mistakes: Old G Fund default trap - cost retirees millions in missed gainsTrying to time the market or day tradePaying high fees to predatory companiesNot automating contributionsMeasuring performance over days/weeks instead of decades The Math That Matters: First $100K took Spencer 4+ years; second $100K took 2 years (compound growth accelerates)Market will drop 30% in next 10 years (guaranteed) - but timing it is impossibleS&P 500 gained 125% over 10 years vs. best hedge fund's 87% in Warren Buffett's famous betApril 2025 market drop: 19% down, then 38% up from that low within months Diversification Made Easy: C Fund: 500 largest US companies (S&P 500)S Fund: ~2,000 smaller US companiesI Fund: 5,000+ international companies (20+ developed + emerging markets, excludes China/Hong Kong)Combined: Total US and international market exposureAdd VXUS in Roth IRA for China/Hong Kong exposure if desired Automation is Your Friend: Log into MyPay once, increase TSP allocation, never think about it againEvery promotion or time-in-grade raise = bump allocation by 1%One decision removes 100 future decisionsEliminate decision fatigue and emotional reactions Fee Impact Example: Predatory companies charge 1-2%+ feesTSP: Under 0.1%Fidelity FZROX: 0% expense ratioVanguard funds: 0.03%Rule of thumb: Stay under 0.25%, ideally under 0.10% Resources Mentioned Books: "The Little Book of Common Sense Investing" by Jack Bogle"The Military Money Manual" by Spencer Reese (available at MWR Library, Libby app, Amazon) Investment Accounts: TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) - Military 401kRoth TSP and Roth IRA (tax-advantaged accounts)Recommended brokerages: Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab Key Terms: LADS: Low-cost, Automated, Diversified, SimpleIndex fund vs. active managementExpense ratio and basis pointsAsset location strategyInvestment Policy Statement Previous Episodes Referenced: TSP deep dives (search podcast)Roth TSP vs. Roth IRA explanations"Do Better" episode on predatory companies Real-World Examples Lieutenant with $50K in checking account - proves military pay allows saving, just need to invest itService member paid off all auto and student loans in 3 months of deploymentRetirees with $250-500K in G Fund who missed out on millionsEnron, WorldCom, Lehman Brothers - why diversification mattersMicroStrategy (MSTR) - current example of concentrated risk Who This Episode Is For Military service members at any rankTSP participants unsure how to investAnyone tempted by day trading, crypto, or "get rich quick" schemesNew investors overwhelmed by optionsService members paying high fees to financial advisorsAnyone who wants a simple, proven wealth-building strategy Quick Action Steps Log into MyPay and increase TSP allocation (even 1% helps)Verify ...
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    28 Min.
  • Roth In-Plan Conversions TSP with Brain "ALF" O'Neill #211

    Roth In-Plan Conversions TSP with Brain "ALF" O'Neill #211
    Jan 12 2026
    Starting January 28, 2026, military members can finally convert their traditional TSP to Roth while still serving...and if you're deployed to a combat zone, you could convert tens of thousands at near-zero tax rates. Brian "ALF" O'Neill from Wingman Wealth breaks down the game-changing TSP in-plan conversion feature and reveals why this could be a 6- or 7-figure lifetime tax savings for service members who get the strategy right. Main Points Roth vs Traditional Basics- Roth is "tax insuranc" against future taxation Why Military Tax Rates Are So Low What Are TSP In-Plan Conversions? New feature launched January 28, 2026Convert traditional TSP to Roth TSP while still serving (previously had to wait until separation or age 59½)Can do up to 26 conversions per yearEntire converted amount added to taxable income for that yearCritical: TSP does NOT allow tax withholding; must have cash set aside externallyConversions are irreversible (no recharacterization allowed) The Combat Zone Golden Opportunity CZTE (Combat Zone Tax Exclusion) drops taxable income to near-zeroCan convert large traditional TSP balances at 0-12% tax rates during deployment yearDon't have to convert while physically in combat zone—any time during that tax yearExample: E-5 deployed full year could convert $50,000+ at minimal tax costCombat zone contributions also pro-rata (10% CZTE balance = only 90% of conversion taxable)This opportunity disappears after separation—can't replicate as civilian Tax Planning Essentials Paying the Tax Bill Strategic Timing for Conversions Best time #1: End of year (November-December) when you know actual incomeBest time #2: During market downturns—pay tax on lower value, convert more sharesExample: $10,000 balance drops to $5,000, convert at 12% = $600 tax vs. $1,200Don't tie conversions to deployment timing—tie to when you can see full-year income pictureCan dollar-cost-average with multiple conversions throughout year (but probably unnecessary) The "2-1-0" Framework (Advanced) Two: Optimize for two spouses, married filing jointly, similar lifespansOne: Optimize for surviving spouse facing higher single tax rates (widow/widower penalty)Zero: Optimize for heirs—prepay tax bill, leave Roth money to childrenAdvanced strategy: High-earning children gift parents money for Roth conversions at parent's lower rate Who Should Convert and How Much Five-Year Rules and Withdrawal Restrictions Common Mistakes to Avoid Implementation Details Related Strategies When Professional Help Makes Sense First-time converters with 5-figure amountsComplex family situations (multiple income sources, kids in college)High-income earners considering large conversionsAnyone uncertain about tax projectionsUse MFAA advisors, Military Tax Experts Alliance, or fee-only CFPs Resources & Links Wingman Wealth: wingmanwealth.comMilitary Financial Advisors Association (MFAA): militaryfinancialadvisors.orgFighter Pilot Finance Facebook Group (managed by Alf)Nectarine: hellonectarine.com (fee-only advisor consultations)Military Tax Experts Alliance: militarytaxexperts.orgIRS Estimated Tax Payments: irs.govDinky Town Calculators (free tax projection tools): dinkytown.net/taxes.html Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 2: TSP Deep Dive (most popular episode)Various TSP fund analysis episodes Key Takeaways TSP in-plan conversions launched January 28, 2026—military members can now convert traditional TSP to Roth while still serving without waiting for separation Combat zone deployments create once-in-a-lifetime opportunities—CZTE income drops taxable income to near-zero, enabling $50,000+ conversions at 0-12% tax rates You must have external cash for taxes—TSP does NOT allow withholding from conversions; need savings, refund, or estimated payments ready Most military members face higher retirement tax rates—pension + civilian job + Social Security likely pushes you into 22-24% brackets, making Roth conversions at current 10-12% rates a no-brainer Conversions are irreversible—no recharacterization allowed, so measure twice and do tax projections before converting Market downturns are conversion opportunities—when account value drops 50%, you pay tax on half the value but convert the same number of shares BRS members have automatic conversion candidates—5% government match always goes traditional, creating ongoing conversion opportunities if you're in low brackets State residency matters enormously—converting while legal resident of Texas saves 5-13% vs. high-tax states like California or New York This could be six-figure lifetime tax savings—depending on account size, career length, and strategy execution, potential $10,000-$100,000+ in tax savings November is optimal conversion month—you know actual income for the year, can calculate exact bracket room, and avoid year-end surprises Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance ...
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    54 Min.
  • CardPointers App | Track & Max Your Military Credit Card Benefits, Credits, and Offers #210

    CardPointers App | Track & Max Your Military Credit Card Benefits, Credits, and Offers #210
    Jan 5 2026
    Leaving thousands of dollars in credit card offers on the table because you forgot to activate them? Brooke Merkle from CardPointers reveals how the Chrome extension and app automatically track 40+ credit cards, find the best card for every purchase, and helped one user rack up $40,000 in statement credits, all without spreadsheets or mental math. CardPointers is a tool that automatically adds credit card offers, tracks points across multiple cards, and recommends which card to use for every purchase. This is particularly valuable for military families with fee-waived premium cards. CardPointers even offers a military discount exlusive to our fans at militarymoneymanual.com/cardpointers. Main Points What Card Pointers Does Chrome extension automatically adds offers to all your credit cards (Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Bank of America)Mobile app shows which card earns most points/cash back for each purchaseTracks all points balances across programs in one placeParticularly powerful for military families with 5-10+ fee-waived cards The Offer Problem Card Pointers Solves Average credit card user has offers worth $2,000-3,000 annuallyMost people only activate/use 10-20% of available offersOffers expire if not added to cards within limited timeManually checking 40+ cards for offers is impossibleCard Pointers adds ALL offers automatically to ALL cards How It Works Download Chrome extension (free)Connect credit card accounts (read-only access)Extension automatically checks for new offers dailyAdds all offers with one clickApp shows real-time recommendations Pricing Chrome extension: Free basic versionPremium features: ~$100-120/yearWorth it if you have 5+ credit cards with offers Privacy & Security Read-only access to credit card accountsSame security as Mint, Personal Capital, Monarch MoneyDoesn't store credit card numbersCan't make purchases or move money Comparison to Manual Tracking Manual: Check 10 cards daily = 30+ minutesCard Pointers: Automatic, 0 minutesManual: Miss 80% of offersCard Pointers: Capture 95%+ of offersManual: Forget which card to useCard Pointers: Tells you instantly Best Practices Check extension weekly for new high-value offersReview app before major shopping tripsSet up for both spouses if both have cardsParticularly valuable during holiday shoppingMonitor for targeted high-value offers (10X points, large statement credits) Integration with Military Benefits Works with all fee-waived military cardsTracks Amex Platinum benefits (Lululemon, Resy, streaming credits)Chase Sapphire Reserve credits (DoorDash, travel)Helps maximize value from cards you're not paying annual fees for Resources & Links Military discount on CardPointers available: militarymoneymanual.com/cardpointers Chrome Extension: Search "Card Pointers" in Chrome Web StoreMobile App: Available on iOS and Android app storesMilitary Money Manual: militarymoneymanual.comMilitary Money Manual Instagram: @militarymoneymanual Spencer and Jamie offer one-on-one Military Money Mentor sessions. Get your personal military money and personal finance questions answered in a confidential coaching call. militarymoneymanual.com/mentor Over 20,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free course available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 In the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, you can learn how to apply for the most premium credit cards and get special military protections, such as waived annual fees, on elite cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. https://militarymoneymanual.com/amex-platinum-military/ https://militarymoneymanual.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-military/ Learn how active duty military, military spouses, and Guard and Reserves on 30+ day active orders can get your annual fees waived on premium credit cards in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 If you want to maximize your military paycheck, check out Spencer's 5 star rated book The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or at shop.militarymoneymanual.com. Want to be confident with your TSP investing? Check out the Confident TSP Investing course at militarymoneymanual.com/tsp to learn all about the Thrift Savings Plan and strategies for growing your wealth while in the military. Use promo code "podcast24" for $50 off. Plus, for every course sold, we'll donate one course to an E-4 or below- for FREE! If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual.
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    44 Min.