**FREE** Photo Book for Deployed Military Members!!

Yes, you heard me! The USO has a fabulous photo book program that family members of deployed military can use! I found out about this through searching on the USO website - and thought that, hey, my husband is considered deployed, I should utilize this great opportunity!

About a month ago, I put together the photo book for him with photos we took together while he was home on leave. I wanted to wait and share it with y'all till my husband got the book (he reads my blog!) because it was a surprise. Well, he got it yesterday and LOVED it.

The photo book program was put together by the USO and RocketLife, a photo project website. Click here to find out more! It's very easy to use.

First, you need to go to this site: http://USO.RocketLifeProduction.com - and put in your military member's overseas address (any APO/FPO/MPO address works!). Afterwards, you receive an email with instructions and a special code.

The most time consuming part of this whole project was picking out pictures to upload on the pages! I had a good time looking through all the pictures and it was nice to reminisce.

My husband snapped some pictures (on his phone, so excuse the quality!) of the photo book and shared it with me!

If you have a loved one that is overseas, I would recommend taking advantage!

An Awesome Opportunity for Military Families to Win Big for Their Babies!

To all the military mommies and daddies out there with young kiddos, check out the flyer below! It's an awesome giveaway and getaway opportunity from Plush Little Baby, exclusively for military families!! Do you know of a deserving family? Then, enter them for a chance to win big! I couldn't help but share this amazing opportunity to y'all after reading about it. My husband and I don't have little ones yet, but I can only imagine how much it would be to budget in a new family addition. Be sure you note the deadline, you only have 10 days to enter!

Check out more details here: http://www.plushlittlebaby.com/plbs-ultimate-military-family-giveaway-getaway/

PS: How many of you enter contests/giveaways? I'm just curious because, if so, I'd love to share more military specific ones with you! Of course, only if it makes sense. :) Thanks everyone!

Guest Post: Finding Resources and Opportunities As You Enter Civilian Life

Emma Banks of Smile As It Happens contacted me about sharing some very valuable insight on finding resources and opportunities when you're entering into the civilian workforce.  I thought it would be very useful to pass along!  Please find her article below!

Leaving the military presents you with a wide range of opportunities, but it can also bring along the anxiety of the unknown. Unfortunately, many myths have been perpetuated that fuel anxiety concerning civilian life and your search for non-military employment. Let’s look at a few of these and learn the truth behind them.

Myth #1: Most employers don’t care about job seekers.

Truth: In today’s competitive job market, many companies receive high numbers of applications on a regular basis. They understand the need to attract the most qualified, talented people to fill available positions. In order to attract these individuals, many companies have significantly streamlined the application process; some of the more tech-savvy companies such as Walmart and AT&T have partnered with JIBE, a mobile recruiting company, to allow job seekers to efficiently upload resumes and other pertinent information right from their mobile devices. Other companies seek to attract and retain the best applicants by offering special benefits such as work-from-home options, gym memberships, and more.

Myth #2 No special services exist to help you find non-military employment.

Truth: While you may feel overwhelmed by the process of transitioning from a military career to civilian work, many resources are out there to assist you. Hire Heroes USA, an organization composed of former military personnel from a wide range of backgrounds, provides training for veterans and military personnel seeking civilian work. In addition to workshops and job-finding tools, Hire Heroes USA also offers job fairs throughout the country.

Myth #3: You will only find open positions online.

Truth: While many people successfully search for jobs online, many employers seek to fill positions through other means. Job fairs offer great opportunities for meeting potential employers in person. Networking also offers a great way to find job opportunities. If you want to work at a particular company but don’t know if they are hiring, you can submit your resume along with a cover letter explaining why you would be an asset to the company. Volunteering also often provides a stepping-stone toward employment. You may eventually find a paid position with the organization where you volunteer, or your volunteer work could help you network with a potential employer. Keep your head up and eyes open – you never know where your next opportunity may come from!

Myth #4: Although programs exist to help military veterans find jobs in the private sector, no person is available to help you through this transition.

Truth: All veterans who served following 9/11 are eligible for personal assistance with job-seeking and career building. Through the Gold Card program, these veterans can gain access to a local One-Stop Career Center. Here, with the help of a career professional you will receive career guidance, the opportunity to work on job-readiness tests and assessments, interviews, an Individual Development Plan, job referrals, and monthly check-ups throughout your employment search and beyond.

Change brings both stress as well as opportunity. Fortunately, many resources are available to help you in your transition out of the military. By taking advantage of these programs, you will be able to alleviate much of your anxiety as well as find opportunities for the next phase of your life.

Emma is a mid 20-something year old with a passion for life, love, fitness, and helping others. She loves to be active and get involved in as many sport and community activities as possible. Emma is currently studying to become a Career & Life Coach, and loves to network with people from around the world! Check out Emma’s blog at http://smileasithappens.blogspot.com/! 

Guest Post: Top 10 Reasons to Vote Troop ID as the Most Veteran Friendly Business in America

Hi everyone!  I wanted to share a great guest post from the Troop ID folks.  Vote now for this fabulous organization that helps find deals and discounts for military members and their families!

The search is on for the most Veteran Friendly small business in America. U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Hiring our Heroes program is hosting a Small Business Tournament of Champions, a battle royale to bring awareness to companies dedicated to employing veterans and helping the military community. After a tough round of competition, Troop ID has made it to the Final Four! They are just one step away from named the most Veteran-friendly small business in America!

In a nod to our democratic system, the Chamber of Commerce is awarding the title based on votes: whichever company has the most votes by May 30th takes it all. You can vote up to once a day until May 30th, and it only takes a moment to cast your ballot.

Troop ID is in it to win it: Here are the top 10 reasons why Troop ID deserves YOUR vote: 

1) Troop ID is Veteran Owned: Founded by two former Army Rangers, Blake Hall and Matt Thompson, Troop ID has a unique understanding of the military community because its leaders have worn the uniform and faced the same stuggles as many men and women of the Armed Forces. 

2) They Don't Believe in Chairs: At the Troop ID headquarters in McLean, VA, chairs are quarantined to the conference room and reserved for sit-down meetings with guests. At their desks, Troop ID and TroopSwap employees stand tall or balance skillfully on exercise balls. If you can stand, why sit? That's just lazy talk!

3) Troop ID is Committed to Hiring Veterans: Hiring veterans is not only the right thing to do, it's also the smart thing to do from a business perspective. Veterans make great employees. And Troop ID should know: more than 35% of the employees at Troop ID today are Veterans.

4) Troop ID is Committed to Hiring Military Spouses: With frequent moves and a demanding lifestyle, military spouses are true homefront heroes. Troop ID hires these Household 6 specialists because they're great at multi-tasking, cool under pressure, and are on the front lines of what military families want and need. In fact, the entire Troop ID/TroopSwap local sales team is composed of Military Spouses, and headed by a Military Spouse!

5) They're Not Too Proud for Pushups: Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, and on the rare occasions when Troop ID employees run late for a meeting, miss a typo, or forget a co-workers birthday, they're ready to hit the deck and give 'em 20!

6) Troop ID Exists to Help Veterans Everyday: Troop ID was created with Veterans in mind. Unlike active duty service members, many Veterans don't have an ID card that proves their military affiliation. Moreover, no Veterans have an online credential that proves their service to businesses or organizations that want offer benefits as a Thank You. Troop ID was created to solve this problem! Troop ID is an online ID card for the military that allows members to easily get great deals and military discounts online, access employment and educational opportunities just for veterans and service members, tap into VA benefits, and get assistance with financial resources. Your Troop ID allows businesses to recognize your service, and grant you access to exclusive perks.

7) Troop ID is About Helping the Entire Military Community: Some purveyors of military discounts acknowledge active duty service members, but not the military spouses who support them and soldier on in their absence. Some don't recognize veterans or military dependents. But Troop ID is not just for Veterans: we are on a mission to help the entire military community. So Veterans, retirees, active duty, military spouses, and family members can all benefit from signing up for a Troop ID.

8) Troop ID Supports Wounded Warriors: Troop ID and TroopSwap are proud to host events like last weekend's Jumping for a Purpose that not only raised funds for Wounded Warriors, but also raised awareness of the sacrifices these brave men and women have made for our country.

9) Troop ID Gives Back with Mentoring: Troop ID employees serve as mentors to both veterans and military spouses, doling out advice on everything from how to create a lean start-up, to how to best prepare a family for the struggles of deployment through MilSpouse and Veteran eMentor Programs. In addition to these year-round efforts, the executive team serves as volunteer mentors at the annual TechStars Patriot Boot Camp, helping military entrepreneurs make their dreams a reality.

10) Troop ID is Always Free for Members of the Military Community: Paying a fee to access military discounts seems backwards: you've already earned the reward, why should you have to pay to access it? Troop ID and TroopSwap membership is always free for members of the military community.

TroopSwap Guest Blog Post: Smart Ways to Utilize Your Tax Refund

If you've got a refund coming your way, April is looking mighty fine despite this lingering winter weather. But with today's economy, being smart about that check is more important than ever. At TroopSwap and Troop ID, our sales force is composed of proud military spouses and veterans sourcing military discounts all around the country. We asked proud Navy Spouse, financial whiz, and TroopSwap's National Sales manager Caitlin Horn to share the best ways to use your refund to lasting effect.

First, we've got to ask, is a refund really a good thing? In a word, no. That fat check from Uncle Sam may seem like free money, but it's really your money that you've over-paid to the government during the past year. If you received more than $1,000 back, it may be a good time to revisit your W4 to see if you can adjust your withholding. While it's nice to get a check in April, what you're really doing is giving the government an interest-free loan all year long. A bank or government agency wouldn't give you an interest-free loan, so why should you extend that generous act to the IRS?

But let's say that this year, you do have a big tax refund coming your way. How should you spend the cash? Here are 5 smart ways to utilize your refund:

1. If You Have Debt, Pay it Down!

Paying down debt may not be the most exciting way to use your tax refund, but if you've got high-interest loans it's the smartest. With today's incredibly low return rates on investments, the most financially savvy thing you can do is to get debt-free—especially when it comes to credit cards, which often carry APRs as high as 15%. If you don't have credit card debt, look to your mortgage loan. Making an extra mortgage payment can help shorten your payback time and save you both principal and interest. By making just one additional payment on a 30 year mortgage each year, you can have the mortgage paid off in about 17 years and save thousands of dollars in interest over that time.

2. If You Don't Have Debt, Check Out Savings Plans 

Members of the military have some great options for saving for retirement. Contribute your refund Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a traditional 401(k), or IRA/Roth IRA. Make sure to check if to see if your employer provides 401 (k) matching for these kinds of accounts to boost your retirement funds. If you qualify for the Savers Credit, you can make a $2,000 IRA contribution (if filing jointly), get a $1,000 additional tax refund and save an additional $300 or so on your 2013 taxes. By contributing $2,000 to an IRA, you could receive $1,300 in tax refunds! Dollar-for-dollar, this is the most valuable financial move for those who qualify.

3. If You're Maxed Out on Saving, Invest...In Yourself!

Retirement accounts and TSP accounts have maximum amounts that you can contribute each year. So if you're all set with savings in 2013, turn your tax return into an investment in a sure-fire winner: you! Have you been wanting to take a class to expand your marketability? Now's the time to do it! Add to your education or job skills to take your career and earning potential to the next level. Sign up for a college or graduate class in your field. Attend an industry conference and get in some good networking. Even taking a non-work related class like painting or photography can expand your thinking and brighten your mood. Another way to invest in yourself is to focus on health. After all, your health is your greatest asset. Use your tax refund to invest in a gym or yoga studio membership, a personal trainer, or some great new workout gear from Under Armour (at a 10% discount with Troop ID!). Investing in yourself is sure to pay returns in happiness and well being, making 2013 your best year yet.

4. Invest in Your Kids

If you have children, help prepare for their future with a 529 college savings account. You’ll be able to use the money tax-free for college bills, and you could get a state income-tax deduction for your contribution.There are two types of 529 plans: pre-paid tuition plans and college savings plans. All fifty states and the District of Columbia sponsor at least one type of 529 plan. Pre-paid tuition plans allow college savers to purchase units or credits at participating colleges and universities for future tuition and, in some cases, room and board. Most prepaid tuition plans are sponsored by state governments and have residency requirements. College savings plans allow parents to establish an account for a student to cover eligible college expenses. An account holder may typically choose among several investment options, which the college savings plan invests on behalf of the account holder. Investment options often include stock mutual funds, bond mutual funds, and money market funds, as well as, age-based portfolios that automatically shift toward more conservative investments as the beneficiary gets closer to college age.

5. Plan a Splurge! 

OK, you've paid down your credit card bills, invested in your retirement, and now you want to treat yourself to something special. Opt for splurges that will create memories with friends and families, not just things. While a new purse is always welcome, the memories you'll carry with you from a great vacation are a lot longer lasting. Check out military discounts on getaways at TroopSwap for some ideas to get you started.

Caitlin Horn is a proud Navy Spouse who serves as the National Sales Manager for TroopSwap.com. Caitlin earned her B.S. in Accounting from the College of Charleston, and prior to joining TroopSwap, checked the books at Deloitte & Touche, LLP where she specialized in Audit and Enterprise Risk Services.

About TroopSwap and Troop ID: Founded by two Army Rangers, our team is dedicated to working with reputable, military-friendly businesses to bring special deals and everyday discounts to verified active service members, veterans, and their families. TroopSwap provides hand-selected daily deals and military discounts for businesses near you. Troop ID is the first technology platform that verifies military or veteran status online, enabling top brands to securely deliver benefits and discounts to the military community through e-commerce. Troop ID’s Single Sign On allows members of the military community to access discounts, veteran skill training vouchers, and government benefits safely and securely online.

 

The Soldier and I featured at "A Military Story"

I'm so honored that my story is featured at A Military Story!

A Military Story is a very special blog that focuses on the stories of military members and their loved ones.  From couples engagement photos to homecoming ceremonies, this blog covers it all!  Not only does it highlight inspiring and adorable photography, it also provides information for couples.  It's a great resource if you're hoping to get ideas, etc. for military-related photography!

I actually came across this blog as I was doing research for my formal wedding.  My soldier and I hope to incorporate some military traditions to our ceremony.  Anyway, I noticed that the blog also featured other subjects and thought that we would be a good fit.  One of my best friends acted as our photographer at our civil ceremony (can't ever thank you enough Steph!).  We also managed to take photographs around town while my hubby donned his uniform!

Here is my husband and I's fabulous post!

Thank you Layla for sharing my special day with your readers!  I'm very much looking forward to my formal wedding when my soldier returns in 2014 - and to hopefully share that day with you too!!

The Mesothelioma Combat Guide for Veterans

Last week, I received an email from Emily, the Community Outreach Director at the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance.  She shared with me some interesting news that I thought is worth passing along to the milspouse community.  I didn't realize that mesothelioma affected so many military members - about 30% of all mesothelioma cases are veterans!

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance provides a wealth of information for everyone to learn more about the risk of asbestos exposure.  They've recently put together special guide for the veteran community.  "The Mesothelioma Combat Guide for Veterans" is now available online.  The combat guide actually outlines the risks by each branch of service and what your next steps should be when you think you've been exposed.  Please check it out and share with your loved one.

Thanks Emily for bringing to my attention the importance of knowing more about this hidden danger for our military members.  It's critical to detect mesothelioma early, so if you believe you've been exposed, contact a veteran treatment center asap!

Be Adventurous!

Thanks to another great milspouse friend, I found out about this fantastic online destination for milspouses!  It's called NextGen MilSpouse.  They cover pertinent topics and interesting stories that are relatable to milspouses on their site.  I thought it would be good to follow them along.  I am also a fan of them on Facebook - and that's when I noticed this post from their page:

Naturally, I jumped at the chance because I just wrote about my soldier and I's plans on getting ourselves to Bermuda this summer.  The theme of the month is "Be Adventurous."  Well, that's exactly what my soldier and I LOVE to do - to be adventurous!  Today, I hopped on Facebook and saw that they posted their first ever "Blog Blotter."  I went over to their website to see that my blog - The Professional Army Wife - is featured under the subheader, "More Adventurous MilSpouse Encounters are Just a Click Away."  I am very honored that the site mentioned me and my new blog.

It's also got me thinking of all the other adventurous things my soldier and I have done in the past.  I did a little roundup of the things we used to do when he was stationed at Fort Drum.  Over the next couple weeks, I'll share the road trip experience I had moving my soldier from New York to Arizona.  Then, I'll talk about my two trips to Arizona last year.  The first trip is our journey through Northern Arizona and the second we stayed near Fort Huachuca in Southern Arizona.  We were able to do and see amazing things.  Anyway, if you haven't checked out NextGen MilSpouse, you should check it out!

Here is their website URL: http://nextgenmilspouse.com/
Please don't forget to "like" them on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/NextGenMilSpouse and follow them on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/NextGenMilSo.

Happy Saturday!!

Brides Across America: only one day left!

Last November, I participated in a free bridal giveaway event at Sposabella Bridal in Feasterville, PA.  It was made possible by a program called Brides Across America, which partners with local bridal shops to giveaway designer bridal gowns to military brides.  Of course, I jumped at the chance to utilize this fantastic opportunity because my soldier and I need all the help we can get!  It's already difficult enough to go through a year of separation because the military says so, and now, we have to wait to have our formal wedding.

There are a lot of things in life that you have to make compromises for and this was a big one for me.  Brides Across America understands that a lot of military brides might not have the chance to have the "wedding of their dreams" because of their fiance's service.  It's more common than not for military brides to marry without having an actual wedding and/or reception - it's a hard reality.  Because my soldier had orders to go to Korea, we had to make big decisions quick.  We had our civil ceremony before he left, just so I can have the benefits while he's away, just in case anything happens.

This program was made for our situation.  We had a civil ceremony and will have a formal wedding when he gets back.  It's comforting to know that there is a whole organization thinking of military brides and understanding the struggles we face.  Being a part of this program lit a fire within me though. After picking my dress with some of my closest girlfriends, it gave me some motivation to look forward to our formal wedding.  Not only will my soldier and I get to start our life together when he gets back, but now I have the perfect dress brought to me by a team of very thoughtful women to walk down the aisle in...I see light at the end of the tunnel!

When I registered, there was a $20 service charge that goes to the organization.  The funds ensure that the great mission of Brides Across America can continue to reach out to more military brides.  I found out that Groupon Grassroots had an option for everyone to donate $10 and it will be matched by Impression Bridal, so logon to Groupon today to help out future military brides!!  It's such a fantastic organization that has effected me dearly.

Only one day left!!

Click on this link: http://www.groupon.com/deals/brides-across-america-inc