When you have to work twelve hours a day, seven days a week while deployed, it’s pretty easy to save a good amount of cash. Here are my top 6 fantastic tips for saving money while deployed:
- Don’t buy crap: Don’t buy a bike, PS4, flat screen TV, or other entertainment system to make your dorm feel like home. The less “homey” it feels, the more money you save in you bank account.
- Buy only consumables: Toothpaste, soap, protein, deodorant, feet spray, tide pods, and talcum powder should be the only consumable items you buy while out on deployment. DO NOT buy large trinkets like a sculpture of a baby camel to take home with you, you will regret it.
- Look for free stuff: Walk around and you will see people leave free items everywhere! Take advantage of it especially consumables like laundry soap. The Chapel and AFRC also give away free items so visit frequently.
- Amazon trap: Don’t fall for it! It may seem nice to get a package every week like someone loves you but Amazon doesn’t really love you! I repeat. Only consumables. Care packages are nice though…warms my black heart.
- SDP: Security Deposit Program is available after 30 days of deployment based on qualified locations. The magic number is 10 % interest rate annually up to $10,000.
- TSP: Did I mention that being deployed means that your pay is tax free? Well almost tax free. I currently invest 50% of my pay into my TSP right now and I don’t even notice! Invest in your future.
Those are my 6 fantastic tips while deployed. Any others I’ve missed? Comment below!