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MilSpouse Money Mission eNewsletter: February 2025 Edition

Department of Defense Financial Readiness Program sent this bulletin at 02/11/2025 01:57 PM EST

Mil Spouse Money Mission - Educate, Empower, Elevate

February 2025

Man and woman seated at a table talking to each other

Focus on Financial Wellness and Communication This February

As we turn our attention to Valentine’s Day, let’s acknowledge that not all conversations between couples come up roses. Discussing finances can often be tricky and stir up emotions. Partners may come from different financial backgrounds, bringing their own values and habits to the union. But whether you’re a new couple or have been together for years, open and honest communication will win when it comes to financial success. Here are five tips to help you approach the topic.

File for Free With MilTax

Take the stress — and cost — out of filing your taxes. MilTax includes personalized support for military families like yours. Get started.

Use These Tips to Find Financial Aid

It’s Financial Aid Awareness Month! Whether you have a college- bound teen or you want to head back to school yourself, check out these must-read tips, ranging from saving for college to minimizing student loans to maximizing Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. For example, did you know the GI Bill offers an annual stipend for books and other supplies? You can also learn more about scholarships just for MilKids from Military OneSource.

Save on Health Care Expenses

Does your family pay for prescriptions or office co-pays out-of-pocket? Will your child need braces or a new pair of glasses this year? Does your little one receive occupational, physical or speech therapy? If any of this sounds familiar, DoD has a new benefit you and your spouse may want to consider. The Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) lets Service members set aside $100-$3,300 pre-tax for eligible health care costs. Learn more in this HCFSA fact sheet, but don’t wait too long to decide. Enrollment starts March 3.

Did You Know?

Your digital footprint is probably a lot larger than you think, even if you’re private on social media, regularly change your passwords and delete unused files and programs. Spend a couple of hours digitally spring cleaning this month. That means checking your security settings, running updates, emptying your trash and download folders, and deleting saved credit card information. Find 20 additional tips in this article, then start scrubbing and wiping your computer, your phone and your social media.

Resources

Join the Mission!

MilSpouse Money Mission® is an official communication from the United States Government, brought to you by the Department of Defense Office of Financial Readiness. It offers free personal financial education specifically designed for military spouses. Learn how we can serve you — and share this DoD resource with your friends.

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