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In 2015, Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow at The Brookings Institution, noted the following at a Blue Star Families symposium on military families: "there are a lot of big challenges, and reasons why we shouldn't be complacent about military compensation, or feel that we should cut it....having to move from base to base, from one part of the country to the other, means that spouses often can't get work; and we saw the statistics earlier, apparently more than half are unable to find work, and of that group that are unable to find work most of them would like to work....I'm wondering if the next time we do a quarterly review of military compensation, there actually should be an adjusted metric that tries to acknowledge this effect and factor it into the calculation about how well-off military families are, relative to other families." Well, the team at Wells Fargo, including Jay Bryson, Nicole Cervi, and Delaney Connor have finally done the math, and its as most military families have intuitively known and why economic and food insecurity is such an issue these days for many military families: https://lnkd.in/gWT3XKaN

Ten Things People Often Don’t Know About Military Families 🇺🇸 1. 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Military families reflect a cross-section of the cultural, ethnic, religious beliefs, and language groups of the United States. We are a microcosm of the nation’s diversity and it enriches our communities creating a more inclusive and cohesive military environment. 2. 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗺: Military Servicemembers and their spouses representing a wide range of political beliefs across the political spectrum. It also ensures that our community is a true reflection of the democratic values we serve to protect. 3. 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘀: More than 10% of military servicemembers are naturalized Americans, bringing unique perspectives and experiences to our communities. These individuals have chosen to serve their adopted country, demonstrating immense patriotism and dedication. Ps: there are not comprehensive numbers for naturalized military spouses 4. 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀: Over 30% of military spouses hold Bachelor’s degrees or higher, contributing significantly to the workforce and community. Despite frequent relocations, we pursue careers and further education, showcasing resilience and adaptability. 5. 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘀: We often have to fund our change of station moves upfront and wait for the Department of Defense to reimburse us. Even then, not all of our moving expenses are covered, adding financial strain. 6. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: Living on a military base means we cannot rely on all of our constitutional rights. For example, we must submit to searches of our vehicles and homes on military bases. 7. 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 Our service members cannot speak about political matters publicly, similar to other public servants covered by the Hatch Act. This ensures that the military remains apolitical and maintains public trust in the impartiality and professionalism of our armed forces. 8. 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘀: Our squadrons and units are often far more diverse than the communities surrounding the bases and posts they sit on, fostering inclusivity and understanding. This diversity strengthens our units by bringing together different perspectives and experiences. 9. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲: “Thank you for your service” can fall flat when families among us are food insecure, underemployed, or struggling with unemployment despite high levels of education. It also feels hollow when many military families are dealing with bigotry, racism, or ignorance. 10. 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲: Traveling from across the country or around the world, it’s disheartening to hear, “We’re not used to you being around” or “Be sure to come and see us.” Your effort to connect with us during these visits means a lot and helps maintain strong family bonds despite distance. #MilitaryFamilies #Diversity #SupportOurTroops

"Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world." Uncover how #WarrenBuffett and #NavalRavikant have benefited from it and compound across all aspects of life. Read our recent blog post here: https://lnkd.in/d62hNZ5Y

🇺🇸 Happy Memorial Day! 🇺🇸 As we honor and remember our loved ones and those who have served us through the military, municipal police, fire, and other frontline services, I wanted to share something that could be of great service to you, your family, and your goals this year. I'm excited to invite you to a short webinar on financial strategies that can help individuals rescue or transition their retirement gains from taxable to "non-taxable" income. These strategies not only safeguard against market losses but also provide liquidity and leverage to fuel other investments, such as real estate or business purchases. It's like having an infinite banking system at your fingertips! If you're anything like me, you'll want to share this webinar with the people you care about simply because of the invaluable insights it provides. The link below will take you directly to the webinar: 🔗 [Financial Strategies Webinar](https://lnkd.in/ejiHsujT) Please feel free to share this link with anyone you believe would benefit from learning about these innovative strategies. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out. Wishing you a meaningful Memorial Day and a future filled with financial freedom. Best regards, Shiree Seeds

August is National Make-A-Will Month, and now is the perfect time to safeguard your legacy for your family and the causes you care about most. Our latest blog post shares how you can leave a lasting legacy for #MilitaryFamilies. Read more here: https://loom.ly/y2iaH4k #MakeAWillMonth

s cities swell in size and importance, they have become prime targets for military strategists and arms dealers alike. The proliferation of the weapons industry casts a dark shadow over the future of urbanization, threatening to turn our cities into veritable war zones. #urban warfare #Conflict #Uncertain Urban Future

Sessions coming to #MilMoneyCon24! 📢 Panel: Rear Admiral Dawn Cutler, USN (Ret), Christine Fallon, MS, AFC ®, Monique Street, AFC®, Josh Protas 📚 Session Title: Military Food Insecurity-What's Your Role? 🔍 Panel Description: Today’s military families are faced with higher rates of food insecurity than the average American family. Factors such as frequent moves, unemployment/underemployment of spouses, and systemic pay problems contribute to this dilemma. The DoD’s 2021 Survey of Active Duty Spouses revealed 25% of respondents experienced food insecurity. How can financial industry professionals be a part of the solutions for these families? How can you best advise families to promote financial decision-making that can help alleviate the paycheck-to-paycheck living that further perpetuates food insecurity? How can you empower military families to stretch their income to cover their basic needs? Join this session with Monique Street, AFC® (Blue Star Families DEPLOY Fellow), Dawn Cutler (Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society) and Josh Protas (MAZON-A Jewish Response to Hunger) to ask questions, discuss, and learn how you can play a key role in helping our military families thrive and overcome food insecurity. 📆 Save the dates: April 25-27, 2024 📍 See you in Denver, CO 🔗 milmoneycon.com #MilMoneyCon

Happy Fourth of July! Let’s honor the efforts of soldiers and freedom fighters by treating one another with loyalty, respect, and kindness. Don't forget to uphold the true spirit of America today—kindness, loyalty, camaraderie—and serve the nation to the fullest. Stay safe!” 🇺🇸 #USAToday #usareels #USAIndependenceDay #USAIndependence #facebookreelsviral #lifeinsurancebroker #lifeinsurancematters #insurancepolicy #healthinsurance #creditscore #facebookviral #HaulingServices #facebookreel

The transformation is remarkable. The sitting @Potus is kicked to the curb and all of a sudden VP KH is the democrat savior? It makes absolutely no sense. So here’s my questions: 1) could KH be the new darling of the dems without the aiding and abetting of the main stream media? 2) why KH? Weren’t there more savvy democrats to chose from? 3) what are YOUR odds KH becomes the next POTUS? 4) how would a KH presidency effect the US economy and business in general? Inquiring Steves want to know.

Roy Rogers said, "The greatest legacy we can leave our children is happy memories." Absolutely! But those cherished memories are best built on a foundation of security. For veterans and active military personnel, that security comes through thoughtful estate planning, including the potential benefits of a trust. Deployment and service can bring periods of uncertainty. A well-crafted trust can provide peace of mind knowing your family's financial needs are met, even if you're away or incapacitated. Here's how a trust can benefit you and your loved ones: Streamlined Distribution: Bypassing the lengthy and costly probate process, a trust allows for a smoother and more efficient distribution of your assets to your loved ones. This translates to quicker access to the financial resources they need during a difficult time. Tax-Saving Strategies: Depending on the type of trust you choose, you may be able to minimize estate taxes, preserving more of your wealth for future generations to enjoy. Peace of Mind: Knowing your loved ones have the financial resources they need, even during your absence or a period of incapacity, allows you to focus on serving your country and creating those cherished memories with your family. Don't let the challenges of deployment or future uncertainties overshadow the happy memories you create with your family. Schedule a consultation with us today to discuss incorporating a trust into your estate plan. We're dedicated to helping you build a secure foundation for a lifetime of happy memories. #veteranlegacy #militaryfamily #financialplanning #estateplanning #trusts