The Military Money Manual Podcast Podcast Por Spencer Reese from MilitaryMoneyManual.com arte de portada

The Military Money Manual Podcast

The Military Money Manual Podcast

De: Spencer Reese from MilitaryMoneyManual.com
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Military Money: Investing, spending, saving, financial freedom, and getting out of debt. Real world tactics and strategies for active duty, Guard and Reserve, military spouses, veterans, enlisted, and officers. The Military Money Manual Podcast is all about achieving financial independence while you serve in the US military. Spencer and Jamie, Air Force officers, share everything you need to know to achieve your financial goals while you serve in our Armed Forces. Learn about Military Credit Card annual fee waivers exclusively for active duty, Guard, Reserve, and military spouses in the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at https://militarymoneymanual.com/umc3 Find Spencer's 5-star rated book, The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom on Amazon or https://shop.militarymoneymanual.com Special military credit card benefits, points and miles, investing in the TSP, financial independence, retiring early, military FIRE, maximizing military pay, deployment finances: Jamie and Spencer cover it all. Your hosts are Spencer Reese and Jamie. Spencer served for 12 years in the US Air Force flying C-17 aircraft around the globe. Jamie is currently an active duty Air Force officer.Copyright © 2025 Spencer Reese Ciencias Sociales Economía Escritos y Comentarios sobre Viajes Finanzas Personales
Episodios
  • Build Your Emergency Fund | 5 Minute Military Money 6/10 #224

    Build Your Emergency Fund | 5 Minute Military Money 6/10 #224
    Apr 13 2026

    Step 6 in our 10-part series: grow your emergency fund to cover three months of expenses. Spencer and Jamie explain why your "SWAN number" (Sleep Well At Night) matters more than the math, why you should default to your partner's comfort level, and why this money is insurance — not an investment.

    Topics covered:

    • Why three months of expenses is a solid starting point for most military families
    • The SWAN number concept — your emergency fund should let you sleep at night
    • If you and your partner disagree on the amount, default to whoever wants more
    • Emergency funds turn emergencies into inconveniences
    • This is savings, not an investment — you can't afford for it to go down in a market dip
    • Adjusting your emergency fund for PCS season or military separation
    • Your budget may reveal expenses you don't actually value (streaming subscriptions, etc.)
    • Keep your emergency fund in a separate account, completely earmarked from other money

    Resources mentioned:

    • Military Emergency Fund Q&A — Military Money Manual Podcast Episode 51

    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 at militarymoneymanual.com/mentor.

    Over 22,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course, available at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3.

    In the 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 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.

    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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    5 m
  • Pay Off High-Interest Rate Debt | 5 Minute Military Money 5/10 #223

    Pay Off High-Interest Rate Debt | 5 Minute Military Money 5/10 #223
    Apr 6 2026
    Step 5 in our 10-part series: pay down your high interest rate debt. Spencer and Jamie share how they each paid off six figures of debt on military pay, why debt robs your future self of choices, and where to find free help if you're overwhelmed. Topics covered: Why non-asset-backed debt (credit cards, auto loans, student loans) is working against youThe 5-6% interest rate threshold for "high interest" vs. "low interest" debtWhy Spencer has become more debt-averse over time — even toward low-interest career starter loansThe emotional and psychological weight of debt, and how paying it off changed both hosts' financial trajectoriesScarcity mindset vs. abundance mentality — and why you might need a temporary scarcity mindset to get out of debtWays to increase income in the military: spouse employment, side hustles, DoorDash, garage sales, Facebook MarketplaceDebt affects all ranks and all ages — don't let embarrassment keep you from getting help Resources mentioned: The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey (available on Libby app and base libraries)Financial Peace University (Dave Ramsey)Dave Ramsey's 7 Baby Steps — Military Money Manual Podcast Episode 135How to Get Out of Debt in the Military — Episode 14Spencer & Jamie's Debt Stories — Episode 15On-base financial counseling services (accredited financial counselors)Military OneSource (text, chat, phone, video counseling) Spencer is offering one-on-one Military Money Coaching sessions! Get your personal military money and investing questions answered in a confidential coaching call. If you have a question you would like us to answer on the podcast, please reach out on instagram.com/militarymoneymanual or email podcast@militarymoneymanual.com. 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. I also offer a 100% free course on military travel hacking and getting annual fee waived credit cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express® Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course at militarymoneymanual.com/umc3. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card waive the annual fee for active duty military servicemembers, including Guard and Reserve on active orders over 30 days. The annual fees on all personal Amex cards are also waived for military spouses married to active duty troops. Military Money Manual may receive compensation from JPMC. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. 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 22,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free, Ultimate Military Credit Cards 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. 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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    11 m
  • Budget for the "Four Walls" | Food, Utilities, Shelter, Transportation: 5 Minute Military Money 4/10 #222

    Budget for the "Four Walls" | Food, Utilities, Shelter, Transportation: 5 Minute Military Money 4/10 #222
    Mar 30 2026
    Step 4 of the 10-part military finance essentials series. Spencer and Jamie explain how to create a realistic budget focusing on "the four walls": food, utilities, shelter, and transportation. Learn which budgeting tools work best, why tracking spending matters, and how to avoid the biggest financial trap in the military—buying too much car. Create a Realistic Budget Focus on the Four Walls first: FoodUtilitiesShelter (rent/housing)Transportation Then track: Other necessary expensesDiscretionary spendingWhere money is actually going Recommended Apps: Monarch Money - $100/year (Spencer's current choice, replaced Mint.com)YNAB (You Need A Budget) - $109/year (Jamie's choice)Google Sheets or Excel - Free (works fine for beginners)Pen and paper - Free (better than nothing) Cash Envelope Method Key Points Military Advantages: Housing usually covered (BAH or base housing)Food access (DFAC for single members)Should be "almost zero situations" where four walls are an issueThis frees up money for other goals Biggest Trap: Buying Too Much Car What to Look For The Goal: Align spending with your values—spend on what matters, cut what doesn't Important Reminders Budget = A Plan Not restrictive, just intentionalKnow what's coming in, what's going outEnsures you're being efficient with money Credit Cards Are NOT the Solution Don't solve overspending with credit cardsCredit cards are great tools (right time, right place)Not for covering expenses you can't affordNot for living beyond your means If You're Behind: Focus on four walls FIRSTPay rent, utilities, food, transportationEverything else comes afterCreate safe, stable environment so you can focus on work/mission Resources Episode 48: Four Ways to Budget a Military Paycheck (deep dive)Monarch Money: monarchmoney.com YNAB: youneedabudget.comMilitary Money Manual Book: Full budgeting strategies 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 22,000 military servicemembers and military spouses have graduated from the 100% free, Ultimate Military Credit Cards 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/ Military Money Manual may receive compensation from JPMC. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. 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. 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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    6 m
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How great is it that Spencer and his guests offer free, expert financial mentorship to over one million Department of Defense military servicemembers? This Podcast series is assigned listening for all of my Soldiers.

unparalleled military financial mentorship

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I love listening to the podcast! They cover so many important topics and encourage my journey towards financial independence and having options after the military! Everything from insurance and TSP to military benefits like free credit cards and travel hacking

Best podcast for military personal finance

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Great information! I either learn something or reaffirm my financial independence strategy every episode.

Good info

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