JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
A lot of times when people think about joining the military, something that helps them make their decision is hearing about the benefits they will be given when they sign up.
Some of those benefits include tuition assistance, food and housing allowance, job security and the ability to serve their country.
Another benefit offered on base is financial counseling. Military members, dependents, contractors and civilians can schedule an appointment at the Airman and Family Readiness Center and come in to get one-on-one counseling on anything in the financial arena.
People can be helped with everything to include Air Force Aid, getting a free vehicle history report, budgeting, investments, stocks, the Thrift Savings Plan, school tuition, goal settings and financial planning, Wendy Link, A&FRC community readiness consultant, said.
"If you don't know where your money is, then you have no way to set financial goals for the future," she said. "You need to know what's coming in and what's going out. That's the only way you're going to get anywhere in the future."
When military members have many things paid for, it can be hard for them to realize they need to plan ahead and save money for their future.
"A lot of people who are in the military think they have a safe paycheck every two weeks," she said. "You always have to plan for the unexpected; that really is the bottom line when it comes to expenses. You always have to plan for the unexpected."
Link suggests people strive to save six to nine months of living expenses. It can relieve a lot of stress for people if they know they have a bulk of money saved up to use if they get in a pinch.
People should always live within their means, she said.
"If you calculate all of your expenses, you need to balance that out," she said. "If you're in the negative, you're doing something really bad. If you're at zero, then you are still not living within your means. Everyone needs to know where their money is at all times."
Managing a budget helps people know how to make decisions on where to spend their money.
"I'm not a believer in cutting everything out," she said, "because that's not realistic. You're going to go out, but maybe instead of every week, you do it every other week."
One of her favorite things about her job is watching people achieve their goals, Link said.
"The success stories are my favorite, and we have a lot," she said. "I would encourage anybody and everybody to come in for an appointment. Everyone should have a budget, because that way you can make a plan and set goals."
For more information or to schedule a free appointment, call the A&FRC at 652-5321.