I’ve finally finished BMT and tech school for the Air Force and will arrive at my first duty station within a few days. I’m an A1C (6 year contract) and was able to save 3k dollars from BMT and tech school. I don’t have any expenses besides my phone bill and only plan to pay for internet and occasional transportation when I get to my base. No debt and no car. I want to be smart with my finances and set my future self up well. I’ve already read all the general finance tips and have browsed this sub to death. But I thought it could be helpful to make this post and see if anyone has some specific tips from personal experience that could help young enlisted start off strong at their first base. It could be basic advice that you think is crucial, or a niche tip that many wouldn’t think about. Any tips you’d like to share?
What are some specific financial tips you wished you knew when you got to your first duty station?
byu/Different-Line- inMilitaryFinance
Posted by Different-Line-
3 Comments
Open a roth IRA
You could max it out there year at 7k before Tax day 2025.
move your money before it hits your bank account.
for instance if going to save for car in separate bank account or have an investment account set up an allotment. if allotment not an option then have the money moved on 1st & 15th immediately.
if you dont see the money then you’ll never miss it.
Wish I knew about housing equity. Nobody owns a home where I come from so I had no idea that equity was a thing. I was stationed at Luke from 2017 to 2020 and would have made a killing had I bought a home and either rented or sold by now.
Basically missed a golden opportunity in a pretty great market