March 25, 2012 3:31 PM

SEATTLE — Military families aren’t surprised when they hear about the financial struggles that Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, his wife and children faced at home. It’s part of their lives, too.

They say money problems can never justify doing what the military says Bales did: kill 17 civilians in a nighttime shooting rampage through two Afghan villages on March 11. Still, the details emerging about his life served as a prominent reminder of the hardship they have endured over a decade of two wars.

“The stress factors with the families is just unbelievable,” said Roger J. Mealey, a Vietnam veteran who runs a website to aid struggling military families.

While laws give active-duty soldiers extra combat pay, provide housing allowances and exempt them from taxes, experts say, families are straining under multiple deployments, frequent relocations and the difficulty spouses have in getting and keeping jobs in new cities.

A 2010 military survey found that 27 percent of service members said they had more than $10,000 in credit card debt, while 16 percent of civilians do. The study also found more than a third of military families have trouble paying monthly bills, and more than 20 percent reported borrowing money outside of banks.

Service members and their families do have access to financial counselors, but many shy away from it because they don’t want their commanders to know, said Andi Wrenn, a financial and relationship counselor in Boston who has worked with service members.

The unemployment rate among military spouses is about 26 percent, according to a report from the nonprofit group, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

Bales’ life reflected some of that financial turmoil.

Court records and interviews showed that he joined the military 11 years ago after a Florida investment went sour. He had a Seattle-area home condemned, struggled to make payments on another and failed to get a promotion a year ago. His wife has had two, one-year jobs since leaving Washington Mutual four years ago.

His wife put their Lake Tapps, Wash., home up for sale days before the rampage. They bought it home in 2005, records show, for $280,000. They listed it for $229,000.

Last year, Mealey connected nearly 300 military families just like the Bales family with another 300 “angels” willing to help them pay a few bills or send a gift card. He said he answers calls and emails every week from military families who are having problems negotiating base life.

Their pleas for help are posted on a simple red-white-and-blue website: a soldier at Fort Stewart, Ga., with a wife and two kids can’t afford $300 for a new dress uniform; a veteran in St. Louis with a wife and two kids needs help with power bills; and a San Diego Navy wife with four kids just got laid off from her job.

Mealey’s website is one of more than 40,000 nonprofits, big and small, trying to help the troops these days. They’re called the “sea of goodwill,” said Kate Kohler, a West Point graduate and Army captain who is the chief operating officer of the PenFed Foundation, a nonprofit that helps troops with financial literacy, housing and emergency needs.

She said their hearts are in the right place but so many of these organizations are just giving handouts and not trying to fix the underlying financial problems the troops face.

Although Kohler’s organization also gives emergency loans and grants, most come with some required financial literacy training.

The mostly young service members have little experience dealing with their own finances and don’t know what to do with the ups and downs of military life. She described one symptom as the Disneyland effect: overspending when troops return home to make up for lost time with family.

An Iraq War vet who runs an organization to help veterans and active-duty military said he sympathized with Bales’ family and other military families.

It’s not easy supporting four people on a staff sergeant’s salary — about $39,000 a year — especially when one member of the family keeps getting sent overseas, said Patrick Bellon, executive director of Veterans for Common Sense.

There are laws to protect military families from speedy foreclosures and predatory lenders, but Bellon wasn’t confident those laws are being enforced.

Mortgage lenders and landlords are supposed to give military families more time to make their payments during a deployment. The armed forces have several employment programs to help military spouses, including special training for jobs they can take with them from base to base.

“It just frustrates me,” said Mealey, who started his one-man New Beginnings website for military families in 2003 after retiring from Motorola.

After the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan started, he wanted to find a way to help the troops.

“If we’re asking them to serve their country and put their life on the line, I don’t think their families should be put in the position where they’re sleeping on the floor or don’t have enough food to feed their kids,” Mealey said.

____

Associated Press writer Phuong Le contributed to this story.

By Elaine Sanchez
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 2012 – Citing the potentially devastating impact of financial issues on career and home life, officials are encouraging troops and their families to build financial fitness by kick-starting a savings plan and reducing their debt.
“When families are financially fit, they are more successful in their life,” said Barbara Thompson, director of the Pentagon’s office of family policy, children and youth. “Money isn’t everything, but it does impact relationships and job performance.”
Defense Department officials are putting the spotlight on financial readiness — particularly the importance of saving — this week as part of a larger, national emphasis on financial well-being. Military Saves Week, part of America Saves Week, is an annual event intended to help people become better financial planners. This year’s campaign slogan, “Set a goal, make a plan, save automatically,” promotes the long-term benefits of saving even a little each month.
Throughout the week, military installations around the world will sponsor financial fairs, luncheons, speakers and seminars, and will work with on-base financial institutions, military exchanges, commissaries and nonprofit organizations to build awareness of the importance of financial readiness.
“It offers us an opportunity to educate service members and families, including spouses and youth, about good financial management,” Thompson said.
As a start, Thompson suggested people have at least $500 set aside for unexpected emergencies, whether it’s a military-related moving expense or a tire change. If people have something saved, they can avoid the temptation of borrowing from a predatory lender or other financial resource that may have a high interest rate and other unattractive terms, she explained.
“Unexpected expenses really tap into your short-term investments and your short-term savings plan,” she added.
The America Saves website offers some other savings strategies:
– Pay off consumer debt with double-digit interest rates. It can take years to pay off a loan if people stick to the minimum balance due. For example, it would take someone with a $3,000 credit card balance at 19.8 percent interest nearly 40 years to pay off the balance if they stick to the minimum balance due. The interest charges alone would total more than $10,000.
– Participate in a work-related retirement program, such as a 401K or the military’s Thrift Savings Plan.
– Save monthly through an automatic transfer from checking to savings. What people don’t see, they don’t miss.
– Buy a home and pay off the mortgage before retirement.
By doing so, people can reduce their housing expenses and have an asset that can be borrowed on in an emergency or converted into cash upon the sale of a home.
Thompson noted a disturbing trend of young troops entering the service with already accumulated debt. “We want to make sure … it’s not overshadowing their entire career,” she said.
A bad credit report can lead to a lost security clearance, which may bar troops from doing their jobs, and financial issues can take their toll on a service member already dealing with the stressors of deployments. Thompson cited financial issues as a major factor in suicide.
Thompson pointed to the Thrift Savings Plan as one of the “most powerful savings tools” at service members’ disposal. She encouraged troops who aren’t already contributing to their Thrift Savings Plan to start.
Even if service members plan to separate after four years, they should contribute, she advised, since the funds easily can be rolled over to a 401K plan at their new job. People also can explore savings bonds and saver accounts sponsored by credit unions and on-base banks, she added.
It’s never too early to start, Thompson noted. Even preschoolers can learn the benefits of saving. Parents can teach children how to manage money by having them put a part of their allowance away for savings, part for charity and keeping some money to spend.
Thompson urged people to visit http://saveandinvest.org, which offers people of all ages information on how to make wise financial decisions.
People can take steps toward financial fitness today by taking the “Saver Pledge” on the Military Saves website, located at http://militarysaves.org, or by talking with a personal financial manager. These accredited counselors are located in family centers around the world and are attached to joint family support assistance program teams. They can help people with budgeting, managing debt, setting financial goals and navigating resources, Thompson said.
Additionally, the Defense Department’s Military OneSource consultants can provide telephonic counseling or refer people to a counselor in a community.

Thompson cited the importance of starting healthy financial habits at a young age.
“You can’t start saving when you’re 50,” she said. “You need to start saving when you’re 15. Start to think about what you want to do with your life. You want to have a comfortable quality of life and you can’t do that if you haven’t saved all the way through your career.”

_________________________________________________________________________
Outside the lines: Perhaps these people want to speak with a live person who can understand and give advice rather than reading it on a website. This people can join VeteransPlus.org and call their hotline 24/7 365 days a year.

According to the headline on the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s webpage: “Support Our Troops” is no longer a slogan. It’s an action”. That action was recently demonstrated through a grant to VeteransPlus, a Florida based non-profit financial education organization to provide life changing financial education and counseling to injured service members, Veterans and their families.

VeteransPlus, a 501(c)3 non-profit financial education company headquartered in Clearwater, Florida was founded by Veterans to serve Veterans, active duty service members, survivors and their families. Since 2009, VeteransPlus licensed financial counselors have reached out to over 38,000 men and women through a variety of activities including: DoD initiatives like the Yellow Ribbon program, Transition Assistance Programs and Returning Warrior Workshop events for active duty and members of the Guard and Reserves; Welcome Home and Reintegration events sponsored by various Veteran Service Organizations and communities; and in partnership with State and Federal Departments of Veterans Affairs.

“The men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform have given selflessly to defend those throughout the world who could not defend themselves. As a result of the current economic crises, the youngest generation of America’s fighting force face unprecedented challenges when they come home. When these conditions are compounded by wounds, including the invisible wounds associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), the financial stability of thousands of families is threatened” said John E. Pickens, Executive Director for VeteransPlus. “We are honored to work with the Bob Woodruff Foundation to help warriors gain the financial freedom they have fought to defend.”
The Bob Woodruff Foundation was co-founded by award-winning television reporter Bob Woodruff and his family after he sustained serious injuries while covering the Iraq war in 2006. The vision of the Bob Woodruff Foundation is to provide resources and support to injured service members, veterans and their families — building a movement to empower communities nationwide to take action to successfully reintegrate our nation’s injured heroes—especially those who have sustained the Hidden Injuries of War—back into their communities so they may thrive physically, psychologically, socially and economically. A key element of the Foundations mission is to invest in national and community-based programs that connect our troops to the help they need. The Bob Woodruff Foundation grant will allow VeteransPlus to expand their outreach and counseling activities over the next year.

“We are very proud to be recognized by the Bob Woodruff Foundation as an effective program for them to partner with to maximize results and ensure that our injured heroes and their families have successful futures” said Christopher Fitzpatrick, VeteransPlus Deputy Director and Director of Strategic Partnerships.

For additional information about VeteransPlus contact 888-488-8767 or email Headquarters@VeteransPlus.org For more information about the Bob Woodruff Foundation visit www.ReMIND.org ######

Clearwater, Florida – Wounded Warrior Project™, through its Economic Empowerment programs have established a national partnership with VeteransPlus, a non-profit financial education and counseling company to provide financial education and counseling to wounded veterans and their families. Beginning August 1, 2011 Wounded Warriors referred by Wounded Warrior Project’s Resource Center to VeteransPlus will receive personalized financial guidance by licensed financial counselors, to address a host of financial issues including: basic budgeting, debt management, credit counseling, identity theft, credit score awareness and housing and mortgage counseling.

Wounded Warrior Project is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, FL. The mission of Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Their purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. “Wounded Warrior Project offers a number of programs and services that strengthen its commitment to the Wounded Warriors we serve,” said Steven Nardizzi, Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director. “We are pleased to team with VeteransPlus to provide financial education and counseling that will provide long-term financial stability for themselves and their families”.

VeteransPlus, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit financial education company headquartered in Clearwater Florida was founded by Veterans to serve Veterans, active duty service members, survivors and their families.

Since 2009, VeteransPlus licensed financial counselors have reached out to over 38,000 men and women through a variety of activities including: DoD initiatives like the Yellow Ribbon program, Transition Assistance Programs and Returning Warrior Workshop events for active duty and members of the Guard and Reserves; Welcome Home and Reintegration events sponsored by various Veteran Service Organizations and communities; and in partnership with State and Federal Departments of Veterans Affairs “The men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform have given selflessly to defend those throughout the world who could not defend themselves. As a result of the current economic crises, the youngest generation of America’s fighting force face unprecedented challenges when they come home. When these conditions are compounded by wounds, including the invisible wounds associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), the financial stability of thousands of families is threatened” said John E. Pickens, Executive Director for VeteransPlus. “We are honored to work with Wounded Warrior Project to help warriors to gain the financial freedom they have fought to defend.”

For information about VeteransPlus contact John Pickens 727.455.0946 or email HeadQuarters@VeteransPlus.org
########################

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2011

VA Reaches Out to Veterans to Explain Upcoming Changes to GI Bill
Encourages Veterans to Visit VA Website to Learn More

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is reaching out to inform Veterans of recent changes made by Congress to the Post 9/11 GI Bill that take effect in 2011.

General Allison Hickey, Under Secretary for Benefits, said “The Post 9/11 GI Bill is incredibly important because it reduces the financial burdens of higher education so that Veterans have an opportunity to achieve their education goals. VA believes it is important for Veterans to be aware of changes to the GI Bill this year and learn more about how these changes may affect them.”

“It’s hard to believe how far we have all come with the Post-9/11 GI Bill the past two years,” stated General Hickey. “Today, more than 537,000 students have received over $11.5 billion in GI Bill benefits to help them take charge of their future.”

Upcoming changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill effective August 1, 2011 include paying the actual net cost of all public in-state tuition and fees, rather than basing payments upon the highest in-state tuition and fee rates for every state; capping private and foreign tuition at $17,500 per academic year; and ending payments during certain school breaks, to preserve Veterans’ entitlement for future academic semesters. Also, certain students attending private schools in select states can now continue to receive benefits at the same rate payable during the previous academic year.

Beginning October 1, 2011, eligible individuals will be able to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill for programs such as non-college degrees, on-the-job training, and correspondence courses, and they will be eligible to receive a portion of the national monthly housing allowance rate when enrolled only in distance learning courses.

VA is implementing the latest round of changes to the Post 9/11 GI Bill and has already begun processing fall 2011 enrollment certifications. Outreach by VA has helped to increase participation by colleges and universities in the Yellow Ribbon program, which helps students avoid out-of-pocket costs that may exceed the benefit. Today, more than 2,600 schools are participating in the Yellow Ribbon program.

“VA is committed to ensuring Veterans have the information and tools they need to succeed,” General Hickey concluded.

Complete information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill is available at: www.gibill.va.gov. VA’s education information phone number is: 1-888-GIBILL-1. For ongoing benefit information, Veterans and Servicemembers can log into the VA eBenefits website: www.eBenefits.va.gov. To ask a question in a secure e-mail, use the “Ask a Question” tab at: https://www.gibill2.va.gov/cgi-bin/vba.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php.

Excerpts of an article originally posted on AOL SEE HERE

Consequently, other groups are marshaling resources to also supply housing-related financial assistance and other economic aid to military personnel.

One such major effort, which will also launch in April, is the Yellow Ribbon Registry Network being spearheaded by a Florida-based non-profit agency called VeteransPlus.

Our nation owes them more support

Currently, when military members face financial difficulty – such as being behind on a house payment – they are frequently referred to databases such as the National Resource Directory, an online list of non-profits and other agencies who are there to assist military personnel with a range of issues.

The problem with such directories, however, is that they tend to be more like yellow-page or white-page listings of thousands of organizations.

So when a service member – or his or her spouse at home – hits an economic rough patch, they will often go online to apply for aid at one of these programs listed in the National Resource Directory and encounter a very time-consuming, labor-intensive process.

Individual applications – complete with a slew of identification forms, military orders, discharge notices, and other paperwork have to be emailed or faxed over and over again for each submission. Even more frustrating, after the process is completely, military personnel are often told that they don’t qualify for a given program for one reason or another.

The Yellow Ribbon Network hopes to change all that.

Rather than serve as an just an aggregator, or listing of non-profits and other sources that offer housing and financial aid to military personnel, the Network will operate as a centralized source and clearinghouse where military members can fill out just one request for help and have their application quickly submitted to numerous entities. The result is a streamlined process that helps more readily connect those in need with programs offering support. Even individual citizens will be able to provide donations through the Network.

Col. David Sutherland, of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sizing up the issue in a white paper called “The Sea of Goodwill: Matching the Donor to the Need,” said the problem for so long hasn’t been getting dollars to help military members. The problem is that up until now no one group has stepped up to efficiently coordinate the flow of these dollars to America’s service members.

No doubt that financial need – especially for coordinated housing assistance – is particularly great.

There are roughly 60,000 non-profits nationwide that help active duty members and veterans. Nearly 50% of the dollars provided to those members of the military – via emergency assistance funds – are for mortgage issues, VeteransPlus officials say.

The growing housing and economic needs of military members help explain, in part, why VeteransPlus in 2010 serviced over 28,000 service members at 260 financial education seminars, workshops and events in 26 states, according to John Pickens III, Executive Director of VeteransPlus.

During those 260 events, “a lot of questions come up about mortgage issues” says Pickens, adding that “there are lots of credit challenges in the military community.

Credit and financial readiness is a sensitive issue in the military, Pickens explained, because: “If you have credit issues, you could be pulled from an assignment. You’re also not promotable. And ultimately, you could be discharged.”