Four words: Permanent change of station. A PCS will either strike fear or excitement in your heart. But regardless of how you feel about a PCS, you definitely feel something about it. And no matter what you think about PCSing, there are three things it can always be: Easier, cheaper, and calmer. Yassss. And your phone can help you with those three goals. Ready? Let's go. 1. My Ultimate PCS How do you start this list without the new milspouse-created app, My Ultimate PCS? Dreamed up by two military spouses, My Ultimate PCS app works to streamline military moves all with an Keep Reading...
The Definitive Guide to Military Spouse Subscription Boxes
There's something really exciting and magical about opening your door and finding a box on your front porch addressed to you. When John was deployed, I found myself so excited for the mail. Even if there wasn't a letter from him waiting for me, there was usually something else-- a magazine, a postcard--something to break up the monotony that becomes deployment. When John deployed, there were no subscription boxes for military spouses and significant others. But in the six years since, there's been an explosion of entrepreneurs from the military community looking to fill an need. Currently, Keep Reading...
Plan a Phenomenal Beach Trip on a Bargain Budget in Jacksonville, NC
This is a sponsored post. I received a trip to Jacksonville, NC in exchange for this post. All opinions and photographs are my own. Last year, John and I had the great fortune to visit Jacksonville, NC for a weekend getaway. Home to Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, is a town beginning to really flourish and find its voice. From artisan, small businesses, to a growing moonshine distillery, to local roasters, there's something exciting happening in Jacksonville. We loved our weekend getaway last year, and were thrilled to be welcomed back to visit once again this summer. Honestly, it's easy Keep Reading...
7 Ways In-laws Can Support Military Spouses
In the military community, it seems that in-laws can be a divisive topic. Either spouses absolutely LOVE their in-laws (and I've read some pretty amazing stories!) or they hate their in-laws with a fiery passion (and I've ready some pretty crazy stories on that end too). The stress of being far away from home and the needs of the military create a lot of tension and frustration that pulls at both parties. So I wanted to write about that. I asked the Jo, My Gosh! community to respond on Facebook or via email and tell me about the best and/or most frustrating things their in-laws have done Keep Reading...
6 Unique Gift Ideas for Expecting Military Parents
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of 1 Natural Way, a TRICARE breast pump provider. All opinions are entirely my own. Military families spend a lot of time apart. A lot. And that doesn't change when a pregnancy happens. After all, the needs of the military always-- and I mean always-- trump everything else. That can make it hard on expecting military parents, no matter if it's the first or fourth pregnancy. Whether there's deployment or TAD/TDY, a PCS, or the loneliness that comes from not being close to a support system, there are almost always military life obstacles to Keep Reading...
The (Exciting) Thing No One Tells You About Being a Military Spouse
This post is not sponsored. I'm just excited to bring you an opportunity through an ethical fashion company that is actively seeking military spouses as Sseko Fellows. I gave up my teaching career to marry my husband. When he got down on one knee in front of Penn State's Old Main, my job--my career-- was the furthest thing from my mind. The only thing that ran through my head was one word: "Yes." I didn't want to do life without him. So there was only one answer to his question: yes. The career fall-out of my decision didn't really hit me until I was sitting in our apartment, two Keep Reading...
6 (Seriously) Fun Summer Activities for Military Families on a Budget
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Navy Federal Credit Union for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine. When John and I were first married, we didn't have a lot of money for extras. Even now, we watch our spending, but back then, we watched every penny. You see, a month after we married, both of our old cars decided to fall apart... within a week of each other. We had to purchase a new car on one income, since I had left my stable teaching career in order to move to where John was stationed. It was a pretty precarious time for us financially. And maybe you've been there too. (I Keep Reading...
5 Ways to Stay Cool and Support the Military Community This Summer
I received a gift card in exchange for this blog post. As always, all opinions and work are mine. There’s nothing--nothing--like relaxing by the pool or in the air conditioning when it’s miserably hot and humid out. (Those of you who have been stationed in the south east know exactly what I’m talking about!) Even here in the mid-Atlantic, temperatures just aren’t… pretty. But that’s to be expected. It’s July. And summer is just starting to heat up. And so is this awesome opportunity from Macy’s. From June 28 to July 8, when you donate $3 to support America’s military community, Keep Reading...
What You’re Really Giving Up as a Military Spouse
Thanks to Bethaney from the Social Robot for her guest post today! When getting into a relationship with a military member, you may or may not have been giving a crash course of what's to come. Perhaps you were even given an earful from friends and family. I've heard of newbies attending classes and really immersing themselves in the culture... before they ever say "I do." And then there are those who say their nuptials and learn in the moment (or were already married when their member joined). Of course there's no right or wrong way to get married, but understanding a little on the Keep Reading...
How Military Spouse Entrepreneurs Can Win a $40K Franchise
This post is sponsored by EventPrep. All opinions and work are my own. The second month of my marriage I spent (mostly) frustrated with what my life and career had become. I was a teacher who left my school and career after five years to marry the love of my life. The only problem? My license didn't transfer to the new state that would become my home for 3 1/2 years. What's more, the costs of transferring my license were too much for our young marriage and desperately low bank account. With astronomic student loans, purchasing a car when both of our old clunkers died within days of each Keep Reading...
