First of
all let me say thanks for your service. You set aside a portion of your
life to make this country and this world a better place.
This book is designed to make the transition from military life to the
civilian world as successful as you desire. This is not to say that
success will be easy. I served five years from 1987-1992 and I know
how daunting it can be to leave the service. In many ways it can be
an even bigger transition to leave the military than it was to
join it. Do not underestimate this change of lifestyle.
Many programs and benefits exist for veterans of the armed forces. As
a former member you are entitled to such far-reaching benefits as health
insurance, a guaranteed home loan with no money down, job retraining,
all kinds of counseling to name just a few. The more you know about
your benefits and how to apply for them, the better you can take full
advantage of these resources.
This book is not meant to be read in one sitting. It is divided into
short sections and best read one chapter at a time. Read it over the
course of seven to ten days. This way you have a chance to think over
the information and let it sink in.
Minimizing Expenses
At this
stage the most important thing is look at your finances and minimize
all your bills. Think of exiting the military as going on a long march
and you're carrying your debts on your back. You want your pack to be
as light as possible. Bring only the things you really need to have.
Spending
Even if you're buying a pack of gum or filling up your car with gas ask yourself, "How can I do this cheaper?" You don't have to come up with an answer but the simple act of challenging yourself will get you thinking in creative ways.
Credit
Cards
If you have any credit card bills pay them off. No ifs ands or buts.
Do what you have to do to make it happen. Debt is an emotionally draining
experience for everybody. It is especially so for the unemployed because
there is no immediate prospect to get a handle on it. Get rid of that
weight now !
Car Payments
If you're making car payments and have a lot more to go, consider selling
it and getting a less expensive car that you don't have to make payments
on. For a few thousand dollars you can pick up a ten year old Honda
or Toyota that runs like a champ, no monthly payment and not have to
pay for a full coverage insurance premium.
If you're driving a newer car this may seem like a step down but once
you get settled, find a job and a place to live you can sell the car
(old Toyotas and Hondas are well known for holding their value) and
most likely get most if not all your money back. Think of it as going
on a field exercise. Do you wear your dress uniform into the field or
do you wear your oldest set of fatigues which you couldn't care less
if they rip or stain?
Housing
If you can, stay with family or friends until you find a job. If you
can't and you're single think very seriously about sharing an apartment
with a roommate or roommates. Not only will your monthly rent be halved
so will your utility bills. When you take into account gas, electric,
water, cable and phone it really adds up. You can usually find several
ads looking for roommates. This will give you a rough idea of what your
rent will be. You generally won't be able to line this up until you
are already in the area because someone advertising for a roommate is
usually looking for a person to move in within a month.
One-way around this is to place your own classified add 1 to 2 months
in advance. These ads generally run about twenty-five dollars a week.
Be sure to specify when you're looking to move in as well as what conditions.
Smoking? Drinking? Pets? Your own bathroom?
Beware 
There is no shortage of con artists not only scanning the classifieds
but also placing their own ads. Be careful because they are very good
at what they do. When you speak to them they will sound genuine. They
will probably tell you that they have a son/daughter/brother sister
in the military to gain common ground. They'll tell you that they have
a room available (often a very good price) but they need a deposit or
money for a credit check. This is especially tough because even honest
people will expect a deposit. A postdated check is not a good alternative
because a potential con artist will have your valuable banking information.
Sometimes a letter of reference from a supervisor on official letterhead
will suffice. If you have to send a deposit, send a cashiers check.
This way it won't have your banking information on it.
Although this does not happen frequently it is something you should
be aware of.
Make sure
You and your future roommate will be compatible. Ask questions.
Smoking and drinking?
Does the person renting the room work days or nights?
Will you have your own bathroom? (In most cases it is worth it to spend
a little extra money and find a place where you will have your own bathroom.
This nips some future problems in the bud.)
Pets?
If you're in the area check as many places as possible. If you plan
on renting your own place be prepared to pay the first and last months
rent as well as a deposit equal to anywhere from half to a whole months
rent.
Inspect the place thoroughly and make a note of anything broken or in
disrepair. Submit your notes to the landlord. Otherwise you could find
yourself liable for something that that happened
well before you move in.
Food
If you eat out chances, are you're spending three to five times the
amount you would if you made it yourself. Can't cook? Anyone can make
sandwiches or salads. And if you don't know how, now is a great time
to learn how to make a few things.
A big pit fall
Avoid falling into the habit of eating fast food for many of your meals.
At first glance it seems cheap only four or five dollars a meal. Twelve
dollars a day quickly adds up to over than eighty dollars a week. Instead
try cooking for yourself. If you spent that amount of money on groceries
you could eat steak, prime rib or salmon for every meal. You'll feel
better, have more energy and be much healthier if you avoid the fast
food trap.
Try this
When you cook for yourself always try to make enough for at least
two meals. Reheating great leftovers takes little effort so it's always
worthwhile to cook extra the first time around.
Chicken
Buy some boneless chicken breasts (a little more expensive but these
are easier and faster to cook) sprinkle some salt, pepper, old bay seasoning
and maybe some seasoned salt. Add a half-cup of water to the pan (these
keeps them from getting dried out) Cook the whole package on a sheet
pan at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes. This will give you enough for
five meals. Slice some lettuce and tomatoes, put some mustard on a roll
and you have a great chicken sandwich. You can also use the lettuce
and tomatoes and make a great chicken salad. For breakfast, an omelet
with chicken inside. Since the chicken is already cooked it takes very
little prep time.
Seafood
If you like seafood buy some fish fillets. Rinse the fillets, and then
marinate them in a zip lock bag with Italian salad dressing for thirty
minutes. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Wrap the fillets in aluminum
foil so that they are completely covered but not stacked on top of each
other. Set the foil packet on a sheet pan and bake for twenty-five minutes.
(You can use almost any kind of dressing. Experiment and see what you
like best. The aluminum foil does three things.
1) Keeps the fish from drying out
2) Makes cleaning up easy. If you set the fillets on a pan there is
a very good chance they will stick to the pan. With the foil you throw
away the pouch. If it didn't leak you don't even have to wash the sheet
pan.
Potatoes
Potatoes are cheap as well as being nutritious. They're easy to cook
as well.
Baked potatoes. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Using a fork poke a
hole down towards the center of the potato. Place then in the middle
of the oven. Depending on the size of the potato it will take 45 minutes
to an hour and a half. You can check them with a fork. If it goes in
easily, it's done. Top with butter salt and pepper.
Pan fried potatoes. Heat a pot of water to boiling. Peel a few potatoes
and place them in the pot. After twenty minutes take them out and let
them cool. When they are cool enough, cut them into small pieces. Cove
the bottom of a frying pan with vegetable oil. Slice some an onion.
When the oil is heated add the onion and potatoes. Let the potatoes
turn brown stirring the pan only occasionally.
Mashed potatoes. Boil some peeled potatoes for twenty-five minutes or
until soft. Drain the water out. Add a little milk, butter, salt, and
pepper. Stir until smooth.
Salads
Take a head of lettuce and remove the white core. Rinse thoroughly and
drain in a colander. Slice a tomato into small pieces. Do the same with
a green pepper. Chop a small piece of onion. Mix them together. Store
in a zip lock bag and you have enough for five good size salads.
Congratulate yourself 
With these meals you have probably saved yourself thirty or more dollars.
You're also going to feel much better than if had been eating fast food,
instant noodles, or microwave food.