2016 Investment Performance: +10% Net Worth: +16%
What a roller coaster of a year! Between a rough start in January when the S&P 500 was down 5% (the worst month since 2009), Brexit, the Trump election night crash …
Spencer Reese
Blended Retirement System: The New Military BRS
Last update 17 Feb 2017 I will use this page to collect ideas, resources, and links to all things Blended Retirement System related. I will keep it continuously updated as new information …
What I Saw at USAA’s Digital Military Experience
USAA’s 2016 “Digital Military Experience,” or #DigiMilEx as it was trending on Twitter, was an annual meeting of military affiliated personal finance bloggers, affinity groups, and USAA’s team. Held at …
$10,000 and 1 Year With Betterment: Performance and Cost
After 1 year and $10,000 invested in Betterment, I am a happy customer and recommend it to family, friends, and blog readers. My initial review is here and my review …
Military Deployment Savings Challenge: $54k in 6 Months
After over two years of no deployments, I had a six month deployment to the Middle East in 2017. Note from Spencer on March 14 2021: this deployment was actually cancelled last minute. …
EZ Rack Builder Review: Easy Military Thin Ribbons
In the summer of 2015, I attended Squadron Officer School (SOS) at Maxwell AFB, AL. SOS is a five week course on leadership, management, team building, and officer development for Air Force …
7 Things You Must Do If You Just Joined the Military
This is written primarily for the young enlisted fresh out of boot camp or the newly minted officer from the Academies, ROTC, or OTS/OCS. However, much of the advice can …
I Hate Budgeting: 2015-2016 Expenses and Investments
Budgeting: why bother? I find budgeting to be a chore and would much rather focus my limited time for my finances on increasing my income and investing. We only have …
How to Build a Home Gym Under $1000
Personal fitness is even more important than financial fitness. What’s the point in being financially independent if you don’t have the stamina, strength, flexibility, endurance, or health to enjoy your …
Should I Rollover my TSP to a “Gold IRA?” No.
If you have a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account and separated or retired from the military or government employment, watch out: the “gold IRA” marketers are coming for you! A …