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How to Send Money Instantly Between USAA Members (Pay Someone Mobile App)

USAA offers many easy, cost effective, and outstanding financial products and services to military members and their families. Their mobile banking app is one of the best in the industry. They were also the first US bank to offer mobile deposits through scanners and then iPhones and Android devices. These kinds of innovations make it easy to use USAA as an “online only” bank (although I have been to their San Antonio branch and done a few transactions in person, which was a bizarre experience, having never been in a physical bank in so many years).

I recently was able to use a new feature on their mobile app: “Pay Someone.” This is an awesome financial tool and it was astounding how easily it worked. Doesn't it bother you that in the days of iPhones, wireless electricity, and Google Glasses, there is still no easy and free way to electronically send money to your friends to, say, split a bar tab or a restaurant bill? It really bugs me!

The “Pay Someone” feature is located under the Transfers/Deposits section of the USAA app. I'll walk you through my experience on an Android device:

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Should I take a military pay advance when I PCS?

For many situations, yes. Taking a pay advance when you PCS is a great way to help yourself out get ahead financially and stay out of debt while you PCS. There are many costs associated with a PCS, not all of which are reimbursed.

A pay advance is a 0% loan to your present self from your future self. You can usually get a month's pay (BAH + Basic Pay, no BAS or incentive pays usually) advanced to you (with the taxes taken out) and then pay it back over the next 12 months. It's a fairly painless process that can usually be accomplished through your online finance office or in the finance customer service area on one form. If you only take a month's pay out and repay it over 12 months, you don't even need a commander's signature: it's automatically approved.

Read MOREShould I take a military pay advance when I PCS?