Making the Holidays Bright on a Budget: 5 Tips for Military Families

During the holiday season, military families can feel the pinch in their budgets a bit more, especially when balancing the pocketbook through a deployment or PCS. According to recent data, the average amount to be spent this season is $613, and for many military families, that is a tough figure to factor into an already tight budget.

But here’s the good news: help is closer than you think.

There are countless resources available to lighten the financial load and help you focus on what matters most—making memories with your loved ones.

Here are five tips to navigate the season with ease:

• Budget Tools: Take advantage of the free financial tools offered by Military OneSource. In-person or virtual financial counseling is available to help families plan and stick to their holiday spending goals. They also have a podcast on smart holiday spending and how to navigate this season without overspending.
• Holiday Assistance Programs: Local and national resources from Toys for Tots to Trees for Troops are great military-friendly service organizations ready to step in and help make the season brighter! For the month of December, Trees for Troops visits installations to deliver free pine trees, and you can check if your base is participating here. Toys for Tots and Holiday Toy Drives also visit installations during the holidays, providing free toys for families looking to add a few gifts for their kids. Visit your local Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) to see if they’re stopping by your base!
• Food Assistance Options: We want military families to have access to healthy and affordable food all the time—food pantries, and national programs like SNAP and WIC are available. For the holidays, military service organizations like Operation Homefront do holiday meal drives and Military Family Advisory Network with their food assistance programs. Leverage these resources throughout the year.
• Military Discounts: Many retailers and services offer online and in-person discounts to military families. It’s a great time of the year to shop smart and ask if they offer a discount. Additional tip: Phone apps like Fetch and Rakuten can add savings on top of those discounts.
• Emergency Financial Assistance: A vital resource that every military family should know about is the Military Service Relief Organizations. Army Emergency Relief, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, the Air Force Aid Society (supporting Airmen and Space Guardians), and the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance provide financial support such as interest-free loans and grants. They also offer financial preparedness counseling to navigate financial hardships. Leverage the societies during the holiday season—or anytime during your military family journey.

The holiday season doesn’t have to be a source of financial stress for military families. By leveraging these resources, creating a plan, and tapping into the support available, you can turn this time of year into one of joy and connection.

Remember, you’re not alone—a whole community and countless organizations are ready to step in and support you. Focus on what matters most: creating cherished memories with your loved ones, whether they are home or afar.

By: Angela Sablan Tenorio, Content Manager