Something rare is going on in the military community. Right now, until the end of 2023, there is an Open Season for the Survivor Benefit Plan. It’s part of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) enacted by Congress. The SBP is one of the biggest decisions you make retiring from the military, one that can have a lasting impact on your retirement money. If you weren’t happy with the decision you made at retirement, now’s your chance for a redo. 

In this episode, Heath Walrath breaks down what the Survivor Benefit Plan is, what the open season is, what factors you should consider, and how to make a decision that works for you and your family. 

Heather is an Accredited Financial Educator who has enjoyed working with military members and families for the last 14 years while empowering them with financial education. She’s a 2009 FINRA Military Spouse Fellow and holds a BA in economics from the University of Georgia and a paralegal certificate from the Denver Paralegal Institute.  She is also an accredited Veteran’s Service representative. Heather has worked as a Personal Financial Counselor (PFC) with all branches of the military, including the Guard and Reserve components, as part of both the non-profit education sector and the Department of Defense PFC network.  She is considered to be a subject matter expert on military survivor benefits.

The show notes can be found here: https://laceylangford.com/podcast/survivor-benefits-plan-open-season/

Setting and creating a plan to accomplish your goals can greatly increase your chances of being successful with your desired outcome but too often, people feel like goal setting is pointless or don’t end up not sticking with it. 

In this episode, I talk to Certified Financial Planner Matt Miner about how you can take your goals to the next level, how to stay with them, and the resources and techniques to use. 

Matt is the founder & CEO of Miner Wealth Management, an independent, fee-only, fiduciary advisor headquartered in Raleigh, NC.

The show notes can be found here: https://laceylangford.com/podcast/setting-next-level-financial-goals/

Building a career around military life is challenging for military spouses. Out of frustration, many spouses choose an entrepreneurial path to take control of their career path and earning power. But being a military spouse entrepreneur comes with its own unique set of challenges.

In this episode, I talk with Attiyya Ingram about the things military spouses should know about being an entrepreneur, taxes, some of the challenges military life on entrepreneurship, and how to handle them. 

Attiyya is a military spouse, entrepreneur, and Accreditated Financial Counselor. She is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she graduated with honors from Hampton University with a B.S. degree in Accounting.

The show notes can be found here: https://laceylangford.com/podcast/military-spouse-entrepreneurs-and-taxes

I think most of us have daydreamed about making or winning a bunch of money. I mean, who wouldn’t want to come into money? It’s a thrilling thought. The lottery or gambling is built on the dream of hitting it big. But what happens when it goes too far and impacts your finances and life?

In this episode, I talk to Dave Yeager, a recovering gambling addict, about how gambling addiction took hold of his life on active duty, its negative impacts on his life and money, and how he got help through the VA. 

Dave is an 11-year veteran of the US Army and is in recovery from gambling addiction. Dave hosts the Problem Gambling Podcast for military service members. He also serves on the military committee for the National Council on Problem Gambling.

The show notes can be found here: https://laceylangford.com/podcast/gambling-addiction/

January is financial wellness month and a time to remember the importance of your financial well-being. You’ll always work on financial well-being, like your physical health, but what are some best practices to stay in top financial shape?

In this episode, Dr. Megan Ford shares tips on how to develop and maintain financial wellness for the long haul.

Dr. Ford is a financial therapist and consultant passionate about helping individuals and couples find more balance and understanding in their relationship with money.

Megan has a Ph.D. in financial planning and a Master’s degree in marriage and family therapy. She served as the Financial Therapy Association's President and has co-authored a textbook, The Fundamentals of Writing a Financial Plan.

The show notes can be found here: https://laceylangford.com/podcast/developing-financial-wellness/

Many parents struggle with saving for their own future while paying for their children’s education. It’s a tough call, your future or theirs. The decision doesn’t have to be all or nothing. 

In this episode, I talk to Matt Meline about how you can balance saving for retirement while paying college expenses for your kids and how to prepare for life after your kids leave the nest. 

Matt is the Founder and CEO of PrairieFire Wealth Planning in Des Moines, Iowa.  After an eventful journey of sending his four children to college and becoming an Empty Nester, he authored the book Empty Nest Full Pockets.  He hopes to help other parents navigate the challenging transition of getting one's kids ready to launch while also preparing to become an awesome empty nester!  He believes in life-centered financial planning, which focuses on his client's return on life, not just their return on investment.

The show notes can be found here: https://laceylangford.com/podcast/tuition-dilemma/

If life throws curve balls, military life throws wrenches. No joke, It seems like the unexpected happens at a higher frequency in the military. And it’s often things we don’t have experience with. Because of that, it can be hard to figure out how to handle the challenge or situation put in front of you.

In this episode, I talk with fellow milspouse and Accredited Financial Counselor Kate Horrell about her new Everything You Need Binder and how it can help you and your family be prepared for the wrenches military life can throw your way. 

Kate Horrell is a personal financial educator who helps the military community make the most of their pay and benefits. She shares the most up-to-date information in understandable terms and highlights how rules, programs, and laws will directly impact your personal finances. With over ten years working with thousands of military families, she understands the concerns of currently serving, retired, and veteran families.

The show notes can be found here: https://laceylangford.com/podcast/everything-you-need-binder/

Veterans are no different from service members regarding being targets of predatory financial practices and fraud. According to a 2019 report put together by the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust and the Association of Military Banks of America, called the Military Consumers & Marketplace Trust: An Analysis of Marketplace Challenges Facing the Military Community, of the scams reported, the military community suffered financial losses 32% higher than the population as a whole. 

Now there is a new benefits card to help veterans and military communities protect their benefits and finances. 

In this episode, I talk to Andia Dinesen, Executive Vice President for Communications & Operations for the Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA), about what the card is, how it can help, how it’s different from normal debit cards, and how to get one.

The show notes can be found here: https://laceylangford.com/podcast/new-veterans-benefit-card/

Being in the position to give money to help others is amazing. To be able to give to those in need can have a lasting impact on a person, family, or organization. But how do you give in a way that aligns with your values and where it will have the greatest impact?

In this episode, I talk with Michael Thatcher about how to make smart, informed financial decisions regarding charitable giving. 

Michael leads Charity Navigator in its efforts to make impactful philanthropy easier for all by increasing the breadth and depth of evaluation methodologies to facilitate ratings coverage of substantially larger numbers of charities and expand how the information engages new and existing audiences.

Michael shares tips on how to find a person, place, or organization to give value or money to, things to look for, and how to evaluate your giving impact over time.

The show notes can be found here: https://laceylangford.com/podcast/smart-about-charitable-contributions/

If you are even thinking about your kid going to college, you’ll want to learn more about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA® form. You may or may not have heard of it, and be aware of all of the benefits your child can receive by filling it out. 

In this episode, I talk to FAFSA expert, John Tamrat about the form, when, and how to fill it out, and the benefits you can receive. I won’t spoil it for you, but it’s more than tuition aid. 

John is partner success manager at Moneythink, the student-first nonprofit that demystifies college costs to empower more students to graduate with minimal financial burden. Prior to joining Moneythink, John supported students and families in education and workforce development as a Case Manager for Fresh Lifelines and as a Youth and Program Coordinator for Genesys Works. As a first-generation immigrant to the United States, he understands how difficult it can be to navigate the US education system with limited resources and support. He believes educational opportunity shouldn’t come at the cost of financial security.