MILMO Show

The things we have cost money. And the care and attention we give them matter to our bottom line more than we realize.

Today's episode isn't exactly about money, but it's also not not about money. It's about door thresholds and more.

In this episode, I'm talking about one of the easiest ways to save money that has nothing to do with earning more or spending less. It has everything to do with taking care of the things you already own.

For more information, visit the full show notes at https://milmo.co/podcast/taking-care-of-your-stuff-saves-money

This episode is a little different than what I normally do.

I love interviewing guests and sharing their stories and expertise, but sometimes life has a way of changing your plans. Over the last few weeks, I've had one of the hardest experiences I've ever gone through as a parent, and honestly, I haven't felt like talking.

I went back and forth on whether I should record this episode at all. But as I started processing everything that had happened, I realized there was a lesson I could share that illustrates why we save for emergencies, why insurance matters, and why financial preparation isn't about expecting the worst. It's about giving yourself the ability to focus on what matters most when life takes an unexpected turn.

So today, I want to share a personal story and one financial lesson I hope you'll never have to learn the hard way.

For more information, visit the full show notes at https://milmo.co/podcast/emergency-expenses-family-emergency

A lot of military entrepreneurs know they need to market their business, but it can be hard to know what is actually worth your time and money.

In this episode, Aaron Tellier shares how service members, veterans, and military spouses can approach marketing in ways that drive revenue rather than just create more work. We talk about how to stop wasting money on random marketing and start building a revenue-focused strategy. He shares what to fix first, what to track, and when it makes sense to hire help.

Aaron is a former Naval Academy graduate, officer, serial entrepreneur, and chief marketing officer with decades of experience helping businesses grow. He currently serves as Managing Partner and Chief Revenue Officer at The Volute Group and is the founder of Ignite Studio.

For more information, visit the full show notes at https://milmo.co/podcast/marketing-strategies-grow-revenue-military-entrepreneurs

A military move comes with orders, packing, paperwork, timelines, and a lot of stress. But for some service members, a Personally Procured Move, also known as a PPM or DITY move, can be a way to take more control and potentially make money.

In this episode, Lt Col Jonathan "Peso" Clason shares how he and his family completed two full PPM moves, what he learned, and why planning, paperwork, weight tickets, and teamwork matter so much.

Peso is an active-duty Air Force officer, pilot, commander, instructor, husband, dad, and experienced full PPM mover.

He shares how far out he starts planning, which costs to watch, which mistakes to avoid, and how to decide whether doing your own move is worth it.

For more information, visit the full show notes at https://milmo.co/podcast/make-money-on-a-ppm-move

Leaving the military does not always come with a perfectly mapped-out plan. Sometimes the next step is a stepping stone. Sometimes it opens doors you didn't even know existed, and sometimes it leads you to build something completely new.

In this episode, I'm talking with Sinon Bennett, a former Navy submarine officer who went on to work in private banking at J.P. Morgan before co-founding Wavvest, a fintech company helping modernize advisor operations and financial planning through AI and technology.

Sinon shares what the Navy taught him about problem-solving, how private banking exposed him to a whole new side of money and business, and what it really took to move Wavvest from an idea to a company with paying customers. We also talk about customer discovery, finding the right co-founder, hearing no, knowing when to pivot, and why service members need to think about their financial runway if they want to build something after military service.

For more information, visit the full show notes at https://milmo.co/podcast/building-fintech-company-after-military-service

We hear the word "networking" all the time, especially around military transition, career growth, and business. But building real partnerships is different. It's not about collecting contacts, pitching yourself, or asking people for favors. It's about building trust, adding value, and creating relationships that help people move forward together.

In this episode, Katherine Torres-Pummill shares what strong partnerships actually look like and how they can help service members, veterans, and military spouses grow their careers and businesses. We talk about why transition can feel lonely, how to put yourself out there, how to ask for help without feeling awkward, and what to watch for when money, brands, or sponsorships become part of the conversation.

Kathy is the General Manager of Recurrent Military and a military spouse. She oversees the execution of Recurrent Military and its brands, including Task & Purpose, We Are The Mighty, Military Influencer Conference, and MilSpouseFest. She brings both executive leadership and lived experience to this conversation about community, connection, and building something that lasts.

For more information, visit the full show notes at https://milmo.co/podcast/build-partnerships-career-business

Annuities are among the financial products that can spark a lot of strong opinions. Some people love them, while some people warn everyone to stay far away from them. A lot of people are stuck somewhere in the middle, trying to figure out what an annuity actually is, what it does, and whether it makes sense for their situation.

The hard part is that annuities come with a lot of jargon, fees, surrender charges, and sales language that can make them hard to understand. And when you're making decisions with retirement money, your TSP, a pension, or other savings, confusion can get expensive fast.

In this episode, Tracy Lownsberry, founder of Annuity Giants, Army veteran, and annuity expert, breaks down annuities in plain English. We talk about what annuities are, the problems they're designed to solve, who they may or may not be right for, what military families should consider, and the red flags to watch for before buying one.

For more information, visit the full show notes at https://milmo.co/podcast/annuities-explained-without-the-sales-pitch

Sometimes, the reason money feels tight is not that you're bad with money. Sometimes your money just needs more structure.

In this solo episode, I'm talking about financial discipline and why it is not about shame, perfection, or taking all the joy out of your life. It is about giving your money direction, keeping small promises to your future self, and creating enough structure so your paycheck does not disappear before you know it. I also share simple ways to build more discipline with your money,

For more information, visit the full show notes at https://milmo.co/podcast/youre-not-broke-you-need-financial-discipline

Military retirement comes with some big financial decisions, but few create stronger opinions than the Survivor Benefit Plan. Some people believe SBP is essential protection for military spouses. Others say you're better off declining it and buying term life insurance instead.

In this episode, retired Army officer and Certified Financial Planner™ Kyle Packard breaks down the Survivor Benefit Plan, how it compares to term life insurance, and why this decision is about more than just cost.

We're talking about the true value of a military pension, the protection gaps families often overlook, how military marriage and retirement transitions can impact this decision, and practical ways couples can think through what level of protection is right for their family.

For more information, visit the full show notes at https://milmo.co/podcast/sbp-vs-term-insurance-military-retirement

Memorial Day is one of those days I never want to rush past, but I also never feel like I have the right words for it.

In this special solo episode of the MILMO Show, I'm taking a moment to reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day, the men and women who died in service to our country, and the families who carry that loss every day.

This isn't about having a perfect message. It's about remembering well, honoring the cost of freedom, and carrying the day with gratitude, humility, and respect.