Being a military wife or mom can be stressful enough without having to worry about money, but many do. There are lots of little tricks and tips that military families can take advantage of to help stretch their hard-earned dollars. Here are a just a few.
Take Advantage of Discounts
Many retail stores, restaurants, and recreation facilities offer discounts to military families. Getting your discount is as simple remembering to ask. Some of the retailers include Foot Locker, Sears Portrait Studio, and many more. For a partial list, visit: http://img.military.com/misc/DC/DealIndex.jsp
Commissaries/PX
One of the great advantages of being a military family is shopping at the PX (post exchange) and commissary (grocery store). Both of these are tax free, and are offered only to those with valid military ID.
Since the commissary is set up as a benefit to military families, not a business, they sell at cost. Instead of having the loss leaders, their price benefit is everyday low prices. The commissary will also price match, so don't forget your sales fliers from other stores when you go. Check out their website, www.commissaries.com, for notice on when the sales are.
If sale items are sold out at either the commissary or PX, be sure to ask for a rain check. Even with a rain check you're not obligated to buy, but you'll have the option of purchasing it later at the sale price. And, if anything goes on sale at the PX within 30 days of when you buy it, you're entitled to a price adjustment. Just be sure to save your receipts.
Don't forget your coupons! However, if you do, many commissaries have coupons bins for their customers to peruse. And, for military families overseas, coupons may be used up to six months past their expiration date.