How your recruit can save money in bootcamp

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

The good news is they can't spend much money while in bootcamp but there are a couple of things that you can do while they are away that will help them save some.

Car Insurance - if your recruit has a car and no one is going to be driving it while they are away. You can get "storage" insurance, which means you can basically drop all coverage except comprehensive. If they do not have a loan on the car, you could cancel the coverage completely according to our insurance agent. Our son's insurance now is only $25 per month - big difference! The insurance company can add the collision and liability coverage back on with a simple phone call when your sailor is ready to drive again.

Cell phones - I have found that this varies from carrier to carrier. We use AT & T (formerly Cingular) although our son's phone is on our family plan and the line itself only runs $10 per month between his texting package and taxes, it actually comes close to $25 per month for a phone that is just sitting on his desk!

I called AT & T and to suspend or put his phone on hold for a couple of months, they generously offered (BOO) to suspend service for a fee of just $10 per month! In essense we would pay the same cost for leaving the service on or suspending it. What a deal - right?!! In view of that, we left the service on but did remove the texting plan until he is able to return and that will cut the cost in half. We can add the text plan back with a simple phone call when he is ready for his phone.

I have heard that some of the other providers will allow you to suspend the coverage at no charge until they return.

Hope this helps!

[Anti M]

"Free on base" isn't exactly accurate. She will be given a food allowance which matches the cost of eating in the galley. So it looks like she is getting money, yes, but it for the "free" food. She doesn't get to keep it or spend it elsewhere. Many sailors choose to eat other places for variety or convenience. Galley food is usually pretty good, but I know I got tired of it pretty quickly.

To a young person who has never pulled down a good paycheck before, the toys are tempting. I've never seen the harm in it during the first year or so. Unless they have bills and obligations which are not met, and some savings plan, why not enjoy the fruits of their Navy career?

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

The Navy gives and the Navy takes away Gina. Meaning they do receive a food allowance but it is deducted from her check - if she eats the food or not. So if she takes advantage of eating in the galley, she can keep her expenses down but if she enjoys fast food or eating outside of the galley - she will pay for those meals and the Navy will still take the food allowance out of her checks.

She'll figure it all out in time :-)

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

Dave Ramsey is my hero! How smart of you to take your boys to his classes. Our son seemed to benefit from the financial class they did while in indoc...he was actually offering suggestions this weekend on stocks - all grown up now!!!