Finding a Job after I move with me wife???

[SmoothieVito]

Hello, I'm a Male Spouse.  I was wondering how hard is it finding work after I move out to live with my wife after A School?  I dont want to stay home without any money... how will this work? if anyone has some insite on this... let me know :)

[SmoothieVito]

Lol, I am not looking for anyone to hand me a job! I've been reading some blogs and they say its hard to find work, so I wanted to hear some feedback from others. What is ffsc?? Also, if I do not find work by the time she deploys, how does the whole bah thing work and what funds will I live on?? Please explain..

[Anti M]

Fleet and Family Service Center. They have many great resources, including job search training/classes, help with resumes, job interview skills, and in some instances, help with jobs on base. Every major base has one, and the programs I mentioned will vary.

They also offer classes on moving, adjustment, volunteering, finances, communications, personal counseling... a little google and you should be able to find the one where you will be stationed. I volunteered at the one in Japan for a while, helped with the Yokosuka walking tours.

[SmoothieVito]

Ok so while she is deployed, I will need access to her account to get the bah money for rent, and work out how much money I need to take out every week to live on as well before she deploys?? Is that about right guys????

[SmoothieVito]

Yes, my wife is an e3 and is doing bootcamp, so basicly we work out a budget and then I take what I need every week out of the account based on what me and her agree on until I find work? And do the same when the rent comes as well because the bah money will be in there as well??

[Anti M]

My view of money as a couple, and YMMV, just my opinions, please feel free to disagree. I am biased toward "our money" not "his and hers", which doesn't work for all individuals. In fact, it isn't recommended for everyone!

Hubby and I have always used joint accounts, he lets me take charge of paying the bills and he takes an allowance from his own pay. He pulls retired pay which goes for major bills (mortgage, insurance, car) and his pay from his current job is spending and bills such as credit cards and utilities. We do have an agreement about how much we can spend without telling the other. Works pretty well, we have really good communication about it. We find if one person does the bills, there is less margin for error.

Some couples prefer not to have joint accounts and to keep expenses separate. Again, communication is key, decide who handles the bills and what purchases are cool without consulting the other.

One thing to do is to figure out your bills when you reach your new home, and how much that takes each month. Figure out how much you two want to set aside for savings. After you have budgeted for necessities and savings, figure out how much pocket money you need each week. Whatever is leftover should be set aside for larger expenses or emergencies. She won't need much during deployment unless she wants to shop during a port visit, and small items from the ships store.

She can set up a joint account with Navy Federal during boot camp. I really like that credit union, we still have active accounts with them after all this time. She will get financial counseling at some time early in her career. Good stuff.

[Anna]

its also important to keep in mind, with regard to the budget, that separation pay takes a month to turn on but meal deductions will start immediately. i'd plan on having a good cushion each month to make up for some the variability you will undoubtedly see.

I moved with my husband to his first duty station in December and not yet found a job. i have a bachelors degree in anthropology... not highly employable even in a good economy. many of the other spouses i know are also having trouble finding work here (SC).
i decided to put my focus on other things like applying to graduate school and doing volunteer work (to beef up my resume).

there is also a spouse career advisor on my base who has some good resources.

[Anna]

if you are not eating in the galley while on shore then you can opt to keep your bas. while deployed you have no choice. money will be deducted by the day for meals while deployed.

[Anna]

i could be mistaken. everyone i know (maybe not too many people) get to keep their bas. i think its easy to get in the habit of spending it and its challenging when its no longer available.

however, my advice is the same: plan on a cushion in your budget because paychecks are variable. My husband has been in a little less than a year and no two paychecks have been the same because of allowances and deductions constantly turning on and off (bas/meal deductions, separation, hazard duty, etc. ). when you can anticipate those things its much easier to follow the budget you've set for yourself.