Category Archives: Career

In-service Roth Thrift Savings Plan Conversions

Posted on December 4, 2025 by Doug Nordman

A reader asks: When you’re in the Blended Retirement System, does it make sense to convert the traditional TSP’s agency & matching contributions to the Roth TSP? It looks like an interesting new feature with the 2026 changes to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Career, Financial Independence, Investing & TSP, Military and Veterans Benefits, Military Life & Family, Military Retirement, Money Management & Personal Finance | Leave a comment

Living your financial independence– by making a better workplace?!?

Posted on April 24, 2025 by Doug Nordman

This seems counterintuitive, doesn’t it?  Why would anyone want to celebrate their financial independence by making work better? Of course you could quit paid employment as soon as you reach FI, but you might also decide to keep working as … Continue reading →

Posted in Career, Financial Independence, Money Management & Personal Finance, Sea Stories | Leave a comment

What Happens After Your VA Disability Claim Has Been Approved

Posted on August 8, 2024 by Doug Nordman

The Veterans Administration approved my “fully developed” disability claim– in less than three months of processing. This post stands by itself, but I’m going to skip the beginning of the story. If you want to read the earlier posts in … Continue reading →

Posted in Career, Military and Veterans Benefits, Military Retirement, Money Management & Personal Finance | Leave a comment

What Happens When (Not Just How) You File Your VA Disability Claim

Posted on July 25, 2024 by Doug Nordman

Last week’s post explained why you want to file your disability claim, not just how to file it. Now we’ll get into why you should prepare as much of your claim as possible up front as a “fully developed” package … Continue reading →

Posted in Career, Military and Veterans Benefits, Military Life & Family, Military Retirement, Money Management & Personal Finance | Leave a comment

“Why Do I Have To Pay Back VSI or SSB?!?”

Posted on January 25, 2024 by Doug Nordman

Just when you think you’ve written about everything in military personal finance, someone asks a new question about an old topic. If you’re still in uniform, here’s a cautionary tale. If you’re a veteran of a certain age, let’s take … Continue reading →

Posted in Career, Military and Veterans Benefits, Military Retirement, Sea Stories | Leave a comment