Category Archives: Financial Independence

40 years of danger: military specialty pay + bonus contracts

Posted on July 16, 2026 by Doug Nordman

While you’re pursuing your path to financial independence: are you ever tempted by the military’s specialty pay or bonus programs? One of our family’s (many) military-retention discussions reminded me of a sea story behind our financial independence. I was certainly … Continue reading →

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

The Lump-Sum Pension of the Blended Retirement System Is A Payday Loan.

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Doug Nordman

When you’re saving and investing aggressively for financial independence, it’s possible to reach FI in less than 20 years— even when you don’t earn any sort of military pension or VA disability compensation. However life comes at us fast, … Continue reading →

Posted in Career, Entrepreneurship, Financial Independence, Investing & TSP, Military and Veterans Benefits, Military Life & Family, Military Retirement, Money Management & Personal Finance, Mortgage & Real Estate | 1 Comment

24 Years Of Military Retirement… And Surfing

Posted on March 12, 2026 by Doug Nordman

Yes, this is a website about reaching financial independence with or without the U.S. military– but it’s also a blog about living your financial independence lifestyle. After that major downer of my post on Alzheimer’s lessons learned, I thought I’d write … Continue reading →

Posted in Financial Independence, Military Life & Family, What Do You DO All Day?!? | 2 Comments

Your Millionaire Interview

Posted on March 5, 2026 by Doug Nordman

Since you’re reading this post on a blog about military financial independence, here’s a question for you: have you ever thought about drafting your Millionaire Interview on ESIMoney? Simply thinking through a series of interview questions (while telling your story) … Continue reading →

Posted in Financial Independence, Military Life & Family, Money Management & Personal Finance, Sea Stories | 1 Comment

Dementia among your family or friends… or in your finances.

Posted on February 5, 2026 by Doug Nordman

Everyone knows that they need to spend time on their estate plans. It’s part of financial independence, and it’s even more important if you’re a military veteran with survivor’s benefits. Yet how much time have you spent adulting on … Continue reading →