Category Archives: Military Life & Family

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

Sea Story: Standing Duty During A Volcanic Eruption With A Typhoon

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Doug Nordman

This post doesn’t have a financial independence theme, but it certainly helped me develop attitudes of gratitude and abundance.  I’m also sharing it to help others. June 15th is the anniversary of the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Military Life & Family, Sea Stories, Travel | 4 Comments

Fear And The Just One More Year Syndrome

Posted on April 11, 2023 by Doug Nordman

  “If you could stop working, why haven’t you?” “If you’re financially independent, then why are you going to work this week?” Those quotes were posted on ESIMoney’s Millionaire Money Mentors forum. I spend an hour or two there almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Financial Independence, Military Life & Family, Money Management & Personal Finance | Leave a comment

20 Years Of Financial Independence & Military Retirement 

Posted on June 1, 2022 by Doug Nordman

After 20 years of military retirement, life is better than ever! We’ve made the shift from accumulating assets (and our former insecure attitude of scarcity) to philanthropy and gifting (from a mindset of abundance). Continue reading →

Posted in Financial Independence, Military Life & Family, Military Retirement, Money Management & Personal Finance, What Do You DO All Day?!? | Leave a comment

From The Mail Buoy: “The Truth Behind Budgeting– It’s Not The Budget”

Posted on August 20, 2020 by Doug Nordman

A reader writes: “My spouse and I need a budget. What should we do? What type of budgeting do you recommend? I know it’s not a ‘one size fits all’ world, but how much is too much saving? It feels … Continue reading →

Posted in Financial Independence, Military Life & Family, Money Management & Personal Finance | 2 Comments