This is a free webinar hosted by the Personal Finance concentration area of the Military Families Learning Network.
This 90-minute webinar will provide steps to help military families boost their cash flow, improve their financial well-being, and keep their financial future looking bright! Leslie will provide strategies and real life examples to help service members and their families overcome financial obstacles. You may feel embarrassed if you have financial or legal problems, however, there are many people out there who are in similar situations. Leslie’s advice can not only help military families take control of their debt but also learn to live with their debt and eventually love it! The discussion will close with a Q & A session with Leslie and webinar participants.
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https://learn.extension.org/events/2582
Credit & Debt Issues for Military Families
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2. Connecting military family service providers
and Cooperative Extension professionals to research
and to each other through engaging online learning opportunities
www.extension.org/militaryfamilies
MFLN Intro
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Sign up for webinar email notifications at www.extension.org/62831
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3. Leslie Tayne
● Consumer and business debt-
related attorney and advisor.
● Founded Tayne Law Group,
P.C., concentrating solely in debt
resolution and alternatives to
filing bankruptcy for consumers,
small business owners and
professionals.
● Tayne Law regularly consults
and advises on debt
management related issues.
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4. CREDIT & DEBT ISSUES FOR
MILITARY FAMILIES
Leslie H. Tayne, Esq.
www.taynelaw.com
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5. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOOD DEBT & BAD
DEBT
• Everyone has debt. Many will be faced with debt at some point in their lives
(i.e. mortgage, credit card, student loans, etc.)
• Before taking on any kind of debt, you may want to consider determining if
this debt will have a positive or negative effect on your financial situation.
• Good debt is any debt you acquire with the ability to pay back for the term
of the loan.
All debt is good debt until it becomes unmanageable!
www.taynelaw.com
6. GOOD DEBT
Taking out a car loan.
If you need to take out a loan for a
car and you have a steady income,
good credit and have the ability to
pay the monthly payments, then
this is good debt.
Taking out a student loan.
Student loan debt isn’t a bad
thing. It helps you get the
education you need! But it is
important to be responsible and
make sure you pay these loans
every month and on time to stay
in the “good debt” category.
Taking a loan from your parents and
not paying them back.
If your parents gave you a loan with a
term and “pay back conversation,”
and they are hounding you for
money, then this is considered bad
debt.
High credit card debt.
If you have 3 credit cards that are all
close to the limit or maxed out, then
this is considered bad debt.
BAD DEBT
www.taynelaw.com
7. HOW TO PAY OFF DEBT
• Practice money management skills. Rework your budget (or create
one). Sign up for an online budgeting tool to help you. Take a good
look at your budget and see what expenses are eating up your
income. If there are a lot of frivolous expenses, such as subscriptions
you don’t need, morning coffee runs, and takeout lunches, cut these
types of expenses out and start allocating that money towards
paying off debt. We will talk about this more in detail in the
presentation later on in the presentation.
• Have an Emergency Fund/Savings Account
• Set financial limits with your children
• Pay more than the minimum on your credit cards (consider bi-
weekly payments)
• If all else fails, speak to a professional (i.e. financial advisory or
attorney)
www.taynelaw.com
8. STRATEGIES FOR MILITARY FAMILIES TO
OVERCOME DEBT
1. How to minimize your debt
2. Utilize discounts and hunt down freebies
3. Look for everyday savings
4. Consider a side hustle
The next few slides will break these down…
www.taynelaw.com
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9. HOW TO MINIMIZE YOUR DEBT
In efforts to minimize your debt, it’s important to:
• Organize all personal finances. You can do this by tracking and
categorizing your spending, income, assets, and all debts.
• Create a budget that fits your needs based on your personal
finances and spending habits
• A budget will help you track spending and see where you can cut
back. This should free up cash so you can start paying down your
debt.
• Focus on paying off debt with the highest interest rates. This will
save you more money in the long run!
• Pay extra whenever possible
• Refrain from adding more debt
www.taynelaw.com
10. UTILIZE DISCOUNTS AND HUNT DOWN
FREEBIES
• Hundreds of companies offer deals for military families in a variety
of categories such as school supplies, clothing, cars, electronics,
fitness, entertainment, healthcare benefits, education, and other
professional services
• Consider calling services you already use to see if they have any
military discounts (i.e. utility and insurance companies). These
service companies may offer a discounted price to join as well as
membership rewards.
• Some stores may not advertise their military discount so it’s always
worth asking!
www.taynelaw.com
11. LOOK FOR EVERYDAY SAVINGS
Everyday savings are out there, you just need to know where to
look!
Store Emails: Sign up at places you frequently visit. They will notify you
with current sales and discounts exclusively for their subscribers.
Social Media: “Follow” or “Like” the pages of stores you shop as they may
announce sales you may not see elsewhere.
Newspapers & Magazines: Don’t forget there are many deals to be found
here!
Coupon sites: Use these sites for everyday savings (i.e. Coupons.com,
Moneysavingmom.com, Yipit.com, RetailMeNot.com, DealNews.com)
Other savings sites: Groupon.com (Savings on just about everything),
Airbnb (save on hotels by “renting” rooms or homes), GasBuddy (search
for best gas prices), Goldstar.com (save on sporting events, concerts, and
theater), and MyMilitarySavings.com (Coupon site designed specifically for
military families)
www.taynelaw.com
12. CONSIDER A SIDE HUSTLE
A side hustle is a great option for spouses looking to make extra
income.
• You can work close to home or even at home
• Build income doing something you enjoy to help you pay
down debt and build an emergency fund
• You may be able to be your own boss and work at your
own pace
Building the perfect side hustle:
• What side job is going to work for you? Think about your
hobbies, interests, and talents, and how much time you
have to put aside each day/week.
• Determine your target market and how to reach them.
Utilize free resources such as social media.
• Talk to others who have a side hustle to see if they can
help you get started
www.taynelaw.com
13. BUDGETING TIPS FOR MILITARY FAMILIES
1. How to set up a budget
2. Track your spending/cut costs
3. Set up an emergency fund
4. Sign up for automatic payments
5. End the paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle
6. Take advantage of military benefits
The next few slides will break these down…
www.taynelaw.com
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14. HOW TO SET UP A BUDGET
Budgets have only one rule: Do not go over budget!
Know how much net income you earn each month (net means your take home pay
after taxes, social security, insurance, etc.)
Create a detailed list of money going out (expenses) – put them into 3 separate
categories: fixed, variable, and discretionary.
• Fixed includes set amounts per month (i.e. mortgage, car payments, cable, phone,
etc.)
• Variable expenses can change depending on needs (i.e. food, gas, toiletries,
medication)
• Discretionary is elective spending (lifestyle choices we enjoy – i.e. eating out,
vacation)
• Track your spending and cut costs if you have to!
• Stay motivated!
• Set Goals!
• Continue to adjust your budget every couple months.
www.taynelaw.com
15. GENERAL GUIDELINE FOR MONTHLY
EXPENSES
• 3% medical – co-pays, prescriptions and personal
such as beauty and hygiene
• 30% housing – mortgage, utilities, insurance
• 20% debt – credit cards, loans
• 15% food – groceries, eating out
• 15% transportation – car payment, gas, insurance,
repairs
• 10% savings – retirement fund, “what if” fund,
emergency fund
• 7% misc. – entertainment, clothing, extras
www.taynelaw.com
16. WHEN TO BUDGET
The beauty of budgeting is you can choose the time
that works best for you.
• Choose a calm and comfortable environment – Weekends in
the morning, before any “big” activities, at night, at the
office on your lunch break
• Budgeting may be viable at certain times in your life: large
expenses such as a wedding, coming home from
deployment. Start your budget when your income and
expenses are more stable so you have a better idea of actual
numbers
www.taynelaw.com
17. NEED HELP BUDGETING?
Budget Jewel
Our online, on-the-go
interactive tool provides a
realistic perspective on
personal finances with an
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establishing and
maintaining a practical
budget. No bank
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completely confidential.
www.budgetjewel.com
FREE 30 day trial –
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18. SET UP AN EMERGENCY FUND
An emergency fund is a smart and easy way to make sure you can
afford unexpected expenses that may not already be covered in
your budget. They also provide an alternative to relying on credit cards,
personal loans, and other forms of debt.
• Calculate how much you can contribute. Depending on how
much room you have in your budget, the amount of money you
can contribute to your emergency fund may vary.
• Ideally, try and contribute 10% of your net income to your
emergency fund until it’s complete you have at least 3-6 months
worth of living expenses saved.
• This will help you avoid debt since you will have a back-up plan
for life’s unexpected twists and turns, such as medical or vet
expenses, or car maintenance.
www.taynelaw.com
19. SIGN UP FOR AUTOMATIC PAYMENTS
• If you have a personal or student loan, signing up for automatic
payments can help you reduce your debt. Automatic payments
sometimes offer you discounts on interest rates. For example, Wells
Fargo and Sallie Mae offer .25% discount on interest rates if you
enroll with their automatic payment plan.
• Automatic payments will also help you stay on top of your payments
and ensure they are always on time. Make sure to still keep track of
them even though they automatically come out of your account
each month.
www.taynelaw.com
20. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MILITARY BENEFITS
Navy Federal Credit Union
https://www.navyfederal.org/
The Navy Federal Credit Union can help you set up:
• Your first checking account
• IRAs
• Student Loans, personal loans
• Prepaid cards
• Member exclusive offers and discounts - Car Rentals, Auto insurance
• Convenient banking – Online Banking
• Advice and planning
• Job help
www.taynelaw.com
21. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MILITARY BENEFITS
(CONT‘D)
Military Lending Act: Under the Military Lending Act, if you’re an active duty
member of the armed forces or are on active Guard or Reserve duty, you
can’t be charged an interest rate higher than 36% on some types of
consumer loans (consumerfinance.gov)
• Rights under MLA include:
• 36% interest cap – interest, fees, credit card charges, credit renewal
charges, credit insurance premiums, other fees for credit-related
products sold in connection with the loan
• Written and Oral Disclosure – Before a loan is issued, creditors must
inform you in writing and orally the fees and interest rates of the
loan
• No roll-over loans – Creditor can’t refinance the same loan unless it
favors you, that way you won’t get stuck with a loan that gets more
expensive to pay back every few months
www.taynelaw.com
22. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MILITARY BENEFITS
(CONT’D)
Other Rights under MLA include:
• No mandatory waivers or consumer protection laws – “Creditors
cannot require you to waive any state or federal law, including the
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, which protects servicemembers
from being sued while on active duty (consumerfinance.gov).”
• No mandatory arbitration – When an outside party decides how a
dispute should be resolved
• No mandatory allotment – Creditor can’t require you to take an
allotment out for your loan. This is an automatic payment taken
out of your paycheck to pay off a loan
• No prepayment penalty – A creditor can’t charge you a fee or
penalty if you decide to pay off your loan early
www.taynelaw.com
23. STRATEGIES FOR OVERSEAS DEPLOYMENT,
MILITARY PERSONNEL
1. How to manage your money
during overseas deployment
2. How to manage your money when
moving all the time
3. How to transition financially to
civilian life
4. Should you buy a home?
5. How to take advantage of your
career
The next few slides will break these
down…
www.taynelaw.com
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24. HOW TO MANAGE YOUR MONEY DURING
OVERSEAS DEPLOYMENT
Before Deployment
Put someone in charge: Designate someone to oversee finances while military
spouse is away
No new debts: Avoid incurring any major new debts before you deploy
Come up with a plan and prepare: Discuss finances with spouse before
deployment, what debt will you pay off first, second, so on
Set up Direct Deposit: Automatically deposit wages to your bank or credit
union
Automate finances: Set up automatic bill pay to avoid late payments. This will
make managing your finances a bit easier.
Stick with your emergency fund: An emergency fund can be a great source of
cash when you’re hit with a surprise. With extra cash stored away for
emergencies, you limit the need to rely on credit cards which can lead to debt.
Consider saving 3-6 months of expenses.
www.taynelaw.com
25. During Deployment
Take advantage of Department of Defense savings plans.
Thrift Savings Plan: A retirement savings plan for military personnel and
federal employees that is similar to a 401k plan. Like a 401k you can invest
invest your money after taxes (Roth) or pre-taxed (Traditional). With many
many investment options and low management fees, TSP may work for
many families.
Saving Deposit Program: Unlike a TSP, a SDP is only available during combat
deployment.
• Personnel needs to be serving in a combat zone or qualified area
outside the US for more than 30 consecutive days or 1 day in each
of three consecutive months
• You can deposit up to $10,000 for each deployment
• Earn 10% annual interest during deployment (this is taxable)
• Earn 10% interest up to 90 days after military personnel returns
home
www.taynelaw.com
26. During Deployment (cont’d)
Stick to your pre-deployment budget: If you’re receiving deployment benefits
or an increase in income, it’s important to save and reserve these extra funds.
Sticking to a pre-deployment budget can help the temptations to spend this
extra money on lifestyle inflation.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help: If you are struggling to make payments and
falling behind, ask for help as financial assistance may be available from these
organizations:
• Air Force Aid Society
• Army Emergency Relief
• Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
• Servicemembers Civil Relief Act: SCRA can provide protection against
outstanding mortgage and credit card debt, taxes, and even eviction
prevention as well as many other protections
www.taynelaw.com
27. Post-Deployment
When a spouse returns from home its important to communicate
financial affairs.
• Financial protections such as SCRA and SDP will soon expire so
communicating and understanding what needs to be done next is
is crucial.
• Just as a financial plan was developed before deployment, a post
deployment plan is just as important.
Don’t overspend.
• A returning spouse may be tempted to spend the money they
earned during their deployment. Consider spending money
wisely and make smart financial decisions such as adding money
to your Thrift Saving Plan and paying off any debt incurred.
www.taynelaw.com
28. HOW TO MANAGE YOUR MONEY WHEN
ALWAYS ON THE MOVE
Since military families are always on the move, it can not only be costly,
but it can be a hassle. With proper planning you can limit some stress.
Consider tracking all your financial accounts and see how a move will affect them:
• Will accounts need to be closed or can you simply ask to change your address?
(i.e. if you use a local bank, will you need to close your account and open a
new one at a bank near your new home?)
• Your credit card companies will need to be notified of your address change
• Pay off and close your local accounts such as your utility bills
Create a moving budget:
• Understand what the military will cover and what you should budget for
• Your budget should include moving company costs and/or truck rental, gas,
storage facilities, extra insurance on items of high importance to you, lodging
(if needed), as well as all real estate and lawyer fees
www.taynelaw.com
29. Know what the military will help you with.
Dislocation Allowance: Service members and their families will receive a
partial reimbursement for expenses incurred during a PCS move. The
allowance amount is based on the service member’s rank and family
status.
Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation: MALT is a mileage
reimbursement service members can receive when they drive to their
new duty station. Amount reimbursed depends of type of transportation
(car, plane, motorcycle, etc.)
Per Diem Allowance: Reimburses service members and their families for
costs of meals and lodging when traveling to new station. Amount
reimbursed depends on size of family and age of children.
Advanced Basic Pay: This lets military personnel take up to three months’
pay in advance interest free when you make a change of station. This
money is a loan to help pay for moving expenses and will need to be paid
back.
www.taynelaw.com
30. Manage your budget after your move.
• It can be tempting when you move into a new place to want to buy
new furniture and accessories for your home. Prioritize what needs to
be purchased now and what can wait. This can reduce overspending.
• If mortgage payments and property taxes are higher than previously,
be sure to factor this into your new budget
• Talk to local sources about your new neighborhood. Ask for any
information regarding inexpensive shopping and entertainment.
• Limit eating out until your major moving purchases are paid off. Avoid
racking up debt by eating at home.
• Research cost of utilities before you move so you have an idea of what
they will cost you each month
• Your budget doesn’t need to be set in stone. You may need to adjust it
as you settle in.
www.taynelaw.com
31. HOW TO TRANSITION FINANCIALLY TO
CIVILIAN LIFE
Make sure you’ve saved enough. Your emergency fund (or transition fund)
should be large enough to cover 3-6 months worth of expenses. This fund can
keep you afloat while you search for a job.
Revise your budget as necessary. Transition to civilian life can mean you may no
longer receive certain benefits. It’s important to budget for new expenses.
Manage your Thrift Savings Plan. Your military retirement fund can remain in a
TSP account or can be rolled over to a Roth/Traditional IRA or your new
employer’s plan.
Take advantage of Separation Assistance. Personnel can deduct some of the
costs they incur searching for a new profession, including travel, fees for
resume preparation, and outplacement services.
www.taynelaw.com
32. HOW TO TRANSITION FINANCIALLY TO
CIVILIAN LIFE
Applying for civilian jobs:
• Consider connecting with a recruiter whose focus is military-to-
civilian transitions
• Attend a Transition Assistance Program (TAP), a workshop created to
teach veterans job search strategies and prepare for interviews
• Showcase your strengths as a military candidate
• Negotiate your salary. Don’t leave money on the table!
www.taynelaw.com
33. SHOULD YOU BUY A HOME?
Buying a home is a large investment and since military families move
frequently, there are many factors to consider:
• How long will you be staying in your location? A Permanent Change of
Station (PCS) can move you to a new location numerous times. If you’re
moving often, would renting be a wiser decision for you?
• Will a home purchase be an investment? If you purchase a home and are
soon uprooted, will you experience a loss on your investment? On top of
closing costs, there are many other hidden fees associated with purchasing
a home.
• Will purchasing a home limit you from saving money? With a mortgage,
taxes, and other expenses that come with a home, will you still be able to
save?
• Can you afford the maintenance? Will you have the time and money to
manage the upkeep on the home?
www.taynelaw.com
34. If you are considering purchasing a home…
• Look for a home you can comfortably afford
• Apply for a VA Loan and take advantage of their benefits:
• No down payment required
• Unlike conventional mortgages, a VA does not require Private
Mortgage Insurance (PMI) which can save you hundreds
• Since the federal government backs each VA Loan, interest rates are
low
• No pre-payment penalty
• Like an emergency or transition fund, consider a fund where you can save
money for closing costs, furniture, repairs, etc.
• Take advantage of tax deductions – this money can go a long way!
• Take advantage of Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), a tool that can give
service members a monthly allowance to help cover rent or mortgage
payments. The amount varies based on your location and rank.
www.taynelaw.com
35. BUYING VS. RENTING
Benefits of Buying:
• Homeowners can deduct
mortgage and property tax
payments
• If your home appreciates in value,
the sale of your home can mean
financial gain
• Ability to personalize your home
to your liking
• VA Loans can help make home
ownership a bit easier
Benefits of Renting:
• Military Clause allows military
personnel out of leases
• Landlord is usually in charge of
maintaining property
• While selling a home can be a long
and difficult process, moving while
renting can be much easier
• Monthly rent is sometimes cheaper
than a monthly mortgage
• There’re not as many up-front costs
associated with renting
www.taynelaw.com
36. HOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR CAREER
A military career can provide you and your family with many benefits to
which you should take full advantage of.
Ability to go to school or further your education with financial assistance programs
during or after your service.
• Tuition Assistance: Can pay up to $250/credit hour up to a total of $4,500/year
• Post 9/11 GI Bill: Receive up to 100% full tuition for public in-state schools, a
monthly housing allowance, up to $1000 a year for books and supplies, and the
ability to transfer the benefit to a spouse (if still serving). You have up to 15
years to take advantage of this benefit.
• Montgomery GI Bill: Receive a set monthly rate based on the number of classes
you are enrolled in. You have up to 10 years to use this benefit.
• Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC): The SOC can be beneficial for
military scholars who are frequently transferred. The schools associated work
together to make it easier to transfer college credits if you need to move due
military transfer.
www.taynelaw.com
37. Take advantage of retirement plans and benefits.
• Thrift Savings Plan: Retirement savings plan for military personnel and federal employees
that works similarly to a 401k plan. Like a 401k you can invest your money after taxes
(Roth) or pre-taxed (Traditional). With many investment options and low management
fees (29 cents/every $1000 invested) TSP may work for many families.
• Saving Deposit Program: Unlike the TSP, the SDP is only available during combat
deployment.
• Personnel needs to be serving in a combat zone or qualified area outside the US
US for more than 30 consecutive days or 1 day for each of three consecutive
months.
• You can deposit up to $10,000 for each deployment
• Earn 10% annual interest during deployment (This is taxable)
• Earn 10% interest up to 90 days after military personnel returns home.
• There’s no fee for stopping your deposits
• Unlike many civilian jobs, military personnel can receive a pension with benefits after 20
years of active duty service. The amount they can receive depends on the retirement
program they’re eligible for.
www.taynelaw.com
38. Access to leave and vacation time.
• Active military personnel earn 2.5 days of vacation time /month for
up to 30 paid days off a year. This time can be taken immediately
after basic training.
Access to housing and meal allowance.
• For active military on base, housing is included in their compensation
compensation package
• If married and on-base housing in not available, or you would like to
live off-base, you can receive a tax-free monthly housing allowance
• Active personnel can receive free dining or an allowance to help
cover cost of off-base meals.
www.taynelaw.com
39. Access to special tax breaks.
• Members serving in combat zones are exempt from paying their federal
income tax for the month(s) of service. This is a great opportunity for
families to save money and help pay down their debt.
• Some members of the military can even postpone some tax deadlines up to
180 days after returning home. This gives you more time to save money to
pay taxes.
Take advantage of help offered for expenses.
• Help with moving/travel - If a permanent change of station is required,
military personnel are allowed to deduct the moving expenses during tax
season. Reservists who are required to move more than 100 miles from
home can be reimbursed for their travel expenses
• Uniforms - Some service members can deduct costs of certain uniforms that
that they are not allowed to wear when off-duty
www.taynelaw.com
40. STRATEGIES FOR LONG-TIME VETERANS TO
OVERCOME DEBT
Find a job that’s right for you & take advantage of the benefits!
www.taynelaw.com
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41. FIND A JOB THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
Take advantage of benefits by enrolling in Military network programs
• Military Job Networks (MJN) is an exclusive online networking
platform created and enabled only for verified U.S. Military
Veterans. With 3,600 online private military occupation groups,
verified Veterans access private, virtual spaces for true peer-to-
peer networking and knowledge sharing.
www.militaryjobnetworks.com
Networking is a great skill to acquire when applying for jobs and while
at your current job. It’s all about connections!
www.taynelaw.com
42. VA CAREER BENEFITS
Find a VA Recruiter:
• You can get help with a job position and health care benefits at
http://www.vacareers.va.gov/
• You can also look for careers at http://vaforvets.va.gov/. The Veteran
Employment Services Office (VESO) is a strategic program
management office that provides employment and career
management resources designed to attract, retain and support
Veteran employees at VA and across the federal government,
including those serving in the National Guard and Reserve.
www.taynelaw.com
45. MFLN Intro
45
We invite MFLN Service Provider Partners
to our private LinkedIn Group!
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8409844
DoD
Branch Services
Reserve
Guard
Cooperative
Extension
46. Evaluation and
Continuing Education Credits/Certificate
MFLN Personal Finance is offering 1.5 CEUs for
AFC-credentialed participants and CPFC-
credentialed participants for today’s webinar.
Please complete the evaluation and post-test at:
https://vte.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cATZJ
YtnfskycT3
Must pass post-test with an 80% or higher to
receive certificate.
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47. Personal Finance Upcoming
Event
Health & Wealth Relationships
• Date: Tuesday, October 11, 2016
• Time: 11 a.m. Eastern
• Location:
https://learn.extension.org/events/2677
For more information on MFLN Personal Finance go to:
https://blogs.extension.org/militaryfamilies/category/pe
rsonal-finance/
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