JJ Montanaro

Joseph "JJ" Montanaro is a certified financial planner professional (CFP^®). He is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, and earned his bachelor’s degree from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. He also holds a master’s degree in personal financial planning from Kansas State. JJ is a director on the USAA Military Advocacy team.

Montanaro has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is a regular contributor to Military.com and also writes monthly personal finance columns for American Legion and Military Spouse magazines. Before entering the financial services industry, he served in the Army for six years on active duty, and in 2009, he retired as a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve.

Latest Articles

On red background, cash money with handwritten note EMERGENCY FUND, financial goal to save money for contingency fund, set money aside for unexpected expenses or safety net for future distress.

Your 2025 Emergency Fund: How Military Households Can Weather the Storm

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Retirement Savings To-Do Lists for Military Households

The key to a successful retirement isn't just saving; it's setting up guaranteed lifetime income so that your essential...

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7 Financial Fundamentals for Military Families

Let’s take a look at the essential ingredients that make up a well-rounded financial life.

Man is dropping coins into a blue piggy bank, symbolizing the act of saving and financial responsibility.

How Military Families Can Take Control of Their Finances

The fundamental principle of financial success boils down to a simple yet powerful concept we shared with our kids: Spend...

Hands hold a printed mock-up of a credit report, implying a person is reading the report.

How Military Families Can Manage Debt and Build a Stronger Credit Score

Approach debt with caution, respect and a plan, and you'll ensure it works for you -- not against you.

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Military Households: Here's the Most Important Financial Advice You'll Ever Receive

Without a financial plan, your budgeting, saving, investing, tax, insurance protection and retirement planning just float...

5 Ways Military Families Can Start to Get Ahead Financially

Here are five actionable ideas derived from certified financial planner JJ Montanaro's take on the first Military Financial...

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More Money, Less Debt: New Study Reveals Military Households' Financial Trajectory Since 2019

While many military families appear to be doing better than their civilian counterparts financially, they still face...

A man's hands form a roof over people-shaped green paper cutouts.

Protecting Your Family as You Leave the Military: 3 Options and an Imperative

As you prepare to take off the uniform, take the steps necessary to ensure that in the event of your death, your family won't...

Four stacks of coins with the digits of 2025 on top increase in size from left to right until arriving at a white piggy bank.

Your Year-End Financial Action Plan, Part 4: Maximizing Retirement

Use this year-end evaluation as an opportunity to discuss and get aligned on your retirement goals and portfolio.

A silhouetted person pushes the letters of the word debt off a cliff

Your Year-End Financial Action Plan, Part 3: Tackling Debt

While you may not be able to dig all the way out of debt in 2024, you can clearly chart a path that will allow you to get...

A blue binder features a handwritten label on its spine, "Tax preparation," set on a wood desk amid office supplies.

Your Year-End Financial Action Plan, Part 2: Stay Ahead of the Tax Man

By proactively managing your taxes at the end of the year, you can avoid surprises and ensure that your finances are in top...

Situated diagonally, a US $100 bill takes up about the left half of the frame, while a generic month of the December calendar page takes up the right half.

Your Year-End Financial Action Plan, Part I: Setting the Stage

A year-end financial review, when done right, acts as a recalibration for the goals that matter most to you and your family.

In tones of light blue and red, a piggy bank in a Santa cap, a calculator, gifts and a tree decoration make up an arrangement.

4 Steps to Maximize Your Holiday Budget

By planning ahead and sticking to these four tactics, you can enjoy the spirit of the holidays without the stress of...

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Why Thanksgiving Is the Perfect Time for Important Financial Conversations in Your Military Family

In military families, where change is constant and the future is sometimes uncertain, Thanksgiving offers a rare and valuable...

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