J.J. Montanaro, USAA Certified Financial Planner

Latest Articles

Dollar bill disintegrating to represent loss of value due to inflation

7 Ways to Fight Inflation

Battle the loss of buying power with these simple solutions.

Pocket watch with words "life insurance" on face

4 Steps to Get Your Life Insurance on Track

Discussions and plans related to this life insurance are easily sidetracked because of its perceived complexity or a general...

Mountain highway with guardrails preventing a deadly mishap

5 Financial Guardrails that Can Help Protect You from Disaster

In much the same way as physical guardrails, these financial guardrails help keep you between the lines.

Which Type of Life Insurance Is Best for You?

Choosing between term and permanent life insurance can be complicated, but you can simplify it by focusing on the reason you...

Legislation Affecting Civilian Retirement Plans Coming Soon

The new rules should make saving for retirement easier.

Social security card indicating retirement income

Some People May Face Reduced Social Security Benefits

Avoid a surprise from two rules that could come into play if you or your spouse receive pensions from work where they did not...

Mother and daughter saving money with piggybank

6 Money Lessons to Help Power Your Children's Finances

It's never too early to teach your kids about money.

Old time media - newspaper - want ad for chief financial officer job opening

Are You the Chief Financial Officer in Your Household?

Many military spouses end up being the chief financial officer of their household, a very important job.

6 Things You Might Not Know About Life Insurance

Life insurance may be boring and not fun to talk about, but if you need it, you should know these things.

Mother holding daughter who has piggybank

5 Ways to Raise Financially Smart Kids

How much time do you spend teaching your kids about money and how to use it wisely? They probably won't just figure it out...

4 Tips to Help You Navigate the New Tax Landscape

WIth this year's tax deadline coming, it's time to start planning for next year.

Why Diversifying Your Retirement Savings for Tax Purposes Is a Smart Idea

When saving for retirement, a mix of multiple accounts may be the best option.

computer screen with "fraud Alert" warning on screen

5 Ways to Protect Yourself from Fraud During Income Tax Season

Fraudsters are out there trying to get your money, and the IRS wants to catch them more than you do.

6 Ideas for a Top-to-Bottom Financial Spring Cleaning

Reviewing your beneficiary information and checking automatic payments are two ways you can tidy up your finances.

Not Contributing to TSP Will Cost You in the Long Run

You may have a bit more in your pocket but you will be missing out on FREE MONEY!

Military News

Get the Military Insider Newsletter

Get the latest on pay updates, benefit changes and award-winning military content. Right in your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Notice.

Thank you for subscribing!

View more newsletters on our Subscriptions page.

One last step.

Verify your free subscription by following the instructions in the email sent to:

Most Popular Military News

Virginia National Guard Pilot Wrongly Identified as Involved in DC Midair Collision Sues for Defamation

Matt Wallace, an influencer who has more than two million followers on X, posted that Ellis was involved in the collision and...

Illustration by Hrisanthi Pickett of The War Horse

This Company Is Spending Millions to Profit Off Veterans' Benefits. Why Won't Lawmakers Stop It?

Veterans Guardian says it’s fighting to give veterans a choice. Critics say they’re guardians of greed.

3 Hegseth Aides Ousted in Leak Investigation Decry 'Baseless Attacks'

“At this time, we still have not been told what exactly we were investigated for, if there is still an active investigation...

Lance Cpl. Marcelino Gamino and Lance Cpl. Albert Aguilera

Service Identifies Pendleton Marines Killed in Vehicle Incident During Southern Border Mission

Lance Cpl. Albert Aguilera, 22, and Lance Cpl. Marcelino Gamino, 28, both Marine combat engineers and from California, were...

'Remember Us' will be available wherever books are sold on April 29, 2025.

New Book Follows the Dutch Civilians Who Came to Adopt and Care for American Graves from WWII

Robert Edsel's new book, "Remember Us: American Sacrifice, Dutch Freedom, and a Forever Promise Forged in World War II"...

The relatives of Venezuelan migrants in the U.S. who were flown to a prison in El Salvador

US Intelligence Contradicts Trump Claims Linking Gang to Venezuelan Government to Speed Deportations

A new U.S. intelligence assessment found no coordination between Tren de Aragua and the Venezuelan government, contradicting...

Latest Military Videos

AP Explains Israeli Troops in Self-Declared Security Zones in Gaza

Israel’s defense minister said Wednesday that troops will remain in so-called security zones in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and...

Russian Strike on Kherson Kills One Person and Injures 3 Others

At least one person was killed and three others injured following a Russian strike on the Ukrainian city of...

Fort Benning Takes Back its Old Name, but to Honor a Different Soldier

The Army is restoring the name Fort Benning to its storied training post in Georgia, only this time to...

Former Pentagon Spokesperson Speaks Out About Leaked War Plans

President Donald Trump is downplaying the texting of attack plans to a group chat that included a journalist as...

Investigations and Features

In One of the Marines' Most Iconic Jobs, a Stunning Pattern of Suicide

Marine Corps drill instructors are a national symbol of discipline. But for some, their imposing persona belies a dark...

Army Capt. Jeremy Kuykendall and his wife Kate, cradle their daughter

Unsupervised: Military Child Care Centers Slow to Report Abuse with Little Oversight

A Military.com investigation into military day care centers revealed that service branch rules generally prioritize...

Army News

Sprint-drag-carry portion of the Army Combat Fitness Test

New Army Fitness Test: No More Ball Yeet, Higher Standards for Combat Arms

Among the most notable adjustments, which will likely be met with glee across the ranks, is the removal of the Standing Power...

Oath of Enlistment at Fort Stewart, Georgia

Army Seeing Major Recruiting Momentum in 2025 After Hitting Goal Last Year

As of last week, the Army had enlisted 51,837 recruits, or 85% of its 61,000 target for fiscal 2025, according service data.

Navy News

Candle light vigil in observance of Suicide Prevention month

Navy Unit Commanders Fall Short in Suicide Crisis Planning, Watchdog Finds

The service meets standards for collecting data on suicide prevention and response, but nearly 30% of commanders didn't have...

An entrance to the U.S. Naval Academy campus in Annapolis, Maryland.

Author Says Naval Academy Canceled His Lecture over Removed Book Reference

The Naval Academy canceled a speech by author and podcaster Ryan Holiday after he declined a request not to reference 381...

Air Force News

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Green

Top Enlisted Leader at Air Force Special Operations Command Fired, Facing Investigation

Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Green, who advised on the readiness, training and quality of life of enlisted air commandos, was...

New Air Force Academy Mission Statement Drops Educate, Adds a Different Focus

The Air Force Academy has rolled out a new mission statement that drops the word "educate" and adds in a focus on winning...

Space Force News

The flag of the U.S. Space Command is unfurled at the White House

Key Details Still Missing on Why Biden Made Final Call on Space Command's HQ, New Report Details

The investigation is the latest probe into the basing decision, which started late in President Donald Trump's first term and...

Vice President JD Vance, left, listens to Col. Susan Meyers, right, during a briefing at Pituffik Space Base in Greenland.

Commander of Greenland Base Who Broke with Vance Fired Shortly After Military.com Report

Defense officials moved quickly to fire a Space Force commander in charge of a Greenland military base after a Military.com...

Marine Corps News

Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Troy Black

Joint Chiefs Chairman Caine Decides Not to Keep Senior Enlisted Adviser, Breaking with Past Precedent

Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Troy Black will depart the post and retire from military service after the newly confirmed Joint...

Reenlistment ceremony prior to the commencement of Balikatan 25

Marine Corps Unveils New List of Bonuses Aimed at Keeping Crucial Jobs Filled

The service is offering "primary military occupational specialty," or PMOS, bonuses that -- if including a kicker -- can...

Coast Guard News

Members of a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment and U.S. Navy sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) conduct small boat operations in the Pacific Ocean, March 26, 2025. (Joey Sitter/U.S. Navy)

Coast Guard Permanently Relieves Commander of Sector San Diego

Capt. James Spitler and the sector's command master chief were temporarily relieved six months ago for allegedly creating a...

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is recognized as President Donald Trump speaks

New Offers for Buyouts and Early Retirement Offered to Homeland Security Staff

The Department of Homeland Security is offering buyouts and early retirement options to staffers, as the Trump administration...