As summer ends, long sunny days begin to shorten, the sound of lawn mowers fade, and a new school year comes into view. While back-to-school can be a fun and exciting time for many families, it may also be challenging for a family that’s embarking on a permanent change of station (PCS). While the tasks involved in preparing for a new school year can be daunting all on their own — adding in a move to a new area can make such changes overwhelming.  

For the average civilian family, preparing for the new school year means shopping for clothes and school supplies. For a military family, it means “shopping” for a new school. And for military children, it means finding new friends. With the right mindset and the proper plan, starting the new school year can be a positive experience. Preparation is key!  

Finding Resources 

While servicemembers are hard at work facing the challenges of protecting our nation, military spouses tend to get tasked with all-things with family life and school. How do you transition to a new area and establish a sense of community? Luckily, there are a multitude of issues you can resolve before even making that move, starting as soon as your family receives orders.  

Do your research and learn as much as you can about your new duty station and community ahead of time. Social media outlets, such as Facebook and Instagram, can be great resources. You can join spouse pages and start asking the important questions like, “Which neighborhoods/parts of town should we avoid?”, “What are the best schools in the area?”, and “What are some social events to attend?” It is almost guaranteed your questions will be answered there.  

Creating Connections 

Once you arrive at your new duty station, take neighborhood family walks, and introduce yourselves to neighbors. Find a gym, club, or child-friendly class to attend or check out local churches and libraries. Connect with people on your base by joining the Family Readiness Group or volunteering.  

You can begin to build connections at your children’s school by attending playgroups, back-to-school nights, or volunteering in your child’s classroom. By establishing community with the people around you, you will be giving your children an opportunity to do the same. Making new friends early on may help reduce your kids’ anxiety about beginning a new school year at an unfamiliar school. Seeing familiar faces in their classrooms or hallways on that first day can offer some comfort.  

Budgeting for Where You Are 

In addition to helping your family feel more acquainted with their new community, it’s important to review your finances to ensure you have prepared a budget that matches the cost of living in your new area. Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) can drastically change based on your geographical location. For instance, housing costs could potentially increase, in addition to the cost of groceries and personal services. Following a budgeting method aligned with your current location may help reduce your financial stress and allow for more financial readiness.  

One common budgeting method is the 50/30/20 rule where you divide your monthly after-tax or “take home” income into three categories:  

• 50% goes to Needs — housing, transportation, utilities, groceries, and healthcare 
• 30% goes to Wants — subscriptions, hobbies, entertainment 
• 20% goes to Debt/Savings — credit cards, personal loans, savings accounts  

According to the Military Family Advisory Network, more than half of military and Veteran families are unprepared for a financial emergency or a significant loss of income, with enlisted and Veteran families being the least prepared. To learn more about how to build an emergency fund for your military family, visit AAFMAA’s Learning Hub. 

In addition to saving for an emergency, you should also ensure your family is protected from the unthinkable. It’s a good idea to review your life insurance policies once a year to verify you’re still fully covered, and your beneficiaries are correct. If you don’t have life insurance to cover your family’s current lifestyle and needs, it’s never too early to protect them.  

AAFMAA Can Help 

Remember, life insurance gets more expensive as you age and no matter where you are in life, AAFMAA has coverage for you. For more information about life insurance options that fit you and your military family, contact an AAFMAA Membership Coordinator at 877-398-2263.