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Major Money — Your Financial Wingman
Valentor Financial: Personal Finance for Servicemembers
Smart money moves for Active Duty, Guard/Reserve, Veterans and families. Learn benefits, avoid pitfalls, and use the VA loan confidently to build wealth.
★ Trusted by Military Families
🏛️ Simple Solutions
📍Actionable Strategies
Our Mission
Mil-FI empowers service members, veterans, and families to make smart financial decisions with confidence. We provide clear, actionable resources for military pay, benefits, homebuying, investing, and more—tailored for the unique needs of the military community.
What you'll find here:
- Finance Toolkit — calculators for TSP, VA loan, budgeting, and starter loans
- VA Loan Guide — eligibility, costs, strategies, and FAQs
- Real Estate — buy box, risk controls, property management tips
- Learning Paths — step-by-step guides for new, advanced, and investor users
- Knowledge Center — deep dives on military finance topics
- Newsletter — stay updated with tips and news
- FAQ — answers to common questions
All tools and guides are free, private, and designed for military life.
Quick Tips for Military Money
- Set up automatic TSP contributions for max match
- Check BAH/BAS rates for your duty station
- Build a PCS budget before you move
- Review SCRA protections for loans & credit
- Use the VA loan for house-hacking up to 4 units
- Start an emergency fund with your first paycheck
Built for Service
BAH/BAS-aware budgets, SCRA notes, and PCS-savvy calculators.
- TSP + BRS match modeling
- Rent-vs-Buy horizon analysis
- House-hack scenarios up to 4-plex
Fast, Offline-friendly
No sign-in required. Your data stays in your browser.
- Local snapshots & export
- Works great on mobile
- Accessible & keyboard-friendly
Calculators & tools
Budget & Retierment Calculator
Plan out your monthly and annual budget and project retierment
Open Budget CalculatorEstimates for planning only. Confirm with lenders and official sources.
VA Loan essentials
Eligibility & Entitlement
- Get COE (Certificate of Eligibility)
- Full vs remaining entitlement
- Primary residence; timely occupancy
Costs & Funding Fee
- 0% down possible; no PMI
- Funding fee varies; disability may waive
- Seller/lender credits can offset costs
Strategies
- House-hack up to 4 units
- Use assumptions creatively
- Refi when it pencils
Real estate for service members
Buy Box
- Markets near duty stations
- Conservative cashflow
- Exit options at PCS
Risk Controls
- VA appraisal & MPR awareness
- Reserves for vacancy/repairs
- Fixed-rate preference
Property Mgmt
- Self-manage vs PM
- Military clauses in leases
- Assumable marketing
Learning paths
New to Money
Build a baseline budget (50/30/20 tuned for BAH/BAS), start $1k emergency fund then 3–6 months, set up TSP (match + L-fund).
VA Loan Path
Eligibility & COE, funding fee & waivers, house-hacking up to 4 units (owner-occupy).
Investor Path
PCS-proof buy box, risk controls, exit strategies at ETS/retire (sell, rent, assume).
Knowledge Hub
Filter by topic or search. Save items to your reading list.
BAH/BAS Essentials
- BAH impacts affordability; don’t over-extend on rent or PITI.
- Use locality-specific BAH; dual-military nuances.
- BAS is for meals; don’t budget it for fixed debt.
#benefits#budget
BRS & TSP Match
- Automatic 1% + up to 4% match after 2 YOS; don’t leave match on the table.
- Traditional vs Roth depends on current vs expected future tax rate.
- Lifecycle funds default; consider custom mix as literacy improves.
#TSP#retirement
VA Entitlement & Funding Fee
- Full vs remaining entitlement drives $0 down outcomes.
- Funding fee varies by use/down; disability rating may waive.
- Assumable loans: potential exit or entry strategy.
#VA#entitlement#fundingFee
House-Hack with VA (up to 4-plex)
- Owner-occupy one unit; rent the others; screen for MPR issues.
- Underwrite with realistic vacancy/maint. reserves.
- Plan exit at PCS: lease clauses, assume, or sell.
#multifamily#strategy
State Residency & Taxes (MIL/Spouse)
- Home of Record vs State of Legal Residence — not the same.
- MSRRA rules for spouses; keep documentation tight.
- Track state withholding; avoid surprises at filing.
#tax#residency
PCS Money: DLA, TLE/TLA, Per Diem
- Budget advance vs reimbursement; document everything.
- Know which expenses are covered and caps by location.
- Keep a PCS sinking fund to absorb timing gaps.
#PCS#travel
Brokerage Basics & Asset Allocation
- Keep costs low; automate contributions.
- Diversify across US/Intl; align risk with horizon.
- Separate emergency fund from investments.
#investing#allocations
Insurance Stack: SGLI/FSGLI, Renters, Auto
- Right-size SGLI/FSGLI; coordinate with spouse coverage.
- Renter’s liability + loss-of-use; add riders for valuables.
- Bundle & check military discounts; compare annually.
#insurance#risk
GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon, TA
- Understand transfer rules & service obligations.
- Stack tuition assistance smartly; avoid overlap waste.
- Consider BAH equivalency for budgeting during school.
#education#GIbill
SCRA & MLA Protections
- Interest rate caps; lease termination rights.
- Active-duty start date matters; keep orders handy.
- Escalate politely; document and cite statute.
#SCRA#MLA
Life Events Playbooks
First Duty Station
- Set up direct deposit & allotments; build emergency fund.
- Elect TSP match; pick Roth/Traditional.
- Decide rent vs buy; evaluate on 3+ year horizon.
Deploying / Long TDY
- Update SGLI/POA; automate bills; freeze credit if desired.
- Understand tax exclusions & savings opportunities.
- Review renters/auto coverage for storage/usage changes.
Buying with VA
- COE in hand; confirm entitlement & fee status.
- Pre-approval; underwrite with realistic reserves.
- Plan exit at PCS: lease clause, assume, sell.
Glossary
Amount of VA guaranty you have available. Drives down payment requirements and reuse rules.
Fee charged by VA (unless waived) based on service, usage count, and down payment; can be financed.
VA standards the property must meet for safety, soundness, and sanitation; can affect fixer-uppers.
Military Spouses Residency Relief Act — governs state tax/residency treatment for spouses.
Get Started Checklist
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, up to 4 units if you occupy one unit as your primary residence and meet lending/VA requirements.
Often no, with sufficient entitlement. Closing costs and a funding fee may apply unless exempt.
Possibly, with remaining entitlement and qualifying ratios; confirm with lender and COE.
Minimum Property Requirements ensure the home is safe/sound/sanitary. They can limit fixer-uppers or require repairs before closing.
Rule of thumb: choose Roth when current tax rate is likely lower than future; Traditional when current is higher. Many use a mix.