Valentor Financial: Personal Finance for Servicemembers
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
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.
Knowledge Hub
Filter by topic or search. Save items to your reading list.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Budget advance vs reimbursement; document everything.
- Know which expenses are covered and caps by location.
- Keep a PCS sinking fund to absorb timing gaps.
- Keep costs low; automate contributions.
- Diversify across US/Intl; align risk with horizon.
- Separate emergency fund from investments.
- Right-size SGLI/FSGLI; coordinate with spouse coverage.
- Renter’s liability + loss-of-use; add riders for valuables.
- Bundle & check military discounts; compare annually.
- Understand transfer rules & service obligations.
- Stack tuition assistance smartly; avoid overlap waste.
- Consider BAH equivalency for budgeting during school.
- Interest rate caps; lease termination rights.
- Active-duty start date matters; keep orders handy.
- Escalate politely; document and cite statute.
Life Events Playbooks
- Set up direct deposit & allotments; build emergency fund.
- Elect TSP match; pick Roth/Traditional.
- Decide rent vs buy; evaluate on 3+ year horizon.
- Update SGLI/POA; automate bills; freeze credit if desired.
- Understand tax exclusions & savings opportunities.
- Review renters/auto coverage for storage/usage changes.
- COE in hand; confirm entitlement & fee status.
- Pre-approval; underwrite with realistic reserves.
- Plan exit at PCS: lease clause, assume, sell.
Get Started Checklist
Military Finance Jargon Glossary
Quick definitions of key military and financial terms.
BAH
Basic Allowance for Housing — Monthly stipend to help cover housing costs for eligible service members.
BAS
Basic Allowance for Subsistence — Monthly allowance for food/subsistence for service members.
BRS
Blended Retirement System — Modern military pension system combining defined benefit and TSP matching.
COE
Certificate of Eligibility — Document from VA proving entitlement for benefits (e.g., VA Loan, GI Bill).
CZTE
Combat Zone Tax Exclusion — Federal tax exclusion for pay earned in designated combat zones.
DLA
Dislocation Allowance — Lump sum to help with moving costs during PCS.
DSST/CLEP
Standardized Exams — Tests for earning college credit by exam (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests / College Level Examination Program).
EFMP
Exceptional Family Member Program — Support for dependents with special medical/educational needs.
FSA
Family Separation Allowance — Pay for service members separated from dependents due to duty.
FSGLI
Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance — Life insurance for spouses and children of service members.
GI Bill
Education Benefit — VA program providing tuition, housing, and other support for education.
HHG
Household Goods — Personal property moved during PCS.
HFP/IDP
Hostile Fire Pay / Imminent Danger Pay — Extra pay for duty in hazardous areas.
IRRRL
Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan — VA streamline refinance for existing VA loans.
LES
Leave and Earnings Statement — Monthly pay statement for service members.
L Funds
Lifecycle Funds — TSP target-date funds that auto-rebalance as retirement approaches.
MLA
Military Lending Act — Law capping interest rates and fees for service members on certain loans.
MLA/SCRA
Military Lending Act / Servicemembers Civil Relief Act — Federal laws providing financial protections for service members.
MHA
Monthly Housing Allowance — GI Bill housing stipend based on school ZIP code.
MOS/AFSC/Rating
Military Occupational Specialty / Air Force Specialty Code / Rating — Job classification codes for service members.
MCCYN
Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood — DoD program for child care fee assistance.
OHA
Overseas Housing Allowance — Housing allowance for service members stationed overseas.
PCS
Permanent Change of Station — Relocation orders for service members.
PPM/DITY
Personally Procured Move / Do-It-Yourself Move — Option to move household goods yourself for reimbursement.
Prime/Select
TRICARE Plan Types — Prime (managed care), Select (PPO-style flexibility).
SBP
Survivor Benefit Plan — Retirement annuity for survivors of retired service members.
SGLI
Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance — Life insurance for service members.
SCRA
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act — Law providing financial and legal protections for service members.
TA
Tuition Assistance — Service-funded tuition support for active duty and eligible Guard/Reserve.
TDP
TRICARE Dental Program — Dental insurance for eligible service members and families.
TLA/TLE
Temporary Lodging Allowance / Temporary Lodging Expense — Reimbursement for lodging during PCS.
TSP
Thrift Savings Plan — Federal government retirement savings plan with low-cost investment options.
TRICARE
Military Health Care — DoD health insurance program for service members, retirees, and families.
TSGLI
Traumatic Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance — One-time payment for qualifying traumatic injuries.
USERRA
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act — Law protecting civilian job rights after military service.
VA
Department of Veterans Affairs — Federal agency providing benefits and services to veterans.
VGLI
Veterans’ Group Life Insurance — Life insurance for veterans after separation from service.
VHIC
Veteran Health Identification Card — ID card for eligible veterans for base access and benefits.
Yellow Ribbon
Yellow Ribbon Program — GI Bill supplement for tuition above the VA cap at participating schools.
YOS
Years of Service — Used in retirement and pension calculations.