While on the way home yesterday, I happened to hear a radio commercial stating the USAA has open its enrollment eligibility to "former officers and enlisted personnel who separated on or after 01/01/1996". This opens all kinds of financial benefits for us "one term" veterans. Previously, you had to be either active duty or retired military to join.
I signed up as soon as I arrived at home, and promptly applied for their Platinum Mastercard. Within 60 seconds I was approved, with an APR more than 5% lower and a credit limit 6 times higher than my current Chase Platinum. Which immediately alters my debt ratio on my credit score for any balance carried. Yeah me!
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About six months ago I stumbled on some great personal finance tips on the Wall Street Journal, by Jonathan Clement. One tip we implemented immediately, and the kids love it.
One of my early tricks was the soda game, which I learned about from a reader. When my children were young and we went to restaurants, I would give them a choice: They could have a soda or they could have $1.
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