I love to crawl up on the couch and bury my head in a good book.

I don’t want to spend an arm or leg for the book though! My closet is filled with dusty books and textbooks that I no longer have a use for. I bet if I calculated the value of the whole stack, I could take my family on a Disneyland vacation. 

When I saw how much my books were going to cost this year, I nearly passed out. I thought, “there has to be a solution to this madness” – and there is. I searched the internet and came across these useful websites:

Amazon: Not only can you purchase random Christmas presents here, you can also rent textbooks for a whole semester. The rent fee is reasonable and the shipping and handling to return the book is free as long as you return it undamaged.

www.amazon.com

Cheap Books: This is a great site to buy or rent textbooks for a semester, sell your used books and even get books for free.  The prices are low but shipping may take several days. Also, you don’t know the condition of the book you are purchasing.

www.cheapbooks.com

Chegg: You can pretty much find any textbook, eBook or study guide here. Similar to Cheap Books, you can also buy, rent and sell. This website also features reviews about professors, classes and course material. You can search by your school name and the course name. The books here are more on the “used” side but the prices are low as well.

www.chegg.com

Local College Library:If you don’t have a computer nearby, or if you attend classes on campus, you can always go to the local library. Check for a “Lending Library” where you can rent your textbooks for the semester. The college I attend has one and I’ve taken full advantage of it. It’s free of charge and I don’t have to return them until the last day of class. Late fees may vary depending on what school you attend.

Hopefully these sites will help you along your educational journey.  It’s worth it!

Fall semester is here and I’m totally not ready for this.  When we PCS to a new city I have to spend hours looking for new schools for my children and myself. This is not how I want to spend my time when there is so much that needs to be done during a move.

After researching numerous elementary schools and colleges, I finally found a school for my daughter and a great community college for me with a nursing program. I have mastered the art of flexing my class hours so I will be able to pick my children up from school and daycare on time. No problem in the time management department.

Buying extra books and school supplies is another issue. Luckily, my daughter, a second grader, has taught me a valuable lesson about saving money.

Every new school year my daughter and I pick out school supplies. This year, as we walked up and down the store aisles, I notice she hadn’t put anything in the basket. I asked, “What’s wrong, you don’t see anything that you need?” 

She replied, “No that’s not it mom. I have all my supplies.”

How does she have all her supplies? Why is this the first time I’m hearing this? 

Then, she explained, “Every school year you ask me if I need supplies and even though I say no, you buy them anyways. I’ve learned how to save my stuff. On the first day, instead of bringing all my supplies, I bring an empty backpack and two pencils. I wait for the teacher to give me the class supplies list and when I get home, the items on the list is what I put in my backpack. The rest I save for later.”  

Wow, I thought, now that’s a really smart idea.  I’ve attended two other colleges before enrolling at my current school. On the first day at each, my backpack is filled to the max with random supplies and books that I think will be necessary for class.

This year, I decided to follow my little girl’s method and on the first day of class, the only thing I brought with me was my class schedule. I waited for the professors to pass out their syllabus and the next day I only brought what was listed.

I guess you never are too old to learn something new. 

The best advice I can give you, is to breathe.

I know it may sound kind of simple, but with all the hustle and bustle I do before 6:30 a.m., sometimes if I don't stop and take even a five-second breath I will literally pass out. As a spouse, mom and student, let’s just say every minute of free time is precious to me. I try to keep the same routine and manage my time but there's always going to be a day when time is not going to be your friend. I have them and I know most moms do too.

I served in the Navy and being a female in the military is a lot of hard work. You have to prove yourself to the predominately all-male workplace and show them that you are an equal.

Being a military spouse though, is a whole different ball game. This is how crazy my morning can really be:

My alarm is set at 5 a.m. yet I wake up at 4:30 a.m. to my husband’s alarm buzzing. It takes me a good 5 to 10 minutes to get him to stop pushing the snooze button and actually get ready for work. I try to lay back down to get a couple of minutes of sleep, but time is never on my side.

Before long, my phone is buzzing and I’m off to wake the kids. My daughter is easy to get up but my boy is another story. Since my daughter is 7, she normally gets herself ready and all I have to do it comb her hair. Not my son though, I pretty much have to shake his bed before he whines and wakes up.

By now it's about 5:35 a.m. and I head downstairs to make sure the coffee is on,  make lunches, kiss my husband as he rushes out the door to beat the traffic at the base gate and run back upstairs to make sure the kids are dressed.

Then, I get myself ready. I also go to school. By 5:50 a.m. I am outside to warm up my car, the kids are eating breakfast and I check the news for weather and traffic.

During this time chaos happens - either one of kids spills something on their clothes and needs to change or there's two or three papers that need to be signed or my husband forgot something and I have to call him to make sure it’s not something he needs that day for work.

Crisis averted and now it’s 6:15 a.m. I get the kids in the car, drop off my daughter to her before school program and drive 30 minutes to base to drop my son off at the child development center.

Now, the fun begins. I'm in traffic heading to school and my class starts at 8:30 a.m. A good day means I arrive 10 minutes before class starts. A bad day means no parking and running late.

My husband is super supportive of me going back to school, with helps a lot. He often gives me a break and takes the kids on bike rides so I can study.

Outside of those times, I complete homework at school or while the kids sleep at night to maintain a balance and stay on track.

Even though my mornings feel like I'm in the Olympics, I wouldn't have it any other way. As long as I take my five seconds to breathe!

I love the first day of school: new clothes, fresh, crisp, white sheets of paper in your notebook, refreshed hopes and goals.

Military families experience a lot of first days of school, in a lot of new schools as they PCS around the globe.

And though walking through that new door for the very first time can be nerve-wracking, the friends you make on the other side are always worth that difficult first step.

As we crack open our books this fall semester, please welcome our newest columnist, Kira Hooper, a Navy veteran, military spouse, mom of two and full-time college student.

Kira writes from her home in California where her husband serves as a Navy corpsman and where she attends school to fulfill her dream of becoming a registered nurse. 

Please help us welcome her through our front door on her first day here at Salute to Spouses. We know you’ll be happy she has joined us.  

Think you can woo the masses and be the next hot ticket on the blogosphere?

Show us.

We kicked off our student spouse blog titled "The College Spouse" over the summer semester with fabulous Army wife, Jennifer Spare.

Now, it is a new semester and we are looking for a new voice.

We are searching for a military spouse, who attends school full- or part-time, to write about the very busy life of being both spouse and student.

No experience blogging? No worries! Send a sample blog to info@salutetospouses.com and we can coach you.

The newly anointed blogger will be responsible for one blog a week for 12 weeks. Then, new semester, new writer!

And, drum roll please, you will be paid - a teeny, tiny stipend for your services. But hey, that’s the business. In my day you walked up hill in the snow to intern for eight hours a day and didn’t get a dime! You get the picture.

So send us your best. We want new voices, new attitudes! You may just end up a star in the world of blogging.

Just a few more days left, and I’m free! What am I talking about you ask? It’s almost time for the kids to go back to school! I know, most of the country has already started, and technically my kids should have already as well. But, the school district here is building a sixth grade center (yes, the sixth graders will have their own building), and construction pushed the start of school back. Normally they start the third week of August, and now it’s the day after Labor Day.  Considering that they got out right before Memorial Day, it’s been a long summer!

So today will be spent getting the last few supplies my daughter needs so we can take them to her school for “Meet the Teacher night” tonight. This year, she’ll also be making the switch to the “big” elementary school this year because the district splits the elementary school with kindergarten through second in one building and third through fifth in another. My son will be in his final year of junior high, so I have one more year before the shock of having a high schooler is upon me. How did we get here already? It seems like they were both in kindergarten yesterday.

I hope both my kids have a great year. I hope my daughter likes her teacher. I hope she makes lots of new friends and continues to do well with her academics. I hope my son finds some motivation to do better in school (yes, I have one of those!) and I hope he enjoys his year as a big, bad eighth grader. It seems to be going by so fast and I hope they take the time to enjoy this time in their lives. Of course when you’re that age, the thought of getting to be, well, my age, seems inconceivable!

So best of luck to all of you returning to school and to all your children this year!

So I was browsing one of the groups I am a member of onFacebook the other day, and one of the conversations was about school supplies. When I was younger, parents didn’t buy school supplies. Shockingly, school districts had enough money for all the necessities such as pencils, crayons, paper, etc. Now, the school supply lists grow longer and longer by the year and get more expensive. The lists are things not only needed for your student, but also things needed for the class and for the teacher. I don’t complain about this, because if all the parents don’t pitch in, the teacher is left to purchase all these things on their own, and I don’t think that’s right. My dad is a high school history teacher and I know how much he spends out of his own pocket for supplies and snacks. His expense may be higher since he teaches at a low income school with a lot of students coming from single parent households. So as the Facebook conversation went on, it morphed into the technological advances schools have made and whether or not that is a good thing.

When I went to school, it was chalk and chalkboards. I saw my first computer in fifth grade and it was an Apple. It had a black screen, green letters and all I remember doing on it was making crossword puzzles. Now, the classrooms are totally different.  Teachers have Smartboards. There are computer labs with computers for every kid in the class. Some schools even require students to take computer classes. Some days I think my kids know more about computers than I do!

I personally think it’s a good thing. We live in a technology-filled world. Kids need to know this stuff. But with that said, I don’t think technology should take the place of good old fashioned learning: write instead of type, use scratch paper instead of a calculator and actually learn cursive. Can you believe some schools aren’t teaching this anymore? Kids need to know how to do things in the absence of a computer, a cell phone and a calculator. So while I am very pro-new school, I am also pro-old school as well. Balance, that’s the key.

Not sure what you want to be when you grow up? Join the club! So many spouses I have talked to about going back to school want to go, but aren’t sure what they are interested in. Even though I have always had an interest in criminal justice, I actually didn't start out studying that. When I finally decided to go back to school, I decided accounting was the career for me. That career aspiration lasted about three weeks into my first class. I like math, and it has always been a strong suit of mine, but I honestly didn't think accounting was quite what I thought it would be. It seemed more like making sure you put things in the right column to make sure your accounts balance. So, on to my next major: teaching. I still haven't quite figured out why in the world I picked this, although I think it was a bit of a nod towards my dad, who is a high school history teacher. As with accounting, I quickly realized that it wasn't the career for me.

Why I didn't just start with criminal justice I will never know. I have always been fascinated with that field, and once I started taking criminal justice classes, I knew that's where I belonged. Whether it be studying evidence at a crime scene, studying how the judicial process works, or learning how the juvenile system differs from the adult criminal courts, it all interests me and grabs my attention. I cannot wait to finish my degree and begin my career in the justice system!

Even if you know what you are interested in studying, picking a career isn’t necessarily easy. An easy place to start, see what careers are growing the fastest and perhaps something there will strike your interest.

According to Monster.com, there are 30 career fields that are going to be the fastest growing in the year 2016. I know. Seems like a long time off, but really, it’s not! By the time you go back to school and get your degree, 2016 will be here! Here are the top ten:

10. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors-Median income in 2006: $35,950. Job Outlook: The demand for substance abuse counselors will grow as more people voluntarily seek treatment and drug abusers are sent to treatment rather than jail. 

9. Veterinarians-Median income in 2006: $81,490. Job Outlook: Pet owners are increasingly seeking nontraditional services, such as preventative dental care. Advances in the field are also allowing veterinarians to offer procedures common for humans, including hip replacement, blood transfusions, and cancer treatment, creating a need for more professionals.

8. Medical assistants-Median income in 2006: $26,290. Job Outlook: The medical industry is expected to expand because of technological advances and the growing elderly population. As the healthcare industry expands, more practices and clinics requiring large support staffs are opening. 

7. Theatrical and performance makeup artists-Median income in 2006: $36,730. Job Outlook: While this occupation is growing by a large percentage, it’s still a relatively small profession and the number of people interested in this field will still far exceed the number of available positions. 

6. Personal financial advisors-Median income in 2006: $66,120. Job Outlook: Although this is expected to be one of the top 10 fastest-growing occupations, competition for new jobs is expected to be tough. Again, this industry's growth can be attributed in large part to the millions of baby boomers who will soon retire.

5. Veterinary technologists and technicians-Median income in 2006: $27,750. Job Outlook: Pet owners are increasingly thinking of Tabby or Spot as members of the family, creating a boom in this industry. Pet owners are becoming more affluent, and the number of pets is growing, boosting demand for specialized veterinary services. 

4. Computer applications software engineers-Median income in 2006: $82,000. Job Outlook: This industry will grow as computer networking grows, and businesses seek to become more efficient using emerging technology. 

3. Home health aides-Median income in 2006: $20,100.  Job Outlook: While personal and home care aides provide mostly housekeeping and routine services, home health aides provide more extensive healthcare than family and friends can manage. A growing demand for home services among the elderly and the pressure to contain costs by moving patients home sooner will make home health aides one of the fastest growing aide professions. A possible downside, however, is that most employers only hire on-call hourly workers and do not offer benefits.

2. Personal and home care aides-Median income in 2006: $18,180. Job Outlook: Rapid job growth is expected because of the projected rise in the number of elderly people who are increasingly relying on home care. 

1. Network systems and data communications analyst-Median income in 2006: $67,460. Job Outlook: This profession will grow because, as businesses implement more and newer technology, more professionals will be needed to monitor efficiency and set up networks. 

Want to see the whole list? Check it out at http://www.boston.com/jobs/galleries/30fastest_growing_occupations/

Paying for college can seem overwhelming. I have been asked many times how to get started with the process of paying for college.

There are many financial assistance programs out there: scholarships, state & federal grants, paid internships and low-interest student loans. In many cases, students qualify for a financial aid package that includes a mix of these options. Here is the scoop on the resources I used and how difficult or easy they were to access.

• FAFSA: The Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is how you can apply for federal financial aid. You should receive a Student Aid Report (SAR), via email from the federal government within 3-5 days of submitting your application if you provide an email address when you apply. If you do not provide an email address, a paper copy will be mailed to you within 7-10 days of completing your FAFSA. A copy will automatically be sent to your college. From there your financial aid advisor will be able to go over the programs that you qualify for.
• Pell Grants: All of the scholls that I have attended have each required students to apply for the Pell Grant. The Pell Grant program provides grants of up to $5,550 per year to undergraduate students. Eligibilty is based on the information contained in the FAFSA form and determined by the federal governement. If you are wondering what the difference between a grant and a student loan is, the way I try to remember is that a grant is money that you do not have to pay back after you graduate. Student loans are to be repaid starting six months after your graduate.
• The Post 9/11 GI Bill: As part of the Post 9/11 GI Bill, service members are given the opportunity to share their education benefits with immediate family members. The United States Department of Veteran Affairs' website is a great place to research more about this program and if your spouse qualifies to transfer some of his/her benefits to you. Here you can also learn what your spouse and you need to do in order to make that happen. Speaking from experience, the initial sign-up is a pain and time consuming. Does hurry up and wait sound familiar? But once you are in the system, it is a breeze after that. All I have to do now is certify my enrollment every quarter (or semester depending on your school), which consists of filling out one piece of paper. The VA Certifying official at your college will then submit it to the VA for you in order for you to receive your book stipend and for the college to receive the tuition. And in case you are wondering, yes you can use the Pell Grant and the GI Bill at the same time. I have for two years now.
• The MyCAA Program: The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) Program is an employment assistance program that provides up to $4,000 of financial assistance to eligible military spouses who are pursuing an education in a portable career field. This is a good program if you qualify and is limited to spouses of E-1 thru E-5, W1-W2 and O1 -O2. It does however, have limitations and only in certain career fields. But if you qualify for this program, and are interested in one of the careers offered, go for it!
• Scholarships: Did you know that you can recieve a scholarship just for being the spouse of a military service member? It's true! Scholarships are a great way to earn money to help pay for your tuition. Many require some sort of an essay to be considered. There are so many out there and some specific to certain branches,career fields and locations and many go unclaimed. It may seem a bit overwhelming, but it's worth it to research just what is available to you. The possiblities are endless! Here are some scholarships exlusively for military spouses:

1. Salute to Spouses Scholarship: Bryant & Stratton College Online created the Salute to Spouses scholarship after the US Government temporarily suspended MyCAA in 2010. Spouses of active duty military personnel and the National Guard are eligible to recieve $6,000 towards a Bryant & Stratton College Online degree. The mission of the Salute to Spouses scholarship program is to provide an opportunity for military spouses to advance their education and become more competitive in the modern job market.
2. National Military Family Association Military Spouse Scholarship: The Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse scholarships are awarded to spouses of all uniformed service members. Applications, when available, are posted on their website.
3. Navy Wives Clubs of America: The Navy Wives Clubs of America offers a scholarship program for spouses of enlisted Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard members.

Hopefully these few sites will provide ample information and get you started in your search for school funding. Remember, it's worth it in the end!

Normally I try to be upbeat here, but things have happened in the last few weeks that have made me even more thankful that I am earning a degree. Five friends (well, three friends and two acquaintances) have recently experienced some personal setbacks in their life.  Only one of those women has a degree and a career to fall back on and rebuild their life. The other three women have no clue what they are going to do.

I understand that having a degree does not guarantee you a great job, especially in this economy. But it certainly opens more doors and gives you the opportunity to apply for better jobs. While all four of these ladies I am speaking of have been stay at home moms for some time, they have all worked in the past. Difference being, one was a teacher and has a career to go back to, while the others are probably looking at minimum wage positions as a starting point.

An education is so important for so many reasons. You never know what is going to happen in life or when you are going to be thrust into the position of single parent, bread winner, etc. A degree can also be the beginning of a much loved career, instead of just a job. And on average, a person with a bachelor’s degree will make more money than a person with a high school diploma. Obviously there are exceptions to every rule, but it has been proven time and time again that a degree equals better jobs and better pay.

I’ve realized from my own experiences and now watching my friends that you never know when life will throw you a curve ball. It is always better to be prepared. Having a degree is just one more way to be prepared for the unknown.