Editor's Note: Please help me welcome back columnist Sarah Young as she allows us to tag along on her PCS adventures this summer. Welcome back Sarah!

When we met, I was an Army wife embarking on her fifth deployment. When we said, "See you later," I promised that I would stop by again, maybe during a Permanent Change of Station (PCS). Well, here I am, and I am so excited to see you and share another adventure!

As I write this, I am planning Team Young's sixth (yes, you read that correctly) PCS, and we are really excited about this one. I hold in my hand, sweet soldier's orders to Fort Gordon, Georgia, and for those of you who don't know, that is only four hours from my hometown of Columbus, Georgia. This will be the closest I have been to my home since 2003.

When sweet soldier gave me the good news over the phone in the best southern accent he could muster, he said, "You call your mama and tell her that you're comin' home!"

It was an exciting moment! I couldn't believe it finally happened. After 12 years of being married to this Army and having been all over this country, we are finally being given both of our first choices all wrapped up in one nice little duty station.

So sweet soldier has been home for well over a year now, and I find myself tapping my watch and saying, "Aren't we on the patch chart? Don't you have someplace to go? Is there at least a TDY or field exercise coming?" Within our branch and units, that answer is a resounding, no. The interesting thing is that I find myself tapping my watch at about the two year mark at any duty station and saying, "Isn't it time to go? What's on your list of potential jobs?"

So then I started thinking. When does the PCS really begin?

For most normal military families, including mine, the PCS usually begins when you receive your orders. Makes sense, right? We don't get too excited when our branch gives us a list of potential duty stations and jobs. We may not get what we want. If we get what we want, then what if our orders are rescinded? What if there are no services for my exceptional family member? Then orders come through, but sometimes they still get changed.

So no matter what happens, in most cases, the PCS begins with orders sending sweet soldier to a new duty station.

Not this time.

This time, my PCS began when I stood in my kitchen and for the first time ever, I shook my fists in the air and shouted to sweet soldier and mother Army, "I JUST WANT TO GO HOME!"

It was then that mother Army smiled down upon me as if to say, 'Yes, my child. Because you have endured five deployments, four tattoos, three kids, two wars and, well, Kansas, I will give you the desire of your heart." It was a shining moment for me, and I am truly excited to once again share my adventure with you!

So, for the next few months, we are going to talk about moving halfway across the continent with the soldier, three kids, a dog and 15,000 pounds of household goods. We will talk about closing on a house in record time, getting cleared out of on-post housing, getting a new job, integrating into yet another new community, but this time, off-post. And we will do it all with some sweet, southern style and grace!

I am really looking forward to sharing this adventure with you, and as always, feel free to ask questions here or find me on social media. It is going to be a great summer! I can feel it!

May the moving gods smile upon you and may only the junk that you don't like get broken . . . sby

PCS moves, inevitably, cost military families money.

Yes, the military pays to ship your household goods, your car and, eventually, will reimburse you those hotel charges.

But what about eating in restaurants for a week? What about replacing many of the non-moveable items like spices, food and cleaning supplies.

And for spouses who work civilian jobs and are accustomed to living in a two paycheck household, a PCS move can feel like a kick in the gut as you downsize from two incomes to one. And there's no guarantee you will find a job or the same income in your new location.

The only way to handle a significant loss in income, is to be prepared.

USAA financial planner, Joseph Montanaro, says some planning and a lot of discipline can soften the impact when those future expenses become a reality or when one spouse is suddenly unemployed due to a move.

“People tend to spend what comes in,” Montanaro says. “Two incomes can often  mean more spending, but the goal should be  to create a lifestyle where you aren’t counting on both salaries.”

The first step is to know where your money goes each paycheck. To do that effectively, budgeting and tracking your spending is essential. 

“You can use an app, a spreadsheet or a pocket diary, but the key is to figure out what allows you to stay on top of your spending,” he says. “Some people pull cash out and separate it out into envelopes for specific purposes. Do whatever works best for you.”

He also recommends that everyone set up an emergency fund. It could be used during a PCS, for a vacation or to take care of other special financial needs that pop up in your future.

“If money is a subject that makes you just go to sleep, automate it,” Montanaro says. “Set up separate accounts and have one check, or a big part of one, go into an account that isn’t touched on a regular basis. Do whatever you have to do to ensure you’re not using all the money that comes in.”

The automated savings account is a great way to prepare for something you know, or don’t know, is on the financial horizon.

“It all comes down to the grunt work of tracking your money and cutting out or cutting back,” Montanaro says. “ PCSing is a part of military life, you’ve just got to be ready. You knew it was coming, you just might not have known when.”

In addition to saving money in preparation for a PCS, USAA  advises families to know their  military benefits in regards to per diem funds you may receive, lodging expenses and advanced pay. Unreimbursed moving expenses  may also be tax deductible during your move, so keep your receipts. USAA also offers reduced credit card interest rates for up to one year upon a PCS move.

Unfortunately, military life also involves unexpected life changes, like injuries. A spouse may have to leave their job to care for their injured servicemember.

Montanaro notes that the same type of preparation that could help smooth a PCS move could be beneficial if tragedy befalls a military family.

“When a servicemember is injured it’s obviously a big deal for the entire family. It’s also another situation where having a robust emergency fund can pay big dividends.  It can help the family focus on what’s important without having to worry about money,” he says.

He encourages families to use the financial planning tools and calculators they have available at USAA and to start preparing and saving as early as they can for what they know is coming, as well as for the unknown.

“You’d much rather do it sooner than later,” he says. “By using a proactive approach, you can avoid the headache that comes with being financially unprepared.”

Want more information? Check these helpful sites at USAA:

https://www.usaa.com/inet/pages/advice_saving_investing_planners_and_calculators_main

https://communities.usaa.com/t5/PCS-Blog/bg-p/pcs-blog

Ugggh, PCS. So much to do.

Did you ever wish you had a secretary to make some of those phone calls on your seemingly endless list? The elementary school, MWR, license bureau, rental agency, electric company, cable company - does it ever end!

Poof! Your wish has been granted

USAA members, and let's face it, most families that include a uniformed member are members, have access to a nifty tool on the USAA website that has already price-checked the utilities in every major location across the U.S.

Log in to the USAA website, click on "Our Products" tab, then click on "Shopping & Discounts" and finally, click on "Home & Security." Here you will find a box marked, "Utility Market Place."

Enter your zip code, select the service you are looking for (phone, cable, internet, etc.) the speed of internet, number of channels and other details you desire and it will list all the competitors in the marketplace and their rates.

Boom. Done.

It seriously couldn't be easier. No arguing with customer representatives or calling three companies, taking notes and then guessing which is best. This website lays everything out where you can see it, compare it and choose. You can even sign up for the service at this site.

It's good to note that there are several other very handy tools on this page, to include listings for local vendors such as plumbers and lawn care as well as discounts for ADT security services. We recently used our USAA membership to install a large ADT security system in our home. The installment without the USAA discount was over $1,000, but as USAA members, our cost was just over $400.

Seriously, if you have not checked out this page, do it now. It will save you time and money.

Editor’s Note: Please welcome our guest blogger this week, Army spouse Holly Bates who recently made a PCS move from Hawaii to Georgia.

PCS can be a busy time. Seasoned spouses know that the best way to manage the chaos is to put it in a book - all of it.

This so-called, PCS bible is the lifeline between your current duty station and your new life awaiting you across the country or around the world. I build a book every time my family moves and model it after my hubby's "Love Me" book that documents his career highlights. Every document is held in a document protector. I use dividers, post-it notes and even print a colorful cover sheet to top it off.

You should begin building your binder as soon as you receive orders. In fact, orders are the first document you should have in there. Ready to build your own PCS binder? Here is a list of documents I include and organizational tips for a binder that is not only full of essential information but also organized well enough to help you find that information in a flash.

Basics: Smaller families can fit most of their information in a single, 1-inch thick, three-ring binder. Larger families may see their binders grow to 4 or more inches. Purchase sheet protectors with three holes to put in the binder as well as sheets with divider tabs attached. I also keep pencils, pens, a notebook and post it notes in my binder.   

Tabs: Your tabs should be labeled to match the documents in that section of the book. Here are my labels and what to include in that section.

Orders

You can’t give notice to on-post housing without a copy of military orders. You can’t make an appointment for transportation without orders. You need a copy for the on-post vet to obtain your free, 10-day health certificate. This is especially true if you have to make the move without your soldier. Orders are the number one document you will need for everything, everywhere.

List of Important Contacts

This is one is kind of self-explanatory, but may include airlines, hotels, car rental companies, family, local friends, schools, clinic/hospital, pharmacy, new unit staff duty, useful websites, utilities, insurance companies, banking institutions, veterinary clinics, etc. (Note: I also recommend keeping some of these numbers in your smartphone Contacts list. It makes calling easier, if your binder isn’t nearby.

Travel Documents

Include: flight itinerary/confirmation, airline phone numbers, airline miles account numbers for each traveler (you never know when you’ll accumulate enough points for a free flight!). I also keep our passports here until we leave for the airport. Then I move them to the outer pocket of my backpack along with printed copies of our tickets.  

Make hotel reservations as soon as possible. This becomes especially important when you’re driving across country through remote areas. Don’t wing it and assume you can find a room on the road – especially if you have three kids, two dogs and a hamster with you. Hotels have rules and often this limits the number of people per room and can mean no pets allowed. If you’re planning on renting vehicles, keep copies of the rental reservation and agreement. While this expense will not be reimbursed by the government, you may be able to receive a credit on your federal taxes for the year.

HHG/POV Shipping Documents

Keep copies of POV shipping forms (with appropriate POA if someone other than the servicemember is picking it up on the other end). This includes the inspection sheet used by the shipping company to annotate any scratches, dents or damage.

You will want to label a separate section for household goods paperwork. If you have any high dollar value items, keep a working list of the brand/model and serial numbers. This is helpful not just for a PCS move but in case you are ever burglarized you will have an exact record of what you are missing to give to the police. In the past I have kept a list of each of the 300 DVDS we owned and shipped in our household goods.

Medical/Dental Records

Old-school Soldiers and Spouses were used to hand-carrying their medical records between duty stations. Now that the military has gone digital, many clinics/hospitals will not provide original records. However, if you have any special needs, (i.e., off-post providers, infertility records, EFMP records, etc.), you’ll
probably want to request a copy for your new PCM/providers. Make sure to plan ahead as it may take a few weeks to get copies from patient administration. This happened to me when we PCS’d from Germany back to the U.S. They kept the original copy and I had to request a copy.

Most dependents receive dental care from a civilian provider. When you get ready to move (or at your last cleaning), let the office staff know you are getting ready to move and request one copy of your/your child’s dental records/x-rays.

You’ll also want a list of prescription medications each family member uses and the expiration date, especially if you’re taking a month’s leave between duty stations. You don’t want to get stuck in hundreds of miles from a military doc with an expired prescription for a medicine you take daily. If possible, make a visit to your PCM shortly before you move to renew/extend any prescriptions. Most are willing to send you off with a 90-day supply if you explain you’re moving to ensure you have enough to carry you over
until you get settled with a new PCM.

School Records

Nothing is more frustrating than moving your child to a new school, especially in the middle of a school year. Most schools require a two-week notification to prepare the sealed envelope of your child’s school record to hand carry to your next school. It’s good to also ask for copies of any non-standardized tests to demonstrate any of your child’s advanced abilities. If your child is currently enrolled in a Talented and Gifted program that doesn’t always guarantee they will slide into the program at the new school. In this case, you may also want letters of recommendation from your child’s teacher and/or counselor regarding any afterschool enrichment programs to which they currently belong (band, chorus, Lego robotics, chess, etc.).

In addition, you’ll definitely want to carry a copy of your child’s shot records. This may also be placed under medical records. Some states will not let you register your child without proof of vaccinations, especially pre-k and kindergarten students.

CYSS Records

While talking about the kiddos, let’s not forget their childcare records. If you are utilizing
an on-post Child Development Center, School Age Services program or Child-
Youth Sports those records need to be brought to the new duty station as well. Supposedly, every post is linked (similar to digital medical records). In my experience, though, it is always best to stop by the
Central Enrollment to obtain a copy of your child’s record. It will prevent the headache of having to fill out the same paperwork again. Besides, the physical exam for sports/enrollment is good for one year from the date of the exam.

EFMP Records

Family Members enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program also require special handling. You’ll definitely want to hand carry medical records from all doctors and therapists. You’ll want a copy of their latest IEP from their current school. You may even ask your providers for any recommendations for your new location. They may be able to provide references for fellow providers and therapists.

Civilian Personnel Records (GS Employees)

You should receive a copy of your last evaluation before leaving your GS position. You’ll need this copy to bring to the Civilian Personnel Office, if you seek federal employment at your new post. In addition, stop by your state unemployment office before leaving to obtain information concerning claiming
unemployment while you seek employment at your new duty station. It may take a few months to get hired back on with the military. Also, keep an updated copy of your resume in your binder. You never know when you’ll need it! Network, network, network. You’re new job may come from word-of-mouth in the most unlikely places!

Veterinary Records

This section applies to fellow parents of beloved fur babies. It is possible to move halfway across the globe with your pets, but you’ll need to do advance research to ensure their vaccinations (rabies, FAVN, etc.) are up-to-date and you meet any country-specific requirements (i.e., Germany bans some breeds). Most of our pets’ annual needs (vaccinations, spaying) we’ve met on-post because (a) it’s usually cheaper, (b) consistency of records, and (c) most military vets are already familiar with the specific requirements for flying to Europe, Hawaii or Asia. Plus, we’ve always gotten the 10-day USDA Health Certificate required by airlines done by the military vet for free! Prior planning allowed us to fly our
14-year-old cats as excess baggage from Texas to Hawaii without any quarantine. We walked out of the airport with them. It took less than 30 minutes to clear the USDA Quarantine Station. I felt really sorry for the young couple arriving as I was leaving. They didn’t have a trip binder and found out they would need to quarantine their pet at a significant cost.

P.S., you’ll want to notify the airline as soon as possible that you will be flying with pets. Some have limited space and/or temperature restrictions during winter/summertime, which also happens to be peak PCS season.

DITY/Partial DITY Moves

I admit, all our moves have been CONUS-OCONUS and back. So, I have no direct experience with DITY moves, except what I’ve heard from friends and family. Because you are assuming responsibility for your move, which will be scrutinized by the military for reimbursement, you’ll want to keep every receipt related to renting a moving truck, weighing said truck empty and full as well as any vehicles you’ll be hauling. Ensure you empty the vehicle of any removable items (car seats, jumper cables, etc.) before weighing. In the military, it is important to get/keep everything in writing. The same applies when
you are moving.

As a military spouse with several PCS moves under my belt, my trip binder is the one thing that keeps me sane during the upheaval of a military move. Conversely, it also drives me insane with all the details I need to track—flight itineraries, hotel/car rental arrangements.

While not all moving related expenses can be claimed on the travel voucher, many can be listed as moving expenses on your state and/or federal taxes. For example, pets are considered household goods. You can’t claim the cost of shipping Rover or Fluffy on your military travel voucher, but you can on your federal taxes. I’m no tax expert, so refer to your tax preparer or the IRS website (www.irs.gov) for more information.

Let’s face it. Our service member has a lot on his/her plate as they clear their unit and CIF, arrange transportation, visit travel offices, as well as various farewell luncheons and dinners. And in all fairness, I don’t mess with his Army briefcase, which holds all his military records. My binder is a supplement to this because I’m sure I’m like many other Spouses—I like to have a hand in when the movers come, what date we’ll clear housing, how quickly can I get a Statement of Non-Availability to enjoy Mai Tais on the beach in Waikiki. (Note: This last part is absolutely a must when leaving Hawaii!)

*This list is certainly not comprehensive and may not meet all your Family’s needs. Feel free to add/subtract what suits you. Some additional suggestions I solicited from friends:

-If your family is ESL, get and keep a copy of your child’s test results. Without paperwork in hand, a new school may re-test your child and the results can vary. In the meantime, they may be unnecessarily placed within an ESL

-If moving to Alaska, make your ferry reservation early, to include all necessary cabins, which are reimbursable on your travel voucher. A friend planned ahead before they even had paper orders in hand and was able to avoid sleeping on the floor in the public areas of the ferry for two days.

The best advice you can get is to do the research and be prepared. Every PCS location has its quirks and requirements and if you know they are coming, and are ready, you will have a much smoother, calmer, PCS experience.

There is no easier way to satisfy that travel itch than to head out on the open road as you make your way to your next duty station during a PCS move.

Our family loves to intertwine long summer vacations with our PCS travel whenever possible. The drive from Florida to North Carolina took a week as we stopped every few hours to visit friends and check out the oddities that were advertised on giant billboards along the way.

When we leave Hawaii we plan to let the airlines take us as far as California where we’ll load up and hit the road to explore the Grand Canyon and the limits of our patience as we make our way back to the east coast.

For military families, the best part of many summer vacations can be the price. Most airlines, major theme parks, hotels and car rental companies offer military discounts that can slash hundreds of dollars off your vacation budget. Military families can also enter all national parks for free under their discount program.

Here are a few of our favorite sites to find discounts on travel, especially for military families:

Lodging

Armed Forces Recreation Center Resorts: The Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation office operates four stunning resorts in Germany, Florida, Hawaii and Korea. The full-service hotels are located in the heart of their host cities and are comparable to any local top-notch hotel. I have personally stayed in all of the resorts except for the Edelweiss Lodge in Germany and have been thrilled with the accommodations and service. Rates are generally less than the local rate as well and are based on rank.

http://www.armymwr.com/travel/recreationcenters/

Pacific Recreation Lodging: Do you love the MWR resorts? But wait, there’s more. MWR also operates three smaller facilities in the Pacific theater, in Hawaii and Alaska. If you want to stay inside the national park at Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, you can only do it by staying with Pacific Recreation Lodging. These facilities are not as stunning as the resorts listed above, however, their locations are amazing. Who needs a full service spa when you can stand next to the glow of an active volcano? Rates are based on rank.

https://www.kmc-volcano.com/0prl.asp

The Armed Force Vacation Club: Need a last minute place to stay? This vacation club caters to the military travel style: space available, short notice planning, perfect for military families trekking cross-country between duty stations. A seven-night, space available vacation rental is set at $349 a week regardless of your vacation, anywhere around the world.

https://www.afvclub.com/military_search_space_a

Want to vacation away from a military influence? Several vendors offer resorts for military families and resorts for veterans with specific discounts to acknowledge their service.

Check out www.militaryresortdiscounts.com/ for discounts at resorts, including industry giants.

Cruise

Long to head out to sea? Cruises for military families have become popular with some of the biggest names on the ocean, including Carnival which offers more military discounts on their sailings than any other cruise line. When you book through www.militarycruisedeals.com you may qualify for additional savings.

Vacation rewards

Saving for a dream trip? Save extra money by booking through www.govvacationrewards.com. This free service is provided through the U.S. Army MWR program and allows users to book vacations with military and government discounts. There are no booking fees and no fees to join. The best part may be that you can pay using your military Star Card.

Before you head anywhere this summer vacation, whether it is across country or to the local water park, always be sure to check for military discounts, not just at your destination, but with the travel office on base and at MWR or the base family center. You never know how much you will save.

Focusing on my schoolwork has been tough lately because my concentration keeps being invaded by thoughts of the impending PCS to Korea that my husband will be making - alone. Even though it is 10 months from now, I am already running through the checklist of what needs to be done and know I am going to forget something. It has been a couple of years since my husband has deployed, so we’ve gotten a break from him being gone every other year since ‘01. When he leaves, he will have been home for three years straight, which hasn’t happened, ever, in our 14-year marriage. I’m already worried about getting things done.

Even though this isn’t technically a deployment, I know the deployment gremlins will show up. They have every other time, why not again? Something will go wrong with the car, an appliance or with anything else that can break down. And I will, for the first time, have the added pressure of trying to sell our house while he is gone.

Deciding on when the right time is to put it on the market is not an easy one. And with the housing market these days, there isn’t even a guarantee it will sell. So, as soon as my husband finds out where we will go after Korea, I will be putting the house up. I figure I’d rather have too much time, than not enough. And if it happens to sell quickly, I will be moving myself, two kids and a dog into a rental. Not something I am looking forward to, but I really, really do not want to rent out our house when we move. I am a worrywart and I will constantly worry about whether the renters will pay on time and if they are taking care of my house. If we don’t have renters, I will have the added worry of paying a mortgage and rent. I just want to be done with it.

The separation is one more reason I need to stay motivated to finally finish my degree, because I don’t want to have to balance everything plus school. Doing battle with those deployment demons isn’t always easy but I’ve done it before and if I’m going to stay on track to graduate before my husband leaves I’ll need to do it again.

PCS season is upon us. Do you know where your paperwork is?

If there is one thing I have learned as an Army spouse, paperwork trumps all else at any time and in any place.

Checking in to a military hospital to have a baby? Better have the paperwork from your doc and your ID card.

Trying to renew your ID card or sign your kid up for the once a week dance class on base, while your husband is deployed? Better have orders in hand and a power of attorney.

Getting on a plane to move to a foreign country with four kids, a dog and a very grumpy husband? Better have several copies of PCS orders with you if you don’t want to pay the extra baggage fee. And even then, you might have to.

I’ve heard tall tales of the military records facility in Indiana that allegedly burned to the ground years ago. My husband swears that everything was lost and that we, in turn, must keep hands on all his records at all times.

I have no idea if that story is true or not. I’ve looked for a good solid answer on what paperwork to keep and what to toss. That answer seems to be a nebulous, mish-mash of answers – and it depends on who you ask.

What I do know is that we have a single suitcase that we carry during every PCS that weighs about 60 pounds. Its contents: nothing but paperwork.

Orders, physicals, school records, dental records – it’s all in there for every member of our family.

 As a backup, I scanned it all and put it on a thumb drive. I thought I was being cool. Seems I was just turning the system over on its head. The first time I offered an Army office worker my thumb drive with my handy dandy files, I received a look of confusion and then a “no ma’am.” So much for being organized.

So as you head for your next duty station this summer, keep your paperwork close at hand and at a minimum, your PCS orders. I guarantee it will save you days, even weeks, worth of hassle.

PCS season is upon us. And this year, you don’t have to pack alone.

Check out the Salute to Spouses webinar , “Is it Supposed to Be Like This?: Military Spouses Share Tips for Surviving the Upcoming, Summer PCS”.

The session, now available at our Webinar page, features two career Army wives and Salutetospouses.com contributors, Jan Childs and Sarah Young.

The pair has more than 10 moves between them and have shipped their household goods across the state and across the sea.

Have questions about prepping your home for the packers? They answer them.

Wondering whether you should feed your packers lunch or give them a tip? That is discussed.

The wedding album and other precious items – pack, carry or store? Hear Jan and Sarah give their tips and tricks for a career’s worth of worldwide moves.

Be sure to check back for future webinars with our panel of expert military wives as we talk candidly about the ups and downs of military life.

Seven people. Roughly 4,000 miles. 3,500 pounds of luggage and not an ounce more. Bring no car or furniture.

Some PCS orders really read more like an insane game show challenge than an order to move.

When my husband was offered a position in Japan, these were the directions I was given to prepare for our PCS. Most civilians would melt into a pile of good given these stipulations. Military spouses, we just do it.

PCS season is upon us, otherwise known as summer in non-military speak.

On Monday, please tune in to our free webinar as seasoned military spouses and pro PCS’rs Sarah Young and Jan Childs discuss their best and worst PCS experiences and share the tips for making the most of your PCS move.

Ever wonder if you should feed the moving crew while they’re at your house? Should you pack your collectible plates yourself? What exactly are you supposed to do while they are packing?

We’re here to help you.

If you have a specific question, please log in and submit it. We will have time at the end to take as many questions as possible.  

Register Now