Tips for Families of Soldiers who Are Deploying

I grew up with a strong military background. My biological father retired from the Army and my step father retired from the Navy. After graduating high school I spent four years in the military and currently I am the proud wife of a National Guard soldier. My family is currently facing an upcoming deployment which seems to be coming faster than I had thought it would.

When you learn about your soldier deploying there are many things that go through your mind. There is so much to take care of with power of attorneys, emergency contact information, and helping your soldier prepare for their deployment. It is easy to overlook important tasks when you have so much on your mind. A few of the things you may not have thought of are your bills.

My husband and I have been long time customers of a certain nationally known auto insurance company and I recently contacted them about his upcoming deployment. Since my husband will be deploying his truck will be sitting in storage not being driven. After talking with my car insurance company I have found out that I can be credited after my husband's return for a future policy to compensate for his vehicle not being driven during his deployment. If your spouse's vehicle will not be driven you should contact your car insurance company to find out what type of discounts they can offer.

Another company you should contact is your cell phone carrier. While some carriers may offer areas of coverage in the Middle East their rates aren't cheap. So what can you do? You may be under contract and simply can't cancel for the duration of the deployment. I recently contacted my cell phone carrier and found out that I can have my husband's number suspended during his deployment which will reduce our charges and allow him to keep his phone number.

If your spouse isn't going to make much during their deployment and you are worried about paying your debt there may be help. There is a Soldier's and Sailor's Credit Relief Act that can help you reduce the interest rate on your debt to as little as 6% to help you meet payments while your spouse is deployed. You will need to call your creditors and discuss your spouse's deployment with them to see if you qualify for the reduced interest rate.

If you need additional help or assistance don't hesitate to contact your Family Readiness Group. They are there to help you with any questions or concerns you may have and can provide valuable information to your family during deployment.