JJ Montanaro

Joseph "JJ" Montanaro is a certified financial planner professional (CFP^®). He is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, and earned his bachelor’s degree from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. He also holds a master’s degree in personal financial planning from Kansas State. JJ is a director on the USAA Military Advocacy team.

Montanaro has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is a regular contributor to Military.com and also writes monthly personal finance columns for American Legion and Military Spouse magazines. Before entering the financial services industry, he served in the Army for six years on active duty, and in 2009, he retired as a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve.

Latest Articles

4 Secrets to Retiring Happy from Military.com’s Longtime Financial Columnist JJ Montanaro

A great retirement isn’t just about having enough money. It’s about knowing what you’ll do with your time, who you’ll spend...

Illustration of the word RETIREMENT painted on a long road.

Ramp Up for Retirement Now – Because Later Never Comes

The key to a successful retirement isn’t just saving. Instead, setting up an income plan, planning for contingencies and...

Ominous dark coloring in an illustration of a downward chart suggests a negative trend.

Why September's Typical Stock Slump Shouldn't Scare You

The “September Effect” makes for catchy headlines, but it shouldn’t dictate your financial behavior.

School supplies surround a blue piggy bank.

Back to School Is a Good Time to Teach Kids Financial Readiness

The small, everyday choices you make teach your kids how to think about money, spend wisely, save for the future and talk...

4 Midyear Money Moves for a December to Remember

Whether your big goal is paying off debt, building your emergency fund or just surviving a few days of theme park madness...

A stack of U.S. $100 bills on top of a generic calendar page.

Midyear Financial Tuneup for Military Families: Your Money Needs Regular Care Too

If July had a motto, it could look something like this: "Still time to make this year awesome."

A US $100 bill and the US flag meld in a photo illustration.

Declare Your Financial Independence: A Fourth of July Guide to Freedom

Just like our nation's founders took bold action to secure a better future, we can take a few deliberate steps to build...

In an atrium with model airplanes and paratroopers hanging from a long skylight, military retirees talk to people at tables.

Here's How to Maximize VA Benefits over Your Lifetime

VA benefits can play a critical role in a veteran's financial plan. Here's a three-tiered look at how to make the most of...

Three US $100 bills stick up from the sand on a beach.

Be Financially Smarter by Fall with This Summer Reading List

Whether you're a seasoned investor or just getting started on your financial journey, these books provide valuable insights...

A mix of different U.S. bills are jumbled around a desktop with a brass-colored compass.

Understanding Military Pay: A Key to Building Your Financial Future

Let's take a look at how military pay works, the built-in advantages it offers and how you can use it to pay down debt, save...

house cutout under paper umbrella in sand

Summer Insurance Checkup: Protecting Your Fun (and Your Wallet)

Summer should be about fun, relaxation and making great memories, not financial stress. A little insurance review before the...

A toy moving truck is on top of scattered U.S. $100 bills.

PCS Season Survival Guide: Financial Tips for Military Families on the Move

Here are four steps to help make your PCS smoother, smarter and less financially frustrating.

Military Spouses: The Unsung CFOs of Military Families

Let’s face it: Behind nearly every financially sound military family is a military spouse juggling more spreadsheets (and...

The words "estate planning" appear in black letters sideways on lined notebook papers, on a wood desktop surrounded by office items and coffee.

Wills and More: These Are the Legal Documents Every Military Household Needs

Estate planning isn’t just about protecting your assets; it’s about protecting your family from unnecessary stress and...

A hand holding a pen appears to be checking items on a list amid graphic icons representing forms of insurance.

Preparing for the Worst: 5 Steps to Review and Update Insurance Policies for Financial Security

The key to staying protected is making insurance reviews a regular part of your financial routine -- because the last thing...

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Most Popular Military News

Rep. Michael Lawler, R-N.Y., left, confronts House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.

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As the federal government shutdown enters a second week, there’s no discernible endgame in sight.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) questions U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi as she testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Trump Targets Blumenthal, Calling for Investigation into Senator's Vietnam Service Claims

President Donald Trump is targeting U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal again after Connecticut’s senior U.S. senator grilled U.S...

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At 50, He Survived Marine Boot Camp — Then Fought at Peleliu and Okinawa

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When The Government Can Afford Everything Except The Essentials

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Troops Will Miss Paychecks Next Week Without Action on the Government Shutdown

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Latest Military Videos

Air Force Pilot Ejects Before F-16 Fighter Jet Crashes in California Desert

Military officials say a fighter jet with the Air Force's Thunderbirds demonstration squadron has crashed in the Southern California...

Senate Leaders Voiced Opinions on Hegseth

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Investigations and Features

In One of the Marines' Most Iconic Jobs, a Stunning Pattern of Suicide

Marine Corps drill instructors are a national symbol of discipline. But for some, their imposing persona belies a dark...

Army Capt. Jeremy Kuykendall and his wife Kate, cradle their daughter

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Army News

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Leutnant Friedrich Lengfeld served as a German company commander during the Battle of Hurtgen Forest in WWII. (1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry)

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The Navy admiral who reportedly issued orders for the U.S. military to fire upon survivors of an attack on an alleged drug...

WEST POINT, New York (Dec. 12, 2020) The United States Naval Academy Midshipmen face off against the U.S. Army Black Knights during the Army-Navy football game at the U.S. Military Academy’s Michie Stadium. The game marked the 121st meeting between the U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen and the U.S. Army Black Knights. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Burke/Released)

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Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., arrives at the chamber.

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