Military families, just like families everywhere, have financial concerns and must budget accordingly.  Many folks are struggling more within the current economy.  Finances can be a major stressor…, Practical steps you can take, Here are some ways you can reduce your stress by taking charge of your finances:, Take an objective look at your financial situation., Ask yourself whether you have a major money problem, or if you're worrying about something that won't have a lasting affect on your financial health. For example, are you finding it difficult to…, Learn about special financial services, , including savings programs , available to you through the military., Talk with a certified financial planner or adviser., Whether you're facing a serious financial problem or not, talking with a professional and getting educated about money will help you feel more confident about your financial plan. Ask family, co-…, Focus on the things you can control., You can't control the economy. But you can make changes that will improve your personal finances, such as spending less, reducing your debt, and increasing your savings., Prioritize your spending., Review your budget and make necessary changes. For example, you may have to make room in your budget for growing gas and grocery prices by spending less on entertainment. Discuss your new priorities…, Make sure that your investments reflect the level of risk you can handle emotionally., Some people are more sensitive to risk than others. The important thing is that you know how much risk you can personally tolerate., Avoid making hasty decisions., Consult a financial professional before making any big decisions, such as whether to continue investing in the stock market and how to diversify your investments., Remember to take care of yourself, Some stress can be good, because it can prompt you to make positive changes. However, too much stress can take a toll on your mental and physical health, causing problems like ulcers, under- or over-…, Practice healthy habits., When you're under a lot of stress, it's more important than ever to take care of yourself. Exercise, eat healthfully, and get plenty of sleep. Remember that you don't have to spend money at the spa…, Talk about your concerns with a trusted friend or family member., Many people are reluctant to discuss financial worries, but talking about them actually helps to relieve anxiety. It may be easier to talk with someone who has been in a similar situation or someone…, Join a support group., Talking about your financial stress with a group of others in your situation can help. For example, Members of Debtors Anonymous ( www.debtorsanonymous.org ) help each other feel less alone in their…, Consider talking with a counselor or a therapist., It's normal to feel worried when thinking about financial concerns. But if feelings of anxiety persist or if you're feeling overwhelmed, seek help from a professional. A counselor or therapist can…, Reach your goals., Written goals shared with others are more likely to be reached., Get out of debt faster or save more money., People with written plans save twice as much money as people who don't have written plans., Become informed., Membership benefits include a free quarterly electronic newsletter, access to other wealth-building information, and savings and debt reduction tips., Make a difference., You can help establish a financially fit fighting force by building personal wealth through saving. Find out more and join the program by going to www.militarysaves.com . 10 tips to start saving more…, Brown-bag it.,   Spending just $7 on lunch three times per week equals over $1,000 a year!  And let's not forget that a week's supply of home-brewed coffee costs less than one cup from the corner coffee shop. Try…, Shrink your cell.,   Even if you avoid charges for going over your allotted wireless minutes, addictive features like text messaging and web surfing can increase your monthly costs.  Even a dime at a time can add up…, Be a bargain hound.,   Sniff out the best deals at the grocery store and the department store. Then stock up. Try the store's private-label products, which can be 25 percent cheaper than name brands. 4. , Seek a climate change.,   You probably won't feel the difference if you move the thermostat a few degrees higher in the summer. But, on average, every extra degree cuts your power use and your bill by about 3 percent.  Same…, Cozy up to car pooling.,   Gas prices are higher than ever. So now's the perfect time to start sharing rides with friends. Or try public transportation it's good for you, and the environment. 6. , Double your deductibles.,   Raising the deductible on your auto and homeowners insurance policies, such as from $500 to $1,000, results in lower premiums. If you're comfortable paying a little more if you need to file a claim…, Destroy your debt.,   High credit card interest charges and other debt secretly sabotage your ability to save. For example, if you have a $5,000 balance on a card with a 10 percent interest rate, paying only the minimum…, Cut off Uncle Sam.,   If you get a big tax refund every year, it means you're giving the government an interest-free loan. IRS records show most of us have $40 too much taken out of our earnings every week.  Adjust your…, Buck the bank fees.,   Smarter money management habits can pay off in more ways than one. ATM fees, bounced check penalties, and late payment charges are killers. Do your best to avoid them. 10. , Minimize your mortgage.,   When interest rates are low, you might consider refinancing. And if you've built 22 percent equity in your home, make sure you're not paying for private mortgage insurance (PMI). June Walbert is a…, Trial run., Long before the due date, take a good look at how your baby will affect everyday living expenses. If you and your mate are unfamiliar with the price of day gowns and diapers, stroll through a baby…, Baby-clothes bonanza., It's fun to buy new hoodies and onesies, but the Financial Planning Association recommends investigating hand-me-downs, consignment shops and garage sales. Denise is a regular on eBay, where she…, House notes., Beyond expenses for the crib and any decorating you might want to do in the nursery or other kids' rooms, think twice before buying a new home for your growing family. You may find yourself baby-rich…, Hot wheels., Contrary to the misguided thinking of many expectant parents, you don't really need a minivan or sport utility vehicle to parent properly. Lisa regrets trading her paid-for sedan for a luxury SUV…, Bye-bye to brand names., Perhaps you can afford that designer diaper bag, but if it's a stretch, one from the discount store might have to do. Your baby won't know the difference between top-of-the-line baby blankets and…, Day-care solutions., Perhaps the most meaningful financial assistance grandparents, other relatives and friends can give is volunteering to baby-sit. "That's very helpful, particularly when the baby's young," says Park…, Look ahead to higher education., Beyond the gift of baby-sitting, grandparents with dollars to share can ease college costs by funding tax-deferred 529 college savings plans, suggests Gaertner. Under current rules, grandparents…, Baby Steps, These fundamental moves help protect a growing family:, Look at life insurance., For parents, it's essential and much more affordable than you might think. You'll also get better rates when you're young. Talk to your life insurance company about what amount will give your family…, Update your will and appoint a guardian., Sean Sebold, an Illinois financial planner, recommends naming a contingent guardian and updating the will in case the primary guardian's status changes. Otherwise, a judge might have to appoint…, Take advantage of tax savings., The Internal Revenue Service allows an exemption for every new dependent and also grants child credits currently worth $1,000 per child younger than age 17. The earned income tax credit can save on…, Smart solutions, The first line of financial defense is an emergency savings fund. Experts typically recommend that you work toward having three to six months of living expenses in such a fund. But Mrs. Leyva says if…, Making Lemonade out of Lemons, The good news is that deployment can lead to better overall financial management. "When I deployed, Anne-Marie completely took over, and it worked so well we left it that way," Capt. Tosh says. For…, Taking Aim at Debt, Military personnel can be particularly vulnerable to predatory lending, a form of "financial quicksand" with excessive fees, constant rollovers and annual interest rates that can hit 300 percent to…, Finding Financial Security, --If returning home from active duty, take advantage of the military's "pre-separation counseling," which offers advice on everything from financial planning to resume writing. --Understand credit…, Military Saves, A Dept. of Defense program encouraging military families to reduce debt and save money for long-term financial security., Troops Against Predatory Scams, A program run by California's Department of Corporations to raise awareness among military personnel about fraudulent investments and predatory lending. Scroll down the home page for the TAPS link., Military One Source, Provides 24-hour, toll-free assistance on financial matters for active-duty military personnel. (800) 342-9647., USA Cares Inc., A Kentucky-based nonprofit that provides financial counseling, grants for short-term assistance and help to military families in fighting eviction or home foreclosure., Operation Debt Storm, A debt-reduction program by San Mateo-based Bills.com offering personal finance tips, tools, calculators and other services. Five Ways to Save Money at the Pump About 10 years ago drivers could take…, Use Websites to Find Cheap Fuel, Escalating fuel prices prompted the proliferation of websites, such as Gasbuddy.com, that help drivers look for the cheapest gas in their area. You can also check out your on-base gas station to see…, Reduce Unnecessary Drag, At highway speeds, more than 50 percent of engine power goes to overcoming aerodynamic drag. So don't carry things on top of your vehicle when you don't have to. Installing a large Thule Cascade 1700…, Avoid Idling for Long Periods, Consumer reports tested this theory on a Buick Lucerne, with a V8. They let the car sit idle for 10 minutes while warming up, it burned about an eighth of a gallon of gas. A smaller engine would…, Keep Tires Properly Inflated, Underinflated tires compromise handling and braking, and wear faster. And they run much hotter, which can lead to tire failure. Check the pressure of your vehicle's tires at least once a month with a…, Don't Use Premium Fuel if You Don't Have To, If your car specifies regular fuel, don't buy premium under the mistaken belief that your engine will run better. The only difference you'll see is about 20 cents more per gallon. Most cars are…