Budgeting question for deployment

[CCArmyWife]

So, DH is at NTC this week, which has me thinking about deployments non stop. I am curious about budgeting while he is there. This is all new for both of us. My original thought was that he would use his Star card at the PX, and I would just pay it off for him, but he said he doesn't think he can have it over there. Someone told Dh there was a pre-paid type of card for him? Does that come out of his check, or does he buy them with cash?

Ugh, this is so confusing. How much should I budget for him monthly to have? do I send him cash hidden in care packages? Any experiences would be helpful.

If it makes a difference, he is currently slated for Iraq.

[settles]

Dh used his debit card while in Iraq with no problems.

You will be getting extra money monthly since he will be gone and we used it to pay off debt and put in the savings account.

(Dh is at NTC too!)

[CCArmyWife]

Originally Posted by settles Dh used his debit card while in Iraq with no problems. You will be getting extra money monthly since he will be gone and we used it to pay off debt and put in the savings account. (Dh is at NTC too!)

I certainly plan on using the extra money to pay off debt (we have more than I like to admit) How much on average do you think your DH spends monthly over there? I am trying to figure out an approximate budget so I can decide the best possible way to tackle our debt.

[bb1982]

They can sign up to get a certain allotment from every check in cash while they are over there. (When my DH was in Iraq I think he got like $50 every paycheck) But his debit card worked over there, so that's mostly what he used.

[J.Ski]

DH uses his debit card and his eagle cash card. He gets $100 a paycheck.

[Amberlyn]

My husband has a separate bank account to use... We try NOT to use his GTC unless there is an emergency.. I put in a certain amount for him every pay... (50-100, depending what I can afford.. ) If he needs more for something, he asks and if we have it, I transfer money...
all they really need are drinks, tobacco (if they use it), personal care items, and hair cuts.... So usually 50-100 is plenty.. just depends on him.. i would budget that amount, and if after the first pay period he needs more, try to rebudget.. if he uses less, continue to give him the same amount.. if he has extra money, then maybe he can do something fun.. (if he gets a chance)

[CCArmyWife]

Originally Posted by Amberlyn My husband has a separate bank account to use... We try NOT to use his GTC unless there is an emergency.. I put in a certain amount for him every pay... (50-100, depending what I can afford.. ) If he needs more for something, he asks and if we have it, I transfer money... all they really need are drinks, tobacco (if they use it), personal care items, and hair cuts.... So usually 50-100 is plenty.. just depends on him.. i would budget that amount, and if after the first pay period he needs more, try to rebudget.. if he uses less, continue to give him the same amount.. if he has extra money, then maybe he can do something fun.. (if he gets a chance)

That was very helpful! I was thinking around 200 a month. DH is usually really great about budgeting when he is away from us, he was for basic and AIT, he even saved some to send me flowers

I hear smokes are cheap, and he has hair clippers he will take to buzz his hair. I plan on sending him lots of care packages too, so that should work out well!

Thanks a million!

[J.Ski]

Originally Posted by CCArmyWife That was very helpful! I was thinking around 200 a month. DH is usually really great about budgeting when he is away from us, he was for basic and AIT, he even saved some to send me flowers I hear smokes are cheap, and he has hair clippers he will take to buzz his hair. I plan on sending him lots of care packages too, so that should work out well! Thanks a million!

DH pays $8 a carton. They're some Iraqi brand but he doesn't care.

[Amberlyn]

Originally Posted by CCArmyWife That was very helpful! I was thinking around 200 a month. DH is usually really great about budgeting when he is away from us, he was for basic and AIT, he even saved some to send me flowers I hear smokes are cheap, and he has hair clippers he will take to buzz his hair. I plan on sending him lots of care packages too, so that should work out well! Thanks a million!

Dont forget that the Post Office gives special military rates, for their flat rate ship boxes to APO's!!!!!! Make sure you ask about it and use those boxes

[BlueBird]

Originally Posted by J.Ski DH pays $8 a carton. They're some Iraqi brand but he doesn't care.

GOOD to know. DH was trying to convince me he NEEDED e-cigarettes because it would be so much cheaper than me mailing him cartons while he was over there. No way am I spending the money on e-cigarettes if he can pay $8 for a carton. Heck he can send a bunch of cartons home for that prices.

I hate smoking. Its such a waste of money!