First thing to do when you PCS to Hawaii is REST! The flight takes forever, but the next day is no day to sleep in. You have work to do. Here are 8 crucial tasks you need to complete ASAP.

#1 Check in!

If you are married, your spouse can travel ahead of you and can check in to certain places before you arrive. They need a  Special Power of Attorney in hand and have contacted all of the offices they plan to check into:  housing, medical, CDC, school, etc., ahead of time.

#2 Go to medical and register for your new PCM

The Hawaiian islands are covered by TriWest. During the prime PCS season, open slots for on post doctors on Hawaii bases fill up fast. If you can’t get a doctor on base, you will have to go out in town. Luckily, you and your family are required to go through a series of medical screenings before you PCS to Hawaii, so you won’t need any routine medical care anytime soon upon arrival.

#3 Check in at the pay office

Hawaii BAH is higher than the average, PLUS you get  Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) which is an extra allowance to cover for the increase in the cost of living.  It makes a big difference in your pay. The military will adjust your BAH and COLA for you once the service member has “in processed,” however it isn’t uncommon for someone to forget to switch over pay. An in person visit ensures the job gets done.

#4 Check in at the housing office and see where you are on the list

Military housing in Hawaii is privatized. There are two main management companies which are Forest City Military Communities (Navy Housing) and Island Palm Communities (Army housing) Check in at the office to let them know you have arrived, or send them a quick e-mail.  

If you want to live off base, check out some of the listings available at AHRN.com. 

#5 Check with personal property (transportation office, JPPSO)

It can take anywhere from 30-90 days for your household goods (HHG) to arrive. Check in with personal property to get an updated ETA of when your HHG will arrive and see if your UB shipment has arrived. If you didn’t send off your UB shipment in time and need home and kitchen basics go to the bases family readiness office and borrow items from the lending closet. Items to borrow include everyday necessities like pots, pans, plates, glasses, silverware, etc. During prime PCS season these items go fast! If you are unable to get what you need, search SargesList.com in your area to find PCS sales are or look for individual home items – you don’t want to buy new things if you don’t have to!

#6 Register kids for school.

Contact the School Liason Officer before you PCS for any personalized questions.

Children registering in Hawaii for the first time need:

1. Birth Certificate
2. Social Security Cards
3. DEERS forms
4. Report card and/or records from their previous school
5. Medical records, including:

• Examination by a licensed physician within 12 months of date entering school
• Current and up-to-date immunization records
• Tuberculosis clearance test within 12 months of date entering school
• Students entering 7th grade need the chicken pox immunization

If you plan on using CDC services, get your kids on that waitlist as well.

#7 Register your POV

When you register your POV, remember to use a NONRESIDENCY FORM. Hawaii has very high taxes and as a military non-resident you do not have to pay to pay them. You can pick up Form DF-L (MVR) 50 from your military personnel office or your military unit. Note that it can take up to 120 days for your POV to arrive since it is shipped from the main land and the ship won’t depart until it is 100% full.

#8 If you have pets register them with the base

Register your animal friends as soon as you can. Hawaii has very strict pet laws. According to the Department of Agriculture Administrative Rules, “animals are required to complete a 120-day confinement in the State Animal Quarantine Station. If specific pre-arrival and post-arrival requirements are met, animals may qualify for a 30-day quarantine or a new 5-day-or-less quarantine.” You need to have all pet paperwork in order and in hand when getting on the plane.

 

Do you have any more tips to share about PCSing to Hawaii? Leave a comment on Facebook below or submit your best info on MilitaryDutyStations.com.

PCS season is here and some of you are moving to Hawaii! Getting there seems to worry most people however I PCS’d there and back to the mainland and have a few tricks up my sleeve to help you.

Once you have orders to Hawaii….

Call the housing office and get on the housing list! Rules often change at the housing office because Hawaii housing is privatized, so the sooner you call and see what the regulations are the better. This is especially important if you know you do not want to live off base. If you think you want to live off base, put your name on the list anyways just in case you change your mind.

Next…

Get ready to move with a PCS Purge. Separate what you are going to take, and what you will leave behind or sell. You don’t need a snow blower or snow board in Hawaii so don’t take them! Either sell them or keep them in storage, but remember that when you come back they will be 3-4 years old. It is better to sell and make some cash for the move, than keep everything in Non-Temporary-Storage. Another option – if you won’t go over your weight limit – is to take extras to Hawaii and sell them there! Someone PCSing back to the states may be interested in what you have.

Avoid Overage Shipping Fees!

Get all of your important paperwork in one place. These can include, but are not limited to:

• I.D. cards and copies
• Passports (if you plan on traveling out of country while in Hawaii)
• Marriage licenses
• Birth certificates
• School records
• Health records and immunization cards
• Pet papers and vaccination records
• Car titles and registrations
• Command sponsorship papers
• Professional license paperwork
• Credit card statements (for paying on the go and for changing your address once you arrive)

“MAKE SURE YOU KEEP ALL IMPORTANT PAPERWORK WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES. DON’T LET IT GET PACKED! “

Household goods and POVs

Schedule an appointment with the Transportation Office (TO) or Joint Personal Property Shipping Office (JPPSO) ASAP to get an early ship date. The sooner your stuff ships out the the sooner it arrives. When moving to Hawaii or other spots OCONUS, you are authorized a main Household Goods (HHG) shipment, an Unaccompanied Baggage (UB or Express) shipment, and you are also given the option to store belongings stateside as Non-Temporary-Storage (NTS). The UB shipment, often referred to as the Express Shipment, is a smaller shipment of vital personal items that you will need immediately upon arriving to your new duty station.

Here is a small list of items that could go in your UB shipment:

• Pots and pans
• Plastic utensils
• Tupperware
• Towels
• Paper towels
• Toilet paper
• Small television
• Pen and paper
• Kids bikes and some toys

Shipping a car or other POV

Make every effort to ship your car out as soon as you can. This might not be possible for some people because you might need your car up to the minute. Another option is to sell your car and buy something used in Hawaii that you can sell back when you leave. If you want a new car, leasing might be a great option since you can give the car back just before you leave and don’t have to deal with shipping it back. It is one of the only times where leasing a car really makes good financial sense. Check auto loan rates before you get to Hawaii and see if it is something you want to do.

Setting up temporary lodging and transportation early

Pearl Harbor and Hickam have a hotel they use right by the airport, which is nice. Schofield /HMR/Wheeler usually use the Schofield Inn most of the time. When you check in to your duty station you will be reimbursed for your lodging costs so long as it is a military approved place. The TO or JPPSO will have listings for approved places.

KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS! YOU WILL NEED THEM TO BE REIMBURSED FOR YOUR HOTEL.

I suggest renting a car because cabs/taxis in Hawaii are expensive. I recommend AVIS or Budget  because they both give military discounts and often have better rates. We used them 3 or 4 times while we were there and they were very great each time.

What Now?

Buying a house? Contact one of our Local Experts in Hawaii!  Going to look for a job when you get to Hawaii? View our search listings and see what the market is like.

               

By Happy Tails Pet Relocation

There are many tips available about transporting our pets via a PCS move. Knowing and abiding by these rules is the pet owners’ responsibility, with veterinary personnel guiding you through theprocess or hiring a professional pet travel company. Just like preparing our human families for a PCS move, we have to do the same with our pets!

A licensed veterinarian must issue a health certificate to all animals traveling by air  usually within 10 days of transport. Health certificates can be obtained by appointment at U.S. Army Veterinary Treatment Facilities worldwide.

If you’re going to Japan, Hawaii or Guam, these locations require long quarantine periods before your animal will be admitted beyond the arrival point. The process to qualify for shorter quarantine periods requires multiple visits with your pet to your local VTF.

Failure to follow the proper timeline can result in extended quarantine times for your pets and large out of pocket expenses upon arrival.

Additionally, many countries require health certificates and rabies certificates from civilian veterinarians to have original signatures and to be countersigned or stamped by a U.S.D.A. veterinarian. In most countries, but not all, original signatures by Army Veterinary Corps Officers are exempt from this requirement, so it may be advantageous to complete all of the steps in the process through the base VTF.

Regulations generally prevent pets from riding in temperatures under 45 degrees or more than 85 degrees for more than 45 minutes. This can be a major concern depending on what cities your flight goes through during your travels. It may be necessary to ship your pet before or after the PCS in order to safely transport. For other foreign countries, see the listed Web sites and contact your local VTF.

Questions about sedatives, food and water the day of travel, and traveling with very old, young or debilitated animals are best addressed with a veterinarian before the date for the final health certificate exam. NO SEDATION for pets is allowed for airline pet  travel, even if your vet says it is OK!

Appointments at the VTFs fill up fast, so plan to call to schedule at least two to three weeks before the travel date.

Transport Security Administration has useful information regarding traveling with pets.

Here are some tips from successful travelers:

• Plan months in advance
• Stay flexible
• Contact the commercial airline months before you PCS
• Fly to any major hub
• Stay overnight if necessary
• Rent a car and drive to your destination
• Take leave to avoid being rushed
• Send your pets with your family either before or after the weather embargo starts
• If your pet is traveling in a carrier you can fill the water container half way with water and freeze the night before, so that small amounts of water will be available without spilling
• Contact a pet broker/professional pet travel company to ship your pets in case you cannot take them with you
• Allow sufficient time between connecting flights in case there are delays or your pets cannot fly due to weather restrictions
• Have a list of hotels that accept pets in the cities you are stopping
• Do time consuming tasks weeks before you PCS
• Make an appointment with the Veterinary Treatment Facility for a health certificate within 10 days of your departure.

Have a happy and safe travel.

Add this to your PCS Checklist! Don’t let paper get in your way. Always hand carry the following documents.

PCS Documents

1. 10 copies of your orders
2. Household goods shipping and storage documents – GBL numbers
3. Sponsorship information

Vehicle Documents

1. Vehicle titles or lien forms
2. Vehicle registrations
3. Vehicle no-fault insurance policies
4. Drivers License with two copies

Family Documents

1. Marriage Certificate
2. Birth certificates of family members
3. Adoption papers
4. Divorce or annulment papers of any previous marriages
5. Citizenship papers
6. Passports
7. Children’s report cards
8. Child custody documents
9. Armed Forces identification cards
10. Wills

Medical Documents

1. Medical records
2. Vaccination cards
3. Dental records

Financial Documents

1. 1 Checkbook
2. List of bills with mailing envelopes due during the time you move
3. Copy of application for allotment (if any)
4. Latest tax forms

David Bakke is a contributor for the Money Crashers personal finance blog, where he shares his favorites money-saving strategies, investing tips, small business experiences, and more.

Financial Goals You Can Make at Any Time

1. Pay Down Credit Card Debt I was once the not-so-proud owner of more than $30,000 in credit card debt. I know from personal experience that interest payments on large balances eat away at your income and virtually tie your hands when it comes to getting ahead financially. Regardless of your level of debt, commit to paying it down and eliminating it. You don’t have to rid yourself entirely of debt this year, but once you start making a dent, those interest charges will shrink, and digging your way out will become easier and faster. If you’re not sure where to start, consider utilizing an online debt management tool, such as Credit Sesame or Ready For Zero.

2. Cut Personal Spending If you think you just don’t have the money to pay off your credit cards, the first place to look is at what you spend. The key here is to objectively differentiate between wants and needs. For instance, you may think that a morning cup of coffee is a need, but it’s actually a want. If you can’t give it up, brew it from home instead of stopping at your local coffee shop. The same goes for eating out for lunch, purchasing gadgets and electronics, and more. If you ask yourself “Do I really need this?” every time you pull out your wallet, you’ll find that you have more money at the end of each month.

3. Live a Healthier Lifestyle A lot of people fail to realize the effect that living a healthier lifestyle has on their finances, but physical fitness and healthy choices can save you thousands of dollars. If you smoke, quit. Eliminating a pack-per-day habit will save you more than $1,500 per year. If you don’t currently exercise, start. It doesn’t have to be overly aggressive, and you can exercise without a gym membership. A mere 20 minutes of exercise three times a week can make a world of difference to your health, well-being, and pocketbook, as physical fitness will cut down on expensive trips to the doctor. Finally, consider a diet that includes more fresh fruits and vegetables. You’ll feel better and you’ll spend less at the grocery store than what you’d comparatively spend on prepackaged or preprocessed foods.

4. Establish an Emergency Fund How much you should have in an emergency fund depends on your own discretion based on your personal financial situation. Generally, the amount ranges anywhere from 6 to 12 months’ worth of living expenses. If you’re self-employed and the sole wage-earner in your household, it’s better to err on the side of caution and, if possible, save a year’s worth of living expenses. However, if you have two wage-earners in your home and you both have steady income, you may be able to get away with six months’ worth. Of course, even saving six months’ worth of expenses can seem daunting, so it’s best to just save what you can. Having an emergency fund of any amount will help you avoid paying for emergencies with credit cards and accruing costly debt.

5. Organize Your Finances Start a filing system to keep all things financial organized and easy to access, and consider utilizing an online organizational tool, such as Mint.com. This will arrange all of your financial accounts in one centralized place, where they can be easily managed from your PC or your smartphone. If you already have a filing system, review it and remove or store older files to clear unnecessary clutter. Some of your records, such as tax records, can be destroyed after at least seven years have passed. However, use discretion when choosing files and records to destroy, as others should be saved permanently, such as IRA contributions. You will want to have these files on-hand and easily accessible in case you raise some tax audit red flags. 6. Educate Yourself Just keeping up with your bills and budget is challenging enough, but solid, informed financial planning will help you in the long run. If you aren’t already, consider contributing to retirement accounts like a Roth or traditional IRA, and learn which you qualify for or which is best for your situation. Also, be sure to take advantage of an employer-sponsored plan, especially if your employer offers to match your contributions. Furthermore, review your insurance coverages, including health, auto, life, and home. Any errors or lack of coverage could end up costing you thousands or more. Taking the time to review these items now will also save you plenty of time and heartache in the future. Reviewing all aspects of your finances can seem overwhelming. If you need help, ask friends and family to help you find a financial advisor.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to keeping resolutions, it is important to make them clear and specific. Create an annual timeline that details what you wish to accomplish and when, and form mini-goals that you can meet on your way to the larger resolution. It is also crucial to set times throughout the year to review your goals and progress. For example, if you see yourself falling short, figure out why you are struggling and see what you can do to get back on track. Also, don’t forget to reward yourself for your accomplishments. Reaching your goals is a slow and steady process, and should not be trivialized or hurried. If you run yourself ragged trying to eliminate debt, for example, you could give up and lose sight of the long-term goals and place yourself in a worse situation. How are you doing with your resolutions? Do you have any others to add to the list?

It’s not just which energy efficiency tips and projects you implement at home that will make a dent in your bills — it’s how many.

This is a Q&A with Suzanne Shelton, president and CEO of Shelton Group, a marketing agency specializing in sustainability and energy efficiency. Shelton Group’s annual Energy Pulse research report tracks consumer attitudes toward energy-related topics. Read Part 1, “Looking for Energy Savings in All the Wrong Places”

Keep money in your savings - not in the energy company's pocket!

HouseLogic (HL): A few days ago you told us why we’re so disconnected from our home’s energy use. Today, tell us what we should be doing differently to make our homes more energy efficient.

Suzanne Shelton (SS): First, I want to mention that it matters how many energy-efficient things you do. Half of the population say they’ve done two to three things to make their homes more energy efficient – replaced incandescent lightbulbs with CFLs, bought an Energy Star appliance, added insulation- but most people report that their bills have gone up.

HL: So more projects equal more results?

SS: Right. Once you get up to the level of making four or five energy-efficiency home improvements, you generally start seeing savings on your utility bill.

Depending on the activities you choose and the point you’re starting out at, you can probably expect a four- or five-year time frame for return of your investment. Which means now is a great time to do it. How many of us are stuck in our homes now because of the market?

If you’re potentially four or five years from selling, why not go ahead and make those improvements? You’ll get yourself paid back and live more comfortably and frugally right now, and you can brag about your improvements when you sell your house.

HL: The economy is weighing on everyone. If a home owner has just $1,000 to spend on energy-efficient home improvements, what would you recommend he or she do first?

SS: 5 Tips:

1. Caulk and seal all penetrations into the home. I’ll tell you, I had a home energy audit done three years ago, and even though I do this for a living, I was astonished. When the guy walked me down into my basement and showed me all the penetrations from plumbing lines and electricity wires, I couldn’t believe all the gaping holes in my house. Buy a few cans of Great Stuff and take a weekend to go around and seal everything, filling around windows, too. It takes time and it’s a pain, but it works.

2. Hire an HVAC contractor to take a hard look at all your ductwork – are there any ducts leaking that need to be re-sealed – and give you an HVAC tune-up. You might spend a couple hundred bucks, but you can save significantly depending on how old or out of shape your HVAC system is.

3. Replace all your lighting with CFLs or LEDs. Most people tell us they’ve replaced all their incandescents, but it just isn’t true. The DOE says that only about 13% of sockets are filled with CFLs right now.

4. Program your thermostat. Most people who buy programmable thermostats don’t program them. If we actually programmed them not to heat the furniture while we’re away, that would be smart.

5. Reduce the temperature on your water heater. The Department of Energy recommends 120 degrees . If you have a tank water heater, it keeps a certain amount of water hot and ready to go all day, so lowering the temperature reduces the energy you use to heat the water.

If, after you’ve done all those relatively low-cost things, you want to make a little bit more of an investment, consider adding insulation to your house.

No one wants to do these things because they’re not sexy, and they’re kind of a pain, and windows seem more appealing. But I’d do all these activities before I replaced my windows.

HL: If you could spearhead an ad campaign to motivate home owners to make more energy-efficient improvements, what would it say?

SS: You have to do five things to see the savings you want. That’s actually something we’re working on right now, so stay tuned.

Which energy-efficient projects have you implemented? Have you seen a reduction in your bill or an increase?

About Adrienne: As a former soldier and now a military spouse, it’s only natural that military relocation is one of my specialties. Most of my team members here at Team Lally, Real Estate professionals for Honolulu, also have some affiliation to the military. You and and your family can trust that YOUR unique needs will be taken into consideration from those who have endured similar experiences.

I’ve lived on the Island since 2004 and know the Oahu intimately – as does all of my team members. Contacting Team Lally for your relocation, not only do you get a fantastic top-producing agent (me!), you also gain an abundance of resources with many years of experience combined.

Let us know what questions you might have about relocating to Oahu or any real estate needs you might have. We’re happy to help our fellow military families! Call at any time at (808) 687-8921 or visit us at www.TeamLally.com! Happy moving!

Ugh. Birthdays. At least, that’s how I feel about them now (now being 33 – I told DH we don’t celebrate those anymore). But for kids, it’s the best day in their life, next to Halloween, Christmas, and Easter.

For the last 4 birthdays we’ve celebrated with our little ones, I’ve attempted to be frugal. Frugal as in making my own cakes (ladybugs, princess castles, trains, and firetrucks), and buying the plain theme-colored paper plates and cups at Walmart. But there are a few more thrifty ways to decorate, as I’m sure you’ve seen on Pinterest by now (oh, how I love thee). You’ll find a gazillion ways to be frugal, from wrapping paper to backyard decorations. Let’s take a took:

1) Make your own invitations.

Thanks to recent updates to Microsoft Word in the last few years, you can actually find some pretty neat designs and card templates (thank goodness). Plus, there’s tons of clip-art you can scroll through to find just what you need. Of course, there’s a lovely site called Google, too (I doubt anyone will be turned in for copying an image and using it in Baby Ashley’s invite … but I suppose it could happen). Even better, you’re a scrapbooking, card-making queen, and can give Hallmark a run for their money

2) Shop at the dollar store.

Love the dollar stores. Although they don’t accept coupons (I’m talking the true $1 stores here), they do have lots of cool little things for a $1 or less. Stock up on kids party favors, paper plates/cups/napkins/utensils and more. And don’t forget the balloons!

3) Time it.

This is a smart one (thanks to A Mom Reporting for Duty). Don’t plan the party at lunch or dinner. Because then you’ll most likely have to feed everyone even more food, which means more money out of your wallet. Instead, plan the party around 2 or 3. That way all you’ll need is the cake/cupcakes, chips, veggies, and drinks.

4) Plan out your own theme.

As in, don’t spend tons of money on hiring an outside company to come in and entertain your kids (unless, of course, you live in Hollywood). And don’t book a party at Chucky Cheese’s or Monkey Joe’s or Pesky-Little-Germs & Co. First, it’s expensive. Second, someone is likely to get sick. It. Always. Happens. Instead, visit your MWR and ask about renting out a bouncy house. It’s really, really inexpensive! Or, have a two-in-one party – Half birthday, Half-Costume. And have a contest for the most creative costume – winner gets to wear the Princess Crown or the Superman Cape for the rest of the party. You may also want to have a scavenger hunt, or plan an obstacle course. Kids are easy to please!

5) Party Potluck.

Instead of trying to buy all the drinks and appetizers yourself, enlist the help of the other parents who are (maybe) coming with their kids – minus the cake. That’s a job we can’t get out of. But have Christina bring the chips, have Katy bring the juice, and Brittany bring the ice etc. etc. Or, if you do need to plan the party at lunch or dinner, have them bring a fave dish That way you save time and money.

Do you have any special tips to share? Sarge suggests checking out thrift stores and SargesList listings to see if someone is giving away or selling something you could use to get the party started!

About the author: Michelle Dudas is the founder and editor at Military Wives Saving. She’s also a stay-at-home mom of a rambunctious 3-going-on-16 year old, and an adorable little 1 year old. In her free time she likes to sleep.

Did you read the latest SargesList post, New Lifeline for Underwater Military Homeowners: HARP 2.0, thinking you’d found a solution to your mortgage woes? Did you go to Zillow’s qualification calculator only to find out that your mortgage never saw the likes of Freddie  or Fannie? What now?

If HARP 2.0 isn’t for you, you’re not the only one…and you still have options.

As many watched home mortgage interest rates tumble over the past 5 years, people kept struggling to find a viable option to refinance their homes. Most refinancing options required homeowners to bring $30,000 or more to the table. Another saving grace to getting your home above water!? The VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL).

What is a VA IRRRL?

The VA IRRRL is often referred to as a “VA to VA” Loan or “VA Streamline”.

The program is available to EXISTING VA Loan holders that want to refinance their VA adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) loan to a VA fixed rate AND existing VA Loan holders that want to refinance their VA fixed rate mortgage home to take advantage of lower interest rates (click the link to see NFCU rates).

Any lender can make an IRRRL. You don’t even have to stay with your existing lender to take advantage of the program. As a matter of fact, the VA urges interested borrowers to shop around and compare offers by several lenders before making your decision.

Although the new loan cannot be more than the sum of the outstanding balance on your current VA loan, you are allowed to roll in the VA funding fee and closing costs into the new loan total. You can even buy down your interest rate by up to 2 discount points and add in up to $6,000 worth of energy saving improvements to your home.

IRRRL Facts:

• The VA fee is one half of one percent of the loan amount, which can be included in the new loan.
• No appraisal or credit underwriting is required, but lenders might require them regardless.
• You aren’t required to obtain a new certificate of eligibility
• You have the option to include the VA fee and other closing costs into the new loan resulting in a “no out of pocket” refinance
• You DO NOT have to currently occupy your home to qualify (GREAT NEWS for landlords)
• You can refinance a 30-year mortgage to a 15-year mortgage.

 Have  you had a success using the VA IRRRL program?  Do you think the VA IRRRL program could be the right fit for you?  Or do you know of other programs or information that can help the SargesList Community?  We’d love to hear from you!  Feel free to leave your comments in the section below.

Keep Your Dream Home Alive With HARP 2.0

By Carmen Grant, Military Spouse and Writer

Does this sound familiar? You bought a home. A year later  (and three years before you expected) you get orders. You put your home on the market knowing that it is completely underwater and you won’t be able to sell your home for what you paid. Also, the rents (and BAH) have gone down and you can’t get rent to cover your mortgage payment. You have few options which are all financially burdensome.

The original Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) program provided relief for a few. Others were left with very few options: Sell at a HUGE loss (a shortsale) or submit to a credit (or job) killing foreclosure.

Fortunately, HARP 2.0 is a new LIFELINE designed to provide REAL HELP for distressed military homeowners.

What is the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP)?

HARP is a federal government program designed to help homeowners that owe more on their homes than their homes are worth. The program allows them refinance their homes into fixed loans with shorter terms and lower rates. The original program did not extend far enough to help people that needed it the most – mainly those that bought homes in areas where they lost 50% or more of the purchase value. The terms were revised and the result was HARP 2.0.

What Changed With HARP 2.0?

• 125% Loan-To-Value cap REMOVED- meaning it does not matter how much value the house lost since purchase.
• Modified and eliminated some fees, including risk-based fees for borrowers.
• Expanded qualifications for investment properties (non-owner occupied homes) and more!

Easy Eligibility Calculator

If you think you might qualify for HARP 2.0, use the Zillow.com HARP Program Eligibility Calculator.

Navy Federal Credit Union HARP and Other Mortgage Assistance Programs

If your mortgage is through Navy Federal Credit Union and was sold to Freddie mac or Fannie Mae, there are NFCU specialists that can help you through the HARP process. Click the button below to see if your NFCU mortgage qualifies for the program. 

If you know your home will not qualify for HARP 2.0 and you would like to review some other options to avoid foreclosure, check out these other NFCU products OR call your local mortgage broker / company:

What do you think about the HARP 2.0 program? Is it something you think can help you? Do you have a story you would like to share with other readers regarding your mortgage that might provide additional assistance? If so, please leave a comment below.

For more information about HARP 2.0, please visit the Home Affordable Refinance Program government website.

Now flash forward two years later. Is that amazing “classic” DVD still in its plastic wrapper with the garish $5 value sticker on it?  Well, don’t worry. It doesn’t have to follow you to your next duty station and while you LOVE the movie, someone else will love it too. Maybe someone that will watch it!

Inventory & Purge Your Media Collection

PCS time is a great time to get organized and reduce clutter. PCSing is your chance to downsize.  DVDs, VHS, CDs, books, and other portable media take up valuable shelf space and can quickly evolve from beloved collection to a hoarders dream. 

Plus with all those new movie apps and streaming options like Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, Amazon Video and more,  you really don’t need to cart around all those DVDs anymore.

A great way to organize yourself in preparation for your next PCS is to take the time to inventory and purge your media collection.

You can visit CNet to download a copy of My Movie Library to help you get started. As you inventory, bring a critical eye to your collection. Consider questions like:

• Will I ever watch this movie again?
• Will I EVER watch this movie?
• Do I own multiple formats of the same movie (blu-ray, dvd, vhs, laser discs)?
• Do I have another method of accessing this movie/song/album (think: Netflix, iTunes, Pandora, etc.)?

List Your Used Media With SargesList

Once you’ve whittled down your collection, gather your extra titles and make a visit to Sargeslist.com. You can create a free listing and lighten your media collection. The nice thing about unloading some of your media gold is that you aren’t limited to making a local sale. The USPS offers very affordable mail rates to ship your wares and if you have educational materials, namely books, you can take advantage of media mail rates.

Not interested in selling? List your wares for free on Sargeslist and freecycle your treasures with another military member!

Either way you are doing yourself a favor by unloading extra stuff you don’t want to pack and unpack. You are also sharing your media gold with another servicemember, and you are saving the government money by reducing your shipping weight. One DVD might not weigh much, but think about 100 DVDs and the rack they sit on! Bet you never knew that purging could be so patriotic!

So what are you waiting for? Go sift through your stuff and post your excess on SargesList! Just click the button below: