How to find a job and buying a house.

So obviously with Mr. M retiring from the Army the most important thing to do is to get a job. It is so funny how much goes into finding a job and how many outlets are out there to help you find a job. I have heard for years from people that the economy is so bad and therefor they are not retiring. Well let me share with you that we have been sharing Mr. M's resume online for about 2 months now and he has already had several offers as well as emails from potential employers wanting to hire him. I honestly think that most people just don't know where to go to start looking for a job. All I can say is use every resource you have available to you. If you have a computer and Internet you have your own job finding equipment already. I searched for all job sites and uploaded Mr. M's resume to all of them. Of course, make it public so that potential employers may contact you even if you haven't contacted them yet. The biggest problem we have had is people wanting him to start now and he can not start until he starts his transitional leave.
With his job decision becoming a reality now we can start concentrating on buying a home. We already have a realtor and have been looking at houses for a while now. I am so overwhelmed with this whole process though. First we have to find a house we both love, then we have to find the best lender and then begins the seemingly never ending process of paperwork and bidding and holding our breathe. As excited as I am to finally have a forever home where we never have to move unless we want to its a lot of work.
Honestly I think I just am more picky than Mr. M but still it's a giant process! The only things I know for sure is that I need plenty of room in my house for my family and of course room for our friends to come and visit. We have made some really wonderful friends in the military and I am really hoping that they will want to come and visit or even see us as a nice place to stay in the middle of a pcs. Our door will always be open to our friends in the military! Free room, free food and of course amazing environment because do you really think I don't know how to entertain after 19 years as a military spouse?!
As soon as Mr. M makes a decision on the job he wants to take and we find the perfect house I will definitely update everyone along with pics. Who doesn't love pics right?!

Have a blessed day and as always please feel free to ask me any questions you might have about being a military spouse, retiring from the military, buying a house or anything else.

Retirement and the Montgomery GI Bill

With Mr. M's retirement getting closer we began to look into all the benefits and entitlements he will need to apply for, ask about, qualify for. Let me just begin by saying this. You better ask questions people because no one is going to just tell you what to do nor what you have to complete to make it happen for you.
So the first priority for us was to find out about Mr. M using his GI Bill after retirement. First, you have to send in for your eligibility status. You have the choice of using Montgomery GI Bill or Post 9/11 GI Bill. Make your choice wisely because once you make your choice that's it and you can never go back.
If you choose to use Montgomery than you also need to know when you have used all 36 months you can then apply for another 12 months through the post 9/11 GI Bill. We had to probe deep for that one folks! You can look up the benefits of both and decide which works out best for you.
Another little hidden fact is that if you choose to not use your Montgomery and go with post 9/11 then you may ask for your $1200 back that you paid for the Montgomery bill.
We were told it takes about 4-6 weeks to get your eligibility paper so be sure to apply for it as soon as you know what you want to do. You can ask the start date to be after retirement date if that is what you are planning to do.
Bottom line is ask questions, don't skip anything, and always take your time in making any decision. As is with most military decisions you do not get a second chance. I know I have said this before but you truly do need to be on top of your own stuff and do not just take someone's word for anything!