While I am on a brief maternity leave, I am featuring guest posts, like this informative post from Michelle Dudas, author of www.militarywivessaving.com.

The recent near-shut down of the government highlighted the need for families to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Here are some tips to help ease the crunch and put more money back into your bank account…

Would you Bag It Forward with me and help school children throughout the country?

Money is tight everywhere and people are struggling to ensure their kids have opportunities and the families of our soldiers are no exception…

Our veterans have done so much for our country.

During National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week (February 7-13), you can make a small token of your appreciation for these brave soldiers. Valentines for Veterans can help boost morale and send the message that we are thinking of those who serve.

As part of a project with Bloganthropy, I am posting about this effort to earn a donation of clothing for Sew Much Comfort from Dollar Days.

Bloganthropy combines the power of social media with the resources of corporate giving.

The organization will support the volunteer projects of our fellow bloggers, publish posts about social media and non-profits, and implement 6-12 Bloganthropy charitable projects a year.

We’re currently looking for volunteer bloggers to make Valentines for Veterans and help earn a donation of clothing for Sew Much Comfort. Click here to read more details and volunteer!

I have a great time participating in the Bloggy Giveaways, and the last few times, I’ve given a military book. Frankly, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the number of contest entrants who popped over to enter either for themselves, or for those they know who are in need of some moral support.
This time, I was trying to think of something that was military related but would have a broader audience.
So, here’s the prize–a military supporter pack:

I’ll make a $10 donation in your honor to the USO.
I’ll send you a …

Here’s an interesting concept: Modest Needs.
Once upon a time, so the story goes, neighbors took care of each other. They were often in the best position to determine who really needed help, and what sort of help they actually needed. Then the Depression came along and it was like a case of national bad luck–almost everyone, it seemed, needed help. So, the government stepped in with its relief, recovery, and reform. Along the way they instituted safety nets that are the sacred cows of liberals and …

A Reader Asks:
Hi, I saw your blog you posted a while ago about being an army wife. I was looking on google to find information on family day and graduation. My fiance is in Ft Benning right now at basic. When do you first get to see them? While you are sitting in the stands or before that? And then after they are dismissed on family day, how long do we get to spend with them. Also, do they get to spend the night with us, or do they have …

I’m blogging on a new site for MilSpouses, courtesy of Military.com:

SpouseBuzz

So come on by, give us a buzz!

I thought I would share some of the things that DH and I have done and some other ideas we’ve used to stay close through the pregnancy though we are separated by thousands of miles. There are lots of great sites for soldiers to stay in touch with their children, but few that I have found that talk about pregnancy.
Please add to this list in the comments, and I’ll update and put a permanent link up to the post on the main page:
For Momma:

E-mail or mail weekly pregnany updates, using …

You may have heard about the theft of a computer from a VA employee, who had taken records home contrary to VA policy.
Originally the theft was thought to include the Social Security numbers of only Veterans. Recently, the news has reported that this information also includes active duty, guard, and reserve personnel.
So, ALL military personnel are urged to take measures to protect themselves from identity theft.

Request a free credit report and check for suspicious activity by calling 1-877-322-8228 or visiting https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp
If you are a deployed soldier, consider placing …