Financial Assistance

The Financial Readiness Program is a proactive program intended to help soldiers and civilians avoid the many pitfalls of financial transactions. The FRP manager provides classes, workshops and one-on-one counseling on a wide range of financial topics.

Register for Personal Finances classes provided by ACS covering the following topics:

• Create your own Financial Plan: Learn how to take control of your finances, building the framework to make the most of your resources and achieve all your financial goals.
• Investing 101: Learn about good investing practices. This class explains the essentials of growing your wealth through different investing options.
• Planning for Unexpected Life Events: Learn how to find the right resources, key documents and be organized for when life takes an unexpected detour, such as marriage, divorce, adding a dependent or any adversity that may occur.
• Retirement Planning and TSP: This class offers a practical introduction to retirement planning. You’ll gain insights into building long-term financial security and learn actionable steps to prepare for your future.
• Understanding Credit & Debt: Learn how to make informed decisions about obtaining, building and protecting your credit. Establish good habits for using credit wisely as well as how to effectively manage any debt. Understand how the credit scores work and how you can improve yours.

Ansbach offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to larger German cities, but it’s still notably higher than many parts of the United States. While USAG Ansbach personnel receive Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to offset these expenses, the amount may not fully cover all lifestyle choices, particularly for larger families or those residing in off-post housing. Groceries, transportation (especially car ownership), and leisure activities also contribute to a higher overall cost of living, requiring careful budgeting and financial planning for service members and their families stationed in the area to maintain a comparable standard of living to what you might experience stateside.

Grocery costs can range for a single person between €250 - €400 per month, for a couple between €400 - €600 per month, and a family of four between €600 - €1000+ per month. You can plan for recreational activities to range between €200 - €400 per month for a few restaurant meals, occasional museum visits, and participation in local clubs or activities. Travel expenses can cost around €50 - €200 per month if you are taking day trips to Nuremberg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, or other nearby towns. The Bavaria Ticket (Bayern Ticket) is a cost-effective option for regional travel, and if you are planning on international travel (within Europe) you can plan to pay approximately €200 - €1000+ per month depending on frequency and destination.