Financial Assistance

A permanent change of station can be costly. Even if you are an experienced mover, you need to know the most current and up-to-date allowances and benefits available. Remember, you normally incur expenses which will not be fully covered by your PCS entitlements. A good rule of thumb is to have at least enough savings to cover 90 days worth of cost of living expenses.

You don't have to pay for financial expertise. The Beale Military and Family Readiness Center offers assistance with a variety of financial issues from basic budgeting to investing and from car buying to home purchasing. With the help of the Personal Financial Readiness Program, you can be on your way to financial independence. To schedule an appointment, call the Beale M&FRC at 530-634-2863.

Cost of Living

California is considered an area with a high cost of living. At this time, information is still currently being complied to provide a plateable summary.

Please feel free to call us 540-634-2863 or even do a google search of the area ( Yuba City, Grass Valley, Marysville, Wheatland, Rocklin, Roseville, Lincoln, etc.).

Car Insurance

Minimum amounts for bodily injury liability and property damage liability are:

• Bodily injury liability - $15,000 for death or injury of any one person, any one accident; $30,000 for all persons in any one accident
• Property Damage Liability - $5,000 for any one accident

For more information on the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program, call 866-60-AUTO-1 or 866-602-8861.

Car Registration

Car insurance is required to register your vehicle. If you are not a resident of California, you can obtain a Vehicle Licensing Fee exemption form (REG 5045) from the California DMV website. Military personnel stationed in California are exempt from payment of the VLF on any vehicle owned or leased and registered in California. This is provided the non-resident military owner is shown as the lessee or registered owner of the vehicle and the vehicle is not operated "for hire.” In order to obtain the VLF exemption, military personnel must complete a Nonresident Military Exemption Statement form. Be advised, at this time CA DMV requires persons utilizing this form to come in-person to complete the transaction. You can fill out the form, print, and sign it; however, every year (unless it is your initial registration), you must stop in to your local DMV with the completed form and the documents for the vehicle requiring registration renewal in order to take advantage of the fee exemption.

Utilities

Utilities start at $85 to $100 per month and can sometimes, especially during the hot summer months, exceed $200 per month. Older homes and apartments could have significantly higher utility bills. In fact, some have been reported as high as $400 per month during the summer. Local utility companies will provide the average cost of utilities of most addresses for the last year. This will help ensure you're renting an energy-efficient home/apartment.

Temporary Lodging Expenses

TLE is intended to partially reimburse (14 days maximum reimbursement for a PCS move) service members for lodging and meal expenses when a service member/dependent(s) occupies temporary quarters in the Continental United States in conjunction with a PCS. 

For rates, please call Gold Country Inn: 530-634-2953/3662

Advance Pay

While the staff at the Beale M&FRC can assist you in understanding the ramifications of drawing advance military pay and when it will be deducted from your pay. We also advise all members to start a conversation with CPTS and get definitive answers to your questions: 530-634-2218. Advance pay repayments will be automatically withdrawn from the service member's pay, therefore reducing his or her monthly income, in some cases, drastically. Advanced pay will be repaid over the course of 12 months. 

Government Travel Card

Use your government credit card only for authorized expenses and make sure you stay within your daily allowances. Save all receipts, especially if your expenses exceed your authorizations since they may be tax deductible items.