Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst  Military and Family Support Center

A PCS move can be one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of a military career; new places, new faces and new challenges. However, for the service and family member who is not prepared, a PCS move can be a very unhappy time.

Most of the unhappiness is caused by money problems associated with the PCS move. The following are some tips to make your PCS less stressful.

1. Start saving now! Any PCS move is going to cost money.
2. Talk to the Finance Center to figure out how much travel pay you will receive and get information about dislocation allowances, etc.
3. Plan ahead for travel costs such as tickets, gasoline, food, lodging, tolls, car tune-up, new tires, before the trip, emergency repairs along the way. You will be faced other unusual expenses such as new curtains, restocking the refrigerator, rent deposit on new apartment, utilities, etc.
4. Decide how to save for unreimbursed moving expenses.
5. Begin keeping track of relocation expenses for tax purposes.
6. Take care of auto maintenance and repairs.
7. Do not use advance payments to pay credit cards or buy unnecessary articles or clothing.

Your Community Readiness Consultant at the Military and Family Support Center is ready to assist you with most of your financial needs. Budgeting lies at the foundation of every financial plan. Unlike what you might believe, budgeting isn't about restricting what you spend money on and cutting out all of the fun in your life. It really is about understanding how much money you have, where it goes, and then planning how to best allocate those funds.

If you need assistance with budgeting, credit, and other financial matters please contact the M&FSC and request an appointment with one of our consultants.

A variety of Financial Workshops are available at the Military and Family Support Center. Please call to obtain dates and times. Also, you may register for select workshops by going to www.gomdl.com and clicking on the JB MDL Resilience box on left. Below is a sample of our most popular workshops, all geared to have you in charge of your financial future. If a workshop is not listed that you are interested in please contact the M&FSC.

New workshops are always being added:

• Home Buying
• Car Buying
• Thrift Savings Plan: Active Duty and Civilian
• First Duty Station Finance Brief
• Bundles for Babies
• Leaving the Dorm
• Many more as well as individual appointments

Lakehurst has trained Command Financial Specialist's assigned to most commands. The Command Financial Specialists can work with you to prepare a personalized budget and spending plan.

In the event of a financial emergency there are Emergency Relief Agencies on the installation to assist.

Emergency assistance usually combines an assessment of the emergency situation and an evaluation of the personal budget to arrive at a decision to make an interest free loan, a grant, or combination of both. Financial assistance is given when a qualifying individual cannot otherwise pay for specific basic needs essential to continued personal effectiveness as a military member.

Air Force Aid Society

The Air Force Aid Society Office is located in the Military and Family Support Center, 609-754-3154.

Army Emergency Relief

Army Emergency Relief is located in 5428 Delaware, Dix, 609-562-4245.

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

The Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society is located at Bldg. 158 Berry Road, Lakehurst,732-608-3444. Appointments only, no walk-ins.

American Red Cross

For emergencies that occur when you are away from a military base, please contact the ARC at 1-877-272-7337.

Advance pay is a "loan" on income not yet earned, and it must be paid back within 12 months. Although it seems like a good idea and you can afford it now, things could change during that year placing you in a financial bind. Before taking advance pay, carefully consider your budget so you can determine if this new debt is your best option.

JB MDL is considered a high-cost-living area. The cost of off-base housing and car insurance is extremely high in this area. If you plan to rent off base, be prepared to pay 1 1/2 month's rent as a deposit, plus the first month's rent to lease an apartment. Single family homes to rent are difficult to find at reasonable rates (within BAH). Apartments, town homes and condominiums are easier to find within or close to BAH.

Other than housing and car insurance, the cost of living is average when compared with other areas of the US. There is no sales tax on food or clothing. Fresh produce at country markets during growing season are sold at low prices for excellent quality. Columbus Market is about 15 minutes from Dix and McGuire and about 40 minutes from Lakehurst.

Temporary Lodging Expense is paid to partially offset lodging and meal expenses when a member and/or dependents need to occupy temporary lodging in during a CONUS PCS.