Financial Assistance

Basic Banking, Money Management, Understanding Your Credit, Bundles for Babies, Investment for Beginners, and First-Time Home Buyers are just a few of the workshops offered to assist individuals and families in managing their money more efficiently. Individual assessment and consulting are also available.

These classes and the individual financial consulting are some of the more popular services offered by the Military and Family Readiness Center. Although the main benefit of PFMP is increased retention and enhanced readiness, they have a recorded history of having saved individuals thousands of dollars while getting out of debt and have elevated others to considerable wealth. By following basic financial planning steps and learning new habits and lifestyles, participants can free up dollars to save and invest.

The Military and Family Readiness Center's Personal Financial Management conducts a series of money management classes targeting all E-4 and below, first time overseas personnel, but also combines sophisticated financial concepts that can be understood and applied by anyone. Included are tips on how to get the most for your money while living on Okinawa. You can register for any of our financial workshops at www.tockify.com/kadenamfrc/pinboard.

Get ready for your move before it happens. Try to set aside at least three months of pay in a separate "emergency account.” If you take advance pay, keep in mind it must be paid back. Be careful to use it for needed expenses and not a last great vacation before completing your permanent change of station. It is highly recommended to bring at least $7,000 to $10,000 with you to set up house on Okinawa. As of Aug. 1, 2009, all in-bound accompanied military personnel will be required to reside on base. Rent and utilities are covered for on-base housing. For those who are authorized to live off base, the off-base housing data sheet provides estimates of average rent and monthly utility expenses.

PCS advance payments provide a member with funds to meet extraordinary expenses incident to a government-ordered relocation. It is intended to assist with the out-of-pocket expenses that exceed or precede reimbursements incurred in a duty location change, and are expenses not typical of day-to-day military living. An advance of pay shall not be authorized for the specific out-of-pocket expenses covered by advances of other pays and entitlements, if such advances are used (to include travel allowances and per diem, overseas station housing allowance, BAQ, VHA and dislocation allowance).

The member can request 1 month of basic pay minus deductions and must repay the advance within 12 months. E-3 and below require unit commander signature. Additional requests and repayment options are available with unit commander approval for all grades. Advance Pay is paid by EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) only and usually takes three to five business days.

To obtain car insurance on Kadena Air Base, you will need to bring your vehicle title, sponsor identification card and status of forces agreement driver’s license. The cost of vehicle insurance will vary depending on your rank, age and vehicle size. Insurance firms are located on and off base.

• OTS Insurance- Auto Insurance(Chubb & AIG), Renter’s Policy Insurance- inside USO Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - 098-938-4279

TLA is provided to partially reimburse a member for the more than normal expenses incurred while occupying temporary lodgings upon initial arrival(reporting) at an OCONUS PDS and waiting for Government quarters assignment.

Members are entitled to claim expenses every 10 days through the housing office.