Financial Assistance

To help budget your move wisely, contact your local Military & Family Readiness Flight (M&FRF) and sign up for classes and counseling sessions. Even if you are an experienced mover, you will benefit from the most current and up-to-date allowances and entitlements available.  Remember, you may 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 three to six months' cost of living expenses.

Bundles for Babies

The Bundle for Babies class addresses preparing financially for a new baby and information about newborn child care. This class is open to all ranks of all military branches and is not limited to a first pregnancy. After completing the Bundles for Babies class, families receive a free Army and Air Force Exchange Service gift card from the Air Force Aid Society to help purchase newborn baby items.

Give Parents a Break

The Air Force Aid Society recognizes Air Force families are subject to unique stressors due to the nature of military life, such as deployments, remote tours of duty, extended working hours, etc. In an effort to help these families, the AFAS, in cooperation with the Child Development Center, has agreed to provide funding for child care under the Give Parents a Break program. The purpose of this program is to offer eligible parents a few hours break from the stressors of parenting. Active-duty Air Force families may use this time to suit their personal needs. AFAS will pay the cost of child care for one evening once a month for families referred to the program.

Personal financial readiness services provides information, education and personal financial counseling to help airmen and/or family members, providing a foundation at the beginning of an airman’s career and developing across the continuum to improve financial literacy. Contact the Military and Family Readiness Flight for assistance with the following topics:

• Create a budget based on your lifestyle and needs.
• Receive a free credit report and FICO score.
• Reduce your consumer debt quickly and efficiently by providing a Power Pay assessment.
• Receive the latest financial/consumer information by attending workshops or individual appointment.

To make an appointment with a personal financial counselor call 505-660-2543 or 505-853-1718.

Along with appointments, the M&FRF also offers classes and has a variety of programs pertaining to financial issues.

First Duty Station Enlisted Course

All first duty station enlisted airmen are required to attend this course within 90 days of being assigned to Kirtland AFB. Participants will gain the knowledge and skills needed to take immediate financial responsibility and make sound financial decisions. It will also lay the foundation for financial readiness skills in the Air Force and smooth transition throughout their lifecycles.

Officer First Duty Station Brief

All first duty station officers are required to attend this brief within 90 days of being assigned to Kirtland AFB. Participants will learn about personal financial budgets, debt reduction, Thrift Savings Plan, the Air Force Aid Society and other financial topics to assist themselves and those they supervise.

Permanent Change of Station Financial Readiness / Plan Your Move

Take charge of your move! Plan to attend if you are moving due to PCS or separation/retirement. Representatives from Military OneSource, Travel Management Office, finance, legal, TRICARE, military housing, Kirtland Family Housing, Military and Family Life Counseling, school liaison and the Exceptional Family Member Program will provide information and answer questions about your government move. Permanent Change of Station Financial Readiness training, which is mandatory for E-1 through E-5 and O-1 through O-3, is included in this class. The required Federal Voting Assistance Program briefing is also provided.

Blended Retirement System/Thrift Savings Plan

This workshop presents the many features the BRS combines with the legacy 20-year military retirement system and the TSP. This workshop also provides information about TSP investment options, highlights opportunities for retirement savings, taxes, and other TSP resources, as well as addressing your BRS and TSP goals.

Managing Your Money Workshop

This workshop will help individuals make informed decisions by providing information on financial management, safety concerns and significant life events.

Home Buying Workshop

During the process of buying the home that is right for you, there are various steps in the plan that bring new organization to your home buying adventure. It will help you stay in control of the changes around you and make this the best move possible for your lifestyle and financial goals.

Selling Your Home Workshop

Many factors affect what a house is worth and what its selling price will be. There are other financial considerations and costs, which you need to be aware of when deciding to sell your home. It can also be very time-consuming and costly if you are not familiar with all aspects of the home selling process.

Kirtland AFB does not have a Cost of Living Allowance.

TLA is used to partially reimburse a member for excessive expenses incurred during occupancy of temporary lodging and expenses of meals obtained as a direct result of use of temporary lodging Outside Continental United States (OCONUS). The OCONUS base handles the paperwork and processing of TLA.

TLE is intended to partially reimburse members for lodging and meal expenses when a member /dependent(s) occupy temporary quarters in CONUS in conjunction with a PCS.

Rentals and property to purchase are both plentiful. The average apartment rent in Albuquerque is $1281 in August 2022. The average home sale price was $296,671 in August 2022. However, housing costs vary significantly within Albuquerque, with the highest prices generally found in northern Albuquerque and the lowest in southwest Albuquerque. Utility costs also vary considerably throughout the year. Electric and water bills typically run higher in the summer with gas bills higher in winter depending on types heating and cooling systems.