Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • NEWS
  • Your Career
    • UNIT TRAINING
    • DEPLOYMENT
    • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • ENTREPRENEUR
  • EDUCATION
  • MILITARY LIFE
    • MILITARY SPOUSES
    • MILITARY KIDS
    • TRANSITION
  • Health
    Sailor credits mindset, support with helping her fight cancer

    Sailor credits mindset, support with helping her fight cancer

    VA takes step toward increasing beneficiaries’ access to care

    VA takes step toward increasing beneficiaries’ access to care

    Units experimenting with pilot programs to address suicide

    Units experimenting with pilot programs to address suicide

    Program for service women transitions to virtual training

    Program for service women transitions to virtual training

  • Money
    This Army veteran has a new approach to wealth management

    This Army veteran has a new approach to wealth management

    Army Emergency Relief looks to convert $1 million into grants for soldiers

    Army Emergency Relief looks to convert $1 million into grants for soldiers

    Pandemic affects home buying process for military families

    Pandemic affects home buying process for military families

    Are you financially prepared to be activated?

    Are you financially prepared to be activated?

  • Travel
    Gronski reflects on ride of his life

    Gronski reflects on ride of his life

    Take leave. Use these exclusive military discounts. Repeat.

    Take leave. Use these exclusive military discounts. Repeat.

    Moving Benefits for Service Members

    Moving Benefits for Service Members

    Fun on a Budget

    Fun on a Budget

  • GET THE MAGAZINE
    • PRINT MAGAZINES
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINES
  • RESOURCES
    • MONEY GUIDE
  • About us
    • OUR AUTHORS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • SUBMIT YOUR STORY
    • CONTACT
No Result
View All Result
Reserve & National Guard
  • NEWS
  • Your Career
    • UNIT TRAINING
    • DEPLOYMENT
    • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • ENTREPRENEUR
  • EDUCATION
  • MILITARY LIFE
    • MILITARY SPOUSES
    • MILITARY KIDS
    • TRANSITION
  • Health
    Sailor credits mindset, support with helping her fight cancer

    Sailor credits mindset, support with helping her fight cancer

    VA takes step toward increasing beneficiaries’ access to care

    VA takes step toward increasing beneficiaries’ access to care

    Units experimenting with pilot programs to address suicide

    Units experimenting with pilot programs to address suicide

    Program for service women transitions to virtual training

    Program for service women transitions to virtual training

  • Money
    This Army veteran has a new approach to wealth management

    This Army veteran has a new approach to wealth management

    Army Emergency Relief looks to convert $1 million into grants for soldiers

    Army Emergency Relief looks to convert $1 million into grants for soldiers

    Pandemic affects home buying process for military families

    Pandemic affects home buying process for military families

    Are you financially prepared to be activated?

    Are you financially prepared to be activated?

  • Travel
    Gronski reflects on ride of his life

    Gronski reflects on ride of his life

    Take leave. Use these exclusive military discounts. Repeat.

    Take leave. Use these exclusive military discounts. Repeat.

    Moving Benefits for Service Members

    Moving Benefits for Service Members

    Fun on a Budget

    Fun on a Budget

  • GET THE MAGAZINE
    • PRINT MAGAZINES
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINES
  • RESOURCES
    • MONEY GUIDE
  • About us
    • OUR AUTHORS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • SUBMIT YOUR STORY
    • CONTACT
No Result
View All Result
SUBSCRIBE FREE
Reserve & National Guard
No Result
View All Result

Fun on a Budget

Bianca Strzalkowski
by Bianca Strzalkowski
February 2, 2018
Fun on a Budget

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. There are actual studies that show leisure activities make for a more productive workforce. Luckily, that military identification card is like a ticket for free or discounted fun no matter what your interest is. There are tricks to stretch any budget using a military discount – both on and off post.

First Stop: Base

Ryan Guina, who serves in the Air National Guard, founded The Military Wallet — a personal finance and benefits website for military members, veterans and their families, to give this exact type of advice to others. He helps the community “better manage money and understand the variety of programs and benefits available to them,” according to the business website. He says the first place he recommends looking when it comes to off-duty recreation is the installation Morale, Welfare and Recreation (known as MWR) center.

“Most bases have an MWR Center where you can rent certain equipment for local area sports and activities. This is a great way to get introduced to a new sport or hobby, as well as save money instead of buying gear right away. Many bases also offer inexpensive activities at on-base centers – including fitness centers, bowling, golf, paintball, running trails, libraries, and on some bases near a body of water, marinas where you can rent boats, fishing gear, and other equipment,” he said

In his own experience, Guina had the opportunity to go deep-sea fishing near Keesler Air Force Base for only $10 compared to the typical cost of $150 per trip.

Don’t Buy New

The cost of a new hobby can range from a few bucks to hundreds or thousands of dollars. Rather than investing that kind of money into a new activity, Guina says to look into buying used equipment.

“You can save a lot of money buying used gear that is in good repair. In many cases, you can save well over half the price of a new item. Start by looking for specific items on your local Craigslist, used-sporting goods stores, Ebay, yard sales, PCS sales, and word of mouth,” he explained.

Always Ask for a Military Discount

For years, businesses and corporations have found their own way of saying thank you for military service by offering unique discounts to those with a military ID. It may not be publicized so a good rule of thumb is to either research on the company’s website ahead of time or ask at checkout. Guina says it never hurts to ask — the worst they can say is no.

“Ask for military or group discounts. Many organizations offer free admission, membership, or other discounts to service members — all you have to do is ask. You may also be able to negotiate discounts if you organize a large group of people to attend your gathering,” Guina said. “This can work for something as large as a unit event, or sometimes even as small as a group of five to 10 people.”

Other Places that Offer Deals Annually

There are a whole host of private organizations and large corporations that offer military-specific deals yearround. Whether it is weekend liberty or holiday leave, you can plan an entire itinerary around who has bargains.

Outdoor adventures: Sierra Club Outdoors plans outings for military and veterans to go rafting, hiking, climbing, bicycling, and more. Find a local chapter at https://content. sierraclub.org/outings/sierra-cluboutdoors.

NATIONAL PARKS: Military members and their families get free access to over 2000 recreation sites. For details, go to https://www.nps.gov/ planyourvisit/passes.htm.

ARTS AND THEATER: Blue Star Families works with the NEA to connect the military demographic to museums at no-cost. A list of participating locations is housed on their website.

AMUSEMENT: For daily fun at several amusement parks, there are various deals for free or discounted access.

  • Waves of Honor Sea World, Busch Gardens, Sesame Place https://Wavesofhonor.com
  • Shades of Green Disney www.Shadesofgreen.org
  • Great Wolf Lodge Water Park and themed resort with 17 locations nationwide in 2018 www.Greatwolf.com/heroes

The options are endless. With a little research, a small budget can stretch far. Plus, more money in your pocket means more opportunities to explore whatever is unique at your duty station. If you’re unsure of what to do with your free time, MWR plans day and weekend trips. Check out your installation’s website for the latest updates on upcoming activities in your area.

Read comments
Tags: Blue Star FamiliesBlue Star MuseumsDisneyWorldGreat Wolf Lodge Water ParkhobbiesMilitary DiscountsMorale Welfare and Recreation CenterMWRNational Endowment for the ArtsNational Parksoff dutyRyan GuinaSeaWorldShades of GreenSierra Club OutdoorsThe Military WalletTravel DiscountsWaves of Honor
Bianca Strzalkowski

Bianca Strzalkowski

Bianca Strzalkowski is the Managing Editor of AmeriForce Media. She has experience in news reporting, social media management, and content marketing. Bianca currently resides in southern Maryland with her husband and two children, but continues to root for her beloved Yankees and Giants.

Related Posts

Veterans groups plan to expel any members who took part in Capitol riot

by Military.com
Jan-12-2021
0
Veterans groups plan to expel any members who took part in Capitol riot

DAV is warning that any member who is found to have participated in the U.S. Capitol riots last week will...

Read more

VA takes step toward increasing beneficiaries’ access to care

by Emily Marcason-Tolmie
Dec-18-2020
0
VA takes step toward increasing beneficiaries’ access to care

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs issued an interim final rule impacting certified registered nurse anesthetists who are the primary...

Read more

This Army veteran has a new approach to wealth management

by Lizann Lightfoot
Dec-03-2020
0
This Army veteran has a new approach to wealth management

Scott Tucker wrote “Veteran Wealth Secrets” to inspire veterans who are seeking financial independence and looking for more options.  

Read more

Veterans use halls of Congress to continue service to military community

by Stephen Ruiz
Dec-01-2020
0
Veterans use halls of Congress to continue service to military community

“As a veteran, having served gives you a broader perspective that transcends politics when at all possible,’’ Rep. Salud Carbajal,...

Read more

Veteran’s Writing Project wants every veteran to tell their story

by Jessica Evans
Nov-11-2020
0
Veteran’s Writing Project wants every veteran to tell their story

Veteran's Writing Project hosts workshops around the country on everything from creative writing to advanced craft workshops.

Read more

Program for service women transitions to virtual training

by Bianca Strzalkowski
Nov-11-2020
0
Program for service women transitions to virtual training

A condensed virtual training is now offered online through December.

Read more

Ads

Connect with other Reserve Members

Military News, delivered to your inbox

Get weekly news updates, unsubscribe anytime.

Reserve & National Guard

  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Contact us
  • Advertising
  • Digital Magazines
© 2020 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Site by SCBW

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

No Result
View All Result
  • NEWS
  • Your Career
    • UNIT TRAINING
    • DEPLOYMENT
    • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • ENTREPRENEUR
  • EDUCATION
  • MILITARY LIFE
    • MILITARY SPOUSES
    • MILITARY KIDS
    • TRANSITION
  • Health
  • Money
  • Travel
  • GET THE MAGAZINE
    • PRINT MAGAZINES
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINES
  • RESOURCES
    • MONEY GUIDE
  • About us
    • OUR AUTHORS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • SUBMIT YOUR STORY
    • CONTACT

© 2020 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Site by SCBW