Military OneSource Financial Counseling

Military OneSource provides NO COST financial counseling to active duty, Guard and Reserve military members and eligible family members.  
 
Counseling on financial issues such as basic budgeting, money management, debt consolidation (including coaching to help people contact their creditors and negotiate late fees, interest rates, and affordable payment plans), and assistance with housing issues (being behind on mortgage payments or facing potential foreclosure).  
 
Financial counselors are uniquely suited to help service members and their families take control of their finances and plan their financial futures. They understand the military environment, the financial challenges service members face, and the various programs, services and resources available to help them manage and plan their fiscal futures. Financial professionals can offer the following types of assistance: 
 
. Counselors can go over your finances and suggest ways to pay down debt. They can also teach you about savings, managing your checking account, investments and making a family budget. 
Help you with your credit record. If there’s something on your credit report that you don’t think is correct, you can go to a financial management counselor for help. The counselor can provide information on consumer rights and make appropriate referrals to military and civilian resources responsible for resolving such complaints. 
Educate you about military savings programs. PFM counselors can give you information about the Savings Deposit Program for eligible deployed personnel and investment programs like the Thrift Savings Program (see links below). 
Help you develop a debt repayment plan. Counselors will help you contact creditors and come up with a plan to pay off your debts. Once a debt repayment plan has been established, counselors will help track the plan to ensure that debts are eliminated and that you can manage your finances independently. 
Talk with you about consumer advocacy and whether to make large purchases. If you’re thinking of buying a car or a house, or getting any kind of personal loan, a financial counselor can talk with you about whether this step makes financial sense for you right now. If you decide to make a large purchase but don’t have the money for it now, a counselor can help you make a plan to save. 
Coordinate with emergency financial assistance organizations. Counselors can help you learn more about the service branch emergency financial aid organizations (see links below) and request financial assistance, if necessary. 
Help you understand bankruptcy.