The Commissary Adventures: Using Overage at Your Commissary

Surprisingly many people are not aware of how to use overage or what it even is. I would know because I had NO CLUE...and I consider myself to be in the know on most things military.

Well have I got a juicy tip for you that can save you major bucks. Watch the video below and then take a look below the video for more information.

Many spouses have stated that commissary cashiers are not aware of the policy. To prevent any issues the good ladies at A Full Cup have been so sweet to post the DECA Commissary Policy Handbook which verifies that the commissary honors overage on page 44 7-4N.  Below is a screenshot of the specific page in the policy that covers the overage policy.

Hooah & Smooches

Ask Army Wife 101: How to Find Work Onpost

*I received a question from a reader about working on post. I thought this was an great topic since I have not really touched on the different career options and career counseling programs offered on many military installations for military spouses.

Q. Hello, I am a new Army wife and I feel so overwhemed. My son and I are moving from California to Fort Lewis WA to live onpost. My question is about working on post. I work in social services and my husband said that im sure to find a job there on post, but I dont know what the process of applying is like. Are there services there that can assist me in finding a job?

A. Nicole, their are many programs online and within the military support community to help you locate work on and off post. I have learned that if you prefer to work onpost that usually you will be working for a contract company or the government. Your first step to applying for a job onpost is to visit the Army Civilian Personnel Online site better known as CPOL. This is a site through the Army that many spouses I know personally have used to apply for jobs at their current military installation or surrounding bases. You can seek and apply for onpost employment USA Jobs. There are a plethora of other job hunting sites but these are the most recommended.

In speaking with my friend (another military spouse) who has held numerous contract and government positions onpost , she informed me that for the most part everything is done by computer when it comes to the application process. Alittle birdy put into my ear that the computer seeks out certain keywords when sorting through the many applications they receive. They informed me that this is why it is so important to read the specialized experience and other requirements on the vacancy announcement thoroughly.

If you would like to receive career guidance their are quite a few paths you can take to get career counseling or advice. The first and most obvious one (at least in my opinion) would have to be to visit Military One Source which has a wide array of services to help military spouses find careers in their chosen field as well as in a particular location. The Military.com Spouse Career Center also has some great information as well as communities where you can chat with other spouses seeking employment. CPOL which I mentioned at the beginning of this post also offers some excellent advice on careers for spouses. 

The above information relates to seeking employment through the internet. If you want to speak to someone face to face,consider visiting your local ACS (Army Community Services) which provides all types of services for soldiers and their families.

Lastly you will want to know that most likely you will qualify for Military Spouse Preference. In summary MSP(according to afcrossroads.com) provides priority in the employment selection process for military spouses who have had to relocate due to a PCS. Keep in mind MSP does not guarantee you a job. You can learn more about MSP here.

Best of luck!

Hooah & Smooches

How I'm Able to Speak With the Commissary, PX Housing & Tricare Daily??

I spend countless hours online doing what I love to do research. Sometimes it is researching things for myself or for some of you lovely spouses. In doing that I spend alot of time finding a way to contact someone of relevance which usually means I have to call somewhere and go through a million people to get the job done.

As of lately in my Facebook and Twitter travels I have noticed that many of the services and programs we as spouses use daily are online and corresponding back and forth with us spouses regularly. Yes finally militaary services are finding a way to connect with us patrons on a more personal level.

Did you know that you can chat with AAFES PX & BX right on Facebook?
Many spouses as well as soldiers are using the AAFES Official Fan Page to chat with AAFES and give feedback on customer service as well as get answers to specific issues they may have experienced at a PX. I love this page simply because they are on it usually daily and respond to questions promptly.

You can also tweet with AAFES @aafes_stys on Twitter. Personally I found their Facebook page to be more active.

If your a Facebook addict like me and shop at your local commissary you will be happy to know you can now share your feedback and experiences on the Official DECA Facebook Page. They to also have a Twitter page @TheCommissary . Once again I find their FB page to be more active.

On the health end of the spectrum I know so many of us have Tricare questions or could always use alittle more clarification. You can find that at the Tricare Facebook page. They too can be found on Twitter @Tricare .

Our dental provider United Concordia can be found at their Official Facebook Page where you to can get more great information about benefits as well as ask questions.

Last but not least is Army Housing who I would have to say does an amazing job of getting back to everyone on that posts on their page. People have posted problems they are having with housing at their particular installation and receive a reply. You visit them at their Army Housing Facebook Page.

Now I can't help but to be my normal blunt self and say that the Commissary needs to step up their twitter game. My suggestion please tweet more then once a day. I also think that while it's great to hear about obesity and eating healthy, more tweets and facebook messages on how to save and sales would be better.

Hooah & Smooches

Easter Basket Care Package Ideas

If you have been reading my blog you know that I usually do a post on different holiday care packages. As you know Easter is approaching and while hubby isn't usually into the cutesy wootsie stuff, I thought it would be cute to send a care package with the Easter spirit in mind. While it's nothing creative or new by any means it will give anyone new to care packages an idea of what to put in them and how to put them together.

To learn more about sending packages overseas check out this past blog post.

                               Share your Easter care package ideas below in the comments section.

Hooah & Smooches!

The Commissary Adventures.......

Over the next few weeks Army Wife 101 will present a series of posts on utilizing the commissary and PX and how to save and make the most of your money there.

I will also feature post from guest bloggers who also happen to be military spouses and are skilled in finding some great deals.

You will sometimes see post more then once a day on deals being offered as well as coupons that can be used at the commissary in addition to current sales happening.

I hope you will join me and other military wives as we share the low down on one of the best perks of being a military spouse "The Commissary".

Hooah & Smooches

Winner Of Rubbermaid Giveaway......

Congratulations to the winner of the Rubbermaid Giveaway:

Jenni from Sweet Home Montana .

Congratulations Jenni and thanks for participating!

Pampers Cruisers Review & GIVEAWAY!!!!!! *CLOSED

A few weeks back I was given the opportunity by Pampers to try their new Pampers Cruisers with Dry Max. Now unfortunately I dont' have a little one in diapers, so I gave the opportunity to review them to a lucky military spouse. This is what she thought of them :

Erin From Hawaii:
The new Pampers promised to be thinner, more absorbent and feel dry for up to 12 hours.
Honestly, I am not usually a Pampers brand diaper mom but a free pack of diapers is nothing to pass up! After using the diapers for a week, including overnights, I am sold. The new Pampers are awesome. They keep all of their promises and then some. I was skeptical about the 12 hours of dryness. My daughter is a heavy sleeper and usually sleeps for 11-12 hours per night so I generally change her about half way thru. I decided to 'brave it' and put the Pampers to the test. They lasted all night with no leaks!! The legs have two sets of elastic gatherings around them, this almost guarantees no accidents! I really liked that feature. The thinness of this diaper is also very impressive. Even when full they don't bulk out and sag like a regular diaper. All in all I am very impressed with the new Pampers and will be using them in the future. Thank you Armywife101 for giving me the opportunity to test out the new diapers!!

Thanks to Pampers you can have a chance to win a WEEKS worth of Pampers Cruisers w/Drymax and a Liz Lange diaper clutch retail value $50.

To Enter:

1. Leave a comment below letting me know what what you look for when purchasing diapers. Also leave a valid email so I can contact you if you are the winner.

2. Subscribe via email or as a follower and leave a comment letting me know you subscribed.

The optional ways to enter listed below are just that . You need to complete the mandatory entry in order to enter optional entries. You are NOT obligated to complete the optional entries
* Fan the Army Wife 101 Fan Page which you visit by clicking the Fan page badge to the right side of the page.

* Tweet :Win a Weeks worth of diapers and a diaper clutch from Pampers @armywives101

Contest ends Sunday March 28, 2010 at 11:59 EST. Winner will be chosen via Random.org

* Disclaimer: I was offered a pack of Pampers Cruisers w/Drymax to give a military wife to test. The opinions expressed in the review above are those of another spouse who tried out the diapers and do not necessarily reflect the views expressed here on this blog. I received no other form of compensation for this.