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 | MilitaryByOwner Advertising, Inc.
Newsletter
December 2010
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As yet another year comes to a close, we would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers for an amazing year here at MilitaryByOwner.com. We appreciate the loyalty you have shown to us by returning to our site year after year, to advertise your homes or to find new ones near your next duty station.
You continue to spread the word to your friends and your feedback about how we can enhance your experience is what drives us to make the changes you have recently seen on our site. We also appreciate your patience as we refine some of the new features we are happy to offer you. Without our customers, we would not exist, so thank you for another wonderful year and may the holiday season be one of joy and celebration.
May we all take a moment to remember our service members and their families that will spend this season separated from one another, so that all Americans can continue to enjoy the enduring freedom that we hold so dear.
Since this is the season of thanks and giving, we thought it only appropriate to use our Featured Site segment this month will give you all of the information you need to make a charitable donation to those organizations that support our troops and their families. If you are looking for a way to give to those that have given so much to us, please take a look and see if there is a charity that touches your heart!
Last month we posted the recommended shipping dates for packages sent overseas. We have included them again even though many of the deadlines for shipping packages to Iraq or Afghanistan, by the most inexpensive means have already passed, as there is still time to get packages and letters overseas in time for the holidays!
Typically this is the time of year when I get to joyously announce the expected military pay raise for the upcoming year. However, this year there is not an official announcement about the cost of living raise for military families. I have included information on the proposed pay freeze that is before Congress at this time, so that it might clear up any confusion on how that will affect military families. When there is an official announcement regarding a pay raise, I will pass it along.
We continue to offer our customers great ways to advertise their businesses, and our newsletter is another area in which you can highlight your business to our over 48,000 subscribers on a monthly basis.
For samples of the advertisements, take a look at those in the right column of this issue. For pricing or questions, please contact me.
If there is anything that you would like to see us include in a future edition of our newsletter, I would love to hear from you!
Monica Schaefer
Editor
MilitaryByOwner Advertising, Inc.
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MilitaryByOwner News 
We wish you a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!
Remember our chat lines are open M-F, 9am-9pm EST with any questions.
Just a reminder, if you have sold or rented your home advertised on the website, please update your status. This provides home buyers/renters the most accurate home search results.
Have a suggestion? Email us!
Sharon
www.militarybyowner.com
Office: 866 604 9126, M-F, 9am-5pm EST Live Chat, M-F, 9am-9pm EST
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SecDef Holiday Message
 U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
Speech
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2010 Holiday Message
Message by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, Washington, DC, Wednesday, November 24, 2010
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During this upcoming season of joy, thanksgiving, and celebration, I want to extend my warmest greetings, deep thanks, and best wishes, to the brave men and women of the United States military, and to their families.
I know the holiday season is especially difficult for those service members who are unable to spend it with their loved ones. These troops sacrifice their holidays, so that fellow Americans can safely enjoy theirs. In doing so, they are part of a tradition that dates back to our nation's founding.
On Christmas Night, December 25, 1776, General George Washington and his band of 2,400 men crossed the icy Delaware River, won victories against British and German troops, and stirred new hope into the struggle for freedom and liberty.
Nearly one year after that famed crossing, the Continental Congress celebrated the hard-fought victory of our troops at Saratoga, New York, by proclaiming the first ever national day of Thanksgiving.
Today, more than two hundred years later, thanks to the efforts and toughness of the men and women of the U.S. military, the cause of freedom and liberty endures. And though nothing can extinguish the pain of being away from family during this time, our troops can find comfort in knowing that the American people are forever indebted to them and grateful for their selflessness and commitment to America's security.
To the troops who watch over our nation: I thank you for your service, and I pray for your safe return home. To the families who share their loved ones to defend our great nation: I thank you for your sacrifices and support.
May God forever protect and bless you, your families, and our nation.
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USAA Corner 
Tips to Take Control of Credit Card Debt
Courtesy of USAA
Many people may choose to ignore how much they are throwing away in credit card interest, and how long it will actually take to pay off their debt.
But committing yourself to getting out of debt can save you a lot of money over time.
The following example shows how much you can save by increasing your monthly payments. Of course, this assumes that you don't rack up more debt along the way.
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Paying Down Credit Card Debt
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Amount of Debt
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Interest Rate
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Monthly Payment
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Time to Pay it Off
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Interest Accrued
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$10,000
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12.0%
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2% of outstanding balance
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368 months (over 30 years)
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$9,696.43
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$10,000
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12.0%
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$200
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65 months (over 5 years)
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$2,989.61
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$10,000
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12.0%
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$500
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22 months (under 2 years)
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$984.83
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Here are some tips to get your debt under control from USAA financial planner June Walbert :
1. Know How Much You're Spending
Creating and sticking to a budget takes discipline, but it's the best way to watch what you're spending while setting something aside for savings.
2. Stop Racking Up More Debt
Avoid charging more than you can pay off each month. Put the credit cards away if you have to.
3. Save for a Rainy Day
If you don't have an emergency fund to cover at least three months of basic expenses, you should save money and pay off your debt at the same time. By having cash on hand to pay for emergencies, such as car repairs or a job layoff, you'll be less likely to sink further into debt.
4. Consolidate to Lower Interest
Transfer your high-interest rate debt to a low-rate card. Look for low rates on the life of a balance transfer so you don't
have to worry about playing the transfer game every year. Cut up the other cards and close the accounts.
Check rates on USAA's credit cards.
USAA Can Help
USAA's financial advisors can help you tackle debt and help you prepare for retirement, college, or whatever goal you want to reach.
Walbert explains, "People wonder, 'Should I stop contributing to my retirement plan to pay off my credit card debt? Or should I pay down my mortgage or car loan?' I help members develop a prioritized plan to pay off their debt."
Walbert also stays in touch with our members and tracks their progress. "That causes many of them to think twice about making purchases that will make their financial situation worse," she says.
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Military Life
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Obama Proposes Federal Pay Freeze
By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2010 - President Barack Obama today proposed a two-year federal pay freeze to aid in reducing the federal deficit
The proposed freeze would not affect military pay, and would require congressional action to become law.
"[The freeze] would save $2 billion over the rest of this fiscal year and $28 billion in cumulative savings over the next five years," the president said in announcing the proposal.
Obama said federal employees must help bear the burden of economic sacrifices to put the federal budget back on track along with Americans in the private sector, but he acknowledged the pay freeze proposal is a decision that didn't come easily.
"This is not just a line item on a federal register," he said. "These are people's lives. They're doctors and nurses who care for our veterans, scientists who search for better treatments and cures, men and women who care for our national parks and secure our borders and our skies, Americans who see that the Social Security checks get out on time, who make sure that scholarships come through, who devote themselves to our safety."
When Obama took office in January 2009, he immediately froze salaries for senior White House officials. Earlier this year, he also proposed freezing salaries for all political appointees throughout the government, White House officials said.
Obama noted today that he also has proposed a three-year freeze on all nonsecurity discretionary spending, a step he said would bring that spending to its lowest level as a share of the economy in 50 years.
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Related Sites:
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Miilitary Life II
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2009
Media Contact: Dave Lewin
(O) 202-268-8567
(C) 202-255-2421
dlewin@usps.gov
usps.com/news
Release No. 09-094
Sending Military Mail in Time for the Holidays
Discount Available on Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box to APO/FPO Addresses
WASHINGTON-As the nation turns its attention to those who served their country today, the U.S. Postal Service is reminding friends and families of current service members about the shipping options available for sending packages, cards and letters to military addresses around the world for the upcoming holiday season.
To help the friends and families of service members, the Postal Service offers four different size and shape options at convenient flat-rate pricing, including a Priority Mail APO/FPO Large Flat Rate Box that provides a $2 discount for APO/FPO destinations. At nearly 800 cubic inches and measuring 12" x 12" x 5 ½", the box is 50 percent larger than other USPS flat-rate boxes. The price to ship anything that fits in the box is just $11.95 to APO/FPO destinations, regardless of how much it weighs, up to 70 lbs. The price to U.S. addresses is just $13.95. Additional discounts are available for customers printing their Priority Mail postage labels online atClick-N-Ship. Mail sent to overseas military addresses is charged only domestic mail prices.
The Postal Service expects to process more than 30 million pounds of mail destined for overseas military installations during November and December, including war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Whether you're shipping to U.S. or international military destinations, our large flat-rate box is the best overall value in the marketplace," said Gary Reblin, vice president, Expedited Shipping. "Our Large Flat Rate Box gives customers shipping gifts to military personnel a simple, flat rate regardless of how much the package weighs or how far it's going. If it fits, it ships."
The Postal Service continues to show its support by offering free Military Care Kits, designed specifically for military families sending packages overseas. The mailing kits can be ordered by calling 1-800-610-8734 and asking for the Care Kit. Each kit includes two "America Supports You" Priority Mail Large Boxes, four Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Boxes, six Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape and six customs forms with envelopes.
Ordering Priority Mail APO/FPO Large Flat Rate boxes featuring the "America Supports You" logo and detailed information about mailing letters and packages to military destinations is available online at http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/ .
Customers can order Priority Mail boxes online at usps.com/supplies, by calling 1-800-610-8734 or by picking them up in Post Offices nationwide.
All Postal Service Priority Mail and Express Mail packages and envelopes are environmentally friendly, exceeding the highest standards for recyclability.
To ensure delivery of holiday cards and packages by Dec. 25 to military APO/FPO addresses overseas, the Postal Service recommends that mail for service members be entered no later than the mailing dates listed below.
Mail addressed to military post offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restrictions regarding content, preparation and handling. APO/FPO addresses generally require customs forms. To see a table of active APO and FPO addresses and mailing restrictions by individual APO/FPO ZIP Codes, go to pe.usps.com and click "Postal Bulletins" in the left column. Select the current issue and look for the heading "Overseas Military Mail."
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MILITARY MAILING DEADLINES | |
Military Mail Addressed To |
Express Mail® Military Service (EMMS)1/ |
First-Class Mail® Letters and Cards |
Priority Mail® |
Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) 2/ |
Space Available Mail (SAM)3/ |
Parcel Post® | |
APO/FPO AE ZIPs 090-092 |
Dec-18 |
Dec-11 |
Dec-11 |
Dec-4 |
Nov-28 |
Nov-13 | |
APO/FPO AE ZIP 093 |
N/A |
Dec-4 |
Dec-4 |
Dec-1 |
Nov-21 |
Nov-13 | |
APO/FPO AE ZIPs 094-098 |
Dec-18 |
Dec-11 |
Dec-11 |
Dec-4 |
Nov-28 |
Nov-13 | |
APO/FPO AA ZIP 340 |
Dec-18 |
Dec-11 |
Dec-11 |
Dec-4 |
Nov-28 |
Nov-13 | |
APO/FPO AP ZIPs 962-966 |
Dec-18 |
Dec-11 |
Dec-11 |
Dec-4 |
Nov-28 |
Nov-13 |
1/ EMMS: Express Mail Military Service is available to selected military post offices. Check with your local Post Office to determine if this service is available to your APO/FPO of address.
2/ PAL: PAL is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. It is available for Parcel Post items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface rate of postage for each addressed piece sent by PAL service.
3/ SAM: SAM parcels are paid at the Parcel Post postage rate with maximum weight and size limits of 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined. SAM parcels are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space-available basis.
The Postal Service receives no taxpayer dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
# # #
Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom atwww.usps.com/communications/newsroom/welcome.htm.
A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 150 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes. The Postal Service receives no tax dollars. With 36,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, the Postal Service relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years and the sixth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $68 billion and delivers nearly half the world's mail. If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 26th in the 2008 Fortune 500.
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Featured Site
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A Season for Thanks and Giving
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The current economy has had a profound effect on many Americans, including many of our military families. While you may not be in a position to make a monetary donation this year, there are ways that you can give the gift of your time or maybe you belong to a local organization that is looking for a way to give back this year!
We have included a variety of organizations that support our armed forces in many different ways. Even something as simple as sending a card to our troops!
Take a look and see if there is something that touches your heart.
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Sometimes the best gift of all is one of thanks and gratitude!
Sears Heroes at Home program provides support to military service members, veterans and their families.
Operation Homefront gives you an opportunity to assist families in a variety of areas, such as food assistance, auto repair and donations of household items and appliances. Click the link above to see the current needs of our military families. There may be one in your area that you can help by donating the washer and dryer you are replacing this year or organize a gift card drive to support a military family.
Trees for Troops is an awesome way to bring a little holiday cheer into the home of a military family.
If you are in the Ft. Detrick area, check out their amazing Operation Happy Holidays (OHH) program that assists families in the local community that have a valid financial need by supplementing their holiday season with food, clothing and gifts.
Fisher House has been a champion for military families that need a home away from home when they have a loved one that is injured or sick. What a great cause to support!
Fisher House also administers the program called Hero Miles, where you can donate your frequent flyer miles to provide transportation to service members and their families when they need to travel to a VA medical center for treatment.
Operation Homefront and Dollar Tree have paired up to bring toys to the children of military families. It is as easy as stopping by a Dollar Tree store and donating the toys right at the cash register. Don't have a Dollar Tree near you? You can do it just as easily online!
The American Red Cross has long been a symbol of care and comfort for military families. They are the first responders when there is a family in need. They provide communication and assistance for active duty military when there is a family emergency back home. They are also there to provide care and comfort to our patriots that are in VA hospitals.
National Military Family Association has created many programs to support military families. One of which is their fantastic Operation Purple camps that help children through the deployment cycle. From personal experience, I can tell you that this camp is an amazing opportunity for military kids to receive support and gratitude for all that they sacrifice. It is great to see organizations that look at all aspects of the military family dynamic.
Sometimes the simple things are the things that mean the most! A letter of appreciation can go a long way for our service members that are away from home over the holidays. It is always nice to let them know how much we appreciate their sacrifice and to let them know they are never forgotten! Check out AMillionThanks.org for ways you can easily reach out this holiday season!
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Featured Home
For Sale by Owner
Price: $475,000
Mountain Home, ID - East Aeronca Court
4 Bed, 3.5 Bath (Single Family)
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Testimonial
I would just like to thank you for providing this website! We have been so successful renting our house in Portsmouth RI!! Military families are so awesome to rent to and it makes life so much less stressful for my husband and I to rent our home while we finish up our college education and living closer to our university, University of Rhode Island.
Thanks,
C.D.
Newport Naval Education and Training Center, R.I.
12/10
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