Tune in to our first episode of Bellas Alum, a special, ongoing set of interviews during which we will converse with women who have spent 20+ years serving in uniform or on the home front. Our first guest is a gem! She started out on active duty, transitioned to the reserves, and has spent 31 years–and counting–in uniform. She’s also dual-military with an active duty spouse, the mother of three grown children, an expert home remodeler, and a gourmet cook. Don’t miss this awesome conversation!

Have someone you think would make a great Bellas Alum guest? Send us their info at bellasadbellum@gmail.com.

Episode 13 – Mom of Military

Just a tad late for Mother’s Day, but in honor of nonetheless, Episode 13, a great talk with a very special guest – Julie’s mom, Debra.  As a spouse of a military member and a mom to a military gal, Debra shares her perspective on guiding young people as they consider the option of joining military service, and her perspective on supporting your military member spouse.  Listen in for a viewpoint you probably haven’t considered: your mom’s!  Then, call your mom for Mother’s Day and thank her for supporting you in your decisions and tell her you realize she may have sacrificed some of herself to do so.

We love you, moms!

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, by Malcolm Gladwell

April’s Bellas ad Books selection was The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, published by Back Bay Books, New York, 2002.

I should offer a disclaimer: I love just about anything Malcolm Gladwell writes, so I was already inclined to think favorably of this book.  Then again, I’m hardly the only one who thinks Malcolm Gladwell writes some fantastic stuff, and I arrived at my opinion after having read Blink, Outliers, and David and Goliath, all of which were deeply absorbing.  I would also add to my disclaimer that reading any Gladwell writing takes on a totally different tone, rhythm and intensity if you’ve ever listened to Malcolm Gladwell’s podcast, “Revisionist History,” which Gladwell himself narrates.  I read Blink, Outliers and David and Goliath before ever having heard Gladwell’s natural speaking rhythm, but read Tipping Point afterwards and it totally changed the way I heard the words of the book in my head.  I recommend giving his podcast a listen from time to time to hear his books in a totally new way.

So what is this book about?  “How little things can make a big difference” is a pretty good hook, but not wholly specific.  In answer, the author explains, “The name given to that one dramatic moment in an epidemic when everything can change all at once is the Tipping Point” (pg. 9).  Why do we even need to discuss that one dramatic moment?  Because “we are all, at heart, gradualists, our expectations set by the steady passage of time” (pg. 13).  That is, human beings have a tendency to believe that change happens gradually and slowly.  Military members and their families can attest to this truth first-hand.  Moving to a new assignment location is less stressful and challenging if we have some time to adapt to the change, isn’t it?  It’s those times when the change happens quickly and without much warning that we feel disoriented and struggle to cope.  We expect things to change gradually, but they don’t.

In his own words, Gladwell seeks to answer the questions “Why is it that some ideas or behaviors or products start epidemics and others don’t?  And what can we do to deliberately start and control positive epidemics of our own?” (pg. 14).  Consider the significance of this question to you personally: imagine you supervise a group of military members struggling to find a group identity and purpose.  How do you create a “contagious” vision and an environment where your guidance and direction can feed a positive epidemic?  Or if you’re the home front warrior, understanding The Power of Context can help you understand why your kids are more sensitive to their environment than you might think.  Or maybe you’re a spouse of a military member with a professional career. Knowing the Three Rules of Epidemics might help you see opportunities in your career.

What are these Three Rules of Epidemics?:

1. The Law of the Few
   2. The Stickiness Factor
   3. The Power of Context

The Law of the Few says “social epidemics are driven by a handful of exceptional people” (pg. 21):

1. Connectors: “Connectors are the people whom all of us can reach in only a few steps because, for one reason or another, they manage to occupy many different worlds and subcultures and niches” (pg. 48) Gladwell’s discussion of Connectors is a fascinating explanation of the Six Degrees of Separation, the concept behind the game “Seven Steps to Kevin Bacon” (or six, if that’s how you play).  Gladwell tells us about a computer scientist at the University of Virginia who quantified how connected a quarter million or so actors and actresses are to Kevin Bacon, a kind of “Bacon Quotient.”  Surprisingly, the average Bacon Quotient is 2.8312.  That is, “Anyone who has ever acted…can be linked to Bacon in an average of under three steps” (pg. 47).  If it always takes you six or more steps to connect to Kevin Bacon, you need to up your Bacon game.
2. Mavens: Mavens are “Information Specialists” (pg. 60), or individuals who accumulate knowledge, not just for themselves personally, but with the aim of helping others. “The critical thing about Mavens…is that they aren’t passive collectors of information…what sets them apart is that once they figure out how to get that deal, they want to tell you about it too” (pg. 62).  They are more socially motivated.  “A Maven is someone who wants to solve other people’s problems generally by solving his own” (pg. 66). The immediate thought that came to my mind when I read this was our special guest in Episodes 09 and 10, Airman MilDollar, who runs the Military Dollar blog and is passionate about sharing some knowledge that feels inaccessible with the average military member, to help them reach a better financial state.
3. Salesman: Salesman are persuasive, likeable, and have charisma. Don’t think the pestering salesman in the furniture store who follows you around like a stalker.  Think instead of your energetic friend who is always good company and convinces you – or even inspires you without any coercion at all – to take new action.  This is often the kind of charismatic leader we are inspired to follow as military members.

The Stickiness Factor is the second of the Three Rules of Epidemics and explains what is important about the message itself, rather than just the people through which the message is transmitted.  “The Stickiness Factor says there are specific ways of making a contagious message memorable; there are relatively simple changes in the presentation and structuring of information that can make a big difference in how much of an impact it makes” (pg. 25).  As we all know, it’s not usually sufficient that our charismatic and likeable friend tells us about a new restaurant they just discovered.  Gladwell explains, “the content of the message matters too.  And the specific quality that a message needs to be successful is the quality of “stickiness.”…Is the message….memorable? Is it so memorable, in fact, that it can create change, that it can spur someone to action?” (pg. 92).  Are you trying to sell your flight on embracing a change to their process, of a reorientation of their vision?  Consider ways you could increase the message’s “stickiness.”  “The Law of the Few says that there are exceptional people out there who are capable of starting epidemics.  All you have to do is find them.  The lesson of stickiness is the same.  There is a simple way to package information that, under the right circumstances, can make it irresistible.  All you have to do is find it” (pg. 132).

The Power of Context, the third of the Rules of Epidemics, says that “human beings are a lot more sensitive to their environments than they may seem” (pg. 29).  From this point to almost the end of the book, Gladwell examines numerous case studies, including how Gore-Tex organizes their teams for maximum effectiveness, how graffiti relates to crime rates and the pitfalls of the US’s anti-teen smoking campaign.  Some of these case studies uncover novel information that you will be surprised you never knew.  Applying the rules of epidemics and the Power of Context to a few of these case studies felt like squeezing into a pair of pants that honestly doesn’t fit me anymore, but the information and the story-telling is enjoyable nonetheless.

Some key take-aways from the book were:

• “Starting epidemics requires concentrating resources on a few key areas” (pg. 255-256).
• “The world – much as we want it to – does not accord with our intuition. This is the second lesson of the Tipping Point” (pg. 258).
• “In the end, Tipping Points are a reaffirmation of the potential for change and the power of intelligence action. Look at the world around you.  It may seem like an immovable, implacable place.  It is not.  With the slightest push – in just the right place – it can be tipped” (pg. 259).

Our May Bellas ad Book selection is The Woman Who Smashed Codes by Jason Fagone, a biography of Elizebeth Smith Friedman, one of America’s earliest crpytanalysts.  If you have suggestions of a book you’d like to see in the Bellas ad Books line-up, let us know!

Episode 11 – Base Finance Office: Part 1 of new “Know Your Resources” mini-series

Let’s be honest – some base functions and organizations are more important to us personally than other base functions or orgs:  The base/post finance office, the clinic, and the legal office are some examples.  Sure, our base, post or installation has an important mission and obviously, jet engine noise is the sound of freedom, but let’s be real: nothing turns up the stress volume in our lives like money, health and legal issues, so sometimes we just honestly care more about how and how well those organizations function and meet our needs, rather than how many sorties are launched daily, or how well the most recent drill went.  The finance office, the clinic and the legal office specifically are base functions and organizations with which we interact with some urgency.  Knowing what they do – and critically, what they don’t do – how we can help them help us, and knowing how to be prepared whenever we interact with them is critical knowledge for any military member or dependent.

With this episode on the Base Finance office, we introduce our “Know Your Resources” mini-series to bring you just that information, and help you…well, know your resources.  In this episode, we talk to a finance officer who has worked in several base finance organizations and hear her “insider” perspective on what you need to know most about the Base Finance Office.  One of the first comments she shares with us is foundational to interacting with the finance office on mutually satisfactory terms and that is: the finance office does not give financial advice.  They are not allowed to advise you in your personal finances.  Fortunately, if you’re looking for personal financial knowledge, listen to our previous episodes and see the show notes for each to find great resources that will arm you with the knowledge you need to be confident in your personal finances!

In this episode though, we cover the basics of what the Base Finance Office does and doesn’t do.  We talk about how to read your LES, why adjustments to your pay might occur, how to prepare for a deployment from a Base Finance viewpoint, and how to be prepared to interact with the Base Finance Office successfully.  While this information is at a very basic level and should generally provide information useful to all listeners, it is worth remembering that each base, post or installation has a slightly different method of operating and the information provided here is descriptive, not prescriptive.  If you want to learn more about your particular installation’s finance office, our guest expert has a great recommendation for you: more and more installation finance offices are providing information about their hours of operation, methods of contact and customer service information on social media sites.  Before you walk into your local finance office, stressed out and ready to unleash, take a moment to search for your office online and prepare yourself for success.

* Note: Our apologies for the poor audio quality in places.  Due to the nature of recording in separate locations as well as interviewing a guest on neutral turf, the quality of the initial audio recording was diminished by background ambient noise, some of which we were unable to mitigate in post-processing.

For many military members, their military service is more than a job, it’s a calling.  We feel strongly about our profession, respect our co-workers and overall, feel that our work has meaning and significance.  But what about what we do after our military time is over?  Will we feel as passionately about our civilian job?  Or, for other military members, the military was a good place to start, but not necessarily our life’s calling, and we’re looking ahead to our next career, assuming Nat Geo will hire us as freelance travel photojournalists who have little experience.  ; )  Feelings can be even more complicated for spouses of military members.  Maybe you didn’t choose a military life – it chose you and you said yes.  But you’re really looking forward to a time you can move back home, be close to family, and find your forever house – the one where you can finally paint the walls whatever color you want.

Whatever your motivations for joining the military were, or whatever your feelings about military service are, most likely, you’re still thinking about the future and what your life will look like after military service.  Picture that vision for a moment.  See the dream house, the ideal location, the travel destinations, or the freedom to pursue your passions.  Now, how are you going to pay for that?  Do you know how much your dream future will cost?  Do you have a plan for getting there?  If you know the answers to all of those questions, you’re going to love this episode – we talk about that!  If you don’t have answers to all of those questions, you’re going to love this episode!  Why?  Because in this episode, we’re going to talk about Financial Independence, or the freedom and ability to afford the life you dream of living.

In our previousepisode, our special guest, Airman MilDollar talked about aspects of planning and saving for retirement unique to military members.  As a follow-up to that conversation, in Episode 10, we’re going to talk about the FIRE movement, or Financial Independence Retire Early.  What is Financial Independence? Answer: “The ability to fund your desired lifestyle without the need for paid work. (As defined on the FIRE Flyer, created by Airman MilDollar and posted here on her blog, Military Dollar).  What is Retire Early? Answer: “The option to spend your time as you choose, whether that includes paid work or not” (As defined on the FIRE Flyer above).  How do you do that? Answer: Reliably replace paid work income with other types of income that meet or exceed your annual expenses (Same FIRE Flyer).

In this episode, we talk about the foundation of Financial Independence: living within your income and cutting your expenses – a little at a time if necessary – with the goal of achieving a high savings rate.  Achieving Financial Independence can mean any number of things.  It could mean not having to work again after your military career.  It could mean finding civilian employment you love and are passionate about post-military.  It may mean traveling extensively or building your dream home.

We also discuss the Pillars of FI: frugal living, super-charged savings, and harnessing the power of investing.  Airman MilDollar will answer some questions like,

• What if you’re not able to put a lot of money into savings right now? I live in an area with a high cost of living, or I have kids and there’s not a lot of room in my military paycheck for all of that.
• Is “frugal living” synonymous with “being miserable” or depriving myself of things all my friends enjoy?
• What if I don’t want to cut some of my discretionary spending just to be able to save more for a retirement I might not ever reach? What benefit does FI have for me then?

We also talk about other income sources such as off duty employment and owning rental homes.  In fact, we discuss rental properties quite a bit, covering the 1% rule, why one might buy versus rent then decide to become a landlord, and some challenges of being a landlord.  Warning: We’re honest and real in this section!

If you were already on the path to Financial Independence, or maybe by now we’ve convinced you, one question you might have is “How do I know when I’ve achieved FI.”  Airman MilDollar provides both the simple and the more complicated answer and explains both.  The simple answer: The Safe Withdrawal Rate or 4% rule.  The more complicated answer: Account for other sources of income like a pension, income from rental property or Social Security; adjust your current expenses for the expenses you expect in retirement (more travel, fewer kids); account for health care expenses.

As we did in the Retirement episode, we’ll discuss pitfalls on the way to FI specific to military members.  Our biggest observation is that the culture of “I work hard, I deserve to spend my money on ___” is commonplace in the military.  It’s okay to spend your money, but evaluate what your truly value.  Do you really value a brand new car, or would you value living the life you want to have after the military more?

On the other side of pitfalls, we’ll talk about advantages of military service in the pursuit of FI, including: Cheap health care post-retirement; the GI Bill, which makes paying for fun education in retirement cheap or free, or allows FI parents to save for kids’ college education without diverting money for retirement savings; and the military pension.

Finally, we’ll talk about a lot of great podcasts, blogs and books that can help you learn more about FIRE, or be your community as you pursue FIRE.  We are so appreciative of Airman MilDollar sharing her valuable time and expertise with us and we encourage you to explore her blog, Military Dollar, to learn more about this, and many military money-related topics.