Neutral-toned bedroom with a tufted upholstered bed, layered decorative pillows, matching wooden nightstands, and natural light from two windows.

Splurge or Save: A Military Spouse’s Guide to Home Furnishing

Written By Sydney Smith

As a military family, you will most likely move every few years — which means so will all your belongings and household goods. It can really serve military families well to be strategic about what home items to splurge on versus save on. Determining factors can include practicality, durability, flexibility, sizing, etc. When considering a new piece of furniture or a refresh in home decor, you should ask yourself, “Is this PCS practical?” In other words, will this item move well? Is it well made? Can it work in a variety of housing layouts? For instance, a huge sectional couch that doesn’t have modular functionality can pose a big problem for families. I remember being gifted a very large L-shaped couch off our wedding registry, and the regret came almost immediately as we found ourselves house hunting based on which homes our couch would work in. A lot of homes were ruled out because of our couch, and this was a really unfortunate situation I don’t wish on anyone else!

Below, I have included a list of “splurge” items and a list of “save” items. Of course, everyone is going to have their own opinions and priorities when it comes to furnishing and decorating a home, but I can promise that my suggestions are based on personal experience as we are in our fifth military home — and practicality is my first and only priority here.

Splurge on:

  1. A flexible couch: I suggest a modular sectional with washable covers. Don’t let a couch decide your house is a good mantra here. Spending a little more on a couch that can work in a variety of spaces will save you a major headache later. Modular couches also move well, as they are usually constructed in individual seats that can be wrapped and stacked.
  2. Solid wood furniture: Choose quality when searching for dressers, cabinets and tables. Moves are extremely hard on furniture, and I have always regretted getting the cheap particle board furniture. They usually don’t last more than one or two moves, if that.
  3. A mattress: Your mattress is your safe place … where you come to for comfort at the end of each day. It goes with you wherever you move, and you should relish in your mattress. My husband and I refer to our bed as “the cloud” and it immediately makes our new house feel like home.
  4. Appliances in the kitchen: Get that espresso machine. Buy that fancy smoker. You can use these things in any home, and if they bring you joy — it’s simple. Splurge.

Save on:

  1. Curtains and rods: Every house has its own window lengths, heights and quantities. There is just no point in trying to buy high-quality matching curtains for each house. Get the cheapest thing you can stand and don’t plan for longevity. The curtains you buy for one house likely won’t work in the next.
  2. Rugs: I suggest buying cheap rugs and throwing them out every few years when you move. It can be such a refreshing touch to a new home to lay down some new rugs. Rugs can get gross pretty quickly, with heavy foot traffic, kids and pets. Purchase rugs for the spaces you need in each home. Don’t try and find your “forever rugs” for a not-forever home. Settle for the thinner, less durable ones that still add the homey touch you’re going for.
  3. Outdoor items: Every porch, patio and yard will be so different in every house you live in. In fact, none of these things are even guaranteed. It’s OK to want to fill the space where you live and get some cheap secondhand rockers for your front porch that gets the morning sun or some comfy loungers in the backyard while your kids play. You might want to search for a used trampoline a moving neighbor is getting rid of. It’s just not practical to invest in these large purchases when you don’t know if they’ll be functional in your next home. One of my favorite patio “hacks” is putting up a folding table with a cute tablecloth and some stacking chairs. It makes eating outside with the family on nice evenings possible — without breaking the bank.
  4. Trendy/thematic décor: My best advice here is to focus on color schemes you like and timeless decor like framed photos and sentimental pieces. If you get caught up in the theme of where you’re living (i.e. coastal decor when living in Florida), you will most likely be throwing out or donating a lot of those items in just a few years. Simple really is best here. Strive for a timeless home with things that have meaning and bring you joy.

These are far from exhaustive lists, and as I said earlier — to each his own on this topic. This is just a bit of “military spouse wisdom” I have to offer after just under 10 years or living this life — and I hope it can help others who are just starting this journey into military life, or maybe just the journey of simplifying their next PCS.

Blog Brigade unites military spouses by creating a community built on shared experiences and mutual support. Navigating the complexities of military life can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Military OneSource offers valuable resources focused on well-being, readiness, and connection. Explore a range of PCS resources and tools tailored to your needs.

Lizann’s family smiling together in a sunflower field, with four children dressed in blue outfits under a bright summer sky.

Staying Strong When Deployment Days Feel Endless

Written By Lizann Lightfoot

If you’re going through a deployment in the summer, those long, hot days can feel like the hardest part. The days blur together with endless heat, solo parenting, and the emotional weight of doing it all alone. After supporting my husband through seven deployments during his 23 years in the Marines, I know how heavy that fatigue can become. The loneliness, the constant decision-making, and the pressure to keep the kids happy and the household running can quietly lead to burnout. There are realistic ways to protect your energy and stay strong even when the days feel endless.

Lizann’s children riding in a bike trailer and child bike seat while wearing helmets and sunglasses during an outdoor family outing.

Emotional fatigue during a summer deployment hits different. School is out, and the heat makes everything feel more frustrating. You’re not just missing your spouse. On top of that, you’re carrying the full mental load while battling short tempers, cabin fever, and that deep exhaustion that no amount of coffee seems to fix. It’s okay to admit when you’re running empty. Recognizing it is the first step toward protecting yourself instead of pushing through until you break.

Lizann’s children laughing and resting, with one child covering their eyes and another holding a water bottle.

One of the smartest things you can do is carve out intentional time to recharge, even when it feels impossible. This might mean trading childcare with another spouse for a couple of hours so you can sit in a coffee shop alone, or signing up for a short art therapy class offered through base or the local community. Look into free or discounted programs specifically for military families. Many installations and organizations offer a few hours of respite care, reduced rates on summer camps, or special military memberships at the local YMCA pool. These small breaks can restore your emotional capacity more than you expect. I often felt like discovering one new resource could change my entire mood during a deployment summer!

Lizann’s children standing together on a wooden boardwalk surrounded by trees, smiling during a nature walk.

Base resources become lifesavers during the long summer stretch. Check with Outdoor Recreation for boats, camping gear, stand-up paddle boards, or bikes if your base has a lake or trails. The base movie theater often has discounted or free daytime showings for families. Many locations participate in the Kids Bowl Free program, giving families free bowling games all summer at off-base alleys. And don’t overlook your base library! Many run summer reading programs, craft days, and kick-off parties that get kids excited while giving you a cool place to gather for a couple of hours.

Three children waving and smiling at an outdoor community event with inflatable activities and crowds in the background.

That said, sometimes just getting out the door and accessing those resources feels like too much. When your tank is truly empty, the best move is to give yourself permission to step back. Take a deep breath, lower the bar, and focus your limited energy on what truly matters. Some days that might mean frozen pizzas for dinner and a family movie night instead of a planned outing. Simpler meals, more time outside in the morning or evening when it’s cooler, and small daily rituals can help more than grand plans. During one long deployment, I started watching the sunset with my kids most evenings. Dad was on a ship somewhere in the Pacific, so watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean helped us feel connected to him for a few moments.

Lizann and her daughter smiling together on a sunny beach with ocean waves and palm trees in the background.

Military OneSource offers excellent tools specifically for these moments. Their Chill Drills app includes guided breathing exercises and meditation resources to help regulate your nervous system when anxiety or overwhelm creeps in. You can also call 800-342-9647 for free, confidential support from consultants who understand military life. They can connect you with local programs, short-term counseling, or parenting coaching tailored to deployment challenges. Don’t hesitate to use them. They exist for exactly this kind of season.

Lizann’s children sitting and climbing on a fallen tree in a wooded area, with a toddler seated in a child carrier backpack.

Sticking to regular, flexible routines will help everyone survive the long haul. Keep mornings predictable with simple breakfasts and a loose schedule, but give yourself room to adjust when the heat or emotions run high. Let the kids have extra screen time on the hardest days without guilt. Stay connected with your spouse in ways that feel sustainable rather than pressured. Sometimes short voice messages or funny memes can be enough when long video calls feel draining. Give yourself credit for the small wins: getting through another hot afternoon, making your kids laugh, or simply making it to bedtime.

Lizann and her children posing together on a rocky ocean overlook with waves crashing behind them on a sunny day.

The long stretch of a summer deployment tests your strength in ways few people understand. But you are already proving how resilient you are just by continuing to show up for your family every single day. You don’t have to do this perfectly. You just have to do one day at a time. Use the resources available, lower the bar when you need to, and celebrate the quiet victories. The deployment will end, the heat will break, and you will come out of this season stronger than you realize.

Blog Brigade unites military spouses by creating a community built on shared experiences and mutual support. Navigating the complexities of military life can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Military OneSource offers valuable resources focused on well-being, readiness and connection. Explore a range of Morale, Welfare and Recreation resources and tools tailored to your needs.

Kristi’s family dressed in formal attire posing together outside a brick building.

Lifelong Benefits for Military Kids

Written By Kristi Stolzenberg

Nothing puts terms like “lifelong” or “for life” in perspective quite like military separation. The end of military service is punctuated by a change in benefits and lifestyle. In the last year, I’ve heard more about TRICARE, DoD ID renewal, base access, and Veterans Affairs services than ever before. It’s not hard to begin believing that “benefits” are black and white. They’re earned and retained according to policy. For retirees, they’re forever—lifelong, for life. The same is true for military spouses, with a few exceptions. Military kids will eventually age out of TRICARE, base access, and other benefits earned by their service member parent unless they choose to serve.

Kristi’s family exploring an elevated outdoor walkway in a city, as a child takes a photo of Kristi’s husband leaning on the railing.

Did this realization make me a little more emotional than rationally necessary? Of course, in my mind it’s no different than other milestones of growing up. Our kids lose baby teeth, ditch their training wheels, learn to drive, graduate, follow their own paths, and get their own health insurance. The simultaneous pull of parental torture and pride continues.

Kristi’s family posing together beneath a bright orange pathway.

Redefining Benefits

While we can’t keep them (or keep them on our TRICARE plan) forever, there are things they can never lose:

  • The culture they picked up along the way has some staying power. The places they’ve lived around the globe have shaped their understanding of the world. Whether outside the gates in Japan or on base in North Carolina, I’m proud that our kids appreciate diversity and customs different than their own. I’m grateful that they respect rules, customs, and traditions. I hope they continue to curiously ask questions and deepen their understanding of the world and the people in it.
  • The stories and photos they have are proof of a full childhood. Even though it’s been nearly 10 years since we moved to Japan, their time there is still incredibly relevant. Just this month, our son completed a school history project about the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He has actually visited ground zero in both places. They are real to him, and experience is an amazing teacher. More casually, I love hearing any time our kids can stun a classroom by sharing they lived in Japan—or even other parts of the U.S.—or they’ve traveled all over Asia. I hope they will always keep people guessing when they play Two Truths and a Lie!
  • The family we chose aren’t blood relatives, of course, but they have a crew of honorary aunts and uncles who will always be in their corner. They’re growing up alongside bonus cousins, and it’s made this mama’s heart soar knowing that they have so many people who love them (and attend their games and recitals and remember their birthdays). That kind of bond is definitely “for life.”
  • The pride and gratitude they carry for military service members was inspired by their own dad’s service. They were lucky enough to see firsthand what it means to stand for something bigger than themselves. They’ve seen the true meaning of sacrifice, and the importance in showing up and giving one hundred percent. Whether they choose to serve one day or not, I will never doubt that they respect those who wear the uniform and the families that serve alongside them.

Our kids might not have their DoD IDs forever, but they have plenty more (and more flattering) photos to look back on. Their years of being military kids and the experiences, people, and places that shaped it are theirs for life.

People river watching floating lanterns drift beneath a bridge during an outdoor evening event.

Blog Brigade unites military spouses by creating a community built on shared experiences and mutual support. Navigating the complexities of military life can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Military OneSource offers valuable resources focused on well-being, readiness and connection. Explore a range of military child and youth resources and tools tailored to your needs.

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