NMCRS HAWAII

Helping Sailors and Marines Take Care of their Own

Financial Management

A primary focus of the NMCRS to promote financial education and training to help Navy and Marine Corps servicemembers avert possible financial difficulties through an awareness of the importance of sensible financial management.

 

 

Budgeting for Baby. This class is held twice a month on Pearl Harbor and Marine Corps Base Hawaii. It provides basic pre-natal and post-natal information to expectant parents while also discussing the financial implications of having a baby. Class attendees receive a free NMCRS "Layette" bag containing baby items.

 

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is committed to helping Navy and Marine Corps servicemembers and their families with financial assistance in the form of interest free loans in times of need. Although strongly committed to continuing to provide this financial assistance, NMCRS also strives to help servicemembers become more aware of their finances through education and training.

 

 

Where to begin:

 

One of the first stumbling blocks to managing personal finances is finding a starting point. People often get discouraged even before they begin.

At the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), our first recommendation is to develop a realistic budget. This budget should reflect an actual picture of income versus expenses. Once this information is collected, and projected changes are identified, then short- and long-term goals can be established. NMCRS has budget worksheets available for your use. Our Volunteer Interviewers use the "Monthly Budget" worksheet on a daily basis. Call to make an appointment and an Interviewer will be happy to assist you in completing this worksheet. If you prefer to complete your budget on your own, you can pick up our "Be Money Wise" budget worksheet. This worksheet is simple and uses a step-by-step approach to budget development. Whichever budget worksheet you choose, understanding your finances through budgeting is the first step in controlling potential problems.

A completed budget will help you to make sound choices about future purchases. The purchase of a new car, for example, may not fit your current budget. Recognizing this before you buy will avoid the stress associated with repaying a car loan, as well as meeting associated expenses like insurance and maintenance.

An off-shoot of sound budgeting is being a smart consumer. Once you recognize how and why you spend your money, you will take a second look at those so-called "bargains" and see that what initially looks like a great buy, may actually cost you more in the long run.

 

“Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Your First Resource--NOT Your Last Resort!”