What Is a Twitter Chat?
A Twitter chat is like a meeting on Twitter; it has a specific discussion topic and a scheduled start time. Using the hashtag #MilCents at the end of each tweet, MFAN will ask questions to a group of financial experts.
Military families: Help us combat military hunger in 2021 by taking this 3 minute survey: Take the Survey
The MFAN blog spotlights the latest news affecting our community.
Randi Cairns
on Nov 20, 2020
Military Family Advisory Network’s (MFAN) research over three years revealed that an alarming number of military families face food insecurity. One in eight survey respondents in 2019 reported experiencing food insecurity. Our data showed that survey respondents in Texas were experiencing higher frequencies of food insecurity among national respondents, with one in six families...
Read MoreRené Campos
on Feb 11, 2014
Did you read this headline? “Funding Rift Pits Active Army Against Reserves” How about this one? “Guard Fight Gets Ugly” These headlines were precipitated by remarks from Army Chief of Staff Ray Odierno at a recent National Press Club discussion on military budget cuts. During the event, he said “the National Guard would not be...
Read MoreRandi Cairns
on Feb 2, 2014
When I think about “platforms,” I can’t help but picture sequins, sashes, tiaras, and prayers for world peace. That’s not to say I would ever disparage those who do the pageant circuit; I was just never blessed with the genetics or predisposition to become involved in such things. So when I was asked for my platform...
Read MoreThe 4-11 on the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013
on Jan 28, 2014
A hot topic among military families these days has been the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 and its cuts to military retirees’ pensions through reductions to cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). COLAs are determined by the consumer price index based on the rate of inflation from the previous year. (For more information about COLAs and the difference...
Read MoreOn Monday, Americans honored the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., many by participating in the MLK Day of Service, part of the United We Serve initiative. Groups, individuals, and families came together to clean up their communities, help the underprivileged, and assemble care packages for deployed service members in a celebration...
Read MoreErin Ward, Treasurer
on Nov 19, 2013
The unemployment rate for veterans—especially post-9/11 veterans—and military spouses is above that of their civilian counterparts. Thankfully, many organizations have developed programs, resources, and events focused on hiring and career training for veterans and military spouses, and the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) is no exception. The 2013 AUSA Annual Meeting and Exhibition...
Read MoreBianca Strzalkowski
on Nov 6, 2013
At the 2013 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting and Exposition, Retired Army Colonel David Sutherland told an audience of military families: “The American people know what we are, but they don’t know us.” Col. Sutherland stressed to the AUSA attendees that our nation’s military and nonmilitary communities need to unite in...
Read MoreRené Campos
on Nov 5, 2013
Looking ahead toward Veterans Day, and being interviewed by MFAN about my military service and how things have changed over the last 30 years, got me to thinking about the Whys and Whats of service. For me, the Why was simple—my whole life I’ve had a vision of being or doing something bigger than myself....
Read MoreRené Campos
on Oct 22, 2013
Every parent knows that parenthood is a tough job. Military and veteran parents know the job is even harder because of the challenges and unpredictability of military life—and the transition to civilian life can be equally stressful and uncertain for them and their families. Thanks to a new online tool called Parenting for Service Members...
Read MoreBianca Strzalkowski
on Oct 16, 2013
Veterans’ benefits, military pay threatened as shutdown continues Each morning in classrooms around this nation, our children pledge allegiance to that American flag that is a symbol of freedom, of hope, and of promise. Yet as the clock tolled on Oct. 1, 2013, the government for which the red, white, and blue stands stopped working....
Read MoreJanet Sanchez
on Oct 14, 2013
MFAN is proud to feature advisory board member Janet Sanchez and her organization, Esposas Militares Hispanas USA, during National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Read MoreRebekah Sanderlin
on Oct 11, 2013
On the eve of the federal government shutdown and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, 10 Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN) advisory board members spent last Monday at the White House meeting with government officials and military nonprofit leaders.
Read MoreWelcome to Military Family Advisory Network’s (MFAN) blog. MFAN advisors—spouses, caregivers, veterans, and partners of veterans and service members—have a lot to share, and we’ll use this blog to:
Read MoreMilCents’ Twitter chats are an easy way to talk to other military families and financial experts about your money questions. We know that not everyone is a Twitter expert, so we’ve created an easy guide to get you tweeting in no time.
A Twitter chat is like a meeting on Twitter; it has a specific discussion topic and a scheduled start time. Using the hashtag #MilCents at the end of each tweet, MFAN will ask questions to a group of financial experts.
Twitter chats give you an opportunity to discuss your money questions with other military families and with financial experts. You’ll be able to engage with other participants, read their questions, and maybe even answer some — just follow #MilCents during the chat.
Participation in a MilCents Twitter chat gives you access to a group of financial experts who are ready to answer your questions.
To participate in a Twitter chat you will need a Twitter account. Don’t have an account? Click here to learn how to create one.
To follow or join the chat, head over to MFAN’s Twitter page. If you’d like to ask a question during the chat, send it to @Mil_FANet using hashtag #MilCents.
Google Hangouts are an easy way to connect with people, no matter where they are, via video chat.
New to Hangouts? We’ll show you the ropes. Check out our guide below, and you’ll be “hanging out” in no time!
A Google Hangout is a video chat program that allows you to “hang out” and talk to friends, family, and — in the MilCents program—financial experts! Unlike other video chats, Hangouts can have up to 10 people on screen interacting.
MilCents is using Hangouts to give you the opportunity to talk to financial experts, ask questions, and gain insights on a number of financial topics.
By participating in a Hangout, you can talk face-to-face with financial experts and gain valuable tips to help you learn how to get your money in gear.
Can’t make a Hangout? No problem! All of the Hangouts will be recorded and available on the MilCents website.
Participating in a Hangout is easy. Just click “Play”! Each Hangout will stream live on its daily page on the MilCents website.
The MilCents workbook is a set of worksheets you’ll use during MilCents to get your money in gear. We will use the MilCents workbook at several points during the program, so we suggest you download a copy, save it to your personal computer, and use the same workbook throughout the program.
The workbook is already programmed with formulas to automatically calculate things like your monthly net (the gray cells), so all you need to do is enter the information asked of you in each worksheet (the white cells).
Workbook activities are scheduled for the following topics:
You can contact info@militaryfamilyadvisorynetwork.org if you have questions or need support.
More than ever, accurate data is needed to inform change for military families. In December, we provided more than 500 meals to Fort Hood, Texas families in need. Take our 3 minute survey to help inform other steps we can take to help military families thrive.