Welcome to the first episode in our Financial Readiness series on MilSpouse Transition Conversations!
In this kickoff conversation, host Anna Larson sits down with Sarah Roder, CFEI®, Director of Partnerships and Member Engagement at Armed Forces Mutual, to dig into the real numbers behind military-to-civilian transition.
This episode lays the groundwork for building a strong financial plan by better understanding financial readiness. We dive into military vs civilian pay, budgeting basics, credit scores, debt management, and what to look for when working with a financial planner who understands military life.
Sarah provides practical tips, honest insights, and the know-how to help you take control of your finances before, during, and after leaving active duty.
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Meet our Guest
Sarah Roder, Director of Partnerships and Member Engagement, Armed Forces Mutual
Sarah Roder is a Certified Financial Educator Instructor and the Director of Partnerships and Member Engagement at AFM. Sarah previously served AFM as the Senior Veterans Affairs Coordinator in Reston, VA., as the SpouseLink ambassador for the Camp Lejeune area, and as a Relationship Manager for AFM Wealth Management and Trust.
Sarah is a military spouse and enjoys spending her time outdoors and helping others.
Graduating from Auburn University with a Health and Hospital Administration degree and minor in business, she loves first and foremost helping others.
The Conversation Topics
- Financial readiness
- Losing benefits
- Tax implications
- Military vs civilian pay
- Budgeting
- Credit scores
- Debt management
- Using a financial planner
Things We Talked About in This Episode
Budget Exercise: Here is the visual discussed to help you account for “windfalls” such as special pay or dislocation allowance. Have questions? Reach out to Armed Forces Mutual and Sarah Roder!
TRICARE Website for Retired Service Members – Official resource for up-to-date costs, copays, and enrollment information.
Tax Shock Podcast by MilSpouse Transition
It’s rough, but it’s thorough! Use this MyArmyBenefits site to check out what each state offers for retired servicemembers.
Connect with our Guests
Here is how to contact our guest:
Website: https://life.aafmaa.com/financial-readiness
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-bumgardner-roder/
