How do I pay my bills while in basic training?
Asked by: Cordie Moen DDS | Last update: September 13, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (73 votes)
Paying Bills While in Training To keep from falling behind and possibly damaging your credit rating, consider setting up automatic bill pay before you leave. If you prefer not to use automatic bill pay, consider prepaying your bills or putting someone you trust in charge of paying them.
Can I pause my bills while in basic training?
You can suspend or defer your payments temporarily while in bootcamp. Most debts (or the banks backing them) have a military clause, and there are also laws allowing for (or even requiring) this to happen.
How does pay work during basic training?
Do you get paid in Basic Training? Yes, you do get paid in Basic Training on the first and fifteenth of every month. The amount depends on your rank. See salaries by rank on the Money & Pay page.
What happens to your bills when you go to the military?
Whether you are “materially affected” can mean different things in different situations. Creditors must reduce the interest rate on debts to 6% for liabilities incurred before you enter active duty. If the debt is a mortgage, the reduced rate extends for one year after active military service.
How do you pay bills in the Army?
ACI Payments, Inc. makes it easy for members of the military to pay income tax, property tax, utilities and other bills using your favorite debit or credit card. It's fast, easy & secure, and your payment is processed immediately. You may even earn rewards points from your card.
PAYING YOUR BILLS IN BASIC TRAINING | i went BROKE! | STORY TIME
How to pay bills while at bootcamp?
Paying Bills While in Training
If you prefer not to use automatic bill pay, consider prepaying your bills or putting someone you trust in charge of paying them. If you are currently paying down debt, research the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).
How much debt is too much to join the military?
How Much Debt Is too Much for a Military Security Clearance? While it is generally conceded that excessive debt is a cause for denying security clearances, no military branch has a set amount that will result in being denied.
Does the Army pay for utilities?
Utility/recurring maintenance allowance is paid monthly to defray expenses paid directly to utility companies. Payments fully cover the reported utility expenses for 80% of the members, based on expenses reported to the Per Diem, Travel, and Transportation Allowance Committee by members receiving the allowance.
What happens to my car payment if I join the military?
If you took out an automobile, home, or student loan or incurred credit card debt prior to becoming a servicemember (also known as a “pre-service obligation”), or if you took out such a loan jointly with your spouse, then you are entitled to have your interest rate reduced to a maximum of 6 percent per year.
Does the Army help pay for your car?
Military personal are often eligible for special loans and discounts on car purchases. When buying a car in the military, however, you still need to budget wisely and do your research before making this major investment.
Can you spend money during basic training?
When you're in basic training, you don't have much time to spend money, anyway. But you will pay for some necessities as your paycheck gets docked for supplies like uniforms and other basic training essentials. Save a few thousand dollars, if possible, before you head into training.
Can you bring your phone to basic training?
During the 7.5 weeks while your loved one is at BMT, he/she will be authorized to use his/her cell phone or pay phones to make outgoing calls to family members. Trainees are encouraged to maintain their cell phone service while at BMT and to bring a calling card.
Do you have to pay rent while in basic training?
As a Soldier living on base, your housing is covered. If you're living off base, we offer a housing allowance to help pay for living expenses like rent and utilities.
Should I take my debit card to basic training?
In addition to the items below, the military requires all recruits to set up a direct deposit account and bring a cash/debit card in case of unforeseen travel delays or pay issues after arrival to BMT.
How do you deal with your period in basic training?
Pads, tampons, menstrual cups or discs, and period underwear can all be used to manage bleeding.
What happens to your bills when you join the military?
Military personnel have a powerful and money-saving tool in the form of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The SCRA caps any interest rates on loans you had prior to enlisting at 6%, including credit cards, auto loans, mortgages and more.
Is basic training considered active duty?
SCRA (for all) begins on the first day of active duty, which means when the person ships out to basic training (basic training and job-school are considered active duty for Guard and Reserve personnel, as well as active-duty person- nel).
What to do with my car if I join the military?
One of the easiest options is to put your car in storage while you're deployed. Find a storage facility that offers covered long-term parking, sign a contract and be done with it.
How do you pay your bills while in the Army?
Several financial assistance programs support military personnel, easing financial burdens during training periods. Programs like Army Emergency Relief (AER), Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), and the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) offer interest-free loans or grants for emergency needs.
Do male and female soldiers sleep in the same barracks?
Basic Training Barracks
During Basic Training, men and women live in separate quarters, which consist of shared bunks and bathroom facilities.
Do I get BAH while in basic training?
Basic Allowance for Housing, or BAH, is money provided to service members stationed in the U.S. for fair housing compensation. From the time you enter basic training, to your last PCS, the BAH entitlement works for you by offsetting the cost of housing.
Can you get kicked out of the military for debt?
A debt-to-income ratio that is too high could be a reason you are rejected for the job, or in the extreme could lead you to being kicked out of the military.
Can you buy a car while in the military?
Servicemembers have unique things to consider when buying a car, such as available discounts and purchasing overseas. Preparation and research can help overcome those challenges to make car buying faster and smoother. Navy Federal has resources to help servicemembers buy cars domestically and internationally.
Can the military help you financially?
You can receive financial counseling either through the installation Personal Financial Management Program, the Military and Family Life Counseling Program or through Military OneSource. Get help with financial basics, debt coaching, college saving, retirement planning, tax services and budget planning.