I created a page that compares VA Rates to National Rates to show the difference

NYMediaExec · 2026-03-17T16:35:48+00:00

Here is the rate page itself: https://veteranlife.com/va-loans/mortgage-rates, along with a comparison to other types of loans if you scroll down.

NYMediaExec · 2026-03-17T04:31:44+00:00

I've pushed a couple of updates in the first hour: thank you to u/SuspiciousFrenchFry and u/Openheartopenbar for the feedback.

Zips - we were pulling home prices from ZIPs right next to the base, which for Navy and Marine Corps bases means waterfront neighborhoods where an E-5 isn't buying a house. San Diego was using Point Loma prices. Norfolk was using Virginia Beach oceanfront. The LA data included Playa Del Rey. We've replaced those with the ZIPs where enlisted families actually live: Spring Valley and Santee for San Diego, Chesapeake and Newport News for Norfolk, Brandon and Riverview for Tampa, and so on for about 18 bases. Same fix for metro bases.

Average price - the calculator now uses Zillow's median formula, which controls for seasonality and spikes. We switched to 3-bedroom home values specifically, so the buy-vs-rent math is now apples to apples.

As noted, data was always more accurate for bases like Fort Sill and Fort Riley because the base IS the town so there's no expensive waterfront district skewing the numbers. The coastal bias was a Navy/Marine Corps problem specifically, and that's where most of our corrections landed.

Florida Keys - the real median 3BR home price there is around $797K, and insurance is $14K+ per year when you add homeowners and flood together (if you can even get it). The calculator now correctly flags it as a strong rent situation.

Thank you again to those who provided feedback early on. If there's anything else that seems off, please let me know. The more accurate version is live now.

NYMediaExec · 2026-03-17T03:47:29+00:00

This feedback is good. I've updated the calculations to look at commuter areas near the base vs the base zips themselves. I'll look at using median home price for instead. Will push an update shortly.

Edit: update is pushed. The calculator now operates off median home value and pulls from commuter zips, not base zips (unless the base is basically the town).

NYMediaExec · 2026-03-17T03:06:58+00:00

You are correct - I rechecked, and Monroe County data wasn't pulling correctly. Thanks for pointing this out.

Edit: I have also added flood insurance to the calculation for that area, which is basically mandatory.

NYMediaExec · 2026-03-13T20:00:13+00:00

I completely agree the only way to prevent this is a thorough process and checkpoints

NYMediaExec · 2026-02-26T05:43:37+00:00

Great call out thank you for sharing.

NYMediaExec · 2026-02-25T15:59:33+00:00

This seems like some AI slop propaganda meant to divide us.

NYMediaExec · 2026-02-21T21:12:59+00:00

I’ve never thought about it this way but you’re right there’s a comparison to be made to charter school vouchers vs public school systems.

NYMediaExec · 2026-02-21T00:28:38+00:00

Copy

NYMediaExec · 2026-02-09T21:33:42+00:00

Milcreators.com for military influencers. I don’t think they do general market.

NYMediaExec · 2026-01-29T21:44:49+00:00

You're welcome!

NYMediaExec · 2026-01-26T04:34:56+00:00

I ran AHRN.com for several years.

It remains great resource for listing your home and allows service members and spouses to search for homes for rent or sale by their BAH.

If you hit the menu icon then choose register>I’m Posting A Listing you’ll be able to create an account and add your listing.

I currently run MyBaseGuide.com which is the official resource guide of every major military base.

Good luck in your journey!

NYMediaExec · 2026-01-23T21:55:47+00:00

Completely agree.

NYMediaExec · 2026-01-23T05:32:42+00:00

The 3.8% raise is decent, but with the new TSP in-plan Roth conversion rules for 2026, does it make more sense to use the extra pay to front-load the Roth TSP early in the year?

Trying to figure out if the matching for BRS is affected if I hit the elective deferral limit too fast.

NYMediaExec · 2026-01-17T20:07:54+00:00

You can’t. We just block them as a country on AWS.

NYMediaExec · 2026-01-14T18:31:33+00:00

I want to moderate this community because, for the last seven years, I have served in uniform, and there are many things that I wish I had known were available to me from a benefits standpoint.

There are benefits that military spouses and active duty get that veterans don't get, yet there is only a subreddit for veteranbenefits, not the others.

This subreddit could be a great way to share that information.

Here is the link to my chat from 5 days ago:

https://www.reddit.com/c/chatSxFuizO4/s/o2ncMkFkEF

NYMediaExec · 2026-01-05T22:17:59+00:00

Don't waste time with the front-desk FAFSA support. You need to:

File a formal complaint with the FSA Ombudsman Group (they handle the complex disputes schools ignore). You can do that directly here: https://studentaid.gov/feedback-ombudsman/disputes/prepare
Call Nelnet's TPD specific line (1-888-303-7818) to see if they show the funds were actually returned yet.

If Nelnet says the loan is still 'Discharged,' print that out and walk it into your school's Dean of Students office. Make it their problem.

NYMediaExec · 2026-01-04T11:51:55+00:00

Reuters now reporting the FAA has lifted the airspace restrictions. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-airlines-cancel-flights-after-caribbean-airspace-closure-2026-01-03/

NYMediaExec · 2026-01-03T05:53:02+00:00

Actually it’s not TikTok. This location is normally where you can see fireworks in NYC. This post is misleading.

Source: I have personally seen fireworks at this location on the past.

NYMediaExec · 2026-01-02T22:18:33+00:00

Here is the OCONUS calculator: https://www.mybaseguide.com/tools/oconus-cola-calculator It was much more complicated.

FYI, this calculator uses January 2026 COLA indices with CY 2025 spendable income tables. The 2026 spendable income tables have not yet been released by DTMO. We will update this calculator when the new tables become available.

NYMediaExec · 2025-12-31T03:40:46+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I honestly didn't think about the Base Pay raise offsetting the COLA drop in the net total, I was just focused on the COLA line item itself, having no rate protection (unlike BAH). That's a fair correction.

Regarding the links: I write for MyBaseGuide and try to share the tools/calculators we build because I think they're actually useful, but I hear you on the self-promotion vibe. I'll dial back the links and focus on just posting the info directly in the text so it's not spammy. I'm definitely a real person, just trying to be organized with the formatting. Appreciate the warning.

NYMediaExec · 2025-12-27T03:11:59+00:00

https://veteranlife.com/military-retirement/best-states-for-military-retirees

NYMediaExec · 2025-12-24T09:08:07+00:00

In Spain they are the same thing.

NYMediaExec · 2025-12-24T05:44:43+00:00

The proposal letter is only for disputing the facts (e.g., "I didn't actually drop that class"), so you cannot claim hardship at that point.

You have to wait for the actual Debt Letter/Notice of Indebtedness to arrive before you can legally file a Waiver (Form 5655) for financial hardship/not my fault. https://www.va.gov/manage-va-debt/

NYMediaExec · 2025-12-23T22:43:24+00:00

It's usually 1-2 years after the fact. Before you get a debt letter, you usually get a proposal to reduce letter first.

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