Doug Nordman (Nords)
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themilitaryguide.bsky.social
Doug Nordman (Nords)
@themilitaryguide.bsky.social
Military & family personal-finance author. Expert on financial independence.
To nobody’s surprise, here’s my keyword cloud for 2025:
December 3, 2025 at 4:48 AM
I just spent a CampFI weekend with 60 fellow money nerds, reviewing our #FinancialIndependence plans and our life transitions.
Then another Millionaire Money Mentor wrote about hers. I’ve learned a lot from her over the last five years on that forum, and you can too:
esimoney.com/transitions-...
October 16, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Here’s a rare & valuable offer: write your Millionaire Interview and get free membership in the Millionaire Money Mentors forum.
buff.ly/jLVdUt6
No trolls, no spammers, no scammers, no ads. It’s the best forum I’ve ever enjoyed since USENET.
#military #milspouse #sot #vets #FinancialIndependence
August 30, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Next month I’m attending my 13th #FinCon. I met Monica Scudieri at FinCon18 when she was launching her coaching business and her book. Enjoy her episode with XYPN about advisor/coach differences, the pricing, and what clients can expect.
buff.ly/Kf4XclT
#FinancialIndependence #military #milspouse
August 16, 2025 at 2:51 PM
What happens when you’re a dual-military couple with way too much sea duty? Lean #FinancialIndependence comes a lot faster, even if you’re not getting submarine pay.
buff.ly/1kwuVs8
#military #milfam #milspouse #sot #vets
July 31, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Enjoy a short clip of Financipation’s Chris Phelps and I talking about #military service and the 1980s-90s days of the #FinancialIndependence movement.
buff.ly/NO9SBW5
We’re building on our chance meeting at #FinCon.
#milspouse #vets #sot #milfam
July 23, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Enjoy a conversation with Chris Phelps of Financipation about reaching #FinancialIndependence. (We met during #FinCon.) We talked about investing since the 1980s, mistakes along the way, lessons from 23 years of FI, and raising your family for it.
buff.ly/k3hVqqQ
See you at FinCon25!
#milfam #vets
July 15, 2025 at 2:39 PM
My latest guest post for a Hawaii budget getaway or staycation:
buff.ly/KUTZfX9

If you have a U.S. #military DoD card, then you’re probably eligible to use the Navy’s Barbers Point beach cottages on Oahu.

Check your eligibility here with a PDF download:
buff.ly/w6LWpxI
#milfam #milspouse #vets
July 7, 2025 at 2:56 PM
It’s been a few years since I last guested on The #Military Money Manual podcast. Spencer and I talk about the emotions of VA disability claims, “I’m good!”, toxic pride, and the challenges of navigating the system.
It’s not about you: do it for your loved ones.
buff.ly/IPY4Z7B
#milspouse #vets
June 26, 2025 at 3:09 PM
I don't know whether I'm annoyed or proud.
I've had a Hawaii postal address for over 35 years.
Yet Google thinks I live in Japan due to visiting for seven weeks of 2023.
I wonder if they'll think I live in Bangkok after four weeks there in 2024?
Wait until we buy plane tickets for 2025...
March 26, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Learn about #military life beyond active duty: in the Reserves or National Guard. Ryan Guina of TheMilitaryWallet talks Guard pay, TSP, Tricare, VA disability, and mobilizations.
buff.ly/gPH1yFi
“Don’t gut it out to 20.”
#FinancialIndependence #milspouse #milfam #sot #vets
March 25, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Here's how you know when you have... enough... courtesy of JL Collins:
Spotting lost cash on the ground and leaving it for someone else to discover.
#FinancialIndependence
March 11, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Why you should go to financial conferences and personal-finance meetups (including EconoMe & CampFI):
buff.ly/2C7kvhy
buff.ly/7KRe5DI
campfi.org
And of course LobbyCons remain my favorite.
#FinancialIndependence #military #milspouse #sot #vets
March 8, 2025 at 3:17 PM
RichOnMoney has updated his video on scammy whole-life insurance. (Most people don’t need it.) The rest of his channel is worth watching too!
buff.ly/VCL5dL3
(Some NSFW words in your earbuds.)
March 4, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Thanks for the shout-out on attending conferences, Steve!
I’m not the first to call it LobbyCon, but I probably do it at least as much as Jim Wang.
https://buff.ly/3XgBFto
#FinancialIndependence
February 23, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Thanks again to Andy & the Inspired Money show for sharing our travel tactics & stories! This carousel summarizes your preps for slow travel and (if you choose) even the nomad life.
https://buff.ly/416JXVJ
The full hour’s replay (with more details) is here:
https://buff.ly/412pz8d
February 20, 2025 at 2:46 PM
In less than three hours I’m going live with Andy Wang’s Inspired Money panel to record a one-hour podcast episode about creating your “Retirement Travel Adventures”, and you’re invited to join the audience. (1 PM ET, 8 AM HT.)
February 19, 2025 at 2:59 PM
“But I’m setting a good example by working at a job!”
https://buff.ly/40v8xAp
I've dusted off this 2013 classic from the Internet Archive and refreshed it for my additional years of personal experience.
#FinancialIndependence means you can live life on your terms, not society's expectations.
January 30, 2025 at 2:01 PM
During FinCon last October, the hosts of Catching Up to FI invited a baker’s dozen of us outside of a (noisy) pub to give our best #FinancialIndependence tips. There may or may not have been consumption of adult beverages, so these tips are… unfiltered.
https://buff.ly/4jtwe3O
January 23, 2025 at 2:01 PM
For my fellow Baby-Boomer retirees wondering "But... but... but what will I DO all day?!?"
And maybe Gen X plus some Millennials too?
https://buff.ly/3PylhzY
(P.S.: Social-media sites insist that cursive adds a dash of sophistication and higher clickthroughs to posts. I'm skeptical.)
January 15, 2025 at 11:38 PM
I met Dr. Disha Spath at FinCon24! We enjoyed our conversations about #military personal finance and #FinancialIndependence. There are financial hacks to reach FI, but the most important part is dialing in your expenses to your lifestyle.
https://buff.ly/4gKrCEa
#milspouse #milfam #vets
December 28, 2024 at 3:57 PM
I enjoyed CFP Daniel Kopp’s talk with Drew Stamp about the #military transition:
https://buff.ly/3zSvjYy
My callout at 28:25: “the guy who surfs, from Hawaii, long hair,...”
Drew's at a non-profit serving Special Forces #vets:
https://buff.ly/4dEOCm8
#milspouse #milfam #sot
December 15, 2024 at 6:07 PM
I’m enjoying a new podcast: Tracer Burnout.
https://buff.ly/47Rfcad
It’s oral history from #military #vets while they’re still with us, from the 21st century back to the Cold War. I wish I’d heard this before I signed up, and before I left active duty.
#milspouse #milfam #sot
December 15, 2024 at 6:07 PM
Last reminder: please join us Tue 2-3 PM ET for MOAA’s webinar on #FinancialIndependence.
We'll focus on your new life after FI. Keep working if it's challenging & fulfilling, or change life on your terms,.
Register here or sign up for the video replay:
https://buff.ly/4dfneuA
December 15, 2024 at 6:07 PM
CFP Daniel Kopp (a MFAA advisor!) interviews NMAA’s AFC Heather Walrath on her #milfam retirement. She’s briefed thousands of people on their VA benefits & #military SBP-- but this time, it’s personal.
Plan your transition:
https://buff.ly/3XLhjIa
#milspouse #sot #vets
December 15, 2024 at 6:07 PM