As an Army Wife of 12 years and mother of three amazing children, I’ve got my hands full. I am a writer and a small business owner at The Bautista Project LLC. As a writer, I create thought-provoking articles that inspire people to give back to communities in need. I’ve been a writer for as long as I can remember. As a child, I would curl up in my walk-in closet with a blanket and pillow, writing about life, love, and happiness. Using my words, I created worlds that were safe, fun, and inviting for everyone. I wrote a plethora of short stories and poetry during my adolescent years.

My Company is a Part of My Passion.

The Bautista Project LLC gives back to homeless communities. Our profits provide basic living essentials for people in need.  Spending time with homeless community members gives me a great sense of gratitude. Everyone has a story. Many of their stories go unheard because of their less than desirable living situations. This happens more often than I’d like to admit in our Veteran community. Supporting military members goes beyond the call of duty. When their duty is complete is when they need the most support. Telling their stories helps start the conversation about how we can all make a difference in the lives of those in need. First, we must be open to hearing their stories.

Certainly, being open-minded is my most valuable asset as a military spouse. My family has lived all over the world. Being able to easily adapt is essential to my family’s success. Living overseas comes with its own set of unique challenges. Language barriers, cultural differences, and other things can make any family’s transition arduous. You can only see the world and the beauty therein if your eyes and your mind are open to it. Learning about new cultures is something my family loves to do. Living in Europe enabled my family to travel to nearby countries and be immersed in other cultures. Travel is one of the most overlooked benefits of being a military family. Traveling abroad takes planning and saving. It is something that every military family can do. Knowing how to plan for things outside of a normal family budget can be difficult.

Military Struggles

There are many issues facing service members and their families. However, I believe the most important issue facing Military families is the lack of financial literacy. Many Soldiers enter the military at a young age. They are not aware of their own financial needs, furthermore, the needs of an entire family. Consequently, they make financial mistakes that could be avoided with more understanding of the importance of financial security. I know this all too well. When my husband and I first married, there was a problem with his pay. We didn’t have any money saved and ended up needing a loan just to get by. It was a good lesson because it taught us why having a savings account was necessary.

Finally, I think the best thing about being a military family is that our bond comes solely from the love we share. Our bonds don’t come from our home, or our town because those things can change in an instant.  The separation between us can sometimes reach thousands of miles, but our bond remains unbroken.