Season 2 Episode 73: Flipping the Script on Transition and Finance with Scott Tucker and Jen Amos

This episode features husband and wife duo Scott Tucker and Jen Amos. Scott served 10 years in the US Army as an officer. Scott founded US VetWealth in January of 2012, offering financial services for career military families. Jen joined the business in 2016 as the Director of Community Relations. She is also the host of the award-winning podcast, Holding Down the Fort.

Scott had always been interested in finance and he took a role in private wealth management right out of the military. The industry wasn’t what he thought it would be, and he started looking into entrepreneurship. He set out to redefine the industry and help people capitalize on their finances to live the life they’ve always wanted.

We talk about the importance of figuring out your bottom-line financial requirements before you even start the transition planning process. Minding your finances can help give you the freedom to make decisions that are not always motivated by money.

Jen is a Gold Star daughter. She has seen the ramifications of losing her father when she was 10 years old when her family was not financially prepared. Her father served in the US Navy and was on the USS Kitty Hawk and in October of 1988 he was missing at sea. Though no one know what happened and suicide was suspected, his death was listed as unknown so that her family could still receive benefits.

She never discussed finances with her mother growing up. However, her mother was struggling financially and did not share this with her children. Part of what Jen does at US Vet Wealth is educating families in their benefits options, changing the way they view life insurance and teach them how to actively manage their money.

One of the focuses of US VetWealth is educating service members and their families on alternatives to the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). This is one of the reasons that Jen is launching her newest podcast, The Spouse Benefit Plan, which you can learn more about at The Spouse Benefit Plan: Overview | LinkedIn or subscribe on any podcast platform. You can find more information about US VetWealth and their free resources at www.usvetwealth.com and you can find and subscribe to US VetWealth TV on YouTube at USVW TV - YouTube.

One of the biggest lessons that Scott learned during his transition comes from one of his favorite books, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. One of those agreements was “be impeccable with your word.” What he learned was that he had integrity and honesty with everyone he interacted with. But he talks about the importance of being honest with YOURSELF. Ask yourself questions like are you happy, who are you and be honest with yourself. This is one of the things he discusses in his book “Veteran Wealth Secrets” which you can find on Amazon at Amazon.com: Veteran Wealth Secrets: The Post-Military Playbook for Obtaining Autonomy and Financial Control in the Modern Economy eBook : Tucker, Scott R.: Kindle Store.

We wrap up the episode with Jen talking about finances and benefits. She recommends having an open honest conversation with your spouse and family about the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). Educate yourself on the options that are available to you, instead of just falling in line with what everyone else is doing. Don’t think about it just for yourself and your family, think about the financial legacy you are leaving behind for the generations in your family. You can learn more at www.thespousebenefitplan.com. They created this program to honor the military spouse and their importance in the decision-making process about the benefits programs that you select after your military service comes to an end.

You can connect with Jen Amos at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenamos/

You can connect with Scott Tucker at https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottrtucker/

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