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    MilitaryByOwner's Top Blog Posts of 2016

    As in years past, the MilitaryByOwner writing team has kept busy all year long researching and writing about the topics that you consider important to your life as a military family. 

    Whether it's a PCS move, selling, renting, or buying a home, travel tips, or issues specific to military life, we've got you covered! Once again, we thank you for your support, your engagement, and sharing information across social media. We couldn't do it without you, our loyal readers!

    But in case you missed a post or two, let's do a countdown and recap the top 10 MilitaryByOwner posts of 2016. 

    MilitaryByOwner's Top 10 Blog Posts of 2016

    10) What You Need to Know for Taxes if You Bought or Sold a Home Last Year by Karina Gafford

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    Need some help itemizing if you just bought or sold a home? Begin here with these expert tips that will help you make sense of what you need to do for taxes. 

    9) Should I Fill Out the Impact Aid Form for My Military Child’s School? by Dawn Smith

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    Each PCS brings with it an overabundance of paperwork. Find out why filling out the Impact Aid Form for your new school is so important for your military kids. 

    8) Unexpected Orders? What the Military Clause Means When Breaking a Lease by Mary Ann Eckberg

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    Paperwork, paperwork! Discover what exactly the military clause does--and doesn't mean--when it comes to your rental lease. 

    7) Experiencing Reverse Culture Shock as a Military Family by Guest Blogger The Seasoned Spouse

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    After being stationed overseas, most of us are excited to return back to the U.S. and may be surprised by the challenges. "Reverse culture shock" is real--get some great advice on coping and realize you're not alone with this guest post. 

    6) 23 Don’ts for Your Next PCS Move by Jen McDonald

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    Whether it's your first PCS or your tenth, it's always good to have a checklist. Follow along with these (sometimes a little tongue-in-cheek) "don'ts" for your best PCS move yet!

    5) PCS to Japan: Tips from a Military Spouse Who’s Been There by Dawn Smith

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    Is an assignment to the Land of the Rising Sun in your future? Find out what you need to know before you go, from someone who's already been there. 

    4) Military Housing vs. Living Off Base: Making the Decision by Danielle Keech

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    Due to PCS and unsure where you'll live? Walk through the decision making process of renting/buying vs. living in base housing with this helpful list of pros and cons. 

    3) VA Loans Offer Life After Foreclosure by Veterans United

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    Just because you've defaulted on one VA Home Loan doesn't necessarily make you ineligible for one in the future. Get the most current information from the experts at Veterans United. 

    2) 10 Reasons Not to Sign That Rental Agreement  by Dawn Smith

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    You've found the perfect little rental and you're eager to get the paperwork signed and yourself moved in. Stop! Take a look at this post first for warning signs and precautions before signing on the dotted line. 

    And now, for 2016's most popular blog post! 

    1) The Low Down on 8 Great Locations for Military Retirement by Mary Ann Eckberg

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    You've got retirement on your mind, and we've got you covered! Get an overview of great locations for military retirees, as well as information about health care, local taxes, nearby military installations, and much more in this in depth post. 

    Many thanks to MilitaryByOwner's readers and customers! You're the reason we do what we do. Don't miss the additional free e-books we published this year, and we hope you'll connect with us on social media

    Here's to your best year yet!

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    Jen McDonald

    Author

    Jen McDonald

    Jen McDonald is the Content Editor for MilitaryByOwner Advertising. She's a longtime writer, the author of the books You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse and Milspouse Matters: Sharing Strength Through Our Stories. Jen is also the host of the Milspouse Matters podcast, and has written hundreds of articles and essays which have been published in other books and numerous publications. She was a military spouse for 30 years and is the mom of four, including one son in the military. One of her happiest roles now is being a grandmother. She and her veteran Air Force husband have been stationed all around the world from Europe to the Pacific and won’t count how many houses they’ve lived in because that would be too depressing. Her passion is encouraging young military spouses and regularly sharing about topics like military life, parenting, homeschooling...and now grandparenting! See more from Jen at her site, Jen McDonald and find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram , and Pinterest.

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