conversation: User (LoL_Remiix): "I am starting my 4 years for the USAF, i will have a steady paycheck and food/housing/health/etc all covered. Do i stack the money up in a savings account for the entire 4 years, or are there better routes to take. "
  Self: "I would put 3 months expenses in the savings account as a base (or say $3,000 since you won't have many expenses) and while in the process of building that look in to your investment options. Look seriously in to the Thrift Savings Plan and, if you deploy to a combat zone, the Savings Deposit Program. You should be easily able to save a large portion of your income (25%+) during your contract if you're smart, and put yourself on a great footing. I'd also head over to the education office and see what programs are available to continue your college if you aren't already a graduate. I wasn't USAF, but I've heard good things about the CCAF.\n\nWhatever you do, don't go out and buy an expensive car or get married just to move out of the barracks."
  User (LoL_Remiix): "So the TSP is like a retirement savings account? do you know the yearly growth on something like that, or how accessible it is?"
  IdentifiableParam (IdentifiableParam): "The value of the investments you hold in the TSP can and does fluctuate and in general it is a retirement vehicle so you should assume that you will keep the money in there growing for a while. It is a great opportunity and has a lot of benefits and will make you a lot of money in the long run so you can retire earlier or retire at a higher standard of living."
  