When Army Veteran Adrianna Lopez staged a photo of her beloved bulldog Minnie wearing reading glasses and working on a calculator, she had no idea it would lead to a $1,000 prize. But that creative shot of Minnie modeling The Edge’s “Get F.I.T.” t-shirt captured exactly what The Edge is all about – providing military family financial tools to make financial wellness accessible, engaging, and even fun for military families. 

In a recent phone interview, Adrianna shared the story behind the winning photo. “Those are my glasses for work,” she said, explaining how her daughter helped prop up their cooperative canine for the winning shot. “Minnie is used to putting on costumes… she’s just a cuddle-buddy and I love her to death, so she’s the one to represent from our home.” 

From Debt to Success: Why Military Families Need Financial Tools

Adrianna’s path to financial wellness hasn’t always been smooth. Like many service members, she faced challenges during her military career and transition. “I didn’t have an emergency fund when I transitioned out,” she explained candidly. “I made a lot of mistakes with credit and with credit card debt.” 

Today, as a candidate for Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) certification, Adrianna is passionate about helping others avoid similar pitfalls. “Anyone who knows me has heard about the power of compound interest and saving for the future,” she shared. Her journey from financial struggles to financial expertise makes her an inspiring example of how knowledge and proper tools can transform someone’s financial future. 

Military Family Financial Tools: Meeting Unique Service Member Challenges

Military families face distinct financial challenges that civilians rarely encounter. Frequent PCS moves, overseas assignments, transitions between active duty and civilian life, and varying BAH rates all impact a family’s financial stability. As someone who has experienced these challenges firsthand, including a transition from overseas in Italy, Adrianna understands the importance of having reliable financial resources and guidance. 

“Service members always worry on base if things will get back to their command, so there is a lot of stigma about seeking help,” Adrianna explained. This stigma can prevent many military families from accessing the financial education they need, making private, personalized resources like The Edge especially valuable. 

The Edge: Free Financial Tools Designed for Military Families

As both an Army Veteran and spouse to a recently retired soldier, Adrianna understands the unique financial challenges military families face. She discovered The Edge through her AFC® training and was immediately impressed by its comprehensive, user-friendly approach. 

“I’ve never seen anything so all-encompassing,” she said. “This is like a 1-stop shop that has a little bit of everything… Our Veterans deserve it.” Even as someone who isn’t particularly tech-savvy, Adrianna found the platform intuitive and welcoming. “It felt so easy and smooth, and well laid out, and I love all the colors!” she remarked. 

The Edge stands out by offering personalized financial tools and resources that adapt to each member’s unique situation: 

Essential Financial Tools 

• Credit Score Monitoring: Track your credit score and understand factors affecting it 

• Budgeting Tools: Create and manage customized budgets that fit your military lifestyle 

• Money Personality Assessment: Gain insights into your financial decision-making style 

• Goal Setting Features: Set and track personalized financial goals 

• Educational Resources: Access targeted learning materials for your specific needs 

• Streak Tracking: Stay motivated with accountability features that help you maintain positive financial habits 

“The credit score is a great feature,” Adrianna noted. “I’m amazed this site is free. It’s a great resource, especially for Veterans—we lose access to resources on base.” The platform’s comprehensive approach ensures that whether you’re dealing with debt, saving for retirement, or planning a PCS move, you’ll find relevant, military-specific guidance. 

Verify your military status to join The Edge for free!

Making a Difference: How Military Financial Tools Led to $1,000 Prize

How would receiving $1,000 impact your family? For the Lopez family, the prize money arrived at a crucial time, following back-to-back hurricanes in Florida. They used the funds thoughtfully, balancing practical needs with personal goals: 

• Paid off unexpected medical and home maintenance bills 

• Purchased furniture for her husband’s woodworking workshop, supporting his retirement hobby 

• Bought gifts for family members, including a video game for their daughter 

• Made a charitable donation to Samaritan’s Purse for hurricane relief in North Carolina and Florida 

In a wonderful show of support for Adrianna’s generosity, GoVA matched her charitable contribution to Samaritan’s Purse, doubling the impact for communities affected by hurricanes. 

Building Financial Strength for Military Families 

Drawing from her personal experience, Adrianna emphasized the importance of financial preparation. “Budgeting makes a big difference. We started an emergency account, saved up to buy the home we live in now… If we didn’t have the knowledge and the emergency fund, we would have financially struggled,” she explained. 

Her advice reflects the core mission of The Edge: empowering military families to take control of their financial future. “Financial health and wellness affect your health in general, affects your family, so take care of yourself. Help your family build financial literacy and build generational wealth. It’s the gift that keeps on giving,” she said. 

The Power of Community and Support 

One of The Edge’s unique strengths is its understanding of military culture and challenges. The platform creates a safe space for military families to learn and grow financially without judgment. “Don’t hesitate to reach out for help,” Adrianna advised. “There are a lot of tools out there, and it can feel scary or overwhelming… Just like you take care of your vehicle, or do mandatory physicals, make it mandatory to check up on your own financial health.” 

Get Started: Free Military Family Financial Tools on The Edge

Whether you’re an active duty service member planning your next PCS, a Veteran transitioning to civilian life, or a military spouse managing family finances, The Edge provides free access to the tools and resources you need to succeed. The platform adapts to your specific situation and goals, offering personalized guidance every step of the way. 

Ready to start your journey to financial wellness? Join Adrianna and thousands of other military community members on The Edge. Registration is completely free for service members, veterans, and their families. 

Register Now to access all of The Edge’s powerful financial tools and resources at no cost. 

Thank you to all our Edge members who participated in the t-shirt contest, showing their commitment to financial strength and empowerment. Your photos and stories inspire us all to keep working toward our financial goals!