If you’re heading OCONUS, it might feel like you’re teetering on going broke. That’s because PCS limbo is where budgets go to die. One minute, you think you’ve planned everything perfectly. The next, you’re panic-booking an overpriced hotel because your incoming base hotel doesn’t have rooms available, swiping your card for clothes you already own but can’t access, and realizing too late that your pet’s quarantine fees just ate your emergency fund. It happens fast.
Housing delays are the biggest money pit. You might have orders in hand and a move-in date locked down, but then the unit isn’t ready, your lease gets pushed back, or the housing office suddenly can’t find your paperwork. Now you’re stuck paying out of pocket for a hotel, and if you didn’t plan for it, that’s hundreds or maybe thousands, gone. The military will reimburse some costs eventually, but not before you’ve drained your bank account just trying to keep a roof over your head.
The shopping trap
Then there’s the shopping trap. You swore you’d be fine living out of a suitcase, but two weeks into wearing the same three outfits, you cave and start buying “just a few things” to hold you over. Except “just a few things” turns into new shoes, extra work clothes, and a winter coat because, surprise, you arrived in summer but your household goods won’t show up until November. And then your bank account is giving your side eye and you’re feeling like you’re one purchase away from being broke.
Kitchen essentials? Gone. Packed away months ago. You swore you’d survive on takeout, but after dropping $30 per meal for two weeks straight, you’re now the proud owner of a cheap frying pan, a plastic spatula, and the world’s worst knife from the BX. The same thing happens with furniture. Lending closets mean well but if your HHG is delayed, base loaner furniture might not be available and you find yourself debating whether to drop $300 on a used couch that smells a little weird.
The pet issue
If you didn’t research quarantine requirements months ago, brace yourself. Some countries require a government-approved boarding facility, which means it’ll be easier to go broke. So f you didn’t budget for it, you’re now making emergency payment plans while your dog racks up a hotel bill bigger than yours.
How to thrive
The only way to stay ahead of PCS limbo is to plan like you’re deploying to a country where nothing is guaranteed, because that’s exactly what’s happening. Book housing immediately.
Your move-in date is a suggestion, not a promise. Even if you have orders in hand, assume your home won’t be ready when you land. Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) helps, but it doesn’t hit your account instantly, and hotels near installations fill up fast.
Get on the base hotel list early. Call as soon as you have orders and get on the reservation list, even if you think you won’t need it.
Then, make sure you have a backup plan. Research Airbnb or extended-stay hotels near your installation that accept pets and military families.
Know your out-of-pocket cost. If base lodging falls through, you need to cover the first few weeks yourself until TLA reimburses you. That could mean fronting $2,000 or more depending on the country.
Pack for the future
PCS packing is a gamble, and future-you is going to be furious if you don’t think this through. Your HHG is disappearing for months, and loaner furniture isn’t always available. You have to live out of what fits in your luggage, so pack like it’s all you’ll have.
Clothes for multiple seasons. Even if you’re packing out in summer, you might not get your stuff until it’s sweater weather. That means you’ll need coats, gloves, and boots in your suitcase.
Kitchen survival gear is a must. A real knife, a small cutting board, a collapsible bowl, and utensils will save you from eating out every night.
An air mattress might seem like a strange purchase, but it’s actually a lifesaver. If your furniture is delayed or loaner options are gone, you’re either sleeping on the floor or spending hundreds on a rental bed.
Of course, everyone knows to hand carry all the important documents like orders, passports, medical records, pet paperwork. Don’t let that go in your packout!
Broke for a bit, but not forever
The military will pay you back for some of your OCONUS expenses, eventually. But TLA, DLA, and HHG reimbursements take time, and your credit card will be carrying the weight in the meantime.
The best thing to do is when you’re writing out your wish list and adding OCONUS locations, start preparing as if you already got the assignment. That means trimming your budget and looking for ways to set aside $3,000–$5,000 in an emergency fund to cover hotel stays, food, and unexpected costs. Once your reimbursements come in, you’ll have extra money for travel and new in-country experiences.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to get through the PCS without going broke. It’s to land in your new country ready to actually enjoy it, without spending your first months recovering from financial whiplash.