If you’re an ID.me Insider reader, you might have noticed a new face and name on the blog in the past few months. It’s mine!
Hi, I’m Joanna. I’m thrilled to be part of the ID.me team. I’ll share the inside scoop to help your military family save money, save time, and live better
My Background
I was introduced to the military community when I began dating my now-husband John.
Even our relationship has roots in the military. We knew each other in college and were casual friends. (With the exception of one date that didn’t work out, but that’s another story!) When John went to boot camp a few years later, I wrote him a letter. He wrote one back.
We didn’t stop writing letters. And then when he could call, we spent hours on the phone.
We were engaged when John deployed to Afghanistan for a year. I had no idea what to do. I didn’t have any understanding of what a deployment would be like. So, I did what I could to care for my fiance: I made care packages. Very, very detailed care packages.
And then I created Jo, My Gosh! to share those military mail ideas. Soon, I was writing about a lot of different aspects of military life. In the process, I found that I wasn’t alone. There were so many military spouses and significant others who also felt lonely and unsupported.
When John came home and we married, I left my job as a high school English teacher. Even though I lost my career as a teacher, I gained one as a content creator. For the last ten years, I’ve worked in the military community — as a website editor, for a military community nonprofit, and now as the social media manager for Military.com. Through it all, I’ve kept Jo, My Gosh! going, and, four years ago, I co-founded a free virtual retreat for military spouses and significant others called PILLAR.
I’ve never forgotten how lonely I felt as someone brand-new to the military community. That’s why I’m passionate about creating space for people to learn about all that military life has to offer, both the hard things and the cool things.
Personal Experience with ID.me Shop
One of the fantastic perks members of the military community have at their disposal is ID.me!
Our family has benefited from ID.me services in many ways over the years. Most recently, John verified his identity with the VA through ID.me to sign up for possible benefits through the PACT Act. (Even though the deadline for backdating benefits has passed, it’s still vitally important for veterans to check their eligibility. Make sure you put it on your to-do list, if you haven’t already.)
More Like This
Find out how to get easy access to VA benefits and decision letters.
We also use ID.me for online purchases and services. When it comes to shopping, we’re big fans of the discounts offered through ID.me by:
- Samsung – Up to 30% Off for Military and Veterans. I love Samsung products for work and entertainment. Being able to upgrade for less is always welcome.
- Verizon Wireless – Military & Veterans Discount Program. I work remotely, so having reliable cell phone service is a necessity. The military discount is the cherry on top!
- Lowes – 10% Off for Military. Using Lowes’ military discount has saved us thousands of dollars over the years. This year, it’s been especially clutch as we renovate our forever home.
- Contacts Direct – 15% Off Any Order + Free Shipping for Military. We’re all about being able to see well for less!
Harness ID.me for Your Military Life
Of course, these four brands aren’t the only ones that honor your family’s military service through discounts and cash-back promotions. There are thousands, with new ones being added all the time!
Use ID.me Shop to search for military discounts and perks from your favorite, tried-and-true, and new-to-you brands. It’s always up-to-date with the latest promotions and the newest brands joining ID.me.
Get the ID.me Shop Chrome Extension
The easiest way to make sure you don’t miss out on those perks is by using the ID.me Shop Chrome extension. Just add it to your Chrome browser and you’ll get automatic notifications about military discounts and cash back offers you qualify for. It’s a virtually effortless way to save money!
Military families deal with change all of the time—from deployments to PCSes to DoD directives—but one thing you can take with you no matter what Uncle Sam has in store is ID.me. I can’t wait to share more about all the extra goodness available to you and your family!
Joanna Guldin-Noll writes one of the largest military spouse lifestyle blogs online, Jo, My Gosh! Her writing has been featured in national and international publications. She is currently the social media manager at Military.com and the co-founder of PILLAR, a free virtual deployment retreat for military spouses and significant others. Joanna lives in Pennsylvania with her Navy veteran husband John and her puppy Albus.
