R&R Leave Financial Planning: Don't Waste $5K on 2-Week Leave
BLUF: Smart financial planning for R&R leave to maximize family time without breaking the bank
Target Audience: Mid-deployment service members planning R&R leave
Time Investment: 2-3 hours planning, ongoing budgeting
Financial Impact: $2,000-$5,000+ in saved R&R expenses
The Mission: Maximize R&R Value Without Financial Regret
R&R leave is your chance to reconnect with family and recharge before returning to deployment. But without proper planning, you could easily spend $5,000+ on a 2-week leave and return to deployment with financial stress.
This guide helps you plan an amazing R&R leave while keeping your finances intact.
Understanding R&R Leave Benefits
R&R Leave Basics
- Duration: 15 days (including travel time)
- Travel: Government-paid transportation to/from R&R location
- Per Diem: Daily allowance for meals and incidentals
- Family Reunion: Opportunity to spend time with family and friends
R&R Financial Benefits
- Government Travel: Free transportation to/from R&R location
- Per Diem: Daily allowance for meals and incidentals
- Tax-Free: R&R travel and per diem are tax-free
- Family Time: Priceless opportunity to reconnect with family
R&R Budget Planning
Essential R&R Expenses
Transportation (if not government-provided)
- Rental Car: $300-500 for 2 weeks
- Gas: $200-300 depending on driving distance
- Parking: $50-100 for airport parking
- Total: $550-900
Accommodations
- Hotel: $100-200/night × 14 nights = $1,400-2,800
- Airbnb: $80-150/night × 14 nights = $1,120-2,100
- Family/Friends: $0 (if staying with family)
- Total: $0-2,800
Food & Dining
- Groceries: $200-300 for 2 weeks
- Restaurants: $500-1,000 for family meals
- Entertainment: $300-500 for activities
- Total: $1,000-1,800
Family Activities
- Entertainment: $200-400 for movies, shows, activities
- Gifts: $300-500 for family and friends
- Photos: $100-200 for professional photos
- Total: $600-1,100
Personal Expenses
- Clothing: $200-400 for new clothes
- Personal Care: $100-200 for haircuts, grooming
- Miscellaneous: $200-300 for unexpected expenses
- Total: $500-900
Total R&R Budget Range
- Minimal Budget: $2,000-3,000 (staying with family, minimal activities)
- Moderate Budget: $3,000-4,000 (hotel, some activities, dining out)
- Luxury Budget: $4,000-6,000 (nice hotel, lots of activities, fine dining)
Smart R&R Financial Strategies
Strategy 1: Maximize Government Benefits
Government Travel:
- Free Transportation: Use government-provided travel when possible
- Per Diem: Use daily per diem for meals and incidentals
- Tax Benefits: R&R travel and per diem are tax-free
- Documentation: Keep receipts for tax purposes
Strategy 2: Family & Friends Support
Staying with Family:
- Free Accommodations: Stay with family or friends when possible
- Home-cooked Meals: Save money on dining out
- Local Activities: Use family knowledge of free/cheap activities
- Transportation: Use family vehicles when possible
Strategy 3: Budget-Friendly Activities
Free/Low-Cost Activities:
- Parks & Recreation: Local parks, hiking, outdoor activities
- Museums: Many museums have free or discounted admission
- Community Events: Local festivals, concerts, community activities
- Family Time: Focus on quality time rather than expensive activities
Strategy 4: Smart Spending Priorities
Priority Spending:
- Family Time: Focus on activities that bring family together
- Memories: Invest in experiences rather than material things
- Photos: Professional photos are worth the investment
- Gifts: Meaningful gifts rather than expensive items
Real Example: E-5 Sergeant's R&R Budget
Sergeant Thompson, E-5, 6 years TIS, R&R leave to visit family in Texas
R&R Budget Breakdown:
Transportation:
- Government Travel: Free (government-provided)
- Rental Car: $400 for 2 weeks
- Gas: $250 for driving around Texas
- Total: $650
Accommodations:
- Staying with Family: $0 (staying with parents)
- Total: $0
Food & Dining:
- Groceries: $250 (cooking with family)
- Restaurants: $600 (family meals and special occasions)
- Entertainment: $400 (movies, shows, activities)
- Total: $1,250
Family Activities:
- Entertainment: $300 (local activities and events)
- Gifts: $400 (gifts for family and friends)
- Photos: $150 (professional family photos)
- Total: $850
Personal Expenses:
- Clothing: $300 (new clothes for R&R)
- Personal Care: $150 (haircut, grooming, personal items)
- Miscellaneous: $200 (unexpected expenses)
- Total: $650
Total R&R Budget: $3,400
R&R Results:
- Family Time: 2 weeks of quality time with family
- Memories: Professional photos and lasting memories
- Financial Impact: $3,400 spent, but priceless family time
- Return to Deployment: Financially secure, emotionally recharged
Common R&R Financial Mistakes
Mistake 1: Overspending on Accommodations
Problem: Booking expensive hotels when family is available
Solution: Stay with family or friends when possible
Savings: $1,400-2,800
Mistake 2: Excessive Dining Out
Problem: Eating out for every meal instead of cooking with family
Solution: Cook with family, limit dining out to special occasions
Savings: $300-500
Mistake 3: Impulse Purchases
Problem: Buying expensive gifts and items without planning
Solution: Set gift budget and stick to it
Savings: $200-400
Mistake 4: No Budget Planning
Problem: No budget leads to overspending and financial stress
Solution: Create detailed budget before R&R leave
Savings: $1,000-2,000
R&R Planning Timeline
60 Days Before R&R
- Budget Planning: Create detailed R&R budget
- Accommodations: Book hotel or confirm family arrangements
- Activities: Plan family activities and entertainment
- Transportation: Arrange rental car or transportation
30 Days Before R&R
- Final Budget: Review and adjust R&R budget
- Family Communication: Discuss plans with family
- Activity Planning: Finalize family activities and entertainment
- Financial Preparation: Ensure sufficient funds available
7 Days Before R&R
- Final Preparations: Confirm all arrangements
- Family Briefing: Final discussion with family about plans
- Budget Review: Final budget review and adjustments
- Relaxation: Prepare for R&R leave and family time
Post-R&R Financial Management
Immediate Actions (First 7 Days)
- Budget Review: Review actual R&R expenses vs budget
- Financial Assessment: Assess impact on deployment savings
- Family Communication: Discuss R&R experience and finances
- Return Planning: Plan for return to deployment
Long-term Planning (30 Days)
- Savings Recovery: Plan to rebuild any depleted savings
- Investment Strategy: Continue deployment savings strategy
- Family Goals: Update family financial goals and priorities
- Deployment Focus: Return focus to deployment mission
Resources & Support
Military Resources
- Finance Office: R&R travel and per diem questions
- Family Support: R&R planning and family resources
- Legal Office: POA and legal document assistance
- Military OneSource: 24/7 support and counseling
Financial Tools
- Budgeting Apps: Track R&R expenses and budget
- Travel Apps: Find deals on accommodations and activities
- Family Communication: Stay connected with family during planning
- Expense Tracking: Monitor R&R spending in real-time
Key Takeaways
- Plan Ahead: Create detailed R&R budget before leave
- Family First: Focus on quality time rather than expensive activities
- Smart Spending: Use government benefits and family support
- Budget Discipline: Stick to budget to avoid financial stress
- Memories Matter: Invest in experiences and photos
- Return Focus: Plan for return to deployment and financial goals
- Family Communication: Keep family informed about financial plans
Remember: R&R leave is about reconnecting with family and recharging for the rest of your deployment. Smart financial planning ensures you can focus on what matters most without financial stress.
This guide is part of Garrison Ledger's comprehensive military financial intelligence platform. For personalized advice based on your specific situation, use our Ask Our Military Expert feature.