JJ Montanaro

Joseph "JJ" Montanaro is a certified financial planner professional (CFP^®). He is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, and earned his bachelor’s degree from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. He also holds a master’s degree in personal financial planning from Kansas State. JJ is a director on the USAA Military Advocacy team.

Montanaro has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is a regular contributor to Military.com and also writes monthly personal finance columns for American Legion and Military Spouse magazines. Before entering the financial services industry, he served in the Army for six years on active duty, and in 2009, he retired as a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve.

Latest Articles

A hand holds a big, round magnifying glass over a paper with the words "reality check" printed in marker.

How to Connect Financial 'Rules of Thumb' to Today's Economic Reality

If you hear the so-called "pearls of personal finance wisdom" and think to yourself, "That just doesn't work for me," well...

the hands are shown of three people around a table pointing at financial-looking documents with pens

How to Talk About Money with Your Spouse, Family and Friends

Whether it’s a financial crisis as the result of the current economic environment or just plain old day-to-day finances, here...

Senior Chief Aviation Support Equipment Technician Joephaz Sanchez, from Long Beach, California, explains flight deck operations from “vulture’s row” to students from the University of Tennessee Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps during a tour of amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli in San Diego, March 29, 2024. Tripoli is an America-class amphibious assault ship homeported in San Diego. (Mass Communication Specialist Seaman James Peer/Navy)

7 Ways Military Pay and Benefits Provide an Advantage in an Uncertain Economy

In an environment of sticky inflation, sky-high housing costs and a whole lot of uncertainty, military life has some solid...

The words "pay off your mortgage" appear on a notebook resting on the wood top of a desk near office supplies and coffee.

5 Reasons to Pay Off Your Mortgage Early Rather Than Wait

Over the years, one of the most common questions I’ve received from clients has been, “Should we pay off our mortgage or...

The words "Systematic Investment Plan SIP" appeared drawn in ink on the cover of a spiral notebook surrounded by writing implements an binder clips on a blue tabletop.

Intimidated by Investing? Do It Systematically

One way to ease the fear of investing is to do it systematically. Here's why.

Folded 100-dollar bills form a pyramid that looks like a house of cards.

Build Up from a Solid Financial Foundation with This Pyramid-Style Approach

If retirement planning and preparation is an area of your life you are looking to build out, here are a few items you might...

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