Jeff Rose is the CEO of Good Financial Cents, a personal finance platform and blog that simplifies complex money topics and helps millions build smarter financial habits.
A Certified Financial Planner™ and former CEO of Alliance Wealth Management, he is also an Iraq combat veteran who served nine years in the Army National Guard, including a deployment to Iraq in 2005. Jeff authored Soldier of Finance, contributes regularly to Forbes, U.S. News, Business Insider, Entrepreneur, and CNBC, and has built Good Financial Cents into a top-ranked, award-winning finance blog. Today, he continues to teach actionable wealth-building strategies — combining his military-honed discipline with financial expertise — to guide readers toward financial freedom and disciplined money habits.
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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [00:56] Jeff Rose’s transition from military life to a financial planner
- [03:32] The role of therapy in Jeff’s marriage and personal transition
- [06:14] How Jeff’s time in combat shaped his perspective on gratitude
- [08:10] Financial missteps that sparked Jeff’s mission to educate others
- [09:29] Jeff’s top actionable tip for taking charge of your finances
- [17:32] Practical advice for veterans stepping into entrepreneurship
- [20:30] Why helping others achieve financial freedom fuels Jeff’s purpose
In this episode...
Coming home after a long deployment isn’t as simple as picking up where you left off. Many veterans face a tough road — struggling to reconnect with family, restart careers, and adjust to life without the structure and identity the military provided. The emotional and mental weight of
transitioning back to civilian life can leave even the strongest feeling lost. So, how do some manage to rebuild, refocus, and find purpose again?
Jeff Rose, a combat veteran and Certified Financial Planner, shares how he faced these challenges head-on. After a 17-month deployment to Iraq, Jeff struggled with the shift back home until he sought counseling and made communication with his wife a priority. What he once saw as weakness — therapy — became the turning point that saved his marriage and helped him process what he’d been through. He reflects on how his time in the military reshaped his views on gratitude, money, and purpose, inspiring him to help others through his book Soldier of Finance, his blog, and his YouTube channel. His journey from debt and uncertainty to entrepreneurship proves how small steps and the right mindset can lead to lasting change.
In this episode of the Mission Next Podcast, host Phil Randazzo talks with Jeff Rose, CEO of Good Financial Cents, about overcoming post-deployment struggles and building a meaningful life after service. They dive into the emotional and financial challenges veterans face, the benefits of therapy, and practical ways to take control of your finances and future. Whether you’re a transitioning service member or someone navigating life’s big changes, Jeff’s story offers honest insight and actionable steps to move forward with purpose.
Quotable Moments:
● “Going to counseling was the tool that saved us — don’t feel like you’re weak seeking
help after deployment.”
● “Just seeing how people live in Iraq made me grateful for so many things we take for
granted at home.”
● “You can research all day, but if you don’t actually do it, it doesn’t matter.”
● “There are no excuses — you can start investing today with as little as 25 bucks and
your phone.”
● “A business that doesn’t make any money is not a business; that’s a hobby.”
Action Steps:
1. Seek support through counseling or peer groups: Engaging in honest dialogue with
others helps ease feelings of isolation and supports smoother adjustment during major
life transitions.
2. Cultivate gratitude with daily reflection: Regular reflection encourages perspective and
reduces the tendency to compare or fixate on material success.
3. Take small, immediate financial actions: Starting with simple steps helps break through
perceived barriers such as limited knowledge or insufficient funds.
4. Start side projects or businesses gradually: Building momentum through low-risk
initiatives eases the uncertainty of entrepreneurship while supporting long-term financial
security.
5. Foster open communication with family or partners: Involving a spouse in decisions and
sharing real numbers shows how transparency can ease anxiety and strengthen
relationships during periods of transition.
Sponsor for this episode...
This episode is brought to you by American Dream U, a nonprofit organization dedicated to
providing a seamless transition for service members moving from military to civilian life.
American Dream U offers programs that connect veterans and their families with some of the
world’s best coaches, mentors, and resources—helping guide them toward a highly rewarding
life after the military.
Whether you’re preparing for a new career, launching a business, or simply looking for direction,
American Dream U is here to support your next chapter.
To learn more, visit https://americandreamu.org.
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