How Do I Help Out my friend (going to Iraq)

[not5150]

My buddy got orders for Iraq. He is leaving May 22.

He's going to be taking a HUGE paycut, because he makes decent money at his civie job. Right now, he is selling a bunch of stuff on Ebay to raise $20k. He estimates that will be enough to stay afloat on the house payments before he gets back.

I'm thinking about ideas for raising the cash... He doesn't know that I will be doing this. I could sell "Come Back Safe" buttons, or have a car wash. I could fly people around for a donation. I'm very open to ideas.

Also, I'm planning a proper send off to the airport. I'm getting a bunch of friends to help me make banners, which we will hang on the overpasses that he drives past. Sayings like, "Come Back Safe Msgt XXXX" "Give em hell in Iraq" "Bring back sand" etc etc

We have mutual friends in CHP and Caltrans. I'm talking to the San Bernardino crew to pop up a few truck signs along the way... dunno if it will happen, but it would be AWESOME.

What other things could I do to help out?

[K-9MALY]

Stay afloat? Raise 20k? How long has he been in the service? The Soldiers Sailors Act passed by Congress prohibits adverse actions taken by creditors and lenders on members of the military who are called back to active duty. He needs to check into it. I was recalled back to active duty right after 9/11, and I went from making $50,000.00+ to $21,000.00 in a phone call. While I was on active duty, I set up all my mortage and credit cards at lower payments each month, and even was given a lower APR on one of them that stuck after resuming my job. Check it out with his unit. This information is everywhere on the web as well.

[not5150]

He's E7, so he's been in for a little bit.

He's did his reserve time and also finished up the inactive reserve contract. So, he wasn't expecting to be pulled back in.

I thought there was such an act. I'll ask him about it...

[not5150]

Stay afloat? Raise 20k? How long has he been in the service? The Soldiers Sailors Act passed by Congress prohibits adverse actions taken by creditors and lenders on members of the military who are called back to active duty. He needs to check into it. I was recalled back to active duty right after 9/11, and I went from making $50,000.00+ to $21,000.00 in a phone call. While I was on active duty, I set up all my mortage and credit cards at lower payments each month, and even was given a lower APR on one of them that stuck after resuming my job. Check it out with his unit. This information is everywhere on the web as well.

I found out from my buddy that the act lowers your interest to 6%.

His current mortgage is 5.2%

Plus his wife is physically unable to obtain a job.

[KittyMom]

In that case, I would say help out his wife (Not like THAT, people!!!). She's going to need a lot of support while he's gone and it would be a great load off his mind to know she's being looked after. Run errands, take her out to dinner (that'll save them some $$), that kind of thing.