As PCS season approaches, many military families are preparing their homes for the rental or seller’s market before moving to the next duty station. Home projects — whether craftsman-style DIYs, simple upgrades or routine touchups — get pricey quickly, but with the latest partnership between the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) and The Home Depot, shopping the Exchange online can reduce expenses.
The Exchange recently announced it is expanding its online Home Depot selection so CONUS service members can enjoy shopping tax-free, in addition to the 1% savings for large appliances and 10% discount for everything else. Service members also get free standard shipping for orders over $49 (if you use the MILITARY STAR card, you get free shipping regardless of the amount ordered!).
“Offering an expanded assortment of discounted products from The Home Depot is a force multiplier for our heroes who have earned tax-free savings and military-exclusive pricing for life using their ShopMyExchange.com benefit,” Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull said.
The Exchange is a non-appropriated funded government entity, meaning it relies on self-generated revenue and receives minimal outside funding — only 2% of its budget comes from the government. The financial gains from selling merchandise are reinvested into Exchange operations and the community through programs like Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR), which means you can shop guilt-free as you plan home projects and click “add to cart.”
“The collaboration improves quality of life for service members, military families and veterans as orders are delivered using The Home Depot’s existing capabilities, and 100% of Exchange earnings support the military community,” Chris Ward, Exchange senior public affairs manager, explained. “In the last 10 years, the Exchange benefit has provided $15 billion in value without additional burden to American taxpayers.”
The military response to this announcement has been overwhelmingly positive.
“In the week following the expansion, military shoppers placed nearly 2,500 orders totaling more than $1 million,” Ward told Military Families Magazine.
If you are a CONUS military member planning a DIY project, upgrading some fixtures or simply wanting to add to your toolkit, head to ShopMyExchange.com to see if Home Depot has what you need at an exclusive price. And remember: always wear appropriate safety gear and measure twice, cut once!
