On Base Shopping Guide
Your complete guide to shopping, saving, and settling in at your new duty station. Get personalized, location-aware information to maximize savings from day one. Planning a PCS move? Check our Base Guide for location-specific shopping tips.
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FamilyMedia.com is committed to providing best-in-class resources for the military community. This guide is a free tool designed to help military families maximize their savings and benefits.
Visit FamilyMedia.comThe Commissary: Savings on Every Aisle
Run by the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA), the Commissary is your on-base supermarket. Its single mission is to provide groceries and household goods to military families at the lowest possible price, saving the average family over 25% on their grocery bill.
How It Works: At-Cost Pricing
By law, commissaries sell all items at cost from the supplier. To fund store construction and maintenance, a 5% surcharge is added to your total bill at the register. Even with this surcharge, the savings are substantial compared to civilian stores.
The 5% Surcharge Explained
$100.00
Items at Cost
$5.00
5% Surcharge
$105.00
Your Total
The $5 surcharge is reinvested directly into building new and modernizing existing commissaries worldwide.
Family Magazine & Couponing
Maximize savings by combining methods. Pick up Family Magazine at the entrance, and look for on shelf coupons throughout the store.
Case Lot & Sidewalk Sales
Usually in spring and fall. Stock up on bulk items—canned goods, paper products, drinks—at deep discounts. Check your local store's schedule.
The Exchange: Shop & Support
The Exchange is your on-base department store, gas station, and food court all in one. Each service branch has its own system (AAFES, NEX, MCX), but they all share two powerful benefits: every purchase is tax-free, and 100% of profits go back to the military community.
Primary Shopping Eligibility:
- Active Duty, Guard/Reserve members & their dependents
- Military Retirees & their dependents
- Medal of Honor recipients
- Disabled Veterans, Purple Heart recipients & former POWs (with VHIC)
- Primary Family Caregivers of Veterans (with VA eligibility letter)
How It Works: Profits with a Purpose
Unlike any civilian retailer, 100% of Exchange earnings are paid as dividends to fund Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) programs. Your shopping directly improves the quality of life on your installation.
Your purchase of electronics, clothing, and gas helps fund gyms, youth centers, outdoor recreation, and more.
Visualize Your Savings
The benefits of on-base shopping add up quickly. Use these interactive calculators to estimate how much your family can save over the course of a year by taking full advantage of your Commissary and Exchange. Pro tip: For financial planning strategies, visit our Career Hub for military spouse financial resources.
Advanced Commissary Savings
Estimate your savings based on your family's actual spending and shopping habits for a more personalized result.
Savings Habit Boosters
Estimated Annual Savings:
$0
Advanced Exchange Tax Savings
Estimate your total tax savings by breaking down your annual and weekly spending at the Exchange.
Not sure? Look up your rate by state.
Enter your local rate to calculate savings.
Estimated Tax Savings:
$0
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Learn More & JoinShop Like a Pro
A few extra pieces of knowledge can make your shopping trips even more effective. Here are some essential tips and official resources to help you get started.
Essential Tips
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Tip the Baggers: Commissary baggers work for tips only. It is customary to tip them for bagging your groceries and carrying them to your car.
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Check Local Ads: Your local Exchange and Commissary often have weekly sales flyers with special deals. Look for them near the entrance or online.
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Learn Your Store's Layout: Each base's stores are different. Take some time on your first visit to walk the aisles and learn where your favorite products are located.
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Combine Savings: Use manufacturer coupons, the Commissary Rewards Card, and store sales together to maximize your savings on every trip.
Beyond Shopping: MWR & ITT
Your Exchange purchases fund MWR programs that offer incredible savings for new families:
Local Entertainment
Discounted tickets to amusement parks, movies, and local attractions.
Equipment Rentals
Low-cost rentals for lawnmowers, tools, and outdoor gear.
Travel Deals
Special hotel rates and discounted travel packages through ITT.
Your PCS Shopping Toolkit
Essential resources and tools to help you shop smart during your PCS move. Get organized with our comprehensive shopping list and savings calculators.
Empty Pantry Shopping List
Download a comprehensive checklist for stocking your new home after a PCS move. Organized by aisle for efficient shopping.
PCS Shopping Tips
Shop Early
Hit the commissary on Tuesday-Thursday mornings for the best selection and shortest lines.
Check Exchange First
For big-ticket items like appliances and electronics, check the Exchange before shopping off-base.
Plan Your Route
Map out your shopping route to hit commissary, exchange, and gas station efficiently.
Official Resources & Information
For the most accurate and up-to-date information about your specific base, always check these official sources:
Your Base Website
Check your installation's official website for current hours, locations, and services.
Commissary Website
commissaries.com - Official DeCA information and digital coupons.
Exchange Services
shopmyexchange.com - AAFES, NEX, MCX online shopping.
MWR Office
Visit your local MWR office for recreation programs, travel deals, and community events.
Shopping Overseas
Shopping OCONUS comes with unique opportunities and challenges. This guide provides country-specific tips to help you navigate local economies and make the most of your overseas tour. Remember that the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) you receive is designed to offset higher local prices, and maximizing your on-base shopping helps that allowance go much further.
Select a Country:
Germany
Currency: Euro (€)
VAT/Tax Info: Germany has a Value-Added Tax (VAT, or Mehrwertsteuer). Under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), you are exempt from this tax on many purchases. Get VAT forms from your local VAT office before you shop to save significantly on large purchases off-base.
Popular Local Stores: Rewe, Edeka (groceries), Lidl, Aldi (discount groceries), Saturn, MediaMarkt (electronics).
Key Phrase: "Wie viel kostet das?" (How much does this cost?)
Pro-Tip: Bring your own reusable bags when shopping, as stores charge for plastic or paper bags. Also, be prepared to bag your own groceries quickly!
Common Questions
Quick answers to the most frequently asked questions about commissary and exchange shopping.
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