Gen. Petraeus' wife gives troops guidance for budget battle

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By Dustin Blanchard dblanchard@nbcaugusta.com

The better half of one of America's top Generals was in Augusta Thursday.

While her husband is famous for running the war in Iraq, she talked to troops about another top issue: personal economics.

It's a message defending our soldiers from a big threat at home.

"I signed onto a bad car loan when I first came into the military and I ended up having 19 percent interest and no way to really get rid of it," said Specialist Tom Williams.

As a soldier, he's a target for scammers.

Holly Petraeus, director of the Better Business Bureau's Military Line, said, "The military is targeted because they have that golden paycheck, it comes in absolutely reliably twice a month. Individually they don't make much, but in a military community that collective payroll is one of the biggest in the state."

Petraeus has a lot of advice for our armed forces, since there are a lot of different scams to avoid.

"Anything that requires you to send money up front," she said.

Petraeus said her advice comes from her experience with her first home.

"Now-a-days it is much easier. We could've gone online and checked the company and probably avoided signing the lease in advance and finding an unpleasant surprise," she remembered.

Williams is happy to hear the advice now, but he says he wishes it came sooner.

"I'm hoping to improve my credit and become more financially responsible," he said.

General Petraeus has been the subject of a lot of political buzz, but Mrs. Petraeus told NBC Augusta, her husband has absolutely no interest in politics.

Sunday, Aug 31 at 9:26 PM CONCERNED wrote ...

iT IS SAD THAT THE ARMY HAS CHANGED SO MUCH. When I was young I discussed major purchases with my leaders and they were usually able to steer me away from the wolves. The best advice I couold give a young soldier would be, if you are unsure about a document take it to your 1st SGT or better yet ask the Jag folks. If you find a crook out there, let the post know so others won't be trapped.

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