Corporal Adam R. York heard all the advice about not spending too much of his combat pay when he returned home.

Nonetheless, he recently found himself clearing his pickup truck bed at the PX loading dock to load up on goodies.

"I'm pretty much done spending," said York, a motor transport driver for 11th Marine Regiment -- who, like some Marines, could have blown the $9,000 he saved while deployed at exchanges open for business at U.S. base camps in Iraq.

Those exchanges are offering small- and big-ticket items -- including cars, motorcycles and Middle Eastern rugs priced at as high as $50,000.

York and his buddies were trying to fit a new large screen TV in the back of his truck, already loaded haphazardly with TMO boxes that needed rearranging to accommodate the TV. Car audio boxes were stacked up in the backseat window.

"They told us not to splurge," York said. After seven months of regular mortar attacks -- and with no bills to pay -- York thought a little splurging was in order.

But for many Marines returning from Iraq, getting bills under control is the first thing they should do, says Gerald A. Williams, a financial management consultant with Marine and Family Services.

"You don't have to take it all and get something right away," Williams said. "Put yourself in a habit of putting some away for yourself."

Williams speaks to units and individual Marines before they deploy and when they return. He says having a budget and sticking to it -- both in Iraq and at home -- is the key.

A private first class should return from Iraq with at least $7,000, according to figures taken from www.military.com. Nonetheless, some Marines are coming home broke, he said.

"They either blow their money over there or they blow it over here," Williams said.

Whether they return with a lot or a little, they should learn how to save and invest money, he said.

"Start off small. Don't take it all and dump it into a stock. You may lose all your money," Williams said.

Marines should start by putting maybe just $10 to $25 a payday into a mutual fund, or start an individual retirement account that takes a little out at a time, Williams said. Later, after they've established a habit of saving, they can look into something more aggressive, he said.

Ideally, those returning would have something sizable to plunk into an investment when they return. But some don't.

"It's the boredom that gets them," said Cpl. Bryan M. Reza, a motor transport driver for 9th Comm. "One kid spent a grand on DVDs."

Reza said that though the Marine is ultimately to blame, the exchanges in Iraq are part of the problem.

"The PXs are making it worse," Reza said. "I know that they look at it like they're doing us a favor, but I don't think they are. What is the PX out there for? Is it to make money off the Marines? They're spending thousands of dollars out there."

Reza saved more than $10,000 in Iraq in preparation to get out of the Marine Corps. It took most of what he made for the six months he was there to amass that amount, he said. The rest he spent on calling cards, he said.

Reza said that Marines are forewarned about financial problems before they deploy and when they return. But for many, it's just another transition brief they have to endure before they can go on liberty.

York agreed that many Marines in Iraq spend a lot of their money on things they don't need. But with little to do for entertainment -- and little access to news and information -- Marines turn to CDs and DVDs available at camp exchanges.

"It's music that keeps you sane over there," York said.

The splurging comes in two waves. Deploying Marines buy digital cameras, portable DVD players and laptops -- things they can carry.

"When they come back, they buy stuff for their new cars, and movies they need to catch up on," said Linda Huson, manager of Electricity, a home and car electronics store on Mainside.

Having the stuff Marines want to buy took some adjusting. As the first wave of Operation Iraqi Freedom II began, managers found themselves swamped for items they never expected Marines would take with them, Huson said.

"Who knew the Marines would go and fight a war with Gameboys?" Huson said.

But it's not just electronics.

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service has set up 30 exchanges in Iraq -- everything from a 30,000-square-foot superstore at Camp North Victory to an 800-square-foot outpost dubbed Freedom Rest, according to Judd Anstey, a public affairs specialist for AAFES in Dallas. AAFES even has set up tented bazaars where servicemembers can buy local jewelry and rugs. The rugs are priced at between $200 and $50,000, Anstey said.

Inside some of the exchanges, Marines can even arrange to buy cars and motorcycles from third-party contractors, Anstey confirmed. Service members have bought 154 Harley Davidson motorcycles and 127 vehicles since the AAFES began offering the service 11 months ago, Anstey said.

Families tend to be a little more discrete than single Marines about how they spend their money, Williams said. Nonetheless, some spouses go on protracted shopping sprees with the extra money while the servicemember is deployed. Others wait till they're reunited -- then celebrate together by breaking the bank.

Williams made a pitch for prudence.

"First get your bills under control and establish a budget," he said.

Williams is available for financial consultation from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at Marine and Family Services, Building 13150. 760-725-6098. Walk-ins are welcome, and he will go to you if you don't have a car. He is also available at lunchtime.

To make an appointment, call 725-6098.

Gunnery Sgt. Matthew J. Hevezi, The Scout's press chief, contributed to this story. E-mail Sgt. Heuston at Jim.Heuston@usmc.mil.