KateHorrell

Helping Military Families Make The Most of Their Money

2020 Basic Allowance for Housing Rates Released!


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The Department of Defense has posted the military basic allowance for housing rates for 2020, and, as usual, there are some big winners and some big losers. (Some readers are reporting that the link is giving them difficulties. If you are on an iPhone, you need to open using the three dots instead of clicking… | Read More…

The Three BEST Resources For FAFSA Questions


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Ah, the FAFSA… That’s the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, for those of you who are not knee-deep in college stuff. It’s an important part of the process of figuring out how to pay for college, but it is often mis-understood and many people find it MUCH more confusing than it actually is. And,… | Read More…

2019 and 2020 Active Duty Military Paydays – With Printables


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  While military pay is relatively easy, there can be some tricky bits. Military pay days are on the 15th of the month and the first of the following month, except when the 1st or 15th fall on a weekend or federal holiday. Then, the payday shifts to the business day prior to the weekend… | Read More…

2019 and 2020 USAA Military Pay Deposit Dates – With Printables


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Looking for information on the upcoming paycheck? Find details at When Is The Next Military Payday? USAA is the most popular bank for military service members. As a benefit to their military customers, USAA credits anticipated military pay one business day prior to the actual payday, provided they receive the pay deposit information from the appropriate finance… | Read More…

When Is The Next Military Payday?


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The next regular, active duty payday is Friday, 13 December 2019.  Most military members will have their military pay deposited on Friday, 13 December 2019. Some military-friendly banks and credit unions offer early crediting of direct deposited military pay, so your pay might be credited prior to that date. The biggest bank that offers this benefit… | Read More…

Validate Your TSP Contact Information Or Risk Being Locked Out


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Starting in December, Thrift Savings Plan online access will require two-factor identification. Be sure your account details are up to date, or you might found yourself locked out of your account. You know the TSP board – always making things safer. And sometimes more difficult. I appreciate their commitment to cyber-security, but sometimes I don’t… | Read More…

Favorable Tax Rules for Military When Excluding Capital Gain from Sale of Principal Residence


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I asked my smart friend Paul Allen if he could possibly explain the capital gains exclusion in another way, especially the part about partial exclusions. I’ve always been confused by them. Even thought I’ve written about this here, I was still baffled about that part. And Paul came back in a big way. I am… | Read More…

49 Things You Need To Know Before Military Retirement


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While the Horrell tribe is still a few years from retirement, I’ve been putting together a list of things that already-retired folks tell me that they wish they had known. Take advantage of their wisdom! The Transition Assistance Program The in-person Transition Assistance Program class is your primary source of information about the process. Use… | Read More…

Tricare Open Season: How To Pick The Right Tricare For Your Family


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It’s that time of year again: OPEN SEASON. This year’s Tricare Open Season runs from Monday, 11 November 2019 (that’s Monday!) through Monday, 9 December 2019. Be sure to select what Tricare plan you want to use for 2020 during the open season, or you’re stuck with what you had in 2019 unless you have… | Read More…

Everything About Tricare Costs and Fees 2019 and 2020


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Update 29 August 2019: Tricare has decided/realized/whatever that the Prime enrollment fees DO apply to your catastrophic cap.  Tricare can be more confusing than you’d think, especially if you’re used to being treated at Medical Treatment Facilities (MTF) and you start seeing civilian providers. And it doesn’t help that the civilian providers often don’t know… | Read More…

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Disclaimer

Kate does not represent the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or any government agency. This blog is strictly for informational and entertainment purposes only. The content on this site should not be considered professional financial or legal advice. I may receive compensation through affiliate or advertising relationships from products mentioned on this site. All reviews on this site represent the personal opinions of the author. All references to third party products, rates, and offers may change without notice.