KateHorrell

Helping Military Families Make The Most of Their Money

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…

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 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…

How Government Shutdowns Can Affect Military Pay


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Whenever we start talking about a government shutdown, there is a lot of confusion.  It’s understandable – these things are confusing.   Heck, I have to re-learn it every single time it comes up, just to be sure I’m not messing something up, and this is my job.  There are a lot of little details,… | Read More…

The New, Higher VA Funding Fees for 2020


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Effective 1 January 2020, funding fees are increasing for home loans backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan guaranty program. What Is The Funding Fee? The funding fee for home loans backed by a VA guaranty is designed to cover the costs of the program, including administration and default. You pay the… | Read More…

December Military Scholarships for Service Members, Veterans, Spouses and Kids


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This post is part of my ongoing Military Scholarships series. December is such a busy month, you might as well go ahead and get started on these important scholarship applications now. Google Student Veterans Association Deadline: 5 December 2019 Description: Must be: currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited four-year university for… | Read More…

Six Answers To FAFSA Questions For Military Families


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It’s 1 October, which means that it is the first day that you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA. This application is the key to a variety of federal aid, including Pell Grants and student loans, and can also impact your eligibility for the school’s need-based… | 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.