KateHorrell

Helping Military Families Make The Most of Their Money

Hurricane Evacuations, Military Entitlements, and Insurance Coverage


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I am updating this article as I gather new information – come back for the latest details! There’s a hurricane headed to the east coast of the United States, and military bases are preparing. Many military families are wondering if they should evacuate, and when and if the military or their insurance company will help… | Read More…

Be Sure You Are Keeping Up With These Retiree Newsletters


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It can be hard to keep up with changes in benefits, laws, and programs. One of the best ways to remain informed is to read the various retiree newsletters published by each branch of the military and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). I recommend you read them all, because none are comprehensive and… | Read More…

College Shopping? Be Sure To Do All The Math


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It’s August, and college tuition bills have been coming due all month. I am often surprised when people tell me, “I didn’t know how much the bill would be.” I’m such an over-planner that this seems foreign to me, but there are quite a few ways that it happens. I want you to know that… | Read More…

Why Does My Mortgage Payment Change From Year To Year? How Mortgage Escrow Works


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One of the most confusing parts of having a mortgage is understanding how the payment on your fixed rate mortgage can change, usually every single year. In order to understand why your payment changes, you need to know your escrow account works. An escrow account is an account that pays different bills related to the… | Read More…

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


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This post is part of my ongoing Military Scholarships series. September is still in the slow season, but be sure to check back, because I am always finding new scholarships. (I added to this list mid-September because I found something new!) Bonsai Finance Veterans Scholarship Deadline: 28 September Description:  Applicants must be a veteran or active duty… | Read More…

Military Retiree Medical: Tricare Prime, Select, or USFHP?


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One of the big questions during military retirement is: Which Tricare health care coverage should I choose? Or maybe you’ve been retired for a while, and you’re wondering if the Tricare health plan you’re using is the right one for your situation? Or you’re moving to a new area and need to figure out your… | Read More…

DC Area Active Duty Family Tricare Options: Prime, Select, Or Johns Hopkins US Family Health Plan?


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This entire article is for Active Duty family members. For a similar conversation for retirees, see this article. Move to the greater Washington, D.C. area and one of your first questions will be: Which health care coverage should I choose? Or maybe you’ve lived here for a while, and you’re wondering if the Tricare health… | Read More…

How We Save Money Renting Apartments and Houses Through VRBO and AirBNB


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Like many military families, we like to travel, especially when we’re stationed overseas. But with six people in our family, traveling is expensive! We are always searching out ways to enjoy our trips without spending any more money than necessary. The two places that are generally easiest for us to save money are on lodging… | Read More…

How To Get A Refund Of The VA Home Loan Funding Fee


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Home mortgages guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are a valuable benefit of military service. One of the characteristics of a VA-backed home loan is that you have to pay a funding fee when you get the loan. However, some folks are exempt from the funding fee. If you pay the funding fee,… | Read More…

Should You Sell Back Your Military Leave, or Take Terminal Leave?


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One hot topic in military finance is the selling of leave. Generally, these are folks who are separating or retiring, and they’re trying to figure out what to do with their leave. I used to have a single answer, and then I opened my mind a little, discovered that there are a lot of variables… | 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.