Kate Horrell

Kate Horrell is an Accredited Financial Counselor®, Chartered Financial Consultant®, and Military Qualified Financial Planner® who helps the military community make the most of their pay and benefits. With more than 15 years working with thousands of military families, she helps currently serving, retired and veteran families.

She has been married to a now-retired sailor for 32 years, corralling four girls and two cats across four OCONUS tours and a handful of homes in the U.S. She’s navigated landlording, Overseas Housing Allowances, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Survivor Benefit Plan decision, and transition to civilian life.

Latest Articles

Understanding the Newest FICO Score

The method for calculating credit scores will change by the end of this year. We explain how it may affect you.

RAPIDS Appointment Scheduler for IDs

The RAPIDS Appointment scheduling website has a robust search function, allowing you to search by state, zip code, place name...

Marines shop for uniforms at the Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, Corry Station Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Thrift Shop, Jan. 23, 2024. (Garrett Dipuma/Navy)

How to Save Money on Military Uniforms While Still Meeting Standards

Take a look at these alternatives to save money on military uniforms while still meeting uniform standards.

Two airmen carry a heavy dog crate between them.

The Military's New Pet Transportation Policy: What It Means to You

Military service members will be reimbursed for some of the costs of moving one dog or cat when moving on permanent change of...

Wood blocks printed with numbers arranged to spell 2024 sit atop ascending stacks of quarters while a hand places another block in the image featuring an arrow hitting a bullseye

5 Ways to Prep Your Military Finances for 2024

Annual increases in pays and allowances give military service members the opportunity to do a financial reset every year...

A piggy bank wearing a Santa hat smiles amid shiny coins and against a backdrop of twinkling lights.

Free and Low-Cost Ideas to Brighten Up the Holidays

Whether you celebrate a religious or cultural holiday or not, there's always something to spend money on in December. Gifts...

A string of holiday lights wind around a piggy bank

Do Holiday Bargains Really Save You Money?

It’s not a bad idea to take advantage of promotions. But be aware of how advertised “freebies” are factored into the price of...

The Navy Federal Credit Union mascot takes a photo with runners.

What You Need to Know About Navy Federal's Takeover of Community Bank

While the takeover by Navy Federal of the Defense Department's Community Bank should have no direct impact on services...

Army Retirement Services Officers (RSOs) with the Army National Guard take a certification course at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, on a variety of topics, including the Survivor Benefit Plan.

A Key Survivor Benefit Plan Deadline Was Moved Up. Here’s What You Need to Know

The deadline to enroll in the military's Survivor Benefit Plan during this year's open season has just shortened --...

an arrangement of desktop items featuring the words capital gains tax

How to Reduce Capital Gains Tax on a House You Sell After Less Than 2 Years

You may be eligible for a partial exclusion of capital gains tax if your employer transfers you to a new location that is at...

Three $100 bills arrayed with a blurry beach scene in the background

3 Low-Key Strategies to Get a Grip on Your Money

In addition to using a spending plan, here are a few low-stress ways to be more intentional about your spending.

The words "save now" appear on a car ignition button

Start the Habit of 'Specific Savings' by Putting Aside Money for Car Maintenance

A specific savings account for car maintenance is a big step toward financial security.

A dollar sign appears in the foam of a latte

Build Financial Guardrails to Keep Problematic Spending in Check

Financial guardrails are a lot like the envelope method of budgeting -- dividing up literal cash into various envelopes...

The word IRA appears under a magnifying, atop a fanned-out stack of cash.

3 Ways Military Service Members Can Take Advantage of an IRA

Individual retirement accounts involve special considerations if you are a military member. Here are three things to know. As...

An arrangement of office supplies on a bill stamped "past due"

The Military Says You Owe Money? Here's What to Do.

What do you do when the Defense Finance and Accounting Service decides that you owe it money -- but you aren't even in the...

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Most Popular Military News

Rep. Michael Lawler, R-N.Y., left, confronts House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.

Federal Government Shutdown Grinds into a Second Week as Tempers Flare at the Capitol

As the federal government shutdown enters a second week, there’s no discernible endgame in sight.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) questions U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi as she testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Trump Targets Blumenthal, Calling for Investigation into Senator's Vietnam Service Claims

President Donald Trump is targeting U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal again after Connecticut’s senior U.S. senator grilled U.S...

Pvt. Paul Douglas, age 50, performs a rifle inspection with his drill instructor aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot S.C., 1942. Douglas, at age 50 was the oldest recruit in the history of Parris Island, and went on to become a purple heart recipient and Chicago senator (DVIDS).

At 50, He Survived Marine Boot Camp — Then Fought at Peleliu and Okinawa

When 50-year-old Paul Douglas showed up at Marine Corps boot camp in 1942, the white-haired economics professor looked more...

Pack and transport platoon of the Russian army. Southern Military District. Ministry of Defense of Russia (Wikimedia Commons).

Ukrainian Drones Attack Russian Cavalry Troops in Rare 21st-Century Encounter

A short video circulating online this month appears to show a Russian mounted patrol being struck by a Ukrainian drone near...

When The Government Can Afford Everything Except The Essentials

Every shutdown forces the government to decide what counts as “essential.” Air traffic controllers and TSA agents fall into...

Troops Will Miss Paychecks Next Week Without Action on the Government Shutdown

The federal government shutdown is raising anxiety levels among service members and their families, because those in uniform...

Latest Military Videos

Trump Considering Tomahawks' Request from Zelenskyy, Vance Says

The United States is considering a request by Ukraine for long-range Tomahawk missiles, US Vice President JD Vance has...

US Vice President JD Vance Discusses Renewed Violence in Gaza

US Vice President JD Vance on Sunday said there would be “fits and starts” in the truce between Israel...

Children Among the Killed and Injured by Israeli Strikes Arrive at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis

Children were among the killed and injured by Israeli strikes on Sunday, and arrived at Nasser hospital in Khan...

Israel Carries Out a Series of Airstrikes in Southern Lebanon

Israel's army carried out a series of airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Thursday, targeting a cement plant and a...

Investigations and Features

In One of the Marines' Most Iconic Jobs, a Stunning Pattern of Suicide

Marine Corps drill instructors are a national symbol of discipline. But for some, their imposing persona belies a dark...

Army Capt. Jeremy Kuykendall and his wife Kate, cradle their daughter

Unsupervised: Military Child Care Centers Slow to Report Abuse with Little Oversight

A Military.com investigation into military day care centers revealed that service branch rules generally prioritize...

Army News

U.S. Army soldiers launch a drone at Yakima Training Center, Washington, July 2025. The Army is creating specialized multifunctional reconnaissance companies that integrate drones, electronic warfare systems, and traditional reconnaissance capabilities. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Adeline Witherspoon)

How Ukraine’s Drone War Is Forcing the U.S. Army to Rewrite Its Battle Doctrine

The Army is overhauling how it fights in combat based on lessons from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, where drones have become...

Thousands of U.S. Government E-mails Exposed on the Dark Web — Including White House and Pentagon Accounts

NordVPN says thousands of U.S. government email addresses, including some tied to the White House, State Department and...

Navy News

Trump Backs Retired Navy SEAL in His Quest to Oust Kentucky Rep. Massie in Republican Primary

Retired Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein has not entered the race, but he said he would reveal his plans soon while praising President...

Russian-made military vehicles on display in Caracas during a 2014 commemoration. Venezuela continues to rely heavily on Russian military equipment, including tanks, armored vehicles and air defense systems now positioned to counter U.S. forces in the Caribbean. (Cancillería del Ecuador/Wikimedia Commons)

What U.S. Forces Face as Venezuela Puts Russian-Armed Military on Wartime Alert

The 10,000 U.S. troops now operating in the Caribbean were sent to interdict drug boats. But Venezuelan President Nicolás...

Air Force News

GOP Lawmaker With Furloughed Military Spouse Calls Firing of Federal Workers 'Mixed Bag'

Threats to fire federal workers have occurred as the government shutdown could soon become the second longest ever unless a...

What We Know About the Devastating Alaska Storm and the Evacuation Effort

Hundreds of residents from remote Alaska Native villages are being airlifted after a storm battered their communities.

Space Force News

U.S. Air Force U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Rachel Harmon and Master Sgt. Tom Anderson, weapons loaders assigned to the 174th Attack Wing, checks an inert GBU 12 laser guided missile on an MQ-9 Reaper at Springfield-Beckley Air National Guard Base in Springfield, Ohio.

Two Space Force Units Bring the 'Invisible Front Line' to Ohio

A ceremonial ribbon-cutting is planned for Friday for the Space Intelligence Production Cell at the Springfield-Beckley Air...

A painting of a Defense Support Program satellite from the Air Force Art collection. DSP provides a variety of national security capabilities. Its flagship mission of launch detection was made famous during the Cold War. (U.S. Air Force image)

Clearing The Orbits: Space Force Partnerships In Orbital Cleanup

The growing congestion of Earth orbit has raised risks to satellites, space stations, and long-term space sustainability. The...

Marine Corps News

Artillery Round Explodes Over I-5 During Marine Demo at Camp Pendleton

Vice President JD Vance was on base earlier for the event but was not in danger following an artillery round explosion during...

US Vice President JD Vance walks on stage to deliver remarks as part of the Marine Corps' 250th anniversary celebration at Camp Pendleton, California, on Oct. 18, 2025. (Oliver Contreras/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

How Military’s ‘Safe’ Plan to Fire Munitions Over Interstate 5 Went off the Rails With CHP Cruiser Hit

The plan involved Marines firing high explosive rounds from M777 Howitzers — artillery used to launch shells in wars in...

Coast Guard News

A Coast Guardsman stands on the forward deck of a 45-foot response boat-medium and prepares to handle line on a channel marker buoy outside of the Honolulu harbor entrance.

Coast Guard’s Pacific Mission Continues to Expand

As tensions with China continue to simmer and drug war operations ramp up in the Americas, the Coast Guard’s duties continue...