You gotta be prepared to support the choices you make. You know how some weeks it seems like the same thing hits you over and over again? (And I’m not talking about an explosion of IKEA ads after talking to your sister about IKEA. That’s just creepy.) This week, it’s people upset that their military... | Read More... The post Kate Rants: Choice Is Good. But Be Sure You Can Support Your Choices appeared first on KateHorrell ..read more

Car buying is hard. Cars are expensive, and there are a bjillion options out there. Plus, most of us don’t have the full price of a car saved up when we need to buy. The whole thing can feel overwhelming. And you’re often rushed. I like to call it an adventure, but let’s be real.... | Read More... The post 5 Smart Rules for Your Next Car Buying Adventure appeared first on KateHorrell ..read more

Are you a Florida resident who maintains their drivers license and vehicle registration in Florida even though you live somewhere else on military orders? You might want to make sure that your drivers license and registration are in good standing. Keeping Your License and Registration Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, service members and their... | Read More... The post Keeping Your Florida Drivers License Up-to-Date appeared first on KateHorrell ..read more

Slash your food budget with my meal planner sweepstakes! (And giveaway! Did you know that there is a difference? A giveaway implies that everyone gets one. A sweepstakes is when you are giving away a limited number of items. I learn something new every day!) Meal Planner Sweepstakes I was browsing the office supply store... | Read More... The post Three Simple Steps To Slash Your Food Budget appeared first on KateHorrell ..read more

Getting a Certificate of Eligibility for VA educational benefits is the first step in using the GI Bill. The Department of Veterans Affairs educational programs are a huge thing for military members. Being able to transfer the Post 9/11 GI Bill makes it an even bigger benefit. While it’s great, it can also be intimidating... | Read More... The post How To Get A GI Bill Certificate of Eligibility appeared first on KateHorrell ..read more

This is a guest post from my friend and very smart tax professional Jerry Zeigler of JZ Financial Management. I’ve made a few edits to make it clearer to my murky brain. 95% of these words are his. And all the brains are his. It’s early February. Many taxpayers are eager to file their federal... | Read More... The post Should You Delay Filing Your 2023 Tax Return? appeared first on KateHorrell ..read more

The January 2024 end-of-month pay period is going to be exceptionally long. Like nearly three weeks long! Every time we have a long pay period, Facebook explodes with conversations on this subject, and they provide a fascinating look into how people handle their money. Most of it is sad. So let’s figure some things out... | Read More... The post Military Long Pay Period Warning & Your Personal Finance Stress Test appeared first on KateHorrell ..read more

Considering selling your house at a loss? There’s a lot to consider. Military families have unique challenges when they buy a house. The biggest challenge is what to do with the house when you receive PCS orders a few years (or months!) later. Some folks bought the house with clear plans to turn it into... | Read More... The post When Selling Your House At A Loss Is The Right Choice appeared first on KateHorrell ..read more

Job hunting is hard. Many families struggle with the transition out of the military and into the civilian world. It’s natural – it is a big change! Thankfully, there are a world of employment resources available to both the veteran and the spouse. A recent Facebook conversation encouraged me to pull together some resources available... | Read More... The post Employment Resources for Military and Veteran Spouses appeared first on KateHorrell ..read more

If you wear glasses or contacts, or have kids in glasses and contacts, you may be wondering whether vision insurance is a good choice for you. Depending on your options for coverage and how many people will use the benefit, insurance may save you a few or a few hundred dollars each year. Tricare Vision... | Read More... The post Vision Insurance for Military Families (Including Retired) and Why I Use A Plan Outside of the FEDVIP Program appeared first on KateHorrell ..read more