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

Children that attend the Defense Supply Center Richmond Child Development Center place pinwheels in the ground after a Pinwheel Parade at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia

How to Plan for an Extended Government Shutdown

Well, it’s finally happened. After years of reporting on what to expect if the government shuts down and military pay is...

There are steps you can take to survive a government shutdown and potential military pay delay.

What to Do in a Government Shutdown: Don't Panic! Be Proactive

Panic seems like the natural response to the prospect of missing a paycheck due to a government shutdown. But a better idea...

Airmen from the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and a bugler from the U.S. Air Force Band’s Ceremonial Brass conduct military funeral honors for U.S. Air Force Capt. Wade Holmes in Section 57, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

Lump-Sum Benefits for Survivors of Active-Duty Military Members

Even military families often don’t know what benefits are available to the surviving family of an active-duty service member.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Judah Rice, a honor guardsman assigned to the 628th Air Base Wing, gives a facing movement command during military honors simulation for an active-duty funeral, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina.

Monthly Benefits for Survivors of Fallen Active-Duty Service Members

When combined, the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) can offer a steady stream of...

Montage of a pile of cash, a stethoscope and a calculator.

Tricare Premiums vs. Enrollment Fees: Here's Why the Difference Matters

Being aware of your Tricare catastrophic cap can help you plan your medical budget and make smart decisions about carrying...

A stethoscope lies on top of fanned-out US $100 bills.

Understanding Your Tricare Catastrophic Cap

Being aware of your Tricare catastrophic cap can help you plan your medical budget and make smart decisions about carrying...

Two recent graduates of Hohenfels Middle High School at U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, Germany, pose for a photo during the school's graduation ceremony June 6, 2025, at the school's football field. (Bryan Gatchell/U.S. Army photo)

How to Change Tricare Coverage After a Qualifying Life Event – and Which QLEs Count

Many service members experience one or more qualifying life events, or QLEs, each year, unlocking opportunities to change...

Advisers stand behind a table and talk to U.S. Air Force members.

When to Be Wary of Free Financial Advice, Plus Alternatives Available to Military Households

Financial companies offering free financial advice usually make their income by selling financial products such as insurance...

Why Service Members Need to Be Wary of Financial Advice on TikTok

While the app is full of energetic creators who present fun content, the financial guidance circulating on the platform is...

Numbers and symbols appear on Ben Franklin's currency face.

How Stock Turbulence Has Affected Thrift Savings Accounts, and How You Can Strategize

The value of Thrift Savings Plan funds has been volatile over the past year, reaching new highs and producing some big dips...

A mans arms are pictured taping shut a cardboard moving box.

Personally Procured PCS Moves Are Changing. Here’s What You Need to Know.

If you’re considering a personally procured move (PPM) this year, how can you keep any potential out-of-pocket costs as low...

Preschoolers around a low table play with big Legos.

Think You'd Like to Work as a Family Child-Care Provider for the Military?

If you're good with kids, becoming a family child-care provider can be a great way to support your fellow military families...

An orange and black lawn mower pictured from above crossing green grass.

Can I Pack This? The Items You Should and Shouldn't Ship with Your Household Goods This PCS Season

Knowing what can and can’t be shipped, and what probably shouldn't be shipped, can make your move easier.

A lot of printed bills, presumably representing debts, along with credit cards appear on a table top with a man's torso in the frame, arms shuffling papers.

Here’s a Tool to Easily Calculate Your Debt Repayment Strategy

PowerPay lets you enter your debt information and how much money you have to put toward debt repayment each month, then helps...

What a Government Shutdown Looks Like for the Military and Veterans

A federal government shutdown can have a direct impact on U.S. service members and military families.

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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 Doubts Ukraine Will Win War with Russia, Expects a 'Fair Deal' with China

President Donald Trump pulled back Monday on his previous assertion that Ukraine could win back all territory from Russia...

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...

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

Trump Nominates New Army Vice Chief with Current General Just Two Years into the Role

President Donald Trump has nominated Lt. Gen. Christopher LaNeve to serve as the Army’s second-highest-ranking officer...

Industry partners demonstrate an AI-enabled robotic combat system during Operation Hard Kill at Fort Drum, New York, Aug. 1, 2024. The Pentagon is racing to integrate artificial intelligence into military operations, with the Department of War investing $100 million to accelerate AI adoption across autonomous weapons systems and battlefield command decisions. The demonstration reflects the military's urgency to deploy AI before adversaries like China and Russia gain an irreversible technological edge. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Eric-James Estrada)

Army Leaders Embrace AI for Command Decisions as Pentagon Accelerates Technology Race With China

The Pentagon is racing to deploy artificial intelligence across military operations before adversaries gain an irreversible...

Navy News

WAVES pigeon trainers release homing pigeons during training, February 1944. These birds flew messages from Navy blimps hunting German U-boats when radio silence was critical to avoid detection. (U.S. Navy/National Archives)

How Pigeons Helped U.S. Navy Blimps Hunt German U-Boats in World War II

The U.S. Navy's use of pigeons began decades before World War II, but the birds found their most critical mission during the...

Firing Artillery Over Interstate 5 Considered Unusual for Camp Pendleton, Some Experts Say

A simulated beach assault in which artillery was fired from the sand toward the interior of the sprawling base was intended...

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...

Special Charlie Kirk Honorary Recognition Withdrawn by Air Force Academy Board

Charlie Kirk was assassinated in September and his death has resulted in some to honor him posthumously in myriad ways.

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

2nd DSB Prepares ALPV for Refueling Operations (DVIDS, Photo by LCpl Franco Lewis)

UNITAS 2025: Marines Foster Multinational Collaboration

The U.S. Marine Corps took lead on UNITAS 2025 at Camp :Lejeune, North Carolina, in September 2025 in support of Commander, U...

The sign at the entrance at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

Key Camp Pendleton Document Has No Approved Artillery Firing Locations West of I-5

Thousands of Southern California motorists planning to travel between San Diego and Orange or Los Angeles counties Saturday...

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...

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...