Kate Horrell, AFC®

Kate Horrell is an Accredited Financial Counselor® and personal financial educator who helps the military community make the most of their pay and benefits. She shares the most up-to-date information in understandable terms, and highlights how rules, programs, and laws will directly impact our personal finances. With over 10 years working with thousands of military families, she understands the concerns of currently serving, retired, and veteran families.

Kate has a B.A. in history from the University of Maryland. She is currently studying for the Chartered Financial Consultant designation and preparing to take the Certified Financial Planner exam. She has a professional background in financial counseling, mortgage banking and taxes. She also volunteers with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and is a member of the MOAA Currently Serving Spouses Advisory Board.

Kate has been married to a sailor for 27 years, corralling four girls and two cats across during four OCONUS tours and a handful of homes here in the US.

Latest Articles

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...

What A Government Shutdown Looks Like for the Military

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

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...

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...

An IRS Form W-4P, miscellaneous office supplies and a computer keyboard are arranged on a surface

Because of IRS Change, SBP Beneficiaries Need to Check Their Tax Withholding

A major IRS update became effective for 2023, and as a result, annuitants are reporting that their Survivor Benefit Plan...

a photo of hands making progressively taller stacks of coins with some graphics overlaid

Use the Military's Pay Structure to Grow Your TSP Retirement Savings

The military's compensation structure has several built-in ways to make it easy to increase your Thrift Savings Plan...

Fingers type on a wall-mounted security number pad

How to Cancel a Home Security Contract When You PCS: New Law

A new law makes it easier for military members and their dependents to cancel home security contracts when they move or...

for Tricare Select beneficiaries, it is often cheaper to go to an out-of-network provider.

Take Control of Tricare Select Costs by Knowing the Provider Types

The more you understand about the types of Tricare providers, the better you can control your costs.

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Most Popular Military News

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The report released by the Defense Department inspector general revealed that in fiscal 2023 there were 183 allegations of...

Mobile Vet Center at the World Series in Arlington, Texas

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Latest Military Videos

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Investigations and Features

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Army News

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An Army Kiowa helicopter flies over a convoy of U.S. soldiers at the Makua Military Reservation in Hawaii

Live-Fire Training in Makua Valley Not Needed, Army Says

The military has officially committed to never resuming live-fire training at Makua Valley, one of its most controversial...

Navy News

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A Hawaii official says landing gear from a U.S. Navy jet pulverized coral when it landed in a bay after overshooting a...

guided missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) launches a Tomahawk cruise missile

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Air Force News

debris believed to be from a U.S. military Osprey aircraft is seen off the coast of Yakushima Island

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The Air Force released the names of seven more crew members who perished last week during training when their CV-22 Osprey...

A CV-22 Osprey flies over Hokkaido, Japan

Remains Found of 5 More Air Force Crew Members Recovered After Osprey Crash Off Japan Coast

Dive teams located the missing crew as well as the main fuselage of the aircraft, which went down in the ocean during...

Space Force News

Space Force Reports 2 Suicides This Year, Marking the First in the Service's Short History

Until this year, the relatively tiny and new Space Force had been an outlier among the other services as they have struggled...

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., speaks to reporters in the Capitol building on Sept. 21, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

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Anger over Sen. Tommy Tuberville's blockade of high-ranking military promotions may have hit a boiling point as a handful of...

Marine Corps News

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