If there is one thing that will make me crazy, it is someone who doesn't have any situational awareness. It could be my child, who has zoned out and has no idea that we've just had an entire … [Read more...]
Kate Is Clueless: Address Updates
March 25, 2013 | KateYou'd think that after 20 years of being married to someone in the military, I'd get to be pretty knowledgeable about things related to moving. Yet, there is always something that surprises me. I … [Read more...]
From The Mailbag: Military Spouse Residency Relief Act
September 22, 2012 | KateLetters, we get letters, we get lots and lots and lots and lots of letters. And some of them are pretty darn helpful. Today's letter is about the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act (MSRRA) … [Read more...]
Department of Defense Lodging Rates
July 25, 2012 | KateThis isn't exactly real news, but it is important if you don't already know it. The rates for very similar military accommodations can vary greatly depending on which branch of the military is … [Read more...]
The Hidden Costs of PCS
June 16, 2012 | KateThings are frantic here - two days until the main packers come, and the bills are already piling up. Now, you might be thinking, "but the Navy pays to move you." True statement. However, there … [Read more...]
Temporary Lodging Allowances
June 10, 2012 | KateEvery time we make a BIG move, I double check to make sure that I understand Temporary Lodging Entitlement (TLE)/Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA.). Frankly, I'm not always sure that the people who … [Read more...]
Dislocation Allowance (DLA)
June 05, 2012 | KatePCS season is here, and so are questions about the military's dislocation allowance (DLA.) DLA is designed to partially offset the costs incurred when moving as part of a PCS, when ordered to move … [Read more...]
Book Giveaway: I Will Teach You To Be Rich
April 23, 2012 | KateThe Kashman family is preparing to PCS this summer, so it is time for another round of "Kate gives away her books!" Every day this week, I will be putting up another book to be given away to a … [Read more...]
The “Free” Cat
March 06, 2012 | KateOnce upon a time, a friend offered a couple some free kittens. He had found four abandoned kittens and thought that maybe four was too many for one single guy. The couple said yes and was … [Read more...]
A New Way to Check Out Neighborhoods
February 27, 2012 | KateOne of the things that I hate about moving to a new town is that it is so hard to pick out the good places to live. Thankfully, there is a new website that can help! It is called Military Town … [Read more...]
The PCS Budget Reset
February 15, 2012 | KateMilitary life - it has its pros and cons. One great big pro is the opportunity to reset your budget each time you move. For most people, housing is their biggest monthly expense, followed by autos … [Read more...]
My Random Two Cents
November 11, 2011 | KateI've been thinking this for years, but maybe if I write it here there is some chance that it will get the attention of someone who knows someone who might be able to do something about it. The … [Read more...]
The Costs of Seeing Family
August 28, 2011 | KateOne downside to moving with the military is that you are often stationed far away from your family. You can't always make it "home" often, and you miss things that you'd like to attend because it is … [Read more...]
Back to Basics
April 18, 2011 | KateDuring the government shutdown, no-military-pay scare earlier this month, it became even more apparent how many military families are stretched thin financially and living paycheck-to-paycheck. … [Read more...]
