Jean Chatzky Quotes

Author Image

Jean Chatzky

Profession : Journalist

Birth : November 7, 1964

If you're not clipping coupons before going to the grocery store, you're overspending. If you're ordering in or going out to dinner because you don't feel like cooking, you're overspending. If you're not tracking where your money is going, you're very likely overspending.

Jean Chatzky

I give out similar advice all the time: Take a month to write down where your money is going. By the end, you'll have a road map that tells you where you can cut back.

Jean Chatzky

Eliminating or substantially lowering just one major monthly expense can give you enough cushion to move into a more comfortable place financially.

Jean Chatzky

If you haven't gotten a raise in the past couple years for a job well done, it might be time to ask for one.

Jean Chatzky

No purchase is so urgent, no bargain so rare, that you don't have time to research it thoroughly, despite what they might have you believe. This applies, in particular, to infomercials that urge you to 'Call now, while supplies last,' or 'Call in the next 10 minutes for a free gift.'

Jean Chatzky

I've gotten emails from people who purchased items from an infomercial, only to find out that the shipping was more expensive than the item itself. The lesson: If you truly want to order something you see on TV, go online to the product's website and see if you can find out more information.

Jean Chatzky

Most credit cards provide some sort of protection against a defective purchase, and with gold or platinum cards, you'll often get double the manufacturer's warranty. You're also not immediately out your own money if something goes wrong.

Jean Chatzky

Anything past 90 days constitutes 'severe,' but all late payments stay on your report for seven years if reported.

Jean Chatzky

If your appraisal comes back too low - you don't have at least 10% equity for a conforming loan or 20% for a jumbo loan - you might not be able to refinance at all, at least with a loan that's packaged and sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. That means you may have to pay a much higher rate.

Jean Chatzky

When you're setting up a budget, a general rule is to start with your fixed expenses - your housing and insurance payments, and car payment, if you own one.

Jean Chatzky

Simply calling your credit card issuer and asking them to lower your interest rate may yield immediate savings.

Jean Chatzky

Garnishments tend to happen when people hide from their debts and stop making even minimum payments. Eventually, creditors sell the debt to a collection agency.

Jean Chatzky

Joining finances can be tricky. Money has long topped the list of topics couples fight about.

Jean Chatzky

In a relationship where finances are shared, it's important that both people know what's going on. If one spouse likes being the family accountant, it's fine for that person to take the lead, but the other spouse shouldn't be in the dark.

Jean Chatzky

July is high burglary season because so many people leave town. To help avoid making that obvious, suspend your newspaper subscription and have your mail held. Another clear indication is if all your lights are off for an extended period. To fix that, you can buy a timer for about $30.

Jean Chatzky

I love a hotel that offers Wi-Fi Internet access, especially if it's free. But I never access sensitive information, like my bank account or an online shopping site that stores my credit card information, on a public Wi-Fi connection.

Jean Chatzky

By the time most people file for bankruptcy, their credit is already trashed, they have a high debt-to-income ratio - a key indicator lenders look at - and they've likely defaulted on more than a few accounts.

Jean Chatzky

If you work in a home office, you can likely write off that space, as long as you use it only for work.

Jean Chatzky

Use an accountant the first time you file your taxes after becoming a freelancer. It will be worth it.

Jean Chatzky

Getting a tax refund is nice, but having more money year-round is better. If you get a chunk of change from the IRS, you're giving the government an interest-free loan - not something they, or any bank, would ever give you. Instead, change your withholding so you get a little extra in each paycheck.

Jean Chatzky