I know it’s exciting to get an item on sale. But if you’re buying for the discounts and not because it’s something you need or want – either for yourself or for a gift – you’re going about things the wrong way. Think of it this way: Saving 30% is great, but if you didn’t buy at all, you’d be saving 100%, which is even better. Jean Chatzky Read Quote
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 Read Quote
Simply calling your credit card issuer and asking them to lower your interest rate may yield immediate savings. Jean Chatzky Read Quote
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 Read Quote
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 Read Quote
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 Read Quote
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 Read Quote
You can refi your car loan just like you can refi your mortgage. It’s even easier and less expensive. There’s no appraisal process, and fees are minimal for a new car title. A couple of caveats: Most lenders require that the car be less than five years old and have a minimum loan balance of $7,500. Jean Chatzky Read Quote
If you live in a yard sale kind of neighborhood – in good weather, most neighborhoods are crawling with them on weekends – do a sweep to see what the competition is charging. No one is going to buy your $7 book if they can get it down the block for $1. Jean Chatzky Read Quote
Put all of your savings on autopilot, and you won’t likely notice the missing cash. Jean Chatzky Read Quote
