Your retirement comes before your children's tuition. That's because there's no financial aid for retirement, and there's still a good deal available for college. Jean Chatzky aidchildcollege Change image and share on social
Use an accountant the first time you file your taxes after becoming a freelancer. It will be worth it. Jean Chatzky accountantfilefreelancer Change image and share on social
Our culture highlights the desire to always have more, even when we should be grateful for what we have. Jean Chatzky culturedesiregrateful Change image and share on social
Do you have an emergency fund? If not, build one - aim for three months of expenses to start, then boost it to six. It will ease your anxiety and get you out of a potential jam. Jean Chatzky aimanxietyboost Change image and share on social
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 appraisalbalancecar share on social
By definition, saving - for anything - requires us to not get things now so that we can get bigger ones later. That's hard. Our brains are hard wired to prefer the here and now. Jean Chatzky bigbraindefinition Change image and share on social
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 advicebackcut Change image and share on social
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 applybargaincall share on social
Many people focus on the 4 percent rule, which essentially says that as long as you withdraw no more than 4 percent from your retirement accounts each year, the money should last you 30 years. Jean Chatzky accountessentiallyfocus Change image and share on social
Being charitable provides a boost to your psyche that is tough to replicate in any other way. But note that although any charity will happily take your money, you can give in other ways and still reap the same happiness reward. Volunteering and donating your old or unused belongings have the same result. Jean Chatzky belongingboostcharitable share on social