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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.

From Jean Chatzky

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

From 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.

From Jean Chatzky

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

From 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.

From 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.

From 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.

From 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.

From Jean Chatzky

Jean Chatzky

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