Jean Chatzky

You'll get much better results by being upfront, answering creditors calls, and responding to their letters. Delaying the inevitable only digs a…

— Jean Chatzky

If you are able to settle, you'll be getting off rather easy. Debt settlement companies can sometimes get you off the hook…

— Jean Chatzky

Buy experiences, not things. Spending on experiences makes people happier than spending on things. Things get broken and go out of style.…

— Jean Chatzky

In most cases, if you've gotten to this point, you've already received a letter or phone message from your creditor with the…

— Jean Chatzky

Don't let the fact that you're spending time getting organized result in late fees on your credit card bills.

— Jean Chatzky

Rolling all of your debts into a single loan is a good idea - in theory. In fact, it can be a…

— Jean Chatzky

By definition, saving - for anything - requires us to not get things now so that we can get bigger ones later.

— Jean Chatzky

If you default on an unsecured debt, you won't lose anything (except points on your credit score).

— Jean Chatzky

Take the cards out of your wallet. A debit card is accepted just about everywhere that credit cards are, and you'll be…

— Jean Chatzky

You fall a bit behind on a credit card bill, your interest rate soars, your minimum payment rises, and you start falling…

— Jean Chatzky

You need a clear, legitimate excuse for why you're behind [the bankruptcy], such as a layoff, divorce, or medical emergency. Be prepared…

— Jean Chatzky

Pay cash. For some reason, it's harder for people psychologically to part with their cash than it is to swipe a card.…

— Jean Chatzky

Unless you have multiple accounts that you need to negotiate and you think the project is just too big to tackle on…

— Jean Chatzky

If you have even a smidgen of doubt that you'll be able to stay away from racking up additional debt, don't do…

— Jean Chatzky

No company can promise an end date, but if you have multiple debts, the first one should be settled within a year.

— Jean Chatzky

The debt settlement company will direct you to stop paying your creditor and instead send the money directly to them each month.…

— Jean Chatzky

If you're filing bankruptcy, you will likely want to hire an attorney. But for debt settlement, a company is sufficient, or as…

— Jean Chatzky

Even in the days of the tightest credit in 2008, HELOCs [ home equity line of credit ] and home equity loans were being made.

— Jean Chatzky