Finanical Wednesday advice from Jean Chatzky 2010 calendar

In Case of Identity Theft...

• File a police report immediately, then register as a victim on the Federal Trade Commission's website.


• Contact the three credit reporting bureaus. Ask to have a victim's statement added to your file, so future applications for credit will be verified by you.


• Go over your credit report with a fine-tooth comb. Zero in on new accounts and inquiries, which lower your credit score, and report them to the credit bureaus in writing.


• Keep track of any correspondence you have with the credit bureaus about your identity theft. getting mistakes fixed can be a lengthy process, so record dates, times, and individuals you have talked to.


• Only change your social security number if your name has been associated with bad checks and credit. it's a record-keeping nightmare.

Finanical Wednesday advice from Jean Chatzky 2010 calendar

Put your tax refund to good use by making an extra mortgage payment. Depending on where you are in the repayment process, you could save tens of thousands of dollars in interest. Use your tax refund to get your finances in order by paying down credit card debt, setting up an emergency cushion, or doing some tax advantaged investing in a 401(k) or IRA

Finanical Wednesday advice from Jean Chatzky 2010 calendar

Reduce the term of a 30 year mortgage to 24 years by making one extra payment each year. You'll save thousands of dollars in interest over the life of the loan.

Finanical Wednesday Advice From Jean Chatzky 2010 Calendar

If you read the same magazines every month, it's time to pick up the subscription. You can often save more than 50% off the cover price.

Which I did with Juxapoz--an art magazine with its figure on the pulse of whats happening in the United State art world. Although it seems that it mainly focuses on the LA and New York scene, they do interviews from different locations. Juxapoz was a serendipitous find from my one month obsession of Matthew Gray Gubler. His sketches were apparently featured in Juxapoz last year.

Finanical Wednesday advice from Jean Chatzky 2010 calendar

Balance your long and short term goals to be sure your retirement is covered. When saving for a house, you can cut backon your retirement contributions, but don't stop making them altogether.

Finanical Wednesday advice from Jean Chatzky 2010 calendar

It may sound premature, but it's important to teach your kids the expenses that come with a credit card. Run some numbers so they see how the interest adds up if they only pay the minimum amount.

Finanical Wednesday advice from Jean Chatzky 2010 calendar

Before you make a donation, ask what cause is benefiting and what percent of your gift gets passed on.

Finanical Wednesday advice from Jean Chatzky 2010 calendar

When investing, conside I bonds, which are inflation-protected savings bonds. Tey'll pay no interest until you redeem them (and you owe no taxes until then) but the payout increases to keep pace with the cost of living.