Most of us know we should save more and spend less. But Jean Chatzky, longtime financial journalist and founder of HerMoney, built her career on showing exactly how to do that in real life.
Her advice blends common sense with behavioral science. No gimmicks, no jargon, just practical habits anyone can use.
1. Pay yourself first
Chatzky has preached automatic saving since her early days on NBC’s Today show. Her rule is simple: move money to savings the morning your paycheck lands. Start with 10 percent and raise it by one percent every six months, as she wrote in Money Rules.
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2. Track every dollar for one month
Awareness sparks change. In Pay It Down, Chatzky urged readers to record every expense for 30 days. Most were shocked by what they found. Use a notebook, spreadsheet or app. The key is consistency, not complexity.
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3. Separate your goals by timeline
Chatzky recommends dividing money by purpose. Short-term goals like travel or emergencies belong in cash or high-yield savings. Long-term goals like retirement belong in investments. In Women With Money, she explained that labeling each account keeps priorities clear and helps curb impulse spending.
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4. Automate bill payments
Late fees are what Chatzky calls wealth termites. Set up automatic payments for regular bills like utilities, insurance and loan minimums so you never miss a due date. Review statements monthly, but let technology handle the routine.
5. Negotiate everything once a year
If a bill arrives monthly, Chatzky says it deserves an annual call. Cable, internet and credit-card rates are rarely fixed. A few polite conversations can put hundreds back in your pocket each year.
6. Funnel raises toward future you
Each time your income rises, save or use at least half of the increase to pay down debt.
As Chatzky wrote in The Difference, this trick keeps lifestyle creep at bay and accelerates your progress toward financial freedom.
7. Keep debt in its lane
Chatzky divides debt into useful and toxic. Mortgages and affordable student loans fall in the first category. High-interest credit cards are firmly in the second. Pay off toxic debt first using the avalanche method she popularized on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
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8. Invest in low-cost index funds
Costs count. Chatzky reminds readers that every dollar not paid in fees compounds for you instead of for Wall Street. In Money Rules, she recommends broad-market index funds as a simple, low-cost foundation for most investors.
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9. Protect your plan with the right insurance
An accident or illness can undo years of good work. Chatzky’s must-have list includes:
- Health insurance. Original Medicare leaves costly gaps that can add up fast. Healthcare.com’s free tool compares Medigap options that may help cover expenses Medicare doesn’t.
- Auto insurance. Save up to $600 on your car insurance with this car insurance comparison site.
- Homeowners or renters insurance. Take action now. Check your rate and start saving today.
- Life insurance. A must to protect your family. Here's a place to get a free, no-obligation quote.
PLEASE NOTE: Medicare Supplement insurance is available to those age 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and, in some states, to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal disease. The purpose of this communication is the solicitation of insurance. Contact will be made by an insurance agent/producer or insurance company. Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Medicare Supplement plans may require underwriting and enrollment is not guaranteed.
She often reminds listeners on HerMoney to review coverage after major life changes such as marriage or retirement.
10. Talk money early and often
Silence leads to stress. Chatzky urges open, ongoing conversations about money with partners, parents and kids.
Clear communication, she says, turns money from a source of tension into a tool for teamwork.
Start small, win big
Pick one move and put it in motion. Real progress begins when you act, not when you plan.
Jean Chatzky’s message is simple: confidence with money grows from experience. Try one habit, see how it feels and build from there.
Small steps lead to big change. Start today and let consistency do the heavy lifting.
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