Jamie Cattanach

About the Author

Jamie Cattanach is a writer based in Portland, Oregon, and is an NFEC Certified Financial Education Instructor. She has written in the personal finance space for almost a decade. Her work has been featured in Time, CNBC Make It, The Motley Fool, and many other financial verticals, along with other outlets including Self, HuffPost, Ms. magazine, and more.

The latest articles from Jamie Cattanach

Budgeting & Goals

Fixed vs Variable Expenses: Definition and Budget Guide

Jamie Cattanach | September 14, 2026

Going to College

What Is the Student Aid Index (SAI)?

Jamie Cattanach | September 09, 2026

Student Loans

What Is a Fellowship?

Jamie Cattanach | September 04, 2026

Debt Payoff

What Is a Personal Loan Agreement?

Jamie Cattanach | September 04, 2026

Insurance

How to Get Car Insurance in 5 Simple Steps

Jamie Cattanach | September 03, 2026

Insurance

Own Occupation vs. Any Occupation Disability Insurance, Explained

Jamie Cattanach | September 03, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

What Is a Holiday Loan and How Does It Work?

Jamie Cattanach | August 28, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

Personal Loan vs Credit Card

Jamie Cattanach | August 20, 2026

money

What Is a Check Hold?

Jamie Cattanach | August 12, 2026

money

Missing Tax Forms? What to Do if You Don’t Receive Them

Jamie Cattanach | August 11, 2026

Credit

How Does a Gas Credit Card Work?

Jamie Cattanach | August 10, 2026

Credit

What Is a Credit Card Block?

Jamie Cattanach | August 06, 2026

Financial Independence

What Is Home Equity and How Do You Use It?

Jamie Cattanach | August 05, 2026

Financial Independence

What Are Fixed-Rate Mortgages and How Do They Work?

Jamie Cattanach | August 03, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

Long-Term Personal Loans: What They Are and How They Work

Jamie Cattanach | July 31, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

Can You Open a Bank Account in Another Country?

Jamie Cattanach | July 27, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

What Is an ATM Card? How Do They Work?

Jamie Cattanach | July 16, 2026

What Is a Bank Signature Card?

Jamie Cattanach | July 05, 2026

Insurance

Car Insurance Guide for New Drivers and 3 Ways to Save

Jamie Cattanach | July 02, 2026

Money & Life

Why Did My Credit Score Drop 10 Points for No Reason?

Jamie Cattanach | July 01, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

How to Get Out of Debt Fast: 6 Best Ways to Pay Off Debt

Jamie Cattanach | June 23, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

Food Delivery Using a Checking Account for Payment

Jamie Cattanach | June 22, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

What Is a Lifeline Checking Account?

Jamie Cattanach | June 22, 2026

Family Finances

What Is Loan Stacking?

Jamie Cattanach | June 12, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

What Is a Loan? Understanding the Basics of Borrowing

Jamie Cattanach | June 12, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

Pros and Cons of Charge Cards

Jamie Cattanach | June 01, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

What to Do When You’re Running Out of Money

Jamie Cattanach | May 29, 2026

personal_loan

Debt Consolidation Loan vs Personal Loan: How to Choose

Jamie Cattanach | May 28, 2026

Credit

How Long Do Credit Inquiries Stay on Your Credit Report?

Jamie Cattanach | May 28, 2026

Financial Independence

Tips on Recovering From Being Scammed

Jamie Cattanach | May 28, 2026

Growing Wealth

How to Refinance a HELOC

Jamie Cattanach | May 26, 2026

personal_loan

How to Prequalify for a Personal Loan

Jamie Cattanach | May 22, 2026

Financial Independence

Why Is It Important to Have a Free Checking Account?

Jamie Cattanach | May 21, 2026

Financial Independence

What Is a Share-Secured Loan?

Jamie Cattanach | May 21, 2026

mortgage

What Does Contingent Mean in Real Estate?

Jamie Cattanach | May 19, 2026

What Is a HELOC Freeze or Reduction?

Jamie Cattanach | May 18, 2026

personal_loan

Cosigning a Personal Loan: Risks and Benefits

Jamie Cattanach | May 14, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

8 Key Frugal Tips

Jamie Cattanach | May 14, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

Do Banks Run Credit Checks for a Checking Account?

Jamie Cattanach | May 12, 2026

Home Ownership

What Is an Appraisal Gap?

Jamie Cattanach | May 04, 2026

Financial Independence

Everything You Need to Know About Hypothecation

Jamie Cattanach | May 04, 2026

Home Ownership

Should Homebuyers Wait for Interest Rates to Drop?

Jamie Cattanach | May 01, 2026

Growing Wealth

What Is a Modular Home? Should You Consider Owning One?

Jamie Cattanach | April 30, 2026

Home Ownership

How to Get Equity Out of Your Home Without Refinancing

Jamie Cattanach | April 29, 2026

Home Ownership

What Is Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance (PITI)? A Comprehensive Guide

Jamie Cattanach | April 29, 2026

Home Ownership

How Much Does a Tiny House Cost?

Jamie Cattanach | April 29, 2026

Home Ownership

Home Equity Conversion (HECM) vs Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

Jamie Cattanach | April 29, 2026

Home Ownership

Understanding VA Loan Assumption: A Guide for Veterans and Homebuyers

Jamie Cattanach | April 16, 2026

Life & Career

Where to Get a Personal Loan?

Jamie Cattanach | March 19, 2026

Debt Payoff

Personal Loan APR and Interest Rate Differences

Jamie Cattanach | March 19, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

How to Deposit Cash at an ATM

Jamie Cattanach | March 18, 2026

Growing Wealth

What Is a No-Closing-Cost Refinance?

Jamie Cattanach | March 17, 2026

Home Ownership

What Is an Automated Valuation Model (AVM)?

Jamie Cattanach | March 16, 2026

Home Ownership

What Is a 7/6 ARM?

Jamie Cattanach | March 16, 2026

Home Ownership

What Is a Balloon Mortgage? How They Work

Jamie Cattanach | March 13, 2026

Fresh Out of School

Does Refinancing Student Loans Save Money?

Jamie Cattanach | March 11, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

Root Canal Cost: How Much and How to Pay for It

Jamie Cattanach | March 05, 2026

Debt Payoff

What Is a Co-Borrower? Using a Co-Borrower on Your Loan

Jamie Cattanach | February 27, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

Family Loans: A Complete Guide to Borrowing and Lending Money to Family

Jamie Cattanach | February 26, 2026

Life & Career

Is 300K a Good Salary for a Single Person in 2026?

Jamie Cattanach | February 25, 2026

Credit

Where Is the Security Code on a Credit Card?

Jamie Cattanach | February 23, 2026

Credit

Benefits of Credit Cards With Clear Membership

Jamie Cattanach | February 20, 2026

personal_loan

Is Debt Consolidation a Good Idea?

Jamie Cattanach | February 18, 2026

personal_loan

Are Home Renovations Tax Deductible? What You Need to Know

Jamie Cattanach | February 12, 2026

Home Ownership

How Much Income Is Needed for a $175,000 Mortgage?

Jamie Cattanach | February 09, 2026

Home Ownership

How Much Income is Needed for a $700,000 Mortgage?

Jamie Cattanach | February 05, 2026

Home Ownership

How Many Bank Statements Do You Need for a Mortgage?

Jamie Cattanach | February 02, 2026

Financial Topics

How Much Is the Down Payment for a $500K House for First-Time Homebuyers?

Jamie Cattanach | February 02, 2026

Home Ownership

How Much Is the Down Payment for a $300K House for First-Time Homebuyers?

Jamie Cattanach | February 02, 2026

Debt Payoff

Nonprofit Credit Counselors vs Debt Relief Companies: What You Need to Know

Jamie Cattanach | January 22, 2026

Credit

What Is Consumer Debt, and How Can You Get Out of It?

Jamie Cattanach | January 21, 2026

Family Finances

How to File a Tax Extension

Jamie Cattanach | January 09, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

Flexible Spending Accounts: Rules, Regulations, and Uses

Jamie Cattanach | January 07, 2026

Home Ownership

What is the Jumbo Loan Limit in 2026?

Jamie Cattanach | December 29, 2025

Going to College

What Are Student Loans for Military Dependents?

Jamie Cattanach | December 17, 2025

Home Ownership

Paying Off a Mortgage in 5 Years: What You Need to Know

Jamie Cattanach | December 15, 2025

Home Ownership

FHA Loan and Refinancing: Can You Refinance an FHA Loan?

Jamie Cattanach | December 08, 2025

Financial Independence

What Is a Guarantor Loan and How Do I Get One?

Jamie Cattanach | December 07, 2025

Financial Independence

Guarantor vs Cosigner: What Are the Differences?

Jamie Cattanach | December 07, 2025

Family Finances

How Much a $200,000 Mortgage Will Cost You

Jamie Cattanach | November 28, 2025

Family Finances

How Much Will a $150,000 Mortgage Cost?

Jamie Cattanach | November 28, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

What Is Considered a Fair Credit Score — and What Does It Mean?

Jamie Cattanach | November 28, 2025

Debt Payoff

Is It Hard to Get a Personal Loan? Here’s What You Should Know

Jamie Cattanach | November 28, 2025

Money & Life

Pet Financing: Can I Get a Loan to Pay for Pet Expenses?

Jamie Cattanach | November 25, 2025

Family Finances

Can I Use a Loan to Pay for a Funeral?

Jamie Cattanach | November 24, 2025

Credit

Credit Counseling, Explained: A Comprehensive Guide

Jamie Cattanach | November 24, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

How to Set Up a Fundraising Bank Account

Jamie Cattanach | November 02, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

CD Ladder: What It Is, Examples, and How to Build One

Jamie Cattanach | November 01, 2025

money

Buyer’s Remorse Explained: What It Is and Tips for Avoiding It

Jamie Cattanach | November 01, 2025

money

What Is Shrinkflation?

Jamie Cattanach | October 29, 2025

Insurance

5 Steps to Changing Your Homeowners Insurance

Jamie Cattanach | October 23, 2025

Insurance

Choosing a Renters Insurance Deductible

Jamie Cattanach | October 23, 2025

ALR

What Is a Private Party Auto Loan?

Jamie Cattanach | October 20, 2025

Going to College

Is a Computer Science (CS) Degree Worth It?

Jamie Cattanach | September 06, 2025

Debt Payoff

Scholarships and Grants to Pay Off Student Loans

Jamie Cattanach | August 29, 2025

Going to College

How to Pay for College as an Adult Learner

Jamie Cattanach | August 25, 2025

ALR

Guide to Selling a Car With a Lien

Jamie Cattanach | August 19, 2025

Home Ownership

FHA Loan Closing Costs Calculator Table with Examples

Jamie Cattanach | August 13, 2025

Home Ownership

Community Property With Right of Survivorship vs. Joint Tenancy

Jamie Cattanach | August 13, 2025

Home Ownership

What Is Joint Tenancy With Right of Survivorship? Examples

Jamie Cattanach | August 11, 2025

Growing Wealth

Why Is It Risky to Invest in Commodities?

Jamie Cattanach | August 08, 2025

Debt Payoff

Interest Rates: Definition, How They Work, and Different Types

Jamie Cattanach | August 07, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Everything You Need to Know About No Credit Check Loans

Jamie Cattanach | July 31, 2025

Student Loans

Colleges That Offer Free Tuition

Jamie Cattanach | July 19, 2025

Fresh Out of School

What Happens When Your Student Loans Go to Collections?

Jamie Cattanach | July 18, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Guide To Understanding Layaway Plans

Jamie Cattanach | July 17, 2025

Family Finances

Different Types of Insurance Deductibles

Jamie Cattanach | July 15, 2025

Insurance

The Basics of How Umbrella Insurance Works

Jamie Cattanach | July 15, 2025

mortgage

What Is a Preapproval for a Mortgage?

Jamie Cattanach | July 14, 2025

Debt Payoff

Are You Bad with Money? Here’s How to Get Better

Jamie Cattanach | July 10, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Business vs Personal Checking Account: What’s the Difference?

Jamie Cattanach | July 02, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Which Credit Score Matters the Most?

Jamie Cattanach | June 22, 2025

Debt Payoff

How Much Is the Down Payment for a $200K House for First-Time Homebuyers?

Jamie Cattanach | June 22, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

The Problems With Online Payday Loans and Fast Cash Lending

Jamie Cattanach | June 10, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Prenup vs Postnup: What is the Difference?

Jamie Cattanach | May 30, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

How to Determine Budget Percentages

Jamie Cattanach | May 27, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Most Popular Time of the Year to Buy Furniture

Jamie Cattanach | May 27, 2025

Building Your Career

What Is a Good Entry Level Salary? A Guide for New Grads

Jamie Cattanach | May 23, 2025

Going to College

Using an Offer Letter as Proof of Income for Graduate Student Loans

Jamie Cattanach | May 22, 2025

Growing Wealth

What Is a Charitable Gift Annuity and How Does It Work?

Jamie Cattanach | May 20, 2025

Home Ownership

What to Know About Government Home Loans

Jamie Cattanach | April 29, 2025

Family Finances

31 Real Estate Listing Terms Decoded: What Does “Cozy” Really Mean?

Jamie Cattanach | April 23, 2025

Credit

Why Does Creditworthiness Matter?

Jamie Cattanach | April 16, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

What Is a High-Yield Checking Account?

Jamie Cattanach | March 18, 2025

Growing Wealth

Living off Dividend Income: What You Need to Know

Jamie Cattanach | March 11, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Ideas for Making Money From Home

Jamie Cattanach | March 04, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Guide to Transferring 401(k) to a New Job

Jamie Cattanach | February 25, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

How to Create a Savings Plan For a Year

Jamie Cattanach | February 24, 2025

Growing Wealth

What Is a Certificate of Deposit?

Jamie Cattanach | February 13, 2025

Credit

Credit Builder Loan vs Secured Credit Card: Which Is Better for You?

Jamie Cattanach | January 23, 2025

Family Finances

I Make $80,000 a Year. How Much House Can I Afford?

Jamie Cattanach | January 22, 2025

Home Ownership

I Make $90,000 a Year, How Much House Can I Afford?

Jamie Cattanach | January 22, 2025

Home Ownership

What Is the Funding Fee for a VA Home Loan?

Jamie Cattanach | January 21, 2025

Family Finances

A Guide to Reverse Mortgage Pros and Cons

Jamie Cattanach | January 15, 2025

Home Ownership

How Many Times Can You Use a VA Home Loan?

Jamie Cattanach | January 10, 2025

Home Ownership

How Does Mortgage Interest Work?

Jamie Cattanach | January 09, 2025

Home Ownership

FHA-Approved Condos: Requirements, Restrictions, & Benefits

Jamie Cattanach | January 09, 2025

personal_loan

Personal Loan Glossary: Loan Terms To Know Before Applying

Jamie Cattanach | December 12, 2024

Debt Payoff

What Is a Debt Validation Letter?

Jamie Cattanach | September 24, 2024

credit card

10 Travel Destinations Inspired by Your Favorite TV Shows

Jamie Cattanach | February 26, 2024

Why You Should Try Solo Travel

Jamie Cattanach | April 22, 2023

Credit

How to Get a Travel Visa, and Where You Need One

Jamie Cattanach | April 22, 2023

Debt Payoff

How To Handle Student Loans During a Job Loss

Jamie Cattanach | December 08, 2022

Family Finances

Can an Immigrant Who Is Undocumented Open a Bank Account?

Jamie Cattanach | October 18, 2022

Home Ownership

Loss of Use Insurance: What Is It and What Does It Cover?

Jamie Cattanach | January 31, 2022

Insurance

Homeowners Insurance Deductible: What It Is and How to Choose

Jamie Cattanach | January 31, 2022

Insurance

How Much Homeowners Insurance Do You Need?

Jamie Cattanach | January 25, 2022

Insurance

Personal Liability Insurance Coverage

Jamie Cattanach | January 25, 2022

Financial Independence

4 Tips for Writing a Letter of Explanation for a Mortgage

Jamie Cattanach | August 16, 2021

Home Ownership

Homeowners Insurance Coverage Options to Know

Jamie Cattanach | March 29, 2021

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