Five Quick Questions: Christine Romans, Anchor, CNN’s Your Bottom Line
We can debate politics, football and news till the proverbial cows come home, but wow, when things turn to money, we–okay I–start feeling stumped like those dark days in algebra class. So we turned to CNN’s Christine Romans, who’s a bit of an expert in all things economy and personal finance. She hosts CNN’s Your Bottom Line, and she’s even got a new book out on surviving the tough economy without digging yourself into a massive pit of debt.
5QQ caught up with Romans between reporting duties at CNN and book signings:
1. Christine, you’ve got a new book, Smart is the New Rich: If You Can’t Afford It, Put It Down. Isn’t there any way I can keep living like I used to, which is to say, way beyond my means? Isn’t it getting better and we can all get back to our credit cards?
It’d be nice, wouldn’t it? But the credit card companies won’t let you. Plus, it wasn’t real. All that credit-driven wealth was a mirage. It IS getting better though and 2011 will be the year that people on Main Street start to feel it.
2. But seriously, you’re an author now–just like Snooki. Where’d you find time to write a book and just how tough love are you on spending?
If I had a dollar for every time someone compared me with Snooki, well. I’d have a dollar. I wrote two hours a day after work and two hours on Saturdays for three or four months. Then I delivered the final edits on a Friday and delivered a baby boy on Sunday. With two little guys already at home, let’s just say 2010 was a busy and productive year.
As for tough love on spending, the USA Today reviewer wrote that the book will coax out your inner “cheapskate.” Let me set the record straight. I am not a cheapskate. We don’t have to live like the Great Depression because it is not. If you can afford it, spend whatever you want. Just make sure it’s after you have saved for college, retirement and put enough away to cover six months of joblessness.
3. So you’re moving to CNN’s Your Bottom Line, which we like a lot because it’s easier to say than Your $$$$$. (Just between us, have we been correct in calling the show “Your Five Dollar Signs?”)
It’s actually called Your Money, but you have my permission to call it “Your Five Dollar Signs.” During the recession I called it “Your Three Dollar Signs.” So far only one dollar has come back. I’m holding out hope that 2011 is a better year.
4. When you’re working the money beat, as you are, and times are tough, is it more exciting or more challenging?
Both. How the economy works can be complicated. But people are hungry for information that will help them understand it and thrive again.
5. Word association. We say a phrase, and you respond with the first embarrassing anecdote that comes to mind. Okay? Here goes: ALI VELSHI.
Pin stripes, plaid and polka dots. All at the same time. Fashion aside, I love that guy — we’ve been working together for 10 years. Any embarrassing anecdotes I am keeping to myself since he has plenty of ammo on me, too.
