You’re Not Dumb. But These 10 Money Moves Are Just Smart
You’re just doing what everyone else does, focusing on small financial wins instead of going after slightly higher effort options that have a lot more financial gain opportunity.
You skip the guac to save a buck… You signed up for the family Netflix plan…. You even switched to generic cereal.
But despite all that effort, you might still be missing some of the biggest, easiest ways to keep more cash in your pocket. These smarter money moves can help you cut hidden costs, ditch bad deals, and stop leaving money on the table. They may not always be ‘fun’, but they sure are effective. Can you spare a few minutes to save hundreds, or even more?
1. Car Insurance: Cancel your overpriced policy
Savings Potential = Up to $100 a month
Most people never shop around, which is exactly what insurance companies want. But a new comparison tool makes it easy to see if you’re overpaying (spoiler: you probably are).
It takes just a couple of minutes to check and some users are cutting their rates by over $100 a month without sacrificing coverage.
2. Home Insurance: Cancel your other overpriced policy
Savings Potential = Up to $100 a month
Just like with car insurance, home insurance is another “membership” you aren’t likely to be thinking much about. It’s amazing how much rates can vary – have you compared Allstate, Farmers, USAA, Lemonade and dozens of others? If not, now is the time to start saving.
Enter your zip on the next page to get matched with top-rated providers:
3. AARP: You don’t have to be 50 to start saving
Savings Potential = Up to $100 a month
AARP, surprisingly, isn’t just for people 50+. Anyone can join and the perks go way beyond magazines.
Members can save big on restaurants, travel, prescriptions, groceries, and more. In fact, AARP estimates members save up to $450/year just on dining out.
It only costs $15 to join your first year with automatic renewal and it should pay for itself within weeks.
4. Home Equity: Unlock your home’s value without refinancing 1
Cash Out Potential = Up to $500,000
Are you a homeowner in need of cash? Don’t reach for a personal loan or rack up credit card debt. If you’re a homeowner, check out Unlock.com which will let you cash out up to $500,000 using your home’s equity without refinancing your mortgage.
You could be approved in minutes. There are no age requirements, no income minimums ,and it’s not a loan or new debt. No monthly payments and no interest charges.
Check your offer with no impact to your credit score →
Not everyone will qualify, not available in all states.
5. Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans: You may get many out-of-pocket healthcare costs covered 2
Savings Potential = Up to 20% on certain medical expenses
You might think you have most health bills covered with Original Medicare. But then you get hit with a medical deductible for a short hospital stay – and you have to pay out of pocket. That’s where a Medicare Supplement plan may help.
Most Medicare-eligible individuals don’t realize that Original Medicare only covers about 80% of your medical expenses. That remaining 20%? It can add up fast. Especially with a hospital deductible, Part B coinsurance, or excess charges.
Use Healthcare.com’s online tool to find a plan that may cover nearly all your out-of-pocket costs. You’ll pay just a monthly premium. Too many seniors pay more than they should, but if you want to save, here’s how to get started:
Click the link below and enter your ZIP code.
Answer a few questions about your current Medicare plan coverage (takes about 60 seconds).
Get matched with top-rated plans and enroll online or over the phone.
Learn more here and save on out-of-pocket Original Medicare costs →
6. Home Repairs: Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover your appliances but this does (and your HVAC, plumbing and more!)
Savings Potential = Up to $5000 a year
Your fridge, A/C, or water heater stops working? Homeowners insurance probably won’t cover it.
That’s where First American Home Warranty can step in. Their plans help cover the cost of repairs or replacements for major systems and appliances with 24/7 service calls and a trusted technician network.
Sign up now and get peace of mind without the surprise bills. This is especially helpful for people on a fixed income, where unexpected expenses can lead to high-interest loans or credit card debt.
7. Debt Relief: If you owe over $10,000 you could qualify for relief
Savings Potential = 25% of Your Debt on Average
Debt (like back taxes, credit cards, etc.) can feel like a never-ending nightmare but companies settle more debt than you think. If you owe $10,000 or more, you might be eligible to lower your debt.
National Debt Relief works directly with creditors to negotiate on your behalf. It’s fast, private, and comes with no upfront fees.
8. Resolve Your Tax Debt With The IRS And Get Them Off Your Back For Good
Savings Potential = Varies by Person
*$360,720,979+ resolved since 2018 overall
Alleviate Tax is designed specifically to help you get out of tax debt faster and could reduce some of the debt you owe.
While most tax companies just put you on a payment plan and file your taxes for you, Alleviate Tax talks to the IRS directly. They can help you pay off your tax debt faster while potentially reducing what you owe.
Important: Not everyone will qualify. To take advantage of this special program you must owe more than $10,000 in past-due taxes.
9. Weight Loss: Save thousands on popular weight-loss meds (no insurance needed)
Savings Potential = Up to $1,000 a month
Weight-loss meds like GLP-1s (you’ve probably heard of Ozempic and Wegovy) can cost over $1,300 a month and insurance rarely covers it.
But one online provider is slashing those prices by up to 90%. With MyStart, you can get the same FDA-approved meds, plus clinical support, for as little as $125/month.
It’s all online and discreet and could save you thousands a year if you’re ready to take the next step in your weight loss journey.
10. Budgeting: This app automates your finances and might even spot hidden savings
Savings Potential = Varies by Person
Albert is like a financial assistant in your pocket. It tracks your spending, helps you save automatically, and even has real human experts if you want guidance.
You can get cash advances, budget smarter, and avoid surprise overdraft fees. It’s like having a money-savvy friend who’s always got your back.
BONUS: Skip the coupon hunt - here's a better way to save online (even when on Amazon!)
Savings Potential = Up to $100 per month
Shopping online has its perks. It’s super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don’t always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.
Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. When you check out, it’ll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you’re buying is available for less somewhere else.
Capital One Shopping is free to use. Add it today and stop overpaying!
Final Thought
Smart money isn’t just about saying “no” to avocado toast or skipping name-brand jeans. It’s about using the tools already out there to make your life easier — and cheaper.
Try one. Try a few. Just don’t leave easy money on the table.
1 Unlock Agreements are provided exclusively by Unlock Partnership Solutions Inc., Unlock Partnership Solutions AO1 Inc., Unlock Partnership Solutions AO2 Inc., and Unlock Homeownership Solutions Inc., all of which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Unlock Technologies, Inc. (collectively, “Unlock”).
Unlock holds the following Real Estate Broker licenses: Arizona – CO698434000; California – 02141737; Colorado – IC100092644; D.C. – REO40000074; Florida – CQ1062618; Hawaii – RB-23715; Illinois – 478027520; Massachusetts – 423954; Michigan – 6505431174; Minnesota – 40797638; Nevada – B.1002613; New Jersey – 2185646; North Carolina – C33769; Oregon – 201243836; Pennsylvania – RB069442; South Carolina – 25463; Tennessee – 265329; Utah – 12139955-CN00; Virginia – 0226033193; and Washington – 21010143.
The applicable Unlock entity enters into the Unlock Agreement directly with consumers and does not act as an agent or broker on behalf of any third-party. No agency relationship shall be formed between any Unlock entity and a consumer pursuant to or in connection with an Unlock Agreement. All Rights Reserved. Other terms and restrictions apply.
- Each home equity agreement (HEA) is subject to additional individual underwriting review.
- All transactions are subject to verification of your credit (with a soft credit pull), identity, property value, home insurance, title, and outstanding property liens. Other verifications may be required.
- Unlock may also require HEA proceeds to be used to clear any pre-existing liens as a condition to close.
- The following limitations shall apply in all cases: no bankruptcy, foreclosure action, short sale, or deed in lieu within the previous five years; no 90-day delinquencies on any mortgage within the prior 24 months.
- In most cases, Unlock must be in no greater than 2nd lien position and the property must be clear of any liens deemed unacceptable by Unlock in its discretion.
- A minimum HEA amount of $15,000 is required on all transactions.
- Property condition rating, as described in the Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD), must be at least C4 or better and properties for which comparable valuations, in the discretion of Unlock, do not exist may be ineligible.
- Not available in all states.
- To secure the performance of your obligations under HEA, Unlock will place a lien on your property in the form of either a “performance deed of trust” or a “performance mortgage” depending upon which state the property is located. The lien is terminated when you settle your HEA.
- Unlock charges up to a 4.9% origination fee and other third party paid closing costs such as appraisal, title, and government fees.
- The home equity agreement term is 10 years.
- The timeline to funding of approved HEAs may vary depending on when the homeowner submits a completed application and all supplemental documents are received and verified.
- An affiliate of Unlock Technologies, Inc., Unlock Home Equity Solutions Inc. d/b/a Unlock and/or Unlock Technologies (“UHES”) has applied for certain licenses which may be pending. UHES does not presently offer home equity agreements in any state where such products must be offered as a licensed mortgage product or any other type of licensed financial product.
- Please contact us for more information at hello@unlock.com.
- For additional information please review the Unlock Product Guide.
2 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.
