Your money is getting tight. Prices are going up. And figuring out what to cut back on can feel overwhelming.
Here's what you can do:
Read our list of money-saving strategies below, and start with one or two today. Even doing just one can help you breathe a little easier:
1. Cancel your car insurance
Before you renew your current car insurance policy, you owe it to yourself to see what else is out there. Many drivers stick with the same provider for years without checking if they could pay less … and that's exactly how you could end up missing opportunities to save.
Getting a new quote takes just a few minutes, and what you find could surprise you. People who make the switch could end up saving up to $550 on average.1That could be real money back in your pocket every single month.
If you want to see if you could be paying less, here's what to do:
- Click the link below and enter your zip code.
- Answer a few quick questions about your car and driving history to get matched with a quote.
- If you find a better rate, switch your policy and start saving.
Get your quote now and see if you could pay less for the same coverage.
2. Erase interest until nearly 2028 - 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers
Stop bogging yourself down with those high-interest credit card payments. It seriously limits your spending power. If your monthly interest payments are starting to creep out of control, you might need to take a look at changing things up with your current credit card by finding a card with a 0% intro APR.
Editors at FinanceBuzz have done their research, and they’ve identified some of the best options to help you take back control. These cards offer a generous 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers into nearly 2028, which means you could get the breathing room you need to tackle your debt or make a new purchase without being hamstrung by high interest for over the whole year.
On top of that, you can earn up to 5% cash back on everyday purchases with these cards and enjoy a $0 annual fee. It’s really a no-brainer when you consider you could save on interest and earn rewards on everyday purchases.
Get rid of your high-interest payments. Learn more about these cards today.
Learn more about these cards today
3. Access up to $150 per day of your paycheck with no mandatory fees
If you need a few dollars in between paychecks, a little daily cushion can go a long way.
With the EarnIn app2 you can access up to $150 per day of your paycheck and up to $750 per pay period — and EarnIn won’t charge you any mandatory fees.
Yes, you read that correctly. You have the option to access your pay as you work and not have EarnIn charge you at all. The EarnIn app does not charge any interest or mandatory fees on a standard Cash Out.
You even have the option to access the money within minutes for a small fee.2
The best news? There is no credit check, no interest, no late fees – ever.
How to get started:
- Visit EarnIn and create an account.
- Link your bank and employment info.
- EarnIn will verify your paycheck and you’re all set!
4. Ask this company to help you pay off your credit card debt
If you have a lot of debt, getting out of it can feel stressful (and nearly impossible). Here’s the problem: the longer you put off tackling it, the harder it gets to fix. If you don’t take control of it early on, it can add undue stress to your life for years. But what if there was a way to get out of debt once and for all?
National Debt Relief could help. If you have more than $20,000 in debt from credit cards, medical bills, collections, or personal loans, their representatives might be able to assist you in consolidating your debt into one low monthly program payment.
Best of all? There are zero fees until your debt is resolved, and you could be debt-free in 24-48 months. To get started, just answer a few simple questions. It only takes 30 seconds to see if you qualify!3
5. Tap your home equity before you ever get a loan
If you need cash, you do not need to get a personal or payday loan. If you’re a smart homeowner, use this tool instead before you do anything else. It finds companies offering homeowners reliable access to extra cash.
LendingTree's network of lenders specialize in HELOCs (home equity line of credit). A HELOC is like a credit card that lets you access cash from your home, possibly without crazy interest rates. No, it’s not for everyone. But it’s a 100% legit way to leverage the value of your home to get extra cash, with few downsides.
Get started by using LendingTree’s free simple HELOC matching tool. The key to making a HELOC work is comparing rates and terms, and this tool does that for you. Answer a few questions and you can compare options in a few minutes.4
Getting quotes and checking rates doesn't affect your credit. You could qualify as long as your credit score is 620 or higher and you have equity in your home.
See how much cash you could get
6. Earn up to $10 cash back on every grocery run and restaurant meal
Are gas and food costs draining your wallet? With Upside, you could earn an average of 8% cash back on gas, groceries, and restaurant meals — which could ease the burden of rising costs.
Download the Upside app for free before your next outing and look for cash back offers near you. You could earn up to 25 cents per gallon on gas and up to $10 on grocery runs and restaurant meals.
It’s so easy to use Upside, it may become a daily thing for you. Simply check the app when you need food or gas and hit “claim” on your favorite offer. Then you make the purchase as usual with a credit or debit card. Once you receive the cash back into your account, you can redeem it through Paypal or direct deposit.
The best part? Upside doesn’t impact your credit card rewards. That means you could earn rewards twice in one purchase, both from Upside and your favorite rewards card. (It almost feels like cheating.)
Bonus: Use the code financebuzz25 to get a 25-cent per gallon bonus on your first gas fill-up!
7. Pay off high interest debt affordably with your home equity instead
Home equity loans are surging in popularity for homeowners who want to pay down high-interest debt quickly or make home improvements. This is because homeowners in 2026 hold a surprising amount of equity — approximately $11 trillion in total tappable equity in the US. No need for expensive loans or credit cards. The best part is you can keep your current mortgage rate by getting a home equity loan.
Calculate your equity amount and see your options today!
Get started by following three easy steps:
1. Click below to check out Quicken Loans' Home Equity Calculator.5
2. Then, answer a few questions about your home.
3. Once you match, see estimated rates and payments from lenders.
8. Get the one budgeting app that truly does it all
Ever look at your bank account and wonder where your paycheck went? Poof, it's gone … and you have NO idea how you spent it all so quickly.
A budgeting app like Rocket Money could end this problem for you.
Now, some insider info: They do have a free version of the app ... but the real money-saving power is found in their premium subscription.
Select a premium subscription when you sign up, and you’ll unlock features that actually save you the most money possible. Like their “Cancellation Concierge,” which helps to cancel subscriptions for you. (It’s pay-what-you-want for premium, too — as little as $4 a month!)
With your premium subscription, you’ll also be able to create unlimited budgets, see your full credit report, and get automatic “smart savings” that help you grow your savings on autopilot.
9. See if you could save on a walk-in shower upgrade
This shouldn't work, but it does. Answer a few questions and you could easily cut the cost of your walk-in shower project. Homeowners in could land a real break on remodeling costs thanks to this.
The tool pairs you with pre-screened local pros who compete for your project, which could help drive prices down. Take a minute to check and you could put money back in your pocket.
If your bathroom is stuck in the past, a walk-in shower could improve the resale value of your home and upgrade the way you start every day. And anyway, you deserve it. Every homeowner should check to see how affordable a new walk-in shower could be with this tool.
Answer a few questions to get your free estimate
10. See if you’re eligible to cancel your money-draining timeshare contract
Are you stuck in a timeshare contract? The average timeshare owner pays roughly $1,200 a year in maintenance fees,6 and those fees tend to rise 5% or more annually, often for a property they no longer use.
The Stonegate Firm provides legal and advocacy services to help consumers pursue legitimate exit options from their timeshare contract. If your contract qualifies, their attorneys work to identify violations of federal consumer protection laws and negotiate directly with resorts.
See if your timeshare may be eligible:
- Answer a few questions about your timeshare and contract.
- A Stonegate Firm specialist will review your case.
- If you qualify, they walk you through the cancellation process.
You’re in good hands. The Stonegate Firm is BBB Accredited with an A+ rating.
Check Your Cancellation Eligibility Free - 30 Second Assessment
11. Ask this company to help you pay off your late tax debt
Past-due tax debt is overwhelming.
It weighs on your mind and causes massive anxiety. You end up emotionally and physically drained. Even worse when the IRS starts sending letters threatening wage garnishment and huge fines.
Tax Relief Advocates 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, Tax Relief Advocates 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.
Answer a few questions to get started
12. Take advantage of massive discounts at restaurants (you don’t even have to be 50 to join!)
Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on:
- Restaurants (save up to $450 per year!)
- Meal deliveries
- Airfare, Hotels, Cruises and Rental Cars
- Eyeglasses and even prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance
Plus you’ll also get insider info on social security, job listings, caregiving, and retirement planning.
How to become a member today:
- Click the link below, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
Get 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $15 the first year with auto-renewal
1 Based on average nationwide annual savings of new customers surveyed, excluding HI, SC & Farmers GroupSelect℠, from 2/1/23 to 9/19/24 who switched their Auto insurance policy to a Farmers® branded policy, responded to the survey, and realized savings. Potential savings vary by customer and may vary by state and product.
2 EarnIn is not a bank. Access limits are based on your earnings and risk factors. Available in select states. Terms and restrictions apply. Visit EarnIn.com for full details. Expedited transfers available for a fee. Visit Earnin.com for full details.
3 Clients who complete the program and settle all debts typically save around 45% before fees or 20% including fees over 24–48 months, based on enrolled debts. "Debt-free" applies only to enrolled credit cards, personal loans, and medical bills. Not mortgages, car loans, or other debts. Average program completion time is 24–48 months; not all debts are eligible, and results vary as not all clients complete the program due to factors like insufficient savings. We do not guarantee specific debt reductions or timelines, nor do we assume debt, make payments to creditors, or offer legal, tax, bankruptcy, or credit repair services. Consult a tax professional or attorney as needed. Services are not available in all states. Participation may adversely affect your credit rating or score. Nonpayment of debt may result in increased finance and other charges, collection efforts, or litigation. Read all program materials before enrolling. National Debt Relief's fees are based on a percentage of enrolled debt. All communications may be recorded or monitored for quality assurance. In certain states, additional disclosures and licensing apply. Click here for additional state-specific disclosures and licensing information.
4 LendingTree, LLC is a Marketing Lead Generator and is a Duly Licensed Mortgage Broker, as required by law, with its main office located at 1415 Vantage Park Drive, Suite 700, Charlotte, NC 28203, NMLS Unique Identifier #1136. LendingTree, LLC is known as LT Technologies in lieu of true name LendingTree, LLC in NY. LendingTree technology and processes are patented under U.S. Patent Nos. 6,385,594 and 6,611,816 and licensed under U.S. Patent Nos. 5,995,947 and 5,758,328. © 2024 LendingTree, LLC. All Rights Reserved. This site is directed at, and made available to, persons in the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii only. Terms and Conditions may apply.
5 LMB Mortgage Services, Inc. d/b/a Quicken Loans; NMLS #167283; https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/. Not a lender. Quicken Loans is a financial services marketplace that connects consumers with lending partners. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by these entities. We strive to provide up-to-date information, but make no warranties regarding the accuracy of our information. Ultimately, you are responsible for your financial decisions. PlainThrive does not provide credit cards or any other financial products. Plainthrive.com does not make any credit decisions.
6 Source: American Resort Development Association (ARDA), 2024 industry data, reporting average annual timeshare maintenance fees of $1,260.