If your budget’s feeling squeezed lately, it’s time for some tough love.
There are probably a few bills you’re paying that you don’t really need, as well as some ways to make a little more with your savings.
Ready to ditch those money drains so you can keep more cash in your pocket? Here are seven quick ideas.
1. Eliminate your credit card debt
The autumn of your life is no time to be dealing with excessive debt. If you’ve got a debt problem, the sooner you deal with it, the better.
National Debt Relief is one of the most respected providers of debt relief in the country.
They’ve helped more than 500,000 people, are A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau and also top-rated by Top Consumer Reviews, Top Ten Reviews, Consumers Advocate and Consumer Affairs.
You simply fill out a form on the company website, then a debt coach will call you to learn more about your situation. If they can help you, they’ll set you up with an affordable plan that works for you — and give you an estimate of when you can expect to be debt-free. There’s no upfront fee and no obligation to get started.
National Debt Relief can help you with almost any unsecured debt, like credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, repossessions … even some student loan debt. Ready to start a new, happier chapter of your life?
2. Dump your overpriced car insurer
If you’re like most Americans, you’re probably paying too much for car insurance. But shopping around for a better deal can be a hassle.
Or is it?
Take a few seconds and check out Provide Insurance, the largest online marketplace for insurance in the U.S. Provide Insurance lets you compare quotes from more than 175 different carriers in the blink of an eye.
Just answer a few questions about yourself and your driving history. Then Provide will show you the best options for your needs and budget.
You could save up to $610 a year on car insurance by using the Provide marketplace. That’s money you could use for other things, like investing, saving, paying off debt or just having fun.
Don’t let your current insurer overcharge you. Try Provide Insurance today!
See How Much You Could Save Today
3. Make money instead of spending it
It used to be that investing in commercial real estate, like apartment or office buildings, required lots of money and lots of expertise.
Not anymore, thanks to an online investing platform called Fundrise. Now people with modest amounts of money (i.e, $10) can own a slice of a real estate portfolio.
Fundrise tears down the traditional barriers needed to invest in real estate property, and so far over 1.7 million consumers have used Fundrise to invest in commercial property.
It takes as little as $10 to get started, the platform is easy to use, it’s open to all investors (of all experience levels) and there are other investment options too, like IRAs.
Fundrise has delivered an average annual rate return of 5.29{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} over the past five years, a stark contrast to the average, annual 0.23{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} interest your money gets by sitting in a savings account.
Of course, nothing is guaranteed, and past performance is no indication of future results. Still, Fundrise has the potential to make more than you’re making now in the bank — or under the mattress. And you can get your feet wet for as little as $10!
Note: This is a testimonial in partnership with Fundrise. We earn a commission from partner links on moneytalksnews.com. All opinions are our own.
4. Hedge your bets
If a large part of your savings is in the stock market — as it should be — you’re well aware that what goes up can also go down; sometimes by a lot.
You can’t control the stock market or the world economy. But you can hedge against uncertainty by having other forms of wealth.
The oldest and most ubiquitous hedge is gold. It’s been used for thousands of years to protect against everything from inflation to currency devaluation to political risk.
Don’t go overboard; most pros advise putting only about 10{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} of your portfolio into the King Midas metal.
And keep in mind that not everyone in the gold business is on the up-and-up. Be careful whom you deal with.
Oxford Gold Group is one company to consider. They allow you to invest in a Gold IRA that adheres to Internal Revenue Service regulations. They also offer gold bars and coins, as well as silver (including silver IRAs), platinum and palladium.
Oxford has a 4.9-star rating (out of five stars) on Trustpilot, where 96{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} of reviewers call the company “excellent” and 4{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} call it “great.”
Oxford has an AA rating with the Business Consumer Alliance and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
If you’ve ever thought of investing in gold, give Oxford Gold a try.
Request Your Free Investors Guide Now
5. Stop overpaying for travel and dining
Are you over 18? Then you’re eligible to save hundreds every year simply by joining AARP.
“What?” You say, “I thought AARP was for old, retired people.”
As it turns out, AARP doesn’t have a minimum age to join. And members get discounts on hundreds of things, like:
- Up to $200 person off flights
- Up to 30{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} off rental cars
- Up to 15{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} off restaurants
- Up to 20{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa} off hotels
You’ll also save on eyeglasses, prescriptions, meal deliveries and lots more. And that’s not all. AARP offers a Fraud Watch Network, job listings, retirement planning tools, games and tons of information, programs and resources.
Anyone trying to save money can’t afford not to join AARP, especially since the cost is as low as $12 per year with auto-renewal. You’ll likely recoup the cost in the first week.
They even give you a free gift to sign up!
Create an Account and Get Started Saving Today
6. Dump your dumb financial adviser for a smart one
Obviously, you’re no fool when it comes to making money. If you were, you wouldn’t be reading this.
But there comes a time in life when it makes sense to get a second opinion. Sure, you’ve been successful at growing and managing your savings. But the more you have, the more attention your savings require and the greater the ramifications of screwing up.
A Vanguard study found that, on average, a hypothetical $500,000 investment over 25 years would grow to $1.7 million if you manage it yourself, but more than $3.4 million if you work with a professional.
Obviously, there are no guarantees a professional will do better than you. But getting a second opinion from a pro certainly can’t hurt. Even if you don’t need help picking investments, they can help you create a plan, maximize your Social Security, protect your assets and offer you peace of mind by ensuring you’re on the right track.
They can also be there in case one day you’re not.
These days, there are no-cost online services that make it easier than ever to find vetted financial advisers in your area. For example, SmartAsset. You fill out a short questionnaire and are instantly matched with up to three local fiduciary financial advisers, all legally bound to work in your best interests.
The process only takes a few minutes, and in many cases you’ll be offered a free consultation.
Nothing to lose, lots to potentially gain.
Please carefully review the methodologies employed in the Vanguard white paper, “Putting a Value on your Value: Quantifying Vanguard Advisor’s Alpha.”
Take a Minute and Check it Out Right Now
7. Turn your mortgage payment into a monthly payday
You’ve spent years maintaining and building equity in your home. Now it’s time for your home to pay you back.
A reverse mortgage is a government-insured loan that lets homeowners 62 and older (sorry, kids!) convert their home equity into cash, but without selling their home. Take the money however you’d like: monthly, lump sum or line of credit. Use it however you’d like: home repairs, bills, traveling or simply living a better life.
Your home remains yours. You hold the title until you die or choose to move elsewhere, provided you maintain the home. When you leave the house, the loan is repaid.
A reverse mortgages can make huge difference in your quality of life. But they’re not for everyone, so it’s important to get more information. Also important: Not all lenders are equal. Be careful who you deal with.
One lender that’s highly rated and happy to answer questions is Longbridge Financial. They’ve earned 4.8 of a possible 5 stars from Trustpilot, and Consumers Advocate says, “By far the best online experience and tools among all the reverse mortgage lenders we reviewed.”
If you’re 62 or over and have equity in your home, it’s time to at least need to see what your options are.
Click here for some friendly, free no-obligation information.
Bonus: Dump those lame newsletters for this rockstar one
What’s free and gives you tips to spend less, make more and avoid rip-offs? The Money Talks Newsletter. Every day we provide free tips and tricks that will make you richer. And it doesn’t cost a dime.
Our readers report saving an average of $941 with our simple, direct advice.
Click here to sign up. It only takes two seconds. And if you don’t like it, it only takes two seconds to unsubscribe. Don’t worry about spam: We never share your email address.
Try it. You’ll be glad you did!