19 Dumbest Things Smart People Waste Money On

Innocent Daily Conveniences: Simple things that drain your bank account

Daily Coffee Runs: Fair to say it’s okay to get a little treat every once in a while. But a $6 latte every morning runs up to $2,000 a year. $2,000! You could buy a high-end espresso machine with that cash and still come out ahead.

The Lottery and Get-Rich-Quick Gimmicks: The lottery isn’t a financial plan, and no, that $1,500 online course won’t make you a millionaire. Focus on real wealth-building strategies.

Premium Gas for Cars That Don’t Need It: If your car doesn’t specifically require premium gas, you’re just wasting money. It won’t make your engine last longer or improve performance.

Not Separating Business and Personal Accounts: Make sure you do this one thing if you’re self-employed

If you’re self-employed, it’s important to separate your business income and expenses from your personal transactions so that you can cleanly track write-offs, plan for taxes, and understand your business health. For this reason, we recommend opening a fully separate business bank account.

This business banking account is a top contender and it might be one of the best accounts for self-employed people.¹ <p>Found is a financial technology company, not a bank. Business banking services are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC.&nbsp;The funds in your account are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor for each account ownership category. The Found Mastercard Business debit card is issued by Lead Bank pursuant to a license from Mastercard Inc.</p> For example, your expenses get automatically tracked as you spend, which helps you to find write-offs and you can even automatically set aside money for taxes as soon as you’re paid. Together, this helps you keep tabs on your estimated quarterly taxes and make sure you’re saving cash to pay that tax bill throughout the year.

The account is from a company called Found. There are no required monthly fees² <p>Found's core features are free. Advanced, optional add-on bookkeeping software available for $19.99/month or $149.99/ year. There are no monthly account maintenance fees, but transactional fees for wires, instant transfers, and ATM apply. Read more <a href="https://found.com/legal/fee_schedule">here</a></p> and you can easily connect to other payment apps like Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, and Square. Even better: you can even create up to 20 virtual debit cards to manage your spend across different categories. Nobody else is doing self-employed banking like this. Seriously, go check it out.

Get started for free

Overpaying on Windows: Ohio residents could save a fortune on new windows

Old windows drive up your home's electric bill. But if you live in Ohio and your windows are 5+ years old, you could save $1,000s. 

WindowsUSA is actively helping homeowners score huge savings on new windows. They bring top local vendors into a bidding war for your business, providing the best deals without sacrificing quality. This can drive the cost down for you by orders of magnitude.

Slash the cost of new windows by tapping into hidden rebates, unlisted discounts, and local incentives most homeowners don’t even know exist.

You might be eligible if you check these 3 boxes:

1. You own your home.
2. Your windows are 5+ years old.
3. Your ZIP code qualifies.

Complete this short questionnaire to see if you qualify

Credit Card Debt: Pay no interest on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (yes, it is kind of remarkable)

Imagine getting 15 months with 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers (APR then 17.99% - 26.99% Variable). Sounds great — right? You could dramatically change your financial picture with one of the industry-leading no-interest cards - the Discover it^® Cash Back(Rates and fees) - and pay no interest into 2027 on purchases and balance transfers!

If you want to kick high-interest credit card debt to the curb, this is one of the leading get-out-of-debt cards available. Transfer high-interest debt to this card with a 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (APR then 17.99% - 26.99% Variable). Your payments can go directly to paying down your balance without incurring a pile of additional charges. That could save you hundreds of dollars in interest!

The best part? The Discover it^® Cash Back is accepted by 99% of merchants (according to the February 2025 issue of the Nilson Report), boasts an exceptional cash back rewards rate, and has no annual fee.

Click here to apply now for the Discover it^® Cash Back

This plan protects select Ohio homes from many expensive appliance and home repairs (lock in your ultra-low rate)

Sounds crazy. And maybe you’re not even sure if this is real. But … you’re probably curious anyway. If you live in Ohio and own your home, Choice Home Warranty could make it so you don’t have to pay $1,000s on home repairs anymore.

They’ve been around since 2008 (so you know they’re legit) and they offer affordable plans to cover appliances and systems in your home that could break down. Just make your claim online or give them a call. Their team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.³ <p>CHW reserves the right to offer cash back in lieu of repair or replacement in the amount of CHW's actual cost (which at times may be less than retail) to repair or replace any covered system, component or appliance. In the event that CHW makes such payment, CHW will provide written notification of the basis for the amount of the payment. First Month Free with purchase of any single payment home warranty plan. The product being offered is a service contract and is separate and distinct from any product or service warranty which may be provided by the home builder or manufacturer.</p>

Choose a plan here and you could still lock in their ultra-low 2025 rates for a limited time. You could tap into immense savings for nearly any system or appliance in your home that’s covered.

Not everyone is eligible for this plan so here’s how to check:

1. Click the link below and enter your zip code.
2. Answer a few simple questions.
3. See if your home qualifies and lock in your rate.

Choose a plan here and and see if you’re eligible for $50 off and 1 month free

P.S. We negotiated a special deal for FinanceBuzz readers who sign up using the link above. Use it this week to get $50 off and 1 month free. We don’t know how long it will last, so take advantage of it today before it disappears.

Mindless Recurring Expenses: Don’t pay for what you don’t use

Storage Units: If you haven’t needed it in a year, why are you paying rent for it? Sell it, donate it, or admit you’re just hoarding junk in a different location.

Expensive Gym Memberships: If you’re not going at least twice a week, just cancel it already. Home workouts, outdoor runs, and basic weights could get you 90% of the same results for free.

Bottled Water: Can’t believe we even have to say this. But if you have access to clean tap water, you’re wasting money every time you buy a bottle. Get a reusable one and stop paying for something that’s essentially free.

Access your home equity to cover debt — no monthly payments for 10 years

Struggling with debt? If you want to utilize your home equity to help pay it down, you’re probably frustrated right now. The strict qualifications of the traditional financial system have left many unable to.

But there’s another option you may not have heard of, a home equity agreement (HEA) from Unlock.

With Unlock, you could tap into up to $500,000 of your home equity and make no payments for ten years.

Unlike a home equity loan, HELOC, cash-out refinance, or reverse mortgage, an Unlock HEA gives you cash today in exchange for a share of your home’s future value:

• Access up to $500,000 of your home’s equity.
• No monthly payments for 10 years
• Recommended credit score: 600+.

You can verify your property value and equity in 60 seconds — and with no impact on your credit score: Start by entering your property address here.

And don’t worry — Unlock has an A+ rating from the BBB. So see what you’re eligible for, and you could have the funds you need to end your toxic debt loop sooner than you think.

Apply for a home equity agreement with Unlock

Advisor Fees: You could be overpaying for your retirement planning

Fees matter. High fees can cut into your returns and affect your overall nest egg. But the ways fees are levied vary. Some are “fee only,” charging a flat rate regardless of usage. Others take a percentage of all assets under management. Some earn commissions directly from mutual funds or other financial products, which presents a significant conflict of interest.

This free matching quiz helps Americans get matched with up to three fiduciary advisors who serve their area so they can compare and decide which advisor to work with.

Paid Non-Client Promotion

FinanceBuzz doesn’t invest its money with this provider, but they are our referral partner. We get paid by them only if you click to them from our website and take a qualifying action (for example, opening an account.)

Services and Upgrades: Do you really need these things to be happy?

Sneaky Subscriptions: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max, Apple TV, Paramount+ … chances are you’re not even watching half of these. Cut it out. Choose one or two and stop auto-renewing free trials you forgot about.

Upgrading to the Latest iPhone: Unless your phone is literally falling apart, there’s no reason to drop $1,000+ on a new one just because Apple added a slightly better camera. Your current phone is fine.

Designer Clothes and Sneakers: Dropping $300 on the latest sneakers or fast fashion trends just to keep up? You’re only filling your closet with overpriced clutter. Invest in quality, sure — but not hype and status.

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans: You may get many out-of-pocket healthcare costs covered

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.⁴ <p><b>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. </b></p> <p><b>The purpose of this communication is the solicitation of insurance. Contact will be made by an insurance agent/producer or insurance company. </b></p> <p><b>Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.</b></p> <p><i>Medicare Supplement plans may require underwriting and enrollment is not guaranteed.</i></p>

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:

1. Click the link below and enter your ZIP code.
2. Answer a few questions about your current Medicare plan coverage (takes about 60 seconds).
3. 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

Car Insurance: Cancel your car insurance

Driving without car insurance is illegal, but if you do this, you’re not actually breaking the law.

This tool can help you see if you’re overpaying for car insurance in just a few clicks. You’d be shocked by the difference. $159 per month is what they wanted to charge me. I thought that was the best price, don’t even look anywhere else. Right? Wrong.

I used Insurify and now I’m able to pay just $51 a month for two cars.⁵ <p>Actual savings and coverage options vary based on factors such as driving history, location, and insurer policies. The rates shown in this example may not reflect what every user will qualify for.</p> Too many insurance companies do this. They push up our rates and make us pay even more. But if you want to try this tool and compare and potentially score same-day savings, here’s what to do:

1. Click the link below and enter your zip code, date of birth, and phone number.
2. Answer a few questions about your car’s make and model to get matched with top offers.
3. Choose the best quote for you and lock it in before rates go up.

Compare rates now and see if you could score same-day savings today!

I can hardly believe I waited so long to do this, but I’m glad I finally did. It only took me two minutes. Super fast. You have to trust me on this. Just try it out.

Market Volatility: Help protect your savings from stock market volatility with gold

The economy feels more fragile by the day. Debt, tariffs, and general instability have investors on edge. But now, JPMorgan projects gold could surge to $4,000/ounce.⁶ <p>Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Any historical returns, expected returns, or probability projections may not reflect actual future performance. All securities involve risk and may result in significant losses.</p> That could mean trouble for traditional portfolios, but potential for you if you position yourself ahead of the curve.

American Hartford Gold helps Americans protect and grow their retirement savings with gold and silver. They’ve delivered billions in precious metals, earned an A+ BBB rating, and offer a Price Protection Guarantee — if gold drops after your purchase, you get the difference in coins. Just submit your request within 7 calendar days of your purchase date.

With a Gold IRA, you can roll over part of your retirement account (like a 401(k) or IRA) into physical gold tax and penalty-free. You'll even receive up to $20,000 in FREE silver delivered to your front door on qualifying purchases.

Get started with gold:Download American Hartford Gold’s FREE investors kit. There's no cost to request it, but doing so could help protect everything you've worked for. (Minimums apply: $10,000 for Gold IRAs, $5,000 for cash accounts.)

Download American Hartford Gold’s FREE investors kit

Investor Blunders: Help avoid these 13 retirement mistakes before they wreck your future

One wrong move in retirement could cost you years of financial security. The truth is, many investors make the same critical errors: Being too conservative, chasing “sure things,” or paying hidden fees. And those blunders can tank your hard-earned savings.

Now you can learn the mistakes even experienced investors make — and how you can sidestep them before it’s too late — with this new guide: 13 Retirement Mistakes and How to Avoid Them from Fisher Investments.

Fisher Investments has helped tens of thousands of investors retire comfortably since 1979. With over $332 billion under management, they provide tailored money management to help achieve long-term goals. Download the guide today!

Set up direct deposit - pocket $300

If you aren't banking with SoFi®, you're missing out on a huge boost of extra cash just by following a few simple steps.

Earn a bonus of $50 or $300⁷ <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.</p><p>SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.80% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement.&nbsp;Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet" >http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> when you open a SoFi Checking and Savings account and make an eligible direct deposit within the first 25 calendar days of the promotional period. Eligible direct deposits totaling $1,000-$4,999 unlock the $50 bonus, and $5,000 or more unlock the $300 bonus.⁷ <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.</p><p>SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.80% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement.&nbsp;Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet" >http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> Easy.

This is practically passive income and a great way to supercharge your earnings. It basically takes no extra work at all other than following the steps above. Plus, your new account could earn up to an insane 4.50% APY⁸ <p>Earn up to 4.50% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.80% APY as of 8/5/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account and enroll in SoFi Plus by 9/3/25. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2">sofi.com/banking#2</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p> on savings (3.80% APY standard + 0.70% APY boost for six months) on top of the bonus.

Open your account and earn up to a $300 bonus

Stop getting ripped off by credit card companies

If you have credit card debt, you know that paying your bill each month is anxiety-inducing … and sometimes close to impossible with what you have in the bank.

If that’s you, a company called LendingTree⁹ <p>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. </p> wants to help.They can match you with loan providers that could help you pay off your debt quickly.

Think about it this way: For example, $25,000 in credit card debt at 25% APR will cost you $518.83 every single month in interest alone. But, with a rate as low as 6.99% APR (possible through LendingTree’s lenders), you’d only pay $144.03 interest.

That’s over $350 a month you’d get to keep for yourself in this scenario! Even better, you don’t need a perfect credit score, and checking for loans won’t affect your credit.

Truthfully, this company exists to help you get ahead in life. They have a 4.5/5 rating on TrustPilot with more than 15,000 verified reviews, and you can see your options in a matter of minutes. It’s certainly worth a shot if you’re feeling suffocated by debt.

Restaurants & Meal Delivery: 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

Expensive Loans: Get up to $185,000 from your home equity affordably 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 2025 hold a surprising amount of equity — an average of $185,000 they can tap into! 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 with this genius program.

No hassle. Calculate your equity amount and see what you qualify for today!

Get started by following three easy steps:

1. Click below to check out Rocket Mortgage’s Home Equity tool.¹⁰ <p>Rocket Mortgage, LLC; NMLS #3030; <a href="https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/">https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/</a>. Equal Housing Lender. Licensed in 50 states.</p>
2. Answer a few questions about your home.
3. Once you qualify, lock in your personalized rate and payment.

Compare real offers for $0

Scams and Fraud: American adults lost $47 billion to scams and fraud in 2024

That's right. According to a new report, American adults lost $47 billion to scams and identity fraud in 2024.

But you can safeguard your data with all-in-one scam and fraud protection services from OmniWatch, which comes with up to $2,000,000.00 in identity theft insurance,¹¹ <p>Restrictions and exclusions apply, <a href="https://app.omniwatch.com/insurance-disclosure">click here to read full details of insurance coverage</a>. Residents of New York receive $1 million of coverage and are not eligible for ransomware or scam protection coverage. <a href="https://app.omniwatch.com/insurance-disclosure-ny">Click here for New York insurance summary</a>.</p> to cover eligible losses and fees should you experience them.

Plans start at $10 per month and can include comprehensive protection like 24/7 monitoring and alerts, dark web scanning to identify breached personal data (like your SSN and banking info), antivirus and VPN apps for device security, and expert restoration services at no extra cost.

Before you make your next online purchase, protect what you’ve built for a fraction of what it could cost you if your data were compromised.

Act now to get your $1 trial

Home Insurance: Save potentially $1,000 or more on home insurance in Columbus

Most people don't even think twice about what they pay for home insurance. Huge mistake. Especially if you want more money in retirement. If you live in Columbus and you haven’t checked rates recently, you could save potentially $1,000s.

This tool is actively helping homeowners score huge savings on better home insurance. They bring top insurance providers together to compete for your business, potentially giving you a better deal. This could drive the cost down for you by orders of magnitude.

You could slash the cost of home insurance by tapping into potential discounts and incentives most homeowners probably don’t even know exist.

You might be eligible if you check these 3 boxes:

1. You own your home.
2. You are willing to switch providers to save money.
3. Your ZIP code qualifies.

Complete this short questionnaire to see if you qualify

High-Interest Debt: See if your credit card debt is eligible for this debt relief program

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 may get 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 can help. If you have more than $30,000 in debt from credit cards, medical bills, collections, or personal loans, their certified debt specialists may be able to help you resolve your debt for less than you owe — with one low monthly program payment.

Best of all? There are zero upfront fees, and you could be debt-free in 12-48 months. To get started, just answer a few simple questions and get connected with a caring debt specialist. The consultation is completely free and only takes a few minutes to see if you qualify!¹² <p>Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 45% before fees, or 20% including our fees, over 12 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating.</p>

See if your $30k+ in credit card debt is eligible for National Debt Relief

Pay no interest on balance transfers until 2027

Imagine getting an intro 0% APR for 21 months from date of account opening on balance transfers (APR then 16.99% - 27.74% (Variable)). Sounds great — right? You could dramatically change your financial picture with this industry-leading low-interest card - the Citi^® Diamond Preferred^® Card.

If you want to kick high-interest credit card debt to the curb, this is one of the leading get-out-of-debt cards available. Transfer your high interest debt to this card with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months from date of account opening, then a 16.99% - 27.74% (Variable) APR (balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening). Your payments can go directly to paying down your balance without incurring a pile of additional charges. That could save you hundreds of dollars in interest!

It doesn't just stop with balance transfers, though. Cardholders also get a generous intro APR of 0% for 12 months from date of account opening on purchases. After the intro period for purchases and balance transfers, the APR is 16.99% - 27.74% (Variable).

The best part? There's no annual fee with the Citi^® Diamond Preferred^® Card(Rates and fees).

Click here to Apply Now to the Citi^® Diamond Preferred^® Card