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Nothing is more terrifying than the thought of running out of money in retirement. You've worked hard your entire life, and the last thing you want to do is to have to go BACK to work.
But money traps are all too common for retirees. You could be wasting hundreds, potentially even thousands every year by overlooking these common money mistakes.
Don't worry — it's never too late to correct the course! You could get started as soon as today with some of these tips to help protect your nest egg.
Virginia Driver? 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 end up missing opportunities to save.
This free tool can help you compare options in just a few clicks, and the results could surprise you. $159 per month is what my first quote was. I figured that was as good as it gets, so why bother looking? Big mistake.
I used this tool and now I'm paying just $47 a month for two cars.1 <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> That's real money back in my 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, date of birth, and phone number.
- Answer a few quick questions about your car's make and model to get matched with top offers.
- Pick the option that works for you, and if you find a better rate, switch your policy and start saving.
Compare your options now and see if you could pay less for the same coverage.
Don’t forget to cancel your old policy so you're not paying double. I can't believe I waited as long as I did. The whole process of getting matched with providers took me about two minutes.
Full-Priced Repairs: Don't let home repairs drain your bank account
Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more. Not being able to make repairs could leave you in a bad situation — but a home warranty could protect you against surprise expenses.2 <p>Limitations and Exclusions Apply</p>
Whether you’re a brand-new homeowner or you’ve owned your home for years, a plan from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where homeowner’s insurance falls short.
If a covered system in your home breaks down, you can call their hotline 24/7 for assistance to get it repaired. They have a network of over 15,000 technicians that can assist you, making sure any issue can be taken care of swiftly — without breaking the bank.
Not sure if it’s for you? Rest easy: they were named one of the "Best Home Warranty Companies" by US News 360 Reviews and were awarded Best Company's 2020 Consumer's Choice Award. For a limited time, you can get your first month free when you sign up for a Single Payment home warranty plan.
Scams and Fraud: American adults lost $47 billion to scams and fraud in 2025
That's right. According to a new report, American adults lost $47 billion to scams and identity fraud in 2025.
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,3 <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 $11.99 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.
Right now Omniwatch is offering a free dark web scan to check for vulnerabilities. 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.
Overpriced Home Insurance: Switch your home insurance and you could save a ton of money
If you have home insurance, you need to see the recent rates available to you. There’s a good chance you’ll want to switch your policy if you see a better rate.
The best way to check for up-to-date rates: Get multiple policy quotes from a variety of home insurance providers. Too many homeowners skip this step — not realizing that they could save potentially $1,000s over the lifetime of owning their house.
Provide Home Insurance is a company that matches you with a variety of home insurance options to meet your home insurance needs … including lower overall cost or better overall coverage.
Just answer a few questions, and they will find options that are right for you.
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
Ignoring Your Home’s Equity: Access cash without getting 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 <p>Terms and conditions apply. Rates subject to change. LendingTree, LLC. NMLS# 1136.</p>
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.
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.
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.
- They work with 90+ partners and are trusted by over 2 million drivers to shop for auto insurance
- It takes less than two minutes and the tool is free to use
- There is no catch and no hidden fees to get matched