11 Dumbest Things Smart People Waste Money On

Not Tracking Your Spending: Get the 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.

The personal finance app Monarch can help end that problem for you.

The Monarch app is like your personal finance guardian. It gives you an eagle-eye view of your money so you can track your cash flow, tackle your debt, and more.

The best part? It’s designed for real people (not spreadsheet lovers). Flexible budgeting tools help you stay on track, and simple diagrams help you visualize your patterns.

Enter your email to get started. Then, set up your free 7-day trial and link your accounts easily and securely.

Pricing: Monarch is a paid subscription, but you could easily offset that cost by improving your budgeting and savings. And there’s a zero-risk trial to test-drive it.

Sign up for Monarch

P.S. For a limited time, get 50% off your first year with code MONARCHVIP. We don't know how long this will last, so take advantage of it while you can.

Save Instantly with Cash App Card: Save at places you already shop — in stores and online, and unlock access to exclusive events, presales, and more.

Get your free¹ <p>Free Cash App Cards come in black or white.</p> Cash App Card. Choose a card style, then customize it with exclusive stamps, emojis, or even draw on it.

Get exclusive perks and instant discounts on everyday spending in person and online.

Say goodbye to hidden fees and overdraft fees.² <p>No fee overdraft coverage of up to $200. Overdraft coverage and additional Cash App provided benefits are available when you direct deposit at least $300 each month.</p>

Cash App has 4.8/stars and is an Editor's Choice on the App Store!

Download Cash App for free today

Tax Debt: Ask this company to pay off your late tax debt

Each year, the IRS forgives millions in unpaid taxes. If you have more than $10,000 in tax debt, or have 3+ years of unfiled taxes, you could get forgiveness too. You might be eligible to lower the amount you owe, or eliminate your tax debt completely.

Easy Tax Relief could help you lower or get out of your tax debt for good. They’re well respected in the industry and have been recognized for their ethical standards when dealing with tax debt. While most tax companies just put you on a payment plan and file your taxes for you, Easy Tax Relief 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.

Fill out this form to get started

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 18.24% - 27.24% 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 until 2026 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 18.24% - 27.24% 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, boasts an exceptional cash back rewards rate, and has no annual fee.

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

Home 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.³ <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.

Get a free quote

High Interest Debt: Ohio homeowners could access up to $400,000 thanks to this

If you want to renovate your home or consolidate debt, you could get a loan. But if you own a home in Ohio and have decent equity, you need to see this instead. This popular program lets you tap into up to $400,000 fast, without affecting your mortgage rate or getting into more high interest debt.

Rocket Mortgage is actively helping homeowners use their home’s equity to wipe out toxic high interest debt or finally tackle big home upgrades. Their tool finds your lowest eligible fixed rate and gets you the money you need so you can use it immediately. No hidden fees. No long waits. No hassle.

Slash your interest burden and fix what’s broken without giving up your current mortgage rate.

You might be eligible if you check these 3 boxes:

1. You’ve owned your home for 2+ years.
2. You’ve built some equity.
3. Your credit score is 680 or higher.

See how much cash you can access (no impact to your credit)

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

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

Overpaying for Healthcare: Stop paying all of your out of pocket healthcare costs with Medicare Supplement Insurance

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.

Weight Loss: Save as much as 90% on weight loss meds

If you’re finally ready to lose weight, a personalized GLP program could help you reach your goal faster — and this company we found called FuturHealth gets them to you 90% cheaper!⁶ <p>Savings based on average retail cash price of branded medications. Actual savings may vary based on medication, dosage, and eligibility </p> That means you could save $1,000s on this life-changing medication.

It might sound crazy, but MyStart is a trusted company that operates on a cash-only basis and does NOT accept insurance. (You can still pay via credit card.) It’s how they can slash up to 90% off the typical cost of popular GLP-1 medications.

1. Answer a few questions here to see if you’re eligible.
2. Meet a U.S.-based clinician to discuss your prescription options.
3. Receive your authorized prescription with free 2-day delivery.

The price of GLP-1s can be as high as $1,349 per month. But with FuturHealth, the cost of medication and ongoing care can be as low as $125 per month when paid in full.

Auto Insurance: This company could help put up to $1,025 back in your pocket

We could all use some extra cash these days. And with this company, getting it couldn’t be any easier. You hardly have to do any work.

Insurify is a company that could help you save up to $1,025⁷ <p>Average potential savings based on initial quotes received by 183,234 customers seeking insurance through Insurify. Actual savings may vary depending on state of residence, individual circumstances, coverage selections, and insurance provider. Savings results are not guaranteed</p> on your annual car insurance premiums. Their job is to connect you with insurance companies to beat your current rate or coverage. No catch, and no hidden fees.

It only takes about a minute or two. Enter a little bit of info like your zip code and year, make, and model, and then get as much as $1,025 back in your pocket.

They work with 100+ insurance companies so you know you’ll get a good rate. And they have 4.8/5 stars from 3,000 verified reviews. Even better, Insurify does not sell your information to spammers, and there are no annoying calls or texts.

Compare rates today and claim potentially instant savings of up to $1,025!

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.)

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.

Enter your zip code to get started

Scams and Fraud: People lost over $3 billion to scams that started online in 2024

That’s right. If you thought the internet was safer than ever before, you should know that people still lost over $3 billion to scams that started online in 2024 alone.

But you can safeguard your digital world and identity with this powerful browser extension + mobile app from Guardio. Fake sites that mimic trusted ones are more common than you think, especially when making online purchases. Guardio predicts, detects, and blocks them.

Plans start at $9.99 per month. Sign up, install the extension and mobile app, and Guardio will monitor the dark web 24/7 for exposed data. It sends clear and actionable insights in real time to safeguard your accounts, protect your sensitive data, and secure your SSN. And it works across all your devices.

Before you make your next online purchase, join over 2 million users on any device and protect what you’ve built for a fraction of what it could cost you if your data were compromised.

Get a free trial + 30% off when you install Guaridio today!

Leaving Cash on the Table: Earn a $400 bonus with this checking account

We hate to tell you this, really. But if you aren’t banking with Truist Bank, you’re missing out on extra cash. Don’t worry though … it’s easy to fix.

New checking clients can earn a $400 bonus when you open a new Truist One Checking account online between May 1, 2025 and October 29, 2025 using promo code TRUIST25AFL400. Terms apply.⁸ <p><b><u>Terms and Conditions for Truist One Checking $400 Affiliate Offer 2025:</u> TRUIST25AFL400<br><br></b></p><p><b><u>Offer Information</u></b>: Open a new Truist One Checking account <b><u>online</u>&nbsp;</b>from 5/1/25 through 10/29/25, receive at least 2 qualifying Direct Deposits* totaling $1,000 or more within 120 days of account opening and earn $400.&nbsp;<br><br></p><p>Account must be opened online. Enrollment in the promotion is required at the time of account opening using promo code <b>TRUIST25AFL400</b>. Please refer to the Account Opening and Enrollment section below for full instructions.&nbsp;<br><br></p><p>*A qualifying Direct Deposit is an electronic credit (greater than $5.00) of your salary, pension, Social Security or other regular monthly income deposited into your new checking account by your employer or outside agency via ACH. Person to person payments (such as Zelle®) or deposits made via a branch, ATM, online transfer, mobile device, debit/prepaid card number or the mail are not eligible direct deposits.&nbsp;<br><br></p><p><b><u>Offer Eligibility</u></b>: Clients that are the primary account holder on an existing personal checking account with Truist or who have closed a personal checking account with Truist on or after 5/1/24 are not eligible to participate. Offer valid for Truist One Checking accounts only. Primary account holder must be 18 or older at the time of account opening. Truist employees, Directors, Officers, and Local Boards/Advisors are not eligible. Offer available only to US residents with a valid US taxpayer identification number. The qualifying checking account must be opened online and have a mailing address in: AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV or DC.<br><br></p><p><b><u>Reward Processing</u></b>: The reward will be deposited to the new checking account within 4 weeks after the qualification requirements have been met and verified. In order to receive the reward, the new checking account must be open, not restricted, and in good standing with a balance of at least $0.01 at the time of Truist verification and at the time of payout. An account is considered restricted if it has a temporary or permanent block that prevents credits from posting to the account. Truist verification will occur one time after the qualification requirements are initially met. Promotion is only applicable once per client and for one new qualifying checking account. Truist may report the value of any offer reward received to the IRS as required by law. Any applicable taxes are the responsibility of the recipient.<br><br></p><p><b><u>Reward Forfeiture</u></b>: Reward forfeiture will occur if: (1) the new checking account is changed to an account type not included in this client offer prior to payout, (2) the new checking account has a $0.00 or negative available balance or is restricted at the time Truist verifies the qualification requirements have been met or (3) the new checking account is closed or restricted at the time of payout.<br><br></p><p><b><u>Other Terms</u></b>: Minimum opening deposit is $50. The offer is non-transferable, may not be combined with any other checking offers, is subject to change, and may be discontinued at any time. Truist reserves the right, in its sole discretion: 1) to prohibit a reward payout for any offers claimed through third-party websites with no affiliation or prior authorization from Truist; and 2) to disqualify any account if Truist suspects accounts are being opened for the purpose of exploiting this promotional offer. All promotional payouts will be processed no later than 7/31/26 at which point this promotion (and any related disbursements) will be considered final, and no further disbursements will be made.<br><br></p><p><b><u>Account Opening &amp; Enrollment Instructions</u></b>: To open and enroll your new account in the promotion, visit the offer website and click on “Open an account online.” Enter <b>TRUIST25AFL400</b> into the promo code field provided, review the offer Terms and Conditions, and then select “Accept Offer”. Accounts opened without the promo code applied will not be eligible to participate in the offer. Once enrolled in the promotion, clients may receive promotional updates via the email address provided or by calling 800.709.8700.<br><br></p><p class="">Version 2 03262025 <b>TRUIST25AFL400</b></p>

To earn the $400 bonus, your account needs to receive at least 2 qualifying direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more within 120 days of account opening.

This is practically passive income and a great way to supercharge your earnings.

Plus, you can enjoy other benefits like no overdraft fee, a Balance Buffer,⁹ <p>The Balance Buffer is only available with Truist One Checking and allows clients to overdraw their account up to $100. There is no decision required as this feature is automatically available when a client qualifies.</p> <p><br></p> <p>To <b><u>INITIALLY QUALIFY</u></b> for the Balance Buffer, the requirements below must be met:</p> <ul> <li>- Account must be opened for a minimum of 35 calendar days</li> <li>- Account must be funded with a positive balance</li> <li>- A single direct deposit of at least $100 made within the last 35 calendar days</li> </ul> <p>To <b><u>REMAIN QUALIFIED</u></b> for the Balance Buffer, the requirement below must be met:</p> <ul> <li>- A single direct deposit of at least $100 made within the last 35 calendar days.&nbsp; <b>After qualifying, if 35 calendar days pass without a Direct Deposit of at least $100, you will no longer have access to the Balance Buffer.</b></li> </ul> <p>For accounts that qualify for the Balance Buffer, once the account is overdrawn by $100, additional transactions will typically be declined or returned.</p> <p><br></p> <p class="">For accounts that qualify for the Balance Buffer and also have Overdraft Protection, Truist will use the Balance Buffer first.&nbsp; If the account has neither, transactions that exceed the account balance will typically be declined or returned.</p> and automatic upgrades for access to growing perks.

Born before 1989? Credit card holders could get $30K+ settled for less than they owe

If you owe $30,000+ in debt and were born before 1989, nobody can really stop you from doing this. And right now, it might be the #1 rule we think of to potentially resolve outstanding debt.

So … what is this rule?

If you owe $30,000+, it’s time to check if you qualify for this debt relief program. It’s called Americor, and it’s 100% free to check eligibility. And with credit card rates skyrocketing, Americans are taking advantage of it.

With the savings you could get, you could take a vacation, fund a business, pay for home renovations — almost anything. Too many people think debt relief programs are too good to be true, but Americor is one of the most effective and well-loved programs we’ve found. Over 30% of their clients receive their first settlement within one month!

They have an A+ with the Better Business Bureau, 4.6/5 on Google, and 4.7/5 on Trustpilot, and have had 400,000+ enrolled clients. In fact, for those who stay with the program and make all monthly program payments, their average client saves 45% on their total enrolled debt before fees.¹⁰ <p>Americor clients who make all monthly program payments save approximately 40 – 50% of their enrolled debt (average of 45%) upon successful program completion, before program fees. Fees are based on a percentage of your enrolled debt at the time of starting the program and range from 14%-29% of your enrolled debt.</p> That’s like cutting your debt almost in half!

Answer a few questions at the link below to check your eligibility for free. If you’re eligible, claim your spot for this debt relief program immediately.

BONUS: Travel more in 2025 with this incredible travel credit card and pay no interest into 2026!

2025 could be the year you finally travel to the exotic destinations you've long dreamed of. And you could do it all without paying interest for a long time, thanks to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card(Rates and fees). 

This card is a powerhouse that supercharges your hard-earned spending. Become a Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card cardholder, and you can earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening ... all with a $0 annual fee. 

This card also offers an additional benefit of an extended intro APR of 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (then 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable), balance transfer fee applies). Apply, spend, travel, and enjoy the extended intro APR. 

Recommended Credit 670+: Click here to apply now for the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card