11 Dumbest Things Smart People Waste Money On

Stop overpaying when you shop online: Amazon Prime members, get a $250 Amazon Gift Card!

If you're an Amazon Prime member, apply for the Prime Visa(Rates and fees) credit card here and you can get a $250 Amazon Gift Card instantly loaded into your Amazon account's Gift Card Balance upon approval (get an instant decision within 15 seconds).¹ <p class="">If you respond via the Internet, the majority of applications are responded to in less than 15 seconds. Your actual response time may vary depending on the Internet connection and volume of submitted requests. We may not be able to give you an immediate answer in every instance.</p>

There is no extra work or spending requirement and no annual fee! 

The Prime Visa credit card also lets you earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.

If you spend a good amount on Amazon this card could be worth $100s in cash back every year.  Don't delay — apply today! 

Good or excellent credit (typically 670 or higher) is recommended.

Click here to apply for the Prime Visa credit card today and get an instant decision in 15 seconds

Interest: 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 LendingTree² <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.

Retirement Mistakes: Not having enough income in retirement

Most Americans spend years saving for retirement, but a lot of them don’t have a clear plan for turning their savings into a retirement income. The truth is, the transition from “building wealth” to “living on wealth” is one of the most overlooked risks facing successful investors in their 50s, 60s and 70s.

That is exactly what The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income was created to solve. It’s a free guide that outlines the straightforward math and strategies you need to convert your savings and investments to income.

Get your guide here

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,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 $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

Tax Debt: 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.

TaxRise 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, TaxRise talks to the IRS directly. They can potentially reduce what you owe and see if you qualify for tax relief programs. They have 4.7/5 stars on Google and an “Excellent” 4.4/5 stars on Trustpilot.

Important: Not everyone will qualify. To take advantage of this special Fresh Start Program we recommend you owe more than $10,000 in past-due taxes.

Answer a few questions to get started

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.⁴ <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

Released: The Ultimate Guide To Retirement Income

Most Americans spend years saving for retirement, but a lot of them don’t have a clear plan for turning their savings into a retirement income. The truth is, the transition from “building wealth” to “living on wealth” is one of the most overlooked risks facing successful investors in their 50s, 60s and 70s.

That is exactly what The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income was created to solve. It’s a free guide that outlines the straightforward math and strategies you need to convert your savings and investments to income.

Get your guide here

Overpaying for ED Meds: Get ED meds as low as $0.87/pill

The cost of name brand ED meds (like Viagra) can be as high as $3,000 a month without insurance. Ouch. But this company we found makes it easy for seniors to get practically the exact same medication — for as low as $0.87/pill. That’s significantly cheaper!

This new company does not accept insurance and operates on a “cash pay” basis, which is how they keep costs so low, even for seniors. (You can still pay via credit card.) Pharmacies are U.S.- based and dispense only FDA-approved ED medication for your safety and peace of mind. They are trusted by 41,933+ customers.

To get started: Take a short assessment to get matched with the right medication for your needs. It takes about 60 seconds. No in-person visits needed, and medications are prescribed by licensed doctors. Shipping is also free and discreet on any prescription.

BONUS: New customers get an extra $10 off their first purchase using the link below.

Get ED meds here for as low as $0.87/pill

Car Insurance: Ohio Driver? 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 this tool and now I’m able to pay just $47 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.

Home Equity: 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.² <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>

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

Credit Card Debt: Pay no interest into 2027 with this no annual fee card

If you're struggling to pay down high interest debt (or you're planning a major purchase this year), this might be the exact thing you need. There's a card that allows you to completely pause credit card interest into 2027 ... and the best part is that it could be easier than you think.  

Bank of America^® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card is an extremely powerful card that gives you 0% intro APR for an astounding 15 billing cycles on purchases and any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. (Then APR is 17.74% - 27.74% Variable.) That's right — you can now finance large purchases you've been sitting on without paying massive interest. Or, transfer crippling high interest debt to this card and let your payments go directly to paying down your balance, without piling on additional interest charges — all withno annual fee.

But it doesn't end there. The Bank of America^® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card card also lets you earn 2% cash back on all purchases for the first year from account opening, with no limit to the amount of cash back you can earn; unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases after the first year from account opening. Plus, earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Apply now for the Bank of America^® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

Expensive Financial Plans: Get your personalized financial plan 100% free

Studies have found that individuals with a financial plan were 3.7x more likely to claim that they're very confident in reaching their goals.⁶ <p>Source: Charles Schwab Modern Wealth Survey 2024</p>

Our new tool builds you an intelligent, 100% free personalized financial plan that could help grow your net worth. You get instant access to a unique financial plan and exclusive offers that could help you grow financially.

Here's how to get started: 

1. Click the link below. 
2. You will be asked a few questions — enter your email, employment status, and phone number. 
3. Verify your identity through Plaid (name, DOB, social security, etc). 

From there answer a few questions related to your investable assets, retirement accounts, debts, and more to help customize your plan. This service costs nothing and it even tells you how much you can expect to see your net worth grow — down to the dollar — by implementing the suggestions.

Click here and enter your info to get your 100% free financial plan

Auto Insurance Policies: See if you could save up to $600 if you have 2+ drivers in your house

It turns out having 2 or more drivers in the house combined on one policy might actually put money back in your pocket — as much as $112 a month!

Thanks to this website, households with 2 or more drivers in Ohio are now able to save up to $600 a year on car insurance. It sounds crazy, but with multiple drivers on one policy, you may qualify for certain rates that single drivers with separate policies don’t.

Insurance companies would probably love for you to pay as much as possible, but according to the quotes I found on this site, I got a better deal to have two drivers and both of my cars on the same policy.

If you want to try this site for yourself, click the link below. Now I’m able to put $112 back in my pocket every month because of this. I can’t believe I didn’t try it sooner!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>

Households with 2+ drivers: See if you could save up to $600 on auto insurance

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

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

If you have a lot of debt, getting rid 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 rid of unsecured debt?

Freedom Debt Relief could 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 deposit.

Best of all? There are zero upfront settlement fees, and you could reduce debt in as little as 24-48 months⁷ <p>Our estimates are based on prior results, which will vary depending on your specific enrolled creditors and your individual program terms. Not all clients are able to complete their program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. We do not guarantee that your debts will be resolved for a specific amount or percentage or within a specific period of time. We do not assume your debts, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Our service is not available in all states, including New Jersey, and our fees may vary from state to state. Please contact a tax professional to discuss potential tax consequences of less than full balance debt resolution. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment. The use of debt settlement services will likely adversely affect your creditworthiness, may result in you being subject to collections or being sued by creditors or collectors and may increase the outstanding balances of your enrolled accounts due to the accrual of fees and interest. However, negotiated settlements we obtain on your behalf resolve the entire account, including all accrued fees and interest. C.P.D. Reg. No. T.S.12-03825.</p> . To get started, just answer a few simple questions and get connected with a Certified Debt Consultant. It only takes a few minutes to see if you qualify, and the consultation is completely free!

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

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 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.)

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

BONUS: 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 16.49% - 27.24% (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 16.49% - 27.24% (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 16.49% - 27.24% (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

Limited-Time Offer: Amazon Prime members get a $250 Amazon Gift Card + up to 5% back! 

If you regularly shop at Amazon or Whole Foods, this is one of the best offers you're going to see all year. Apply for the Prime Visa(Rates and fees) credit card here — you can get a $250 Amazon Gift Card loaded directly onto your Amazon account's Gift Card Balance upon approval.

There's no annual fee for this card, no extra work or spending requirement to get the $250 bonus, and you could get an approval decision extremely fast. Get an instant decision within 15 seconds¹ <p class="">If you respond via the Internet, the majority of applications are responded to in less than 15 seconds. Your actual response time may vary depending on the Internet connection and volume of submitted requests. We may not be able to give you an immediate answer in every instance.</p> and you could use this gift card immediately if approved.

Plus, earn up to 5% back on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership Recommended credit: Good or excellent (typically 670 or higher). 

Click here to apply for the Prime Visa credit card today and get an instant decision within 15 seconds