11 Dumbest Things Smart People Waste Money On

Last updated Nov. 5, 2026 | By Team FBZ

You're not dumb. You do the normal money-saving things …

You're a regular at the clearance rack. You don't eat lunch out too much. And you meticulously selected the perfect combo of streaming services to watch your favs for as cheap as possible.

But there are some tips you may not know (yet) — and that's a good thing! Because once you see some of the areas where you can cut your costs, you could find some extra cash in your pocket sooner than you think.

Skipping This Card: Earn a $200 bonus for spending $500

Spend just $500 in the first 3 months from account opening with the Chase Freedom Unlimited®(Rates and fees) and you could earn a $200 bonus. That's one of the best spend-to-bonus ratios we've ever seen. The bonus is worth almost half the spend.

No complicated requirements. Apply here, and if you get approved, hit $500 spend in the first 3 months, earn $200. Boom. You can also earn cash back on everything you buy: 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Need to finance a big purchase or knock out high-interest debt? You also get 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening. After the intro period, the APR is 18.49% - 27.99% Variable. This card is a sleeper hit with insane value and NO annual fee. Good or excellent credit (typically 670 or higher) is recommended.

Click here to apply now and earn your $200 bonus 

Card Highlights
$200 Bonus
after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
5%
cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
$0
Annual Fee
Intro APR
0% Intro APR for 15 months, 18.49% - 27.99% Variable APR after

Expensive Gutter Guards: See if you qualify for this free service helping homeowners in Ohio get gutter guards installed

Your gutters are your home's first line of defense against water damage. But if they overflow, clog with leaves, or need cleaning every season, it might be time for gutter guards. And gutter guards do a lot more than just keep leaves out. They can also:

  • Help increase your home's value and protect your roof and foundation from overflow and water damage
  • Keep out leaves, pine needles, seed pods, sticks, and insects, since a fine stainless steel micromesh blocks common debris
  • Stand up to heavy downpours and resist rust and decay
  • Possibly save you thousands on new gutters, since the guards install right on top of your existing ones

Get started today - it only takes a few minutes: 1) Click the link below and select your approximate home square footage and click "estimate LeafFilter cost." 2) Complete the short questionnaire about your home. 3) Enter your name, email, and phone number to submit your request.

It's that simple! Complete the short questionnaire here to start the process

What happens after you click
Step 1
Enter your ZIP code

Answer a few quick questions about your gutters and home.

Step 2
Get matched locally

You're connected with vetted gutter pros serving your area.

Step 3
Review your estimate

A rep schedules your free estimate. You decide if you move forward.

Free estimate No obligation to hire Takes just a few minutes to start

High-Interest Debt: Ask this program to help resolve your credit card debt

If you’re making minimum payments but feel like your debt isn’t going anywhere, you’re not alone. Between credit cards, medical bills, collections, and personal loans, it can be difficult to know where to start — or how long it could take to finally get ahead.

Freedom Debt Relief could help. If you have +$20,000 in credit card debt, their certified debt specialists may be able to negotiate with your creditors to settle your debts for less than you owe.

Based on a plan that fits your budget, you could have one affordable monthly deposit, that could be lower than your current minimum payments.

Best of all? There are no upfront settlement fees (they only get paid once they deliver results) and they may be able to help you resolve your debt in as little as 24-48 months. Plus, they even offer a program guarantee.1

To get started, just answer a few simple questions – it only takes a few minutes to see if you qualify!

Try 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.

Diversify your hard-earned retirement savings with gold

GoldTrustGuide is actively helping Americans find greater retirement security with precious metal investments like gold. In fact, from 2005 to 2020, the price of gold increased by 330%. And during the stock market crash of 2008, the value of gold increased by 25%.2They match you with top-rated providers offering physical gold and silver IRAs with a proven track record during unstable markets.3

Protect your savings today in 3 easy steps:

  1. Answer 4 quick questions on your goals and timeline.
  2. Get matched instantly with a top-rated provider suited to your goals.
  3. Speak to a specialist for a free, no-obligation consultation.

They hold a Top Rated designation from the Business Consumer Alliance and earn a 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot and 4.8 stars on Google. Get your free Gold IRA match today.

Credit Card Debt: Pay no interest into 2028 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 pause credit card interest into 2028 ... and the best part is that it could be easier than you think.  

Discover it® Cash Back (Rates and fees) is an extremely powerful card that gives you 0% intro APR for an astounding 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. (Then APR is 18.74% - 28.74% (Variable); Balance transfer fee applies.) That's right, you could 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 with no annual fee.

But it doesn't end there. The Discover it® Cash Back card also lets you earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. You can also receive a $200 statement credit when you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months of account opening. Plus, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year (terms apply). 

Apply now for the Discover it® Cash Back card

Last Chance: Earn a $250 Bonus with this no annual fee card

Right now the Chase Freedom Flex®(Rates and fees) lets you earn a $250 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening (limited-time offer ends November 5 at 9AM EST). 

In addition to this welcome offer, this card lets you earn cash back on everything you buy. Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.

And it gets better (really): This card also gives you 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. That means you could finance large purchases or pay down high-interest debt for over a year. After the intro period, the APR is 18.49% - 27.99% Variable. Oh, and the annual fee is $0. 

It's almost a no-brainer to apply — this card might the best-in-class amongst similarly-featured credit cards, especially with the bonus.  

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

Click here to Apply Now to the Chase Freedom Flex®

Home Equity: Compare home equity offers before taking on high-interest debt

If you’re a homeowner, a HELOC may be one option to compare. Use this tool to find companies offering homeowners access to funding.

LendingTree's network of lenders specialize in HELOCs (home equity line of credit). A HELOC is like a credit card that lets you access funds from your home, possibly without crazy interest rates. No, it’s not for everyone. But it’s a way to leverage the value of your home to get funding.

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

Getting quotes and checking rates doesn't affect your credit. Lenders consider several factors, including credit score and home equity.

See how much funding you could get

Expensive Home Repairs: 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.5

Choose a plan here and you could still lock in their ultra-low 2026 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.

Interest: Stop getting ripped off by high interest debt payments

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 LendingTree4wants 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, $30,000 in credit card debt at 25% APR will cost you $622.60 every single month in interest alone. But, with a rate as low as 6.50% APR (possible through LendingTree’s lenders), you’d only pay $160.69 interest.

That’s over $460 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.

See if your $30K+ credit card debt is eligible for options with LendingTree

Hefty Debt Payments: Check if you qualify to settle your credit card debt for less than you owe

Your budget is tight as it is without worrying about hefty credit card debt. Not to mention how you could ever retire on it.

Put your mind to rest. National Debt Relief's program is available to people with $30,000 or more in credit card debt, medical bills, collections, or personal loans. Their certified debt specialists could negotiate with your creditors, and you may be able to settle your debt for less than you owe.

No upfront fees. Free consultation. It takes just 30 seconds to see if you qualify.

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


Did You Know?
On average, debt settlement saves clients around 32% of their enrolled debt after fees, according to a 2023 study by the Association for Consumer Debt Relief. The consultation costs nothing. People who enroll and complete the program could be debt-free in 24 to 48 months.
Sources: Association for Consumer Debt Relief (2023)

Tax Debt: Ask this company to 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.

Guardian Tax is designed specifically to help you get out of tax debt faster and could even eliminate or reduce some of the debt you owe. While most tax companies just put you on a payment plan and file your taxes for you, they talk to the IRS directly, and could help you pay off your tax debt faster while potentially reducing what you owe.

Guardian Tax is BBB accredited, and as long as you can afford a simple monthly payment associated with your debt each month, they could help you eliminate it faster than you thought possible!

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

Compare prices on new windows: Ohio homeowners could pay less

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.

Modernize connects senior homeowners with top local pros who install high-quality, energy-efficient windows that could help reduce energy bills and improve comfort.

They make it easy to compare quotes and find the best price on your window replacement. The entire process is hassle free.

Get started now if you check these 3 boxes:

  1. You own your home.
  2. Your windows are 5+ years old.
  3. You live in an available ZIP code.

Get your free quote to get started

Paying Full Price on Travel and Restaurants: Not retired? You can still join AARP for massive discounts and your first year is just $15

Think AARP is only for retirees? It isn't. Anyone 18 or older can join, and your first year costs just $15 (about $1.25 a month)! An AARP membership gets you massive discounts on:

  • Restaurants (save up to $450 per year!)
  • Airfare, hotels, cruises and rental cars
  • Meal deliveries
  • UPS shipping
  • Eyeglasses and even prescriptions that aren't covered by insurance

Plus you'll also get insider info on health and wellness and you can add a partner for free. That’s twice the perks and potentially hundreds saved for just $15. It basically pays for itself.

Joining takes about two minutes:

  1. Click the link below, choose your free welcome gift, and select "Join Today"
  2. Create your account by answering a few quick questions
  3. Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

Join AARP for only $15 your first year (renews at $20/yr). Start saving today.

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

Weight Loss: Save as much as 80% on weight loss meds

If you’re finally ready to lose weight, GLP-1s — like Semaglutide & Tirzepatide — burn fat fast.6 And this company we found called Remedy Meds gets them to you 80% cheaper!

It might sound crazy, but Remedy Meds operates on a cash-only basis and does not accept insurance. This is how they’re able to provide up to 80% off the typical cost of weight-loss medications like Ozempic® and Zepbound®. (You can pay via credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard.)

Skip the surgeries, diets, and expensive costs of weight loss. Get real results with GLP-1s at 80% less than name brands! Plus, get access to U.S.-based doctors 24/7 when you go through Remedy Meds. No insurance is required and there are no hidden fees.

Dr. Ritu Chopra (from the show "The Doctors") says this is the future of weight loss. Join now before prices go up! You could get pre-approved in as little as 2 minutes.

Limited Time Offer: Right now you can get 20 Factor Meals Free and $120 off your first order!

Take the quiz to get up to 80% off weight loss medications starting at $179/month ($6/day)

Pay no interest on balance transfers into 2028

Imagine getting 15 months with 0% intro APR on balance transfers (APR then 18.49% - 27.99% Variable). Sounds great — right? You could dramatically change your financial picture with this industry-leading low-interest card - the Chase Freedom Unlimited®(Rates and fees).

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 15 months. 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! After the intro period, the APR is 18.49% - 27.99% Variable. 

The best part? The annual fee is $0.

Click here to Apply Now to the Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Not earning up to 5% cash back at restaurants and on entertainment and utilities when you activate this incredible offer

There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing welcome bonus and benefits. Apply for the Discover it® Cash Back (Rates and fees) and you can earn up to 5% cash back at restaurants and on entertainment and utilities now to December 31, 2026, on up to $1,500 in purchases when you activate.

There's no annual fee — plus, you'll earn 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.  The generous welcome offer provides top-notch rewards since you can receive a $200 statement credit when you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months of account opening. Plus, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year (terms apply).

This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then APR 18.74% - 28.74% (Variable) (balance transfer fee applies). That means you could use this card to fund large purchases or even help tackle your debt. If you're traveling this summer or want to earn more on beauty essentials, this card is practically a no-brainer!

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