11 Dumbest Things Smart People Waste Money On

Last updated June 29, 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.

High-Interest Debt: Ask this company to pay off your credit card debt

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 gets 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 could help. If you have more than $20,000 in debt from credit cards, medical bills, collections, or personal loans, their representatives might be able to assist you in consolidating your debt into one low monthly program payment.

Best of all? There are zero fees until your debt is resolved, and you could be debt-free in 24-48 months. To get started, just answer a few simple questions. It only takes 30 seconds to see if you qualify!1

Try 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)

Protecting Your Home From Water Damage: How Ohio homeowners are preventing roof rot, mold, and foundation damage for good

Most homeowners think of gutters as just a cleaning chore. The bigger risk is what happens when they clog. Overflowing gutters can lead to water damage, roof rot, mold, even foundation problems, the kind of repairs that run into the thousands.

If you own a home in Ohio, HomeBuddy offers a powerful, one-of-a-kind gutter guard built to prevent exactly that. Their micromesh filter keeps common debris out, so your gutters stay clear and your home stays protected. And because it actually works, you may be able to stop hiring gutter cleaners altogether. The company will even clean out and realign your gutters before they install.

Don't waste money on cheap, ineffective guards that claim to be clog-free. This one's built to last.

See if you qualify today: Click the link below, enter your ZIP code and home info, and a representative will reach out to schedule a free estimate.

See if you qualify

Buying crypto on a sketchy exchange: Instead you can buy, sell, and hold crypto on a platform with the safeguards of a bank

Most people's first experience with crypto involves a sketchy exchange, confusing transfers, and zero confidence in their money. But with SoFi®, you can buy, sell, and hold crypto on a platform with the safeguards of a bank.

SoFi is the first nationally chartered consumer bank in the U.S. to offer crypto.2They’re regulated by the OCC, the same agency behind JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America. You buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, and 20+ other cryptos directly from your FDIC-insured SoFi Checking and Savings account. One app. No wiring money to some third-party platform. No account fees.

Open a SoFi Crypto account

Hefty Debt Payments: Check if you qualify to resolve 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 resolve your debt for less than you owe.

No upfront fees. Free consultation. It takes just a few minutes 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)

Stop Overpaying for Flights: Save up to $2,000 on every flight you take (yes, it’s crazy)

Sounds kind of insane. And maybe you’re skeptical if this actually works or not. But either way … you’re probably curious. If you want to save a ton on travel (even international), Dollar Flight Club makes it so you could potentially pay less for any flight you take.

They’ve been helping travelers save since 2016 (so you know they’re the real deal), shipping crazy flight deals straight to your email — up to 90% off normal price for many flights. Just pick your destination and let them do the rest. They hunt deals 24/7 so you don’t have to.

Now, some insider info: They *do* offer a free version … but it puts you on a 2-3 month waitlist. Skip the wait and get instant access to the best deals with a Premium+ membership instead. For a limited time, FinanceBuzz readers can try Premium+ free for 14 days!

How to try Premium+:

  1. Enter your email at the link below.
  2. Pick your departure airport and dream destinations.
  3. Enter your payment info and start your free trial of Premium+.

This is the fastest way to unlock the best flight deals that could save you up to 90% off flights. At the end of the trial, you’ll be upgraded to the $99 per year membership.

Enter your payment info here to start your free Premium+ trial

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

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.3

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

Skipping This Credit Card Bonus: Earn a bonus worth $200 to use toward your next flight or hotel 

If you're planning a trip, apply for the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (Rates and fees) here and you can earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $500 in the first 3 months — that's worth $200 toward travel!

There is no extra work beyond the spending requirement to earn the early spend bonus, no annual fee, and no foreign transaction fee. The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card also lets you earn 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day and 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 

Redeem miles for flights, hotels, and car rentals, OR statement credits, gift cards, and transfers to over 15 airline or hotel partners! If you travel even once a year this card could is worth it and could net you with $100s in rewards to use toward travel. Don't delay — apply today!

Recommended for good or excellent credit.

Click here to apply for the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card now

Expensive Home Repairs: This plan helps protect select Ohio homes from many expensive appliance and home repairs (see if you qualify)

Everyone talks about home insurance, but hardly anyone talks about this. If you live in Ohio and own your home, you could save $1,000s on home repairs without much work at all.

American Home Shield is currently helping homeowners slash appliance repair bills. Instead of paying $1,000s, you pay for a monthly plan and a simple one-time service fee per covered repair.

Getting a monthly plan could help you 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 name, address, phone number and email.
  2. Hit the “Get Free Quote” button.
  3. If you qualify, select a plan.

Complete this short form to see if you qualify

P.S. Use the link above, and you'll get 50% off your first year on select plans!4

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 LendingTree5wants 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

Market Volatility: Diversify your hard-earned retirement savings with gold

You've spent your whole life building up your retirement savings, but market volatility and inflation could be threatening everything you've worked so hard for.

Patriot Gold Group is actively helping Americans like you find greater retirement security with precious metal investments. They offer everything from physical ownership to IRAs in gold and silver that have a proven track record during unstable markets.

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 actually increased by 25%.6

Take control of your legacy today in 3 easy steps:

  1. Request your FREE IRA investor's kit and see if you qualify for no fees for life on your precious metals IRA.7
  2. Speak to a dedicated specialist about the best option for you.
  3. Transfer or invest to better diversify your portfolio.

You're in good hands, as they boast an A+ rating with the BBB, have been named the #1 gold IRA dealer by Consumer Affairs for 10 years running, and are trusted by over 100,000 Americans with an "Excellent" 5-star TrustPilot rating. If you have at least $20,000 to invest, take control of your savings now.

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

Paying too Much on Your Mortgage: Save $28,000 over the life of your mortgage

Too many buyers overpay on their mortgage without even knowing it. Rates and fees vary wildly from lender to lender, but nobody has time to call around and compare, so they might just accept the first offer and hope for the best. Now there's a free service that does the hard part for you.

It's called Own Up, and it compares mortgage offers from a network of top-rated lenders so they compete for your business and you can pick a great deal.8You fill out a quick 5-minute profile (no hard credit pull),9get matched with top-rated lenders, and see the comparison side by side.10

Thnk about it this way: On a $400,000 mortgage at 7.00%, you'd pay over $558,000 in interest over 30 years. Drop that rate just half a percent to 6.50% and you'd pay around $510,000. That's $48,000 back in your pocket, just from shopping around for a better rate.11

Own Up customers save on average $28,000 over the life of their loan,12and it costs you absoloutely nothing to find out what you'd save.

Own Up is 100% free — there’s no direct consumer fee for Own Up’s service. Own Up is compensated by lenders, not consumers. See what you could qualify for at the link below before you lock in a rate you might regret.

Check your rate in 5 minutes (free)

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.5

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

Skipping This Criminally Underrated Credit Card Bonus: Earn a $200 bonus + up to 5% cash back! 

Apply for the Chase Freedom Unlimited®(Rates and fees) and you could earn a $200 bonus after spending an easy $500 in the first 3 months. This card is criminally underrated with one of the best spend-to-bonus ratios we've ever seen. The bonus is worth almost half the spend!

No additional work is required. Apply for the card, see if you're approved, spend $500 within 3 months, and earn a $200 bonus. Boom!

The Chase Freedom Unlimited®(Rates and fees) also lets you earn cash back on everything you buy: Earn 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.

Plus, if you want to finance large purchases or pay down high-interest debt, you can also do that with this card. Take advantage of 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. After the intro period, the APR is 18.24% - 27.74% Variable. Do not skip this card, it's 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 to the Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Scams and Fraud: People lost over $3 billion to scams that started online in 2025

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 2025 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 Guardio today!

Overpaying on Windows: Ohio residents, see if you could save 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 now.

HomeBuddy connects you with pre-screened local contractors who install energy-efficient windows that could help reduce energy bills and keep your home more comfortable.

It’s easy to get started. Answer a few quick questions and you could be matched with a contractor who can set up an estimate. 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.

Complete this short questionnaire 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.13And this company we found called Direct Meds gets them to you 80% cheaper!

It might sound crazy, but DirectMeds operates on a cash-only basis and does not accept insurance. This is how they keep pricing simple and transparent with no hidden fees and no monthly membership.

Skip the surgeries, diets, and expensive costs of weight loss. Plus, get one on one medical support from a dedicated nursing team when you go through Direct Meds. You could get pre-approved in as little as 2 minutes.

Limited Time Offer: Right now you can get $150 off your first order!

Take the quiz to get up to 80% off weight loss medications starting at $147/month ($5/day)

Overpaying on a New Shower: Ohio residents, see if you could save on a walk-in shower upgrade

Design your perfect shower without breaking the bank. If you live in Ohio and your bathroom is stuck in the past, it's time for an upgrade you'll actually use every day.

HomeBuddy connects you with pre-screened local pros who install modern walk-in showers built around your style, your space, and your needs.

Skip the runaround. Get matched with a contractor and secure a free estimate in minutes. No pressure. No hassle.

Get started now if you check these 3 boxes:

  1. You own your home.
  2. You're ready to ditch the old tub.
  3. You live in an available ZIP code.

Get your free estimate to get started

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.

Tax Relief Advocates 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, Tax Relief Advocates 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

Ask a pro: Is your $1M+ portfolio working as hard as it could?

A one percent fee sounds like nothing. But on a $1 million portfolio, that's around $10,000 a year, every year, whether your advisor earns it or not.

But here’s the thing: you know a good financial advisor could help you stretch your savings further with strategies around tax-efficient withdrawals, capital gains, and required minimum distributions, which could save you thousands.

You don’t want to overspend on fees. But you also don’t want to miss out on tax cuts and savings. The answer? You don’t need any financial advisor. You need the right financial advisor.

This free matching quiz connects people with $1M+ in investable assets with up to three fiduciary advisors who serve their area, so they compare and choose the one that fits.

Set up direct deposit and complete qualifying activities - pocket $400

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

Earn a bonus of $400 after you open a new Truist One Checking account online between March 26, 2026 and July 9, 2026 using promo code AFL400TR1Q226.14To earn the $400 bonus, your account needs to receive at least 2 qualifying direct deposits totaling $2,000 or more and complete 20 qualifying debit card purchase transactions within 120 days of account opening. The reward will be deposited to the new checking account within 4 weeks after the qualification requirements have been met and verified. Terms apply.

This is 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 offers benefits like no overdraft fee and options to avoid a monthly maintenance fee on top of the bonus.

Open your account and earn a $400 bonus

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.  

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 17.49% - 26.49% Variable.) 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. Plus, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. This practically doubles its value at the end of your first year.

Apply now for the Discover it® Cash Back card

Pay no interest on balance transfers into 2027

Imagine getting 15 months with 0% intro APR on balance transfers (APR then 18.24% - 27.74% 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 18.24% - 27.74% 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 home improvement stores: Unlock up to $1,070 in value over the next year with this incredible card!

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 home improvement stores now to June 30, 2026, on up to $1,500 in purchases when you activate.

There's no annual fee, and Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. This generous welcome offer and the top-notch cash back rewards provides an estimated $1,070 value in the first year!15 Plus, you'll earn 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically. The welcome offer combined with the up to 5% cash back reward rate could be worth up to 10% cash back in the first year!

This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then APR 17.49% - 26.49% Variable. That means you could use this card to fund large purchases or even potentially get out of debt. If you dine out or shop at home improvement stores even once a month, this card is practically a no-brainer!

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

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Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 in your first 3 months from account opening.
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