22 Things To Cut When Living On Retirement (Many People Ignore #11)

Last updated July 5, 2026 | By Team FBZ

Retirement doesn't mean your money has to feel stretched thin. A few smart adjustments could go a long way — and many of them are easier than you think.

We put together a list of simple cutbacks that can free up more of your budget for the things that actually matter.

Check out these offers from our partners below to get started:

Car Insurance: Ohio Driver? Cancel your car insurance

Before you renew your current car insurance policy, you owe it to yourself to see what else is out there. Many drivers stick with the same provider for years without checking if they could pay less … and that's exactly how you could end up missing opportunities to save.

Getting a Farmers quote takes just a few minutes, and what you find could surprise you. People who make the switch could end up saving $443 on average.1That could be real money back in your pocket every single month.

If you want to see if you could be paying less with Farmers, here's what to do:

  1. Click the link below and enter your zip code.
  2. Answer a few quick questions about your car and driving history to get matched with a quote.
  3. If you find a better rate, switch your policy and start saving.

Get your quote now and see if you could pay less for the same coverage.


Quick Tip

Don't forget to cancel your old policy so you're not paying double

Credit Card Debt: Stop paying high interest on your credit card debt. Start paying it off.

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 it could have a bigger impact 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

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.2 That could mean trouble for traditional portfolios, but potential for you if you position yourself ahead of the curve.

U.S. Gold Bureau helps Americans protect and grow their retirement savings with gold and silver. They’ve delivered 2 billion+ in precious metals, earned an A+ BBB rating, and offer a BuyBack Guarantee — they buy back any metals they sell at transparent prices.

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 gold with qualifying purchases.3

Get started with gold: Download U.S. Gold Bureau’s IRA investors kit. There's no cost to request it, but doing so could help protect everything you've worked for. (Minimums apply: You should have at least $30,000 to invest.)

Take control of your savings now

Lame Credit Card Bonuses: Try this one instead that lets you 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®

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

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

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 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 out of debt once and for all?

National 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 program payment.

Best of all? There are zero upfront fees, and you could be debt-free in 24-48 months. To get started, just answer a few simple questions and get connected with a caring debt specialist. The consultation is completely free and only takes a few minutes to see if you qualify!4

See if your $30k+ in credit card debt is eligible 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)

Hearing Aids: Get a 45-day no-risk trial for these revolutionary German-engineered hearing aids

Have you noticed voices sounding muffled or find yourself asking “what?” more often? Hearing conversations clearly makes all the difference, whether it’s sharing laughs with family or catching every word with friends. The good news? There’s a simple way to bring back the clarity.

Horizon IX hearing aids by hear.com offer crystal-clear speech understanding using advanced German technology. These nearly invisible, medical-grade devices provide twice the speech clarity of competitors, even in noisy places.

The aids connect to a simple smartphone app that makes them easy to set up and use. Plus, Horizon IX lasts up to 19 hours on a single charge, so no more dead batteries.

hear.com is trusted by over 500,000 customers worldwide, has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and a 4.9/5 rating at Consumer Affairs, and is known for their award-winning customer service.

We recommend at least a 680+ credit score in order to qualify for flexible financing. Click below and enter some information including your phone number. They will contact you via phone and take care of getting everything set up.

Get a 45-day no-risk trial and see if you qualify for flexible financing

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.5

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

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.6

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

Innocent Daily Conveniences: Simple things that drain your bank account

Daily Coffee Runs: Fair to say it’s okay to get a little treat every once in a while. But a $6 latte every morning runs up to $2,000 a year. $2,000! You could buy a high-end espresso machine with that cash and still come out ahead.

The Lottery and Get-Rich-Quick Gimmicks: The lottery isn’t a financial plan, and no, that $1,500 online course won’t make you a millionaire. Focus on real wealth-building strategies.

Premium Gas for Cars That Don’t Need It: If your car doesn’t specifically require premium gas, you’re just wasting money. It won’t make your engine last longer or improve performance.

Help protect your retirement if the U.S. dollar weakens with this

The U.S. dollar has been volatile — but recently, gold quietly surged past $5,300 per ounce.7Good reminder of why investors often turn to hard assets when confidence in paper currency slips.

If most of your retirement savings are still tied to stocks or the dollar alone, shifts like this could be very volatile. Priority Gold can help you diversify your retirement portfolio with physical gold and silver, including precious metals IRAs designed to help weather inflation, market volatility, and economic uncertainty.

Gold has a long history of moving independently from stocks and, in past downturns, has helped preserve purchasing power when traditional assets struggled. If you have at least $20,000 in savings, IRAs, or your 401k, start by requesting a free Wealth Preservation Guide at the link below and see whether adding gold makes sense for your long-term plan.

Learn how gold could fit into your strategy and request your FREE Wealth Preservation Guide today

Tax Debt: See if your tax debt is eligible for this debt relief program

While most tax companies just put you on a payment plan and file your taxes for you, Tax Relief Advocates is designed specifically to help you get out of tax debt faster.

Tax Relief Advocates even talks to the IRS directly, 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.

Answer a few questions to get started

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.

Services and Upgrades: Do you really need these things to be happy?

Sneaky Subscriptions: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max, Apple TV, Paramount+ … chances are you’re not even watching half of these. Cut it out. Choose one or two and stop auto-renewing free trials you forgot about.

Upgrading to the Latest iPhone: Unless your phone is literally falling apart, there’s no reason to drop $1,000+ on a new one just because Apple added a slightly better camera. Your current phone is fine.

Designer Clothes and Sneakers: Dropping $300 on the latest sneakers or fast fashion trends just to keep up? You’re only filling your closet with overpriced clutter. Invest in quality, sure — but not hype and status.

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!8

Expensive Timeshares: See if you’re eligible to cancel your money-draining timeshare contract

Are you stuck in a timeshare contract? The average timeshare owner pays roughly $1,200 a year in maintenance fees,9and those fees tend to rise 5% or more annually, often for a property they no longer use.

The Stonegate Firm is a consumer advocacy firm that focuses on timeshare cancellation. They employ licensed attorneys and provide their clients with legal representation via their partners at Stonegate Law (full service consumer protection law firm).

Their attorneys, case managers, and paralegals review your timeshare contract to determine if legal grounds exist to cancel it, using consumer protection laws and contract analysis.

See if your timeshare may be eligible:

  1. Answer a few questions about your timeshare and contract.
  2. A Stonegate Firm specialist will review your case.
  3. If you qualify, they walk you through the cancellation process.

You’re in good hands. The Stonegate Firm is BBB Accredited with an A+ rating.

Check Your Cancellation Eligibility Free - 30 Second Assessment

Credit Card Debt: Pay no interest into 2027 with a 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 are cards that allow you to completely pause credit card interest into 2027... and the best part is that it could be easier than you think with this new tool.

These extremely powerful cards can give you 0% intro APR for up to an astounding 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. That's right - you can now finance large purchases you've been sitting on without paying massive interest. Or, transfer crippling high interest debt let your payments go directly to paying down your balance, without piling on additional interest charges - with no annual fee.

Answer a few quick questions, and we'll try to match you with a card that fits your situation.

Free, no commitment, and no impact on your credit score.

See my options (no credit impact)

$10,000+ Home Elevators: Get a free stair lift estimate instead and stay in the home you love

If you or a loved one struggles with stairs, do not move to a new house or spend $10,000+ on a home elevator or renovation. An affordable custom stair lift could be a faster solution (and $1,000s cheaper) and this free in-home consultation can help you find one.

Leaf Home Safety Solutions is actively helping senior homeowners get custom stair lifts without spending a fortune. They offer straight, curved, and outdoor options, installed by pros and backed by a limited lifetime warranty. You could stay in the home you love without a renovation.

Skip the stress of researching stair lift companies on your own. Leaf Home brings trained local experts to your door for a free, no-pressure estimate.

You might be a good fit if: 1) You own your home, 2) You or a loved one has trouble with stairs, and 3) Your ZIP code qualifies.

Complete this short form to get started

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 AFL400TR1Q226.10To 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

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

Check if you qualify to resolve your credit card debt for less than you owe

Let’s be so for real - growing credit card debt feels like drowning. But there’s nothing you can do about it, right? Wrong.

If you have more than $30,000 in debt from credit cards, medical bills, collections, or personal loans, National Debt Relief might be able to assist you.

Best part? It sounds crazy but there are zero upfront fees, and you could be debt-free in 24-48 months.11

All you have to do to get started is answer a few simple questions. It only takes a few minutes to see if you qualify!

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)

Paying Now for Your Home Equity: Get up to $500,000 from your home equity with NO additional monthly payments

If you want cash from your home’s equity but don’t want a HELOC, hear me out. This company we found is doing something amazing. They let you access your equity without additional monthly payments.

It’s called Splitero and they give you cash today for a share of your home's future value. It’s a Home Equity Agreement (HEA) not a HELOC. There’s no monthly payments, and no income requirements.

Instead, you repurchase your investment with a portion of your home’s future value when you sell, refinance, or reach the end of the agreement. That means you keep your existing low-rate mortgage and access cash now!

There are also NO employment requirements. You qualify based on your home equity. You also remain the owner and continue living in your home. Use the cash to pay off debt, fund renovations, retire, grow your family, and more.

Enter your home address here to pre-qualify in less than 2 minutes

Expensive Mortgage Payments: 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.12You fill out a quick 5-minute profile (no hard credit pull),13get matched with top-rated lenders, and see the comparison side by side.14

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.15

Own Up customers save on average $28,000 over the life of their loan,16and 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 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: American adults lost $47 billion to scams and fraud in 2025

That's right. According to a new report, American adults lost $47 billion to scams and identity fraud in 2025.

But you can safeguard your data with all-in-one scam and fraud protection services from OmniWatch, which comes with up to $2,000,000.00 in identity theft insurance,17to cover eligible losses and fees should you experience them.

Plans start at $11.99 per month and can include comprehensive protection like 24/7 monitoring and alerts, dark web scanning to identify breached personal data (like your SSN and banking info), antivirus and VPN apps for device security, and expert restoration services at no extra cost.

Right now Omniwatch is offering a free dark web scan to check for vulnerabilities. Before you make your next online purchase, protect what you’ve built for a fraction of what it could cost you if your data were compromised.

Start your free dark web scan here here

Skipping This Credit Card Bonus: Earn a bonus worth $250 to use toward your next flight or hotel 

If you're planning a trip, apply for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card here and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening. That's worth $250 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 Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card also lets you earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases. 

Redeem points for a statement credit toward travel and dining purchases, gift cards, cash back, or merchandise. If you travel even once a year this card could be worth it and could net you $100s in rewards to use toward travel. Don't delay - apply today!

Recommended for good or excellent credit.

Click here to apply for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card now

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 gas stations, transportation (including airlines), and drug 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 gas stations, transportation (including airlines), and drug stores now to September 30th, 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!18 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'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.