Retire Like the Rich: 14 Ways You Could Build Wealth in Your 50s

Last updated Sept. 26, 2026 | By FinanceBuzz Editors

You've worked too hard to let it all slip away now. But between rising costs, market volatility, and the ticking clock to retirement, your financial independence could be under threat.

That's why smart Americans over 50 are using tools that help protect what they've built — while still giving them a shot at more. More travel. More freedom. More security for your family.

Whether you're retired or not, it's not too late to take control. These brilliant strategies could help you grow your savings without changing jobs or doing a ton of extra work.

Retire with more by starting with these easy moves

Crush High-Interest Debt First: Debt with double-digit interest rates is like trying to fill a leaky bucket. Pay down credit cards and personal loans aggressively. Every dollar you wipe out in interest is a dollar that can start working for you instead of the bank.

Catch Up Like It’s Your Last Job: Being 50 or older comes with a financial bonus — bigger contribution limits. You can put thousands more into your 401(k) and IRA each year. It’s like a legal cheat code to build your nest egg faster while also lowering your taxable income.

Turn Idle Time Into Income: Your free time has value — especially if you use it to build passive income. Start a side hustle, buy dividend-paying stocks, rent out a space, or sell your expertise online. People who retire early often have more than one stream of income. You can too.

Track Every Dollar (Just for 30 Days): Most people think they know where their money goes — until they write it all down. Do a one-month audit of your spending. You’ll spot patterns, cut waste, and uncover cash you can redirect toward savings or investing. Awareness is the first step to wealth.

Put Your Savings on Autopilot: The easiest way to save more? Stop relying on willpower. Set up automatic transfers into a high-yield savings account or retirement fund. Even small amounts grow fast when they move consistently.

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 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); Balance transfer fee applies.) 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 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, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. 

Apply now for the Discover it® Cash Back card

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

Take this quiz and see if you can retire early

Do you know if you can retire early? One of the best ways to find out is by speaking with a financial advisor. You could potentially retire years earlier with the right moves and a little work.

Our advice:Take this quiz from Advisor.com. In just a few short questions, it can match you with a vetted financial advisor in your area. Once you get matched, you get a free consultation with your advisor to discuss your situation and future goals.

Join investors across the country who have found a vetted fiduciary advisor with Advisor.com.

Take the quiz

Earn a $200 bonus with this incredible cash back card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited®(Rates and fees) lets you earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. 

In addition to this welcome offer, this card 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.

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 18.24% - 27.74% Variable. Oh, and the annual fee is $0. 

It's almost a no-brainer to apply. 

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

Click here to Apply Now to the Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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, 18.24% - 27.74% Variable APR after

Turn your home’s value into extra cash

If you want to pay a large expense now, like a home improvement project or credit card debt, you may have considered using your home equity as leverage to borrow a large sum of money.

But with interest rates rising in recent years, a cash-out refinance or home equity loan may not make financial sense.

Here’s a potential solution: Get a home equity line of credit (HELOC) instead.

Using LendingTree’s simple HELOC matching tool1 (yes, the company from the commercials), you can compare rates and see what works for you.

How a home equity line of credit is different: Your line of credit acts similar to a credit card, where you can withdraw funds when you need them, and you’re only responsible for minimum monthly payments for what’s called the “draw period,” which is usually 10 years. After this borrowing period ends, you pay off the rest of your balance during an extended repayment period, which is usually 20 years.

Plus, as a revolving line of credit, rates are usually variable, so you won’t be locked into a fixed rate if they ever go lower.

To get started:

  1. Check out LendingTree’s HELOC matching tool.
  2. Answer a few questions.
  3. Be matched with personalized offers for you.

Visit LendingTree

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 before you retire, 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 representatives may be able to help you settle 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 representative. The consultation is completely free and only takes 30 seconds to see if you qualify!2

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)

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%.3They match you with top-rated providers offering physical gold and silver IRAs with a proven track record during unstable markets.4

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.

Keep extra cash in your pocket by checking this free tool before you hire a roofer

It’s amazing this tool works. If you need to repair or replace your roof, answer a few quick questions here and you could pay less on the services, labor, and materials needed.

The tool connects you with trusted roofing pros in your area who have been vetted for licensing, insurance, and reputation. You’ll work with a local contractor offering fair pricing on materials and labor. Take a minute to check and you could put money back in your pocket.

Roof repairs and replacements don’t need to overwhelm you thanks to this tool. Plus, a new or repaired roof could increase the resale value of your home, while boosting your safety and protecting you from further damage.

To get potential savings, answer a few simple questions

What happens after you click
Step 1
Enter your ZIP code

Answer a few quick questions about your roof and home.

Step 2
Get matched locally

You're connected with vetted roofing 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

Save potentially $1,000 or more on home insurance in Columbus

Most people don't even think twice about what they pay for home insurance. Huge mistake. Especially if you want more money in retirement. If you live in Columbus and you haven’t checked rates recently, you could save potentially $1,000s.

Provide Home Insurance is actively helping homeowners score huge savings on better home insurance. They bring top insurance providers together to compete for your business, potentially giving you a better deal. This could drive the cost down for you by orders of magnitude.

You could slash the cost of home insurance by tapping into potential discounts and incentives most homeowners probably don’t even know exist.

You might be eligible if you check these 3 boxes:

  1. You own your home.
  2. You are willing to switch providers to save money.
  3. Your ZIP code qualifies.

Complete this short questionnaire to see if you qualify

Earn up to a $3,000 bonus with this checking account

We hate to tell you this, really. But if you've never banked with HSBC, you're missing out on extra cash — as much as up to $3,000. Don't worry though … It's easy to fix.

New clients can earn up to a $3,000 Cash Bonus5 when you open an HSBC Premier checking account6 by December 31, 2026. Add your preferred amount of deposits and/or eligible investments within 30 days, maintain your balances for 3 full consecutive months, and remain opted-in to receive HSBC marketing emails.

  • Get $1,000: Deposit or invest $50,000 to $99,999
  • Get $1,500: Deposit or invest $100,000 to $249,999
  • Get $2,000: Deposit or invest $250,000 to $499,999
  • Get $3,000: Deposit or invest $500,000+

HSBC is a premium bank you'll love. You'll manage your finances around the world, with Premier privileges in select countries, perfect for global lifestyles. And you'll get access to a personal Wealth Relationship Manager to help you reach your goals.

This is a great way to supercharge your earnings. But hurry, this up to $3,000 Cash Bonus won't last forever. Open an account today and add qualifying new deposits to take advantage of this significant bonus while it lasts!

Open your new HSBC Premier checking account here

Learn 7 ways to generate income with a $1,000,000 portfolio

If you have $1,000,000 saved up, this guide is for you. The last thing you want in retirement is to run out of money. Instead, you want your money to generate a real income while you enjoy your life.

Answer a few quick questions about your financial situation, and you'll get a personalized financial plan plus a free guide: The Complete Guide to Retirement Income. 

FinanceBuzz has helped millions of readers make smarter money decisions since 2016. Our team researches over 600 financial products so you don't have to. 

Answer a few questions to get your free retirement income guide

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. Plus, owing back taxes could affect your Social Security benefits — the IRS can garnish a significant portion of your benefits to satisfy delinquent tax debt.

Alleviate Tax 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, Alleviate Tax 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. If you're ready to make retirement what you always dreamed of and you're ready to get out of debt for good, take a few minutes to see if you're eligible.

Answer a few questions to get started

Earn 75,000 bonus points — worth up to $1,125 towards travel

If you're planning a trip, apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates and fees) here and you can earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months — that's worth up to $1,125 toward travel through Chase Travel℠!

Plus, earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, vacation homes, gas & EV charging, top streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs); 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases — with an extremely low annual fee of $95 and no foreign transaction fee.

The card could pay for itself quickly: you'll earn up to $100 Chase Travel hotel credit each anniversary year, get a complimentary year of Apple TV (a $156 value, must activate by 12/31/26), and up to $120 toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS every four years.

If you travel even once a year, this card could net you $100s in rewards to use toward travel. Don't delay. Apply today!

Click here to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card now

Recommended Credit Score info
Good
670-739
Excellent
740-850

Get up to $600,000 from your home (no monthly payments ever)

This is really cool. If you own a home and want to take equity out (to pay down debt or fund home renovations, for example) you can — but usually, you have to make payments each month. This company gets rid of that.

It sounds crazy, but it’s called Point, and it lets you take money out of your home right now without making monthly payments.7It's called a home equity investment (HEI), and it’s a partnership with you and Point where you get money now in return for a portion of your home’s future appreciation in value.

Point can give you access to up to $600,000, but you can take what you need based on what you qualify for. You can also leave the partnership at any time by buying back your equity. To get started, go to their website, enter your address, and put in the amount you need. It’s incredible.

Enter your address here to get started

Get the budgeting app that truly does it all

You think you're doing fine financially. You pay your bills, you save some money, and you're not eating out every meal. But do you really know exactly where your money’s going?

Monarch lets you visualize your spending with intuitive diagrams. Most people are scared to look. But once you see exactly where every dollar goes, you can finally take control.

This powerful all-in-one budgeting app is not only great for tracking, but gives you a true view of all your assets in one place, and our editor Greg loves it.

“I love Monarch Money. It was such an easy way to see where my money was going vs building a budget from scratch. The real value is giving my wife access so we can both follow along together!”

Monarch’s money tools are top-notch, which means they do come with a cost — as low as $8.33/mo. But you can get started today with a 7-day free trial. Plus, get 50% off your first year of Core Plan with code MONARCHVIP.

Try Monarch for free today and get 50% off your first year of Core Plan with code MONARCHVIP

Learn how you could generate income with a $500,000 portfolio

If you have $500,000 saved up, this is for you. The last thing you want in retirement is to run out of money. Instead, you want your money to generate a real income while you enjoy your life.

Answer a few quick questions about your financial situation, and this free service will match you with an advisor to build you a complete plan for retirement income tailored to your goals.

Answer a few questions. Get matched with a financial advisor today.

Get the best price on your bathroom remodel with free quotes

Looking to remodel your bathroom? Get your free quote and compare prices from top local pros in your area. Homeowners in available ZIP codes could find great deals on their bathroom renovation.

Modernize connects you with local remodeling pros who compete for your business, which could help you get a better price. Take a minute to compare quotes and see what your bathroom remodel could cost.

If your bathroom is outdated, remodeling could improve the resale value of your home and your everyday comfort. Every homeowner should compare quotes to see what a new bathroom could cost.

Get your free quote to get started

Ohio residents, save big 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 big.

Renewal by Andersen is actively helping homeowners score huge savings. Their certified master professionals install high-quality, energy-efficient windows that could help reduce energy bills and improve comfort.

They make it extremely easy to upgrade your windows with financing options available and special limited-time offers. 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

BONUS: For a limited time, buy one get one 40% OFF.8 Plus, get $200 off your purchase!8

Don’t pay a CENT to contractors for home repairs until you do this

Sounds crazy. And maybe you’re not even sure if this is real. But … you’re probably curious anyway. Choice Home Warranty makes it so you might be able to save $100s in home repairs!

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 from routine wear and tear.

Think of it like this: Say your water heater breaks down during a winter storm. Instead of paying $1,200 for repairs, you may only need to pay a $100 service fee with Choice Home Warranty, and their techs come and fix it ASAP. This could save you $1,100 almost instantly!

Choose a plan here and you can still lock in their ultra-low 2026 rates (for a limited time). Then, whenever a covered system in your home breaks down, all you have to do is make your claim online or give them a call. Their team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.9

Choose a plan from Choice Home Warranty here and lock in 2026 rates

P.S. Use the links above and you’ll get $50 off and 1 month free. We don’t know how long this will last, so take advantage of it today before it disappears.