19 Things to Cut When Money Gets Tight (Most People Ignore #11)

Last updated May 11, 2026 | By Team FBZ

Your money is getting tight. Prices are going up. And figuring out what to cut back on can feel overwhelming.

Here's what you can do:

Read our list of money-saving strategies below, and start with one or two today. Even doing just one can help you breathe a little easier:

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®

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

Credit Card Debt: The no annual fee credit card that's saving families thousands in interest

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

Missing Out on Free Digital Assets: Get up to $1,000 in digital assets with SoFi Crypto

Most people's first experience with crypto involves a sketchy exchange, confusing transfers, and zero confidence in their money. SoFi® just changed that, and they're offering up to $1,000 in digital assets to new crypto members to prove it.1

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.

And right now, new SoFi Crypto members can receive up to $1,000 in digital assets just for opening an account. Rewards are randomly assigned, and the offer runs through 6/30/2026.3

You can also get a 1% match on eligible crypto buys — up to $2,500 back.

Open a SoFi Crypto account and claim your reward

Mindless Recurring Expenses: Don’t pay for what you don’t use

Storage Units: If you haven’t needed it in a year, why are you paying rent for it? Sell it, donate it, or admit you’re just hoarding junk in a different location.

Expensive Gym Memberships: If you’re not going at least twice a week, just cancel it already. Home workouts, outdoor runs, and basic weights could get you 90% of the same results for free.

Bottled Water: Can’t believe we even have to say this. But if you have access to clean tap water, you’re wasting money every time you buy a bottle. Get a reusable one and stop paying for something that’s essentially 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

Expensive Home Repairs: This plan protects select Virginia 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 Virginia 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.4

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.

Expensive Loans: Get up to $185,000 from your home equity affordably instead

Home equity loans are surging in popularity for homeowners who want to pay down high-interest debt quickly or make home improvements.

This is because homeowners in 2025 hold a surprising amount of equity — an average of $185,000 they can tap into! No need for expensive loans or credit cards. The best part is you can keep your current mortgage rate by getting a home equity loan with this genius program.

No hassle. Calculate your equity amount and see what you qualify for today!

Get started by following three easy steps:

  1. Click below to check out Rocket Mortgage’s Home Equity tool.5
  2. Answer a few questions about your home.
  3. Once you qualify, lock in your personalized rate and payment.

Compare real offers for $0

Overpaying on Windows: Virginia residents save big on new windows

Old windows drive up your home's electric bill. But if you live in Virginia and your windows are 5+ years old, you could save $1,000s.

Renewal by Andersen is actively helping homeowners score these huge savings. Their certified experts install energy-efficient windows that can cut monthly bills and instantly upgrade your home’s comfort and value. If your windows are aging, this is one of the fastest ways to lock in huge savings.

Slash the cost of new windows by tapping into Renewal by Andersen’s seasonal promotions (see BONUS below), high-impact per-window discounts, special financing offers, and qualifying ENERGY STAR® tax credits most homeowners never even realize they can claim.

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 form and access up to 40% off!

BONUS: For a limited time, buy one get one 40% OFF.6Plus, get $200 off your purchase!6

Hedge your portfolio against a weakening U.S. dollar with this

The U.S. dollar continues to weaken. But recently, gold quietly surged past $5,300 per ounce. Good reminder of why investors 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 a huge deal. American Hartford Gold can help you diversify your retirement portfolio with physical gold and silver, including Gold and Silver 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. Start by requesting a free Gold IRA guide at the link below and see whether adding gold makes sense for your long-term plan.

If you have at least $15,000 in savings, IRAs, or your 401K take control of your savings now and download your FREE Gold IRA guide today.

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.

Expensive Rent Payments: Split your rent payment in two

It's not always easy to pay rent with what you have in the bank right now. And if you miss a payment, you could face late fees, eviction, and even having to find a new home. But now this new service could help take away the anxiety of not being able to pay rent.

It's called Flex, and it helps split your rent into two smaller payments each month — covering your full rent on time when you make your first payment by the due date, while paying the second half on a date you choose later in the month.7That means you limit risk to missing a payment, you could avoid late fees,8and could align rent with your paychecks.

Flex costs $14.99/month plus 1% of your rent9(less than what late fees would usually cost) and it even reports your on-time payments to TransUnion to potentially help build your credit history at no extra cost. Apply with the link below before your next rent payment.

Sign up for Flex before your next rent payment

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.

$325 for new checking customers

If you aren't banking with Wells Fargo, you're missing out on a cash bonus by following a few steps.

Open a new Wells Fargo Everyday Checking account by 07/14/2026 and make a total of $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your new checking account within 90 calendar days of account opening to earn the $325 bonus. Earned bonuses will be paid once you have met all offer requirements.10 Visit the offer webpage for ways to avoid the $15 monthly service fee.11

This is a great way to earn a cash bonus by following the steps above! Wells Fargo also offers 24/7 fraud monitoring, optional Overdraft Protection,12and a 4.9/5 Star-rated mobile banking app.13

Learn More

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

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.

Priority Gold 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%.14

Take control of your legacy today in 3 easy steps:

  1. Request your FREE Gold and Silver Guide and receive up to $20,000 in free silver on qualifying orders.15
  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 — Priority Gold boasts an A+ rating with the BBB and 4.8/5 stars on TrustPilot. If you have at least $20,000 in savings, IRAs, or your 401K take control of your savings now and download your Request your FREE Gold and Silver Guide.

Tax Debt: Ask this company to help you pay off your late tax debt

Past-due tax debt is overwhelming.

It weighs on your mind and causes massive anxiety. You end up emotionally and physically drained. Even worse when the IRS starts sending letters threatening wage garnishment and huge fines.

TaxRise is designed specifically to help you get out of tax debt faster and could reduce some of the debt you owe.

While most tax companies just put you on a payment plan and file your taxes for you, TaxRise talks to the IRS directly. They can help you pay off your tax debt faster while potentially reducing what you owe. They have 4.7/5 stars on Google and an “Excellent” 4.4/5 stars on Trustpilot.

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

Answer a few questions to get started

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

If you have a lot of credit card 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 resolve your debt once and for all?

ClearOne Advantage can help.16 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 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 representative. The consultation is completely free and only takes a few minutes to see if you qualify!

See if your $30k+ in credit card debt is eligible for ClearOne Advantage

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.17 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 $120 off your first order!

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

Expensive Walmart Trips: Earn 3% cash back at Walmart, gas, or dining

If you shop at Walmart even once a month, you need to see this. It's been reported that more than 40% of Americans buy their groceries at Walmart,18but if you pay with a regular debit card, you could be missing out on a chance to earn solid cash back.

OnePay Cash changes that. Right now, new members can earn 10% cash back on their first Walmart purchase within the first month, on up to $200 spent.19After that, you keep earning 3% cash back at Walmart every month on up to $150 spent, with eligible deposits.20

But you don’t just earn cash back at Walmart with OnePay — you can also earn on gas, dining, and more. It's primarily a mobile banking app and secured credit card with no monthly fees, no minimum balances, and no overdraft fees.21

Plus, you can earn 3.35% APY on your savings with eligible deposits22and can get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit23and fee-free cash withdrawals at 55,000+ Allpoint ATMs worldwide.24And you can earn 25¢/gallon extra cash back on your first gas purchase.25

Get OnePay Cash and earn 10% back at Walmart on your first purchase

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.26

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

Cut the Wait to Get Your Paycheck: Access up to $150 per day of your paycheck with no mandatory fees

If you need a few dollars in between paychecks, a little daily cushion can go a long way.

With the EarnIn app27 you can access up to $150 per day of your paycheck and up to $1,000 per pay period — and EarnIn won’t charge you any mandatory fees.

Yes, you read that correctly. You have the option to access your pay as you work and not have EarnIn charge you at all. The EarnIn app does not charge any interest or mandatory fees on a standard Cash Out.

You even have the option to access the money within minutes for a small fee.28

The best news? There is no credit check, no interest, no late fees – ever.

How to get started:

  1. Visit EarnIn and create an account.
  2. Link your bank and employment info.
  3. EarnIn will verify your paycheck and you’re all set!

Get started with EarnIn here

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 LendingTree29wants 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

BONUS: 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 completely pause credit card interest into 2028 ... and the best part is that it could be easier than you think.  

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card(Rates and fees) is an extremely powerful card that gives you 0% intro APR for an astounding 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. (Then APR is 17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% Variable.) That's right, you can now finance large purchases you've been sitting on without paying massive interest. Or, transfer crippling high interest debt to this card and let your payments go directly to paying down your balance, without piling on additional interest charges ... all with no annual fee.

This is by far one of the longest intro APR periods we've ever seen. Plus, this card comes with even more perks like cell phone protection, roadside dispatch, and you could access deals from various retailers and merchants through My Wells Fargo Deals, making it practically a no-brainer. 

Apply now for the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card card

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!30 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.