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

Last updated July 14, 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:

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 up to $550 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

Expensive Car Repairs: This plan protects select Ohio drivers from many expensive car repairs

If you live in Ohio and own a car, Endurance could make it so you don't have to pay $1,000s on car repairs anymore.

They've been around since 2006 and they offer affordable plans to cover the systems in your vehicle that could break down. Just make your claim online or give them a call.

Choose a plan here and you could still lock in their 2026 rates. You could tap into immense savings for nearly any system or component in your vehicle that's covered.

Not everyone is eligible for this plan so here's how to check:

(Vehicles with 200,000+ miles or more than 20 years old are not eligible.)

  1. Click the link below and enter your zip code.
  2. Answer a few simple questions to see if your vehicle qualifies.
  3. Speak with an agent on the phone to lock in your plan.

Choose a plan here and see if you're eligible for $300 off

Cut Credit Card Debt: Stop paying high 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 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); Balance transfer fee applies.) That's right, you could finance large purchases you've been sitting on without paying massive interest. Or, transfer crippling high interest debt to this card and let your payments go directly to paying down your balance, without piling on additional interest charges ... all with no annual fee.

But it doesn't end there. The Discover it® Cash Back card also lets you earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. 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

Quick Tip

According to a U.S. News report using Experian data, the average American carrying a $6,735 credit card balance at a 22.25% APR could pay over $1,248 in interest just to pay it off. With an introductory 0% APR offer on eligible purchases or qualifying balance transfers, you help avoid interest charge during the intro period, allowing more of each payment to go toward the balance.

Sources: U.S. News Money (2025)

Spending $1,000s to Repair 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

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®

Expensive Loan Repayments: 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.2

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

High-Interest Debt: See if you qualify for a debt relief program

Struggling with $30k or more in credit card debt, medical bills, or personal loans? The longer it lingers, the harder it becomes to escape. National Debt Relief has certified debt specialists who may be able to help you settle what you owe for less — with one low monthly program payment and zero upfront fees.

Qualifying borrowers could be debt-free in 24–48 months. Answer a few short questions and get connected with a specialist for a completely free consultation that takes just minutes to complete.3

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)

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 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.4You fill out a quick 5-minute profile (no hard credit pull),5get matched with top-rated lenders, and see the comparison side by side.6

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.7

Own Up customers save on average $28,000 over the life of their loan,8and 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)

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 Home Repairs: This plan protects select Ohio homes from many expensive appliance and home repairs (lock in your ultra-low rate)

Sounds crazy. And maybe you’re not even sure if this is real. But … you’re probably curious anyway. If you live in Ohio and own your home, Choice Home Warranty could make it so you don’t have to pay $1,000s on home repairs anymore.

They’ve been around since 2008 (so you know they’re legit) and they offer affordable plans to cover appliances and systems in your home that could break down. Just make your claim online or give them a call. Their team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.9

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.

Old Bank Accounts: Set up direct deposit - pocket up to $400

Set up an eligible direct deposit with SoFi Checking and Savings and you could earn a bonus of $50 or $400. Make the switch, set up eligible direct deposit, earn the bonus. It basically takes no extra work at all other than following these steps. 

Why people are switching: This account earns up to an insane 3.80% APY10on savings (3.10% APY standard + 0.70% APY boost for six months) on top of that $50 or $400 bonus.11 That's way better than the measly 0.38% (as of 06/15/26)12 national average savings accounts offer. 

No monthly fees and no surprises. Open your account and earn up to a $400 bonus

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.

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.

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 LendingTree2wants 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: 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.13 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.14

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

Overpriced Roof Quotes: Ohio residents, see if this tool could lower the price of a new roof

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

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.15And 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)

Applying for the Wrong Card: Let's find you a better credit card ... or help you save on the debt you already have

If your credit has taken some hits, getting approved for a new card isn't always a sure thing. But that doesn't mean you're out of options.

Answer a few quick questions and we'll try to match you with a card that fits your situation. And if a new card isn't the right move right now, we may still be able to help you lower the interest you're paying on existing balances — which could save you real money every month.

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

See my options (no credit impact)

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

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 app16 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.17

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

Hefty Debt Payments: Americans could get 30K+ debt settled for less than what they owe

Not trying to be dramatic, but $30,000 in credit card debt is a weight that gets heavier every single month. But you could get it settled for less than what you owe.

A company called Freedom Debt Relief could negotiate directly with your credit card companies to reduce the amount you owe in as little as 24 to 48 months.18They've already served over 1 million people and resolved more than $20 billion in debt since 2002.19

Plus, they carry an A+ rating from the BBB and an “Excellent” Trustpilot rating with 50,000+ reviews. Why not see if they could help? The consultation is completely free and it only takes a few minutes to see if you’re eligible.

See if you qualify Freedom Debt Relief

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 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,20and those fees tend to rise 5% or more annually, often for a property they no longer use.

The Stonegate Firm provides legal and advocacy services to help consumers pursue legitimate exit options from their timeshare contract. If your contract qualifies, their attorneys work to identify violations of federal consumer protection laws and negotiate directly with resorts.

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

Paying $100s Extra Every Year on Electric Bills: Ohio residents could save big

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

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.

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.

Answer a few questions to get started

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 when you activate this incredible offer

There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing welcome bonus and benefits. Apply for the Discover it® Cash Back (Rates and fees) and you can earn up to 5% cash back at 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 — plus, you'll earn 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.  The generous welcome offer provides top-notch cash back rewards since Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your 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) (balance transfer fee applies). That means you could use this card to fund large purchases or even help tackle your debt. If you're traveling this summer or want to earn more on beauty essentials, this card is practically a no-brainer!

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