News & Trending Money News

10 Simple Financial Tasks You Can Do in Under an Hour (Totally Worth It)

Financial tasks you can complete in under an hour that can help strengthen your money habits and reduce stress.

By Holly Humbert

Edited by Lauren Wellbank

Updated May 22, 2025

When life gets busy, it's easy to push non-essential financial jobs to the bottom of the to-do list. But the truth is, taking just a few minutes here and there can help you lower your financial stress and build better financial habits over time.

Not every task will deliver instant savings, but collectively, it can lay the groundwork for a more stable and secure financial future. Here are some quick financial wins that are worth the time.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources

Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.

How to become a member today:

Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $15 the first year with auto-renewal.

Become an AARP member now

1. Pulling your credit report

Each year you can access your credit report for free from each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — through AnnualCreditReport.com. Reviewing your report can help you spot errors, monitor your financial history, and check for signs of identity theft.

It doesn't change your credit score, but keeping tabs on your report is one of the easiest ways to protect your credit.

Who really has the cheapest auto insurance in your area? Check your zip code here.

2. Freeze your credit

If you're not planning on applying for new credit accounts anytime soon, freezing your credit is a smart way to add a layer of protection against identity theft. It prevents lenders from gaining access to your credit file without your consent, making it much harder for scammers to open fraudulent accounts. It is free to do, and can easily be lifted later.

3. Checking for unclaimed assets

You might have money waiting for you and not even know it. Old paychecks, forgotten refunds, and inactive bank accounts are often turned over to state governments, and you can search for them on your state's unclaimed property website. If you're lucky, you could end up with some extra cash you didn't even know was missing.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.¹ <p>Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 46% before fees, or 25% including our fees, over 12 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating.</p>

How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.

Try it

4. Compare pricing for everyday expenses

If you've had the same car insurance or cell phone provider for years, you may not be getting the best rate anymore. Take a few minutes to compare your current plan with other offers.

According to a survey conducted by LendingTree, 92% of people who switch auto insurance carriers end up saving money. Even if you don't switch immediately, knowing what you're paying could give you leverage if you want to negotiate with your current carrier.

5. Download a coupon app

Clipping coupons has never been easier. Coupon apps can not only help you have money immediately on purchases but many can help you find discount codes or offer you cashback on your everyday purchases.

Setting up a savings app takes less than 10 minutes, and you could start earning money back on things you were going to buy anyway. It may not make you rich, but over time, those small savings can add up.

6. Apply for a low-interest rate credit card

If you're currently carrying a balance on a high-interest credit card, applying for a low to 0% APR card with a balance transfer offer could save you hundreds of dollars in interest. These promotional cards typically give you 6–21 months of no interest, giving you breathing room to pay off your debt faster.

Make Money: 8 things to do if you're barely scraping by financially

7. Set a price alert

If you've been eyeing a big purchase, like a new laptop or flight for an upcoming trip, set a price alert using a browser extension like Google Shopping. This will notify you when prices drop, helping you avoid overpaying and make more informed spending decisions.

It only takes a few minutes to set up and is an effortless way to let technology help you save money without constantly watching prices yourself.

8. Open a HYSA

A high-yield savings account (HYSA) earns significantly more interest than a traditional savings account, sometimes 10 times more. It's a great place to stash your emergency fund, short-term savings goals, or even just your regular buffer.

Opening a HYSA online takes just minutes, and many accounts have no minimum deposit requirements. Over time, the extra interest earned is money that you can use to build up your savings or reach other financial goals.

9. Evaluate your subscriptions

The average American spends $91 a month on subscriptions. Take a few minutes to scan your bank or credit card statements and identify any recurring subscriptions you no longer use or need. Canceling even one or two forgotten subscriptions could free up $20 or more per month, which equals out to hundreds per year back in your pocket.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!² <p>See website for details.</p>

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

10.Set up autopayments

Over one-third of Americans have had to pay a late fee in the last 12 months, according to a study by NerdWallet. Setting up automatic payments for bills and credit cards can help you avoid late fees, missed payments, and unnecessary interest charges. For fixed bills like your rent, mortgage, student loan, or utility payments, autopay adds convenience and peace of mind.

Bottom line

Improving your finances doesn't always require a spreadsheet or a weekend spent budgeting. Sometimes, the most impactful money moves are the ones you can make in under an hour.

While none of these tasks alone will transform your finances overnight, they all contribute to helping you move beyond living paycheck to paycheck, one small step at a time.

More from FinanceBuzz: