Stop: Do These 5 Things Before You Travel

1. Search flights using a foreign language & currency combo: Sometimes booking on a site’s non-English version (say, Google Italy + euros) can surface different fares.
2. Book “hidden city” flights by choosing a final destination beyond your actual stop: Use Skiplagged to buy a cheaper fare that connects through your real destination — just don’t check a bag.
3. Set your location to a budget-friendly country: Booking platforms sometimes show lower rates based on user location. A VPN set to India or Mexico could save big.
4. Offer house sitting in exchange for free lodging: Join platforms like Nomador or MindMyHouse to stay abroad for free in exchange for caring for someone’s home.
5. Book flights on Wednesdays at 3 a.m. (based on the airline's headquarters time): Weird but true — some airlines release new deals early Wednesday mornings. Try booking at 3 a.m. their time for the best prices.

These are practical, powerful tactics that regular people are using to travel better, cheaper, and smarter. And since you’re already thinking about how to maximize your money, check out these offers from our partners below — then take advantage of one (or all) today.

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^®

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 FinanceBuzz credit ranges are a variation of FICO®️ scores, one of many types of credit score lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good

670-739

Excellent

740-850

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.

Paid Non-Client Promotion

FinanceBuzz doesn’t invest its money with this provider, but they are our referral partner. We get paid by them only if you click to them from our website and take a qualifying action (for example, opening an account.)

Timeshare owners could claim a cash refund. Check to see if your resort is on the list.

If you’re stuck in a timeshare contract, you’re not alone. The average timeshare owner pays roughly $1,200 a year in maintenance fees,¹ <p>Based on American Resort Development Association (ARDA) industry data. National average annual timeshare maintenance fee estimated at approximately $1,120 to $1,200 per one-week ownership interval.</p> special assessments, and processing charges. But depending on how your contract was sold, it may be eligible for cancelation ... and you could be owed a cash refund and a possible way out of the contract.

The Stonegate Firm helps consumers seek to cancel their timeshare for good, and reviews whether any fees they paid may be recoverable, even if you’re behind on payments. Their attorneys look for potential violations in your contract, then negotiate directly with your resort.

Cancel your timeshare and possibly even get your money back!

1. Answer a few questions about your timeshare and contract.
2. A Stonegate Firm specialist reviews your case and contract.
3. If you qualify, they pursue an exit strategy on your behalf, which may include a cash refund.

Every year you wait is another bill you may never get back. The Stonegate Firm is BBB Accredited with an A+ rating.

Check your eligibility free - 30 second assessment

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

See if you're paying for two Amazon Prime subscriptions (and save an average of $378 by canceling subscriptions you don’t need)

Finding and canceling subscriptions you forgot about is hell. It drains your bank account. And the worst part is you probably won’t even catch it, unless you try this.

Rocket Money is an app that reviews your spending daily to find subscriptions to cancel and bills to cut. Rocket Money has helped users save an average of $378 a year² <p>This annualized figure is based on members usage of Subscription Cancellation. Actual savings may vary and are not guaranteed.</p> by canceling unwanted subscriptions. They’ll even cancel subscriptions for you and negotiate bills on your behalf.

It’s not unheard of for people to download Rocket Money and find out they’re paying for two Amazon Prime subscriptions … two Netflix subscriptions … or more. Sneaky companies like it this way, but Rocket Money fights back.

Now, some insider info: Don’t go for the “free” version. Instead, choose the free trial of the Premium version. It unlocks the features that save you the most money possible, like “Cancellation Concierge,” that helps cancel subscriptions for you.

Once you have your free trial of Premium set up, Rocket Money connects to your bank in minutes and will identify bills that can be lowered and subscriptions you can cancel. Easy.

Start your free trial of Rocket Money Premium get back an average of $378

Turn your home’s value into extra cash

If you want to pay for a big expense now (like getting out of credit card debt so you could actually afford that vacation), tapping into your home equity could be the perfect solution. And right now could be the perfect time to access the value you've built up, without giving up your current mortgage.

Use LendingTree’s simple HELOC matching tool³ <p>LendingTree, LLC is a Marketing Lead Generator and is a Duly Licensed Mortgage Broker, as required by law, with its main office located at 1415 Vantage Park Drive, Suite 700, Charlotte, NC 28203, NMLS Unique Identifier #1136. LendingTree, LLC is known as LT Technologies in lieu of true name LendingTree, LLC in NY. LendingTree technology and processes are patented under U.S. Patent Nos. 6,385,594 and 6,611,816 and licensed under U.S. Patent Nos. 5,995,947 and 5,758,328. © 2026 LendingTree, LLC. All Rights Reserved. This site is directed at, and made available to, persons in the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii only. Terms and Conditions may apply. </p> to compare HELOC rates and find one that works for you. You could get the money you need using the equity already in your home. And, rates could be much lower than personal loans or credit cards, helping you save more over time.

How to compare HELOC rates on LendingTree:

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

Get out of $20,000 or more in credit card debt

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 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 get out of debt once and for all?

TurboDebt⁴ <p>IMPORTANT ADVERTISER DISCLAIMERS: Programs range from 24-48 months. 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 program fees, over 24 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete the program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. Programs 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. Programs do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Programs are not available in all states, and fees may vary by state. 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, programs may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. You may be subject to collections or lawsuits by creditors or collectors. Your outstanding debt may increase from the accrual of fees and interest. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating.</p> <p>Certain types of debts are not eligible for enrollment. Some creditors are not eligible for enrollment because they do not negotiate with debt relief companies. </p> <p>The company and its affiliates are not lenders, creditors, or debt collectors. This is not a loan. Our representatives have helped thousands of consumers throughout their careers.</p><p class="">Turbo debt is a debt relief program and does not provide any direct ways to earn cash or make money online.</p> can help. If you have more than $20,000 in debt from credit cards, medical bills, collections, or personal loans, their representatives might be able to assist you in consolidating your debt into one low monthly payment.

Best of all? There are zero fees until your debt is resolved, and you could be debt-free in as little as 24-48 months. To get started, just answer a few simple questions. It only takes 30 seconds to see if you qualify!

Try TurboDebt

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

Not retired? You can still join AARP for massive discounts and your first year is just $15

Think AARP is only for retirees? It isn't. Anyone 18 or older can join, and your first year costs just $15 (about $1.25 a month)! An AARP membership gets you massive discounts on:

• Restaurants (save up to $450 per year!)
• Airfare, hotels, cruises and rental cars
• Meal deliveries
• UPS shipping
• Eyeglasses and even prescriptions that aren't covered by insurance

Plus you'll also get insider info on health and wellness and you can add a partner for free. That’s twice the perks and potentially hundreds saved for just $15. It basically pays for itself.

Joining takes about two minutes:

1. Click the link below, choose your free welcome gift, and select "Join Today"
2. Create your account by answering a few quick questions
3. Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

Join AARP for only $15 your first year (renews at $20/yr). Start saving today.

Limited Time Offer: Earn 75,000 miles + $300 Capital One Travel credit — worth over $1,000 toward travel

Limited time offer: If you're planning a trip, apply for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (Rates and fees) here and you can earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months — plus for a limited time, a $300 Capital One Travel stays credit. That's worth over $1,000 toward travel!

Plus, earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases — with a low annual fee of $95 and no foreign transaction fee.

The card could help you offset the annual fee: You'll get a $300 stays credit towards hotel and vacation rental bookings through Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, a $50 experience credit on every Lifestyle Collection hotel or vacation rental stay, up to $120 toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years, and complimentary Hertz Five Star status.⁵ <p class="">Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply<br></p>

This card could help you earn $100s in rewards to use toward travel. Don't delay — this limited time offer won't last forever. Apply today!

Click here to apply for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card now

Recommended Credit Score FinanceBuzz credit ranges are a variation of FICO®️ scores, one of many types of credit score lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good

670-739

Excellent

740-850