12 Things to Cut When Money Gets Tight

Greensprout TeamUpdated August 14th 2026

Money can get tight fast. When insurance rates, credit-card interest, subscriptions, and everyday bills keep creeping up, it can be hard to know what to cut first.

Here's the good news: you don't have to change everything at once. Start with one or two of the money-saving moves below. Even a small change today can help you keep more of what you earn.

1. Auto Insurance: Cut Your Payment by $400+/Year*

Sticking with the same auto insurance year after year?

It could be costing you.

The average American family still overspends by $416¹ or more per year on car insurance - often without realizing it.

I usually pull up Auto Savings - a free site that compares offers from trusted insurers. It takes just 2 minutes to see what's out there.

Here's how:

• Click below to open Auto Savings
• Answer a few quick questions
• Compare real offers instantly

That's all it takes. You'll likely save yourself a bunch of money.

See how much you can save on car insurance

*Savings vary by zip code and driving record.

2. Have $2M Saved for Retirement? What Can You Actually Spend Per Year?

It's one of the most common retirement questions out there - and honestly, there's no simple answer. The right number depends on your tax situation, Social Security timing, investment mix, healthcare costs, and other things many people don't think about until it's too late.

The smart move? Ask a pro.

SmartAsset's free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interest - not their own. You can have a free introductory call with each match before you commit to anything.

Here's how it works:

• Answer a few quick questions to find a match near you
• Get connected with vetted fiduciary advisors in minutes
• Chat with them for free and choose who you actually want to work with

No pressure, no strings - just a clearer picture of what your retirement can actually look like.

Get matched with a financial advisor today

3. Protect Your Vehicle From Expensive Repairs

That dreaded check engine light? Never good — especially if your warranty's expired.

Endurance helps drivers avoid costly repairs with extended auto warranty plans that cover engines, transmissions, brakes, air conditioners, and more.

They've protected millions of vehicles over nearly 20 years and earned top reviews on Google.

Just enter your vehicle details and get matched with a plan that fits your car and your budget. Coverage is affordable, flexible, and built to save you money.

Don't let repairs drain your savings.

Get a free vehicle quote

4. Diversify Your Retirement Savings With Gold

If you've spent decades building your nest egg, the last thing you want is to watch inflation or a market crash take a bite out of it. That's exactly why more Americans are adding gold and silver to their retirement portfolios.

American Hartford Gold specializes in helping people do just that — whether it's physical precious metals or a gold/silver IRA. And the historical case is hard to ignore: gold climbed 330% between 2005 and 2020, and actually gained 25% during the 2008 stock market crash.²

Getting started takes three steps:

• Request your free Gold IRA guide
• Talk to a dedicated specialist about what makes sense for your situation (minimum IRA investment is $15,000)
• Transfer or invest to start diversifying

They carry an A+ BBB rating, hold the #1 spot on the Inc. 5000 list of gold companies, and are exclusively endorsed by Bill O'Reilly. If you're serious about protecting what you've built, this is worth a look.

Get your free Gold IRA guide

5. A "Shark Tank" Solution to Crushing Credit Card Debt

If you're drowning in credit card debt, you're not alone - and the longer you put it off, the harder it gets to dig out. Minimum payments barely move the needle, and most of what you send each month just disappears into interest.

That's why Robert Herjavec from Shark Tank recently teamed up with DebtClearUSA (powered by Americor) - to help everyday Americans finally break the cycle.

Here's how it works: if you have credit card debt, medical bills, or other unsecured debt, DebtClearUSA can roll it into one low monthly payment - and potentially reduce what you owe by up to 45%. Most people are debt-free in 30-48 months, with zero upfront fees.

You'll get a decision in as little as 2 minutes, and DebtClearUSA holds a 4.9-star rating on Trustpilot and 4.8 on Google across 14,000+ reviews.

If you're tired of watching your balance go nowhere, this is worth 2 minutes of your time.

See If You Qualify →

6. A New Roof Could Be Closer (and Affordable) Than You Think

If your roof is showing its age - leaks, missing shingles, or storm wear - it might be doing more harm than good. A roof replacement protects your home from the inside out, while also cutting energy costs and adding real value if you ever decide to sell.

This free program matches homeowners with trusted local roofing contractors based on their zip code. No obligation, just a quick check to see what's available near you.

Reasons homeowners are replacing now:

• Stop water damage before it spreads
• Improve insulation and lower monthly bills
• Withstand wind, hail, and heavy storms
• Raise your home's resale value
• Potentially qualify for insurance savings

You may qualify if:

• You're a homeowner
• Your roof is 15+ years old
• You're in a participating zip code

See If You Qualify

7. The Hidden Cost of Clogged Gutters

Overflowing gutters don't just look bad — they're a sneaky cause of foundation cracks, roof rot, mold, and basement flooding. Most homeowners don't catch it until the damage is already done, when a simple cleaning problem turns into a five-figure repair.

HomeBuddy shuts that down for good. Its surgical-grade stainless steel micromesh blocks leaves, pine needles, and even shingle grit, while still letting water pour through freely.

The part I liked most: installers clean and realign your current gutters for free before putting LeafFilter on — no teardown, no full replacement. It's backed by a Lifetime Warranty and a No-Clog Guarantee.

Don't wait for the damage to show up inside your walls.

Get your free quote

8. Get $300,000 in Life Insurance from $46/Month, 100% Online

Most people think getting life insurance means scheduling a doctor's visit, waiting weeks for bloodwork results, and sitting through an agent sales pitch. With Ethos, none of that is required.

All you need to do is answer a few health questions online and most applicants could get a decision the same day with no doctor visits, medical exams, or blood draws.

Every Ethos policy also includes access to estate planning tools like a will, trust, power of attorney, and more at no additional cost ($449 value per person). For a 55-year-old non-smoking female in good health, $300,000 in coverage could run around just $46/month on a 10-year term.

• No medical exams or blood work (just answer a few health questions online)
• 100% online (no agent required unless you want one)
• Coverage from $100K to $3M with terms from 10-30 years
• A+ BBB rating
• 4.9/5 on Trustpilot
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Whether you're looking to help protect a mortgage, help cover future tuition costs, or simply give your family peace of mind, Ethos lets you customize your coverage and term length to fit your life, and your budget. It won't replace a full estate plan, but it's a real head start for anyone who's been putting it off.

Get your estimate now →

Sample rate: 10-year term policy for 55,60 and 65 y/o healthy, non-smoking females. Products not available in all states. Trustpilot rating as of 08/01/2026.

9. What Window Replacement Actually Costs in Your Area — Before Anyone Gives You a Price

Most homeowners find out what window replacement costs the hard way: a salesperson sitting at their kitchen table with a number that's “only good today.” By then, you're negotiating blind.

Installed window replacement runs roughly $300 to $1,200 per window, and a full house of 10 to 15 windows lands anywhere from $4,500 to $18,000 depending on the materials and your market.¹ Knowing where your project falls before that appointment changes everything.

HomeBuddy connects homeowners with a local window contractor vetted for licensing, insurance, and reputation. Enter your ZIP code, answer a few quick questions, and get a real local estimate — no obligation, no pressure.

Get a free window estimate in your area

¹ National ranges. Installed cost per window varies by frame material, glass package, installation method, and regional labor rates. Whole-house figures assume 10 to 15 windows.

10. Don't Sleep on This Underrated Cash Back Card: $200 Bonus + Up to 5% Back

Apply for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® credit card and you could earn a $200 bonus after spending just $500 in your first 3 months. The math is hard to ignore — your bonus is worth half of what you spend to earn it, making this one of the stronger spend-to-bonus offers available right now.

And the path to the bonus is simple. Apply, get approved, put $500 on the card over 3 months (groceries, gas, the usual), and the bonus lands in your account.

The rewards don't stop there. The Chase Freedom Unlimited keeps rewarding everyday spending with 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery) and on drugstore purchases, plus unlimited 1.5% cash back on everything else.

Carrying a balance or planning a large purchase? This card also includes an intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for a limited time. Add in no annual fee, and it's easy to see why this card quietly outperforms others that get far more attention.

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

To see current details, visit the Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card

11. The Average Timeshare Owner Pays $1,480 a Year in Fees - and That Number Keeps Climbing

In 2024, the average maintenance fee hit $1,480, up 17.5% in a single year, more than 6 times the rate of inflation. That's more than $1000 per month for something you may use once a year, and that's before special assessments, surprise charges for repairs or shortfalls that can add hundreds, and sometimes thousands of dollars with little warning.

What's worse, when you're gone those obligations don't disappear. They can pass directly to heirs who never signed up for them. It's no surprise 85% of timeshare owners regret their purchase.

If you're in a timeshare you want out of, Stonegate Firm, the #1 Consumer Contract Exit Company, may be able to help.

Whether you signed your timeshare contract in the 1980's or the 2020's, Stonegate's proven process has helped families across the country break free from their timeshare financial burden, finally achieving financial freedom through The Stonegate Firm.

• Permanent, legal cancellation
• Freedom from rising fees and special assessments
• Protection from passing obligations to your children
• Real legal representation through Stonegate Law

Want to find out if your timeshare qualifies for a permanent legal exit?

Take the Free Quiz to See If You Qualify here.

12. Erase Interest Until Nearly 2027— 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers

Stop bogging yourself down with those high-interest credit card payments. It seriously limits your spending power. If your monthly interest payments are starting to creep out of control, you might need to take a look at changing things up with your current credit card by transferring your balance to a card with a 0% intro APR.

We've done the research and identified some of the best options to help you take back control. These cards offer a generous 0% intro APR on balance transfers until nearly 2027, which means you could get the breathing room you need to tackle your debt without being hamstrung by interest payments for a whole year.

On top of that, you can earn up to 5% cash back on everyday purchases and enjoy a $0 annual fee. It's really a no-brainer when you consider you could save on interest and earn on everyday purchases.

See Discover it Cash Back Credit Card details

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See how much you could borrow (and at what rate) by comparing real-time HELOC and home equity loan offers from trusted lenders. Rates are updated daily and checking won’t impact your credit.