The 12 Dumbest Things Americans Waste Money On (No, It’s Not Coffee)

Greensprout TeamUpdated June 06th 2025

Let’s be real: managing money can feel like a full-time job. Between bills, credit cards, subscriptions, and the occasional impulse buy, it’s easy to lose track.

I’ve spent years digging into the most common ways people waste money - and trust me, some of them are shockingly easy to fix.

Here are the biggest money-wasters I’ve found (and what to do instead):

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 $416* or more per year on car insurance - often without realizing it.

I usually pull up Coverage.com - 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 Coverage.com
• 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. Get Rid Of $20K Or More In Credit Card Debt

National Debt Relief helps people with unsecured debt (like credit cards, personal loans, or medical bills) reduce what they owe — sometimes by around 23% after fees.

Here's how to check:

• Go to National Debt Relief’s site
• Answer a few questions
• See if you qualify instantly

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.

Here’s a link to National Debt Relief

3. Need cash? Your home might already have it.

If you’ve built up equity in your home, a HELOC lets you borrow against it — kind of like a credit card, but with better interest rates and terms.

It’s a smart way to get extra cash without refinancing or taking out a high-interest loan.

Use this calculator to check how much you could unlock: Link

5. Home repair bill? Let someone else foot the bill.

Your AC breaks in the summer. Your fridge dies without warning. Stuff like this happens more than you think — and it’s almost never cheap.

That’s where a home warranty helps. It’s like backup insurance for appliances, plumbing, electrical, and more — stuff your homeowners insurance won’t cover.

American Home Shield is one of the largest and most trusted names in the space, with thousands of service techs ready to handle the job — fast.

Want to see what coverage looks like?

• Just enter your zip code
• Compare plans in your area
• Get a quote in seconds

It could save you hundreds the next time something breaks down. Get a free quote

6. Still overpaying on your home insurance?

Home insurance protects your biggest asset — but that doesn’t mean you should overpay for it.

Most people don’t realize they can switch providers anytime, and potentially save hundreds per year without losing coverage.

We’ve found a top-rated tool that lets you compare multiple home insurance offers in one place. Just enter your zip and basic info — it only takes a minute.

Here’s the home insurance comparison site I typically use: Link

7. 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

8. Save big with AARP — even if you’re not 50 yet

Most people think AARP is just for seniors — but you can actually join at any age.

AARP members get big-time discounts on dining (up to $450/year), meal delivery, hotels, flights, car rentals, vision care, and more. Even prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance.

Membership is just $15 for the first year with auto-renew — and it can pay for itself fast if you use even a few perks.

Join AARP and unlock your discounts

9. Getting price-gouged when you shop online

You might be surprised how often you're overpaying on Amazon and other retailers. Big stores like Amazon know that nobody has time to price shop across dozens of websites, so there's often little incentive for them to offer their lowest prices.

I typically hate browser extensions with a fiery passion, but if you don't have Capital One Shopping installed yet, do yourself a favor and add it.

When you shop online (on Amazon or elsewhere) it will:

• Auto-apply coupon codes to potentially help you save money
• Compare prices from other sellers to help ensure you're not missing out on a better deal

Here's a quick example of how it works:

Whenever the extension finds an available discount, you'll see a little savings alert pop up. For instance, here you can save $40 on this coffee maker.

Here's a link to add Capital One Shopping, if you're interested.

10. Most people don't have a financial advisor

Sure, you can handle your money solo if you want. But most people don't have the time to do it right.

Here’s the thing: people with financial advisors typically beat DIY investors by about 3% per year, according to Vanguard. That adds up fast.

Plus, they deal with all the complex retirement and tax planning that would take you forever to figure out on your own.

Need to find the right one? Answer a few questions and Bankrate will connect you with experienced advisors in your area.

Find an advisor who actually earns their keep

11. Homeowners Could Save Big by Refinancing in 2025

With rates shifting, many homeowners are using refinance tools to lower monthly payments or pay off their loan faster. Depending on your balance and credit profile, you could save hundreds per month over the life of your loan.

How it works:

• Answer a few questions about your home & loan
• See if a lower rate is available
• Estimate your monthly savings with no obligation

Check your refinance options

12. Credit Card Debt? Pay 0% Intro APR interest Until Nearly 2027

Still paying sky-high interest on credit card debt? You may have better options — including 0% intro APR offers that last up to 21 months on balance transfers.

We’ve partnered with Bankrate to spotlight some of the top-rated balance transfer credit cards of 2025 — all in one place. These cards can give you the breathing room to finally get ahead, without the monthly interest charges holding you back.

• ✔️ Compare top-rated balance transfer cards
• ✔️ See intro APR terms as long as 21 months
• ✔️ No impact to your credit score to explore options

Click below to view the current top balance transfer offers — curated by Bankrate and presented in partnership with Greensprout.

View Balance Transfer Card Offers

Today’s Top Home Equity Financing Offers

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.