Remember when you thought you’d never stop buying groceries? When the laundry basket was a bottomless pit and your water bill made you weep?
Well, congratulations—the kids have finally flown the coop, and your bank account is about to get a serious glow-up.
This isn’t just about reclaiming the thermostat and discovering your kitchen actually stays clean for more than six minutes. It’s about strategically redirecting all that money you’ve been pouring into raising tiny humans into moves that’ll set up your next chapter beautifully.
Here are ten smart financial plays to make right now. Not all will apply to you, but some will, so be sure and read them all.
1. Double your retirement (get a pro)
As debt disappears and savings swell, many empty nesters find themselves with more to invest. And for a long time, they might do all the investing themselves.
It’s not all that hard, right?
Well, a Vanguard study found that, on average, a hypothetical $500,000 investment over 25 years would grow to $1.7 million if you manage it yourself, but more than $3.4 million if you work with a financial adviser. That’s twice as much!
Even if you don’t want help picking investments, an adviser can help lower your tax burden, create a comprehensive financial plan, maximize your Social Security and much more.
If you’ve got at least $100,000 in investments, check out a free service called Advisor Match. In less than 5 minutes, you’ll be offered a free consultation with up to three vetted, fiduciary financial advisers in your area. No cost,no obligation. And you’ll probably get some great advice at the first meeting.
2. Stop overpaying for insurance
How would you feel if you found out you’re throwing away $1,200 annually just to pad some insurance company’s bottom line?
It’s very possible. But there’s only one way to know for sure.
This new car insurance shopping tool can tell if you’re overpaying for your car insurance with just a few clicks.
This new home insurance comparison tool exposes what home insurers don’t want you to see: identical coverage for hundreds less.
Take 3 minutes right now, click those links and see if you can save serious money: that’s what I did.
But don’t forget the cardinal rule: When you find ways to spend less on major expenses, don’t blow that extra money: Put it toward your mortgage, or invest it.
3. Don’t let high-interest debt crush you
When home values soar, smart homeowners turn to a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to replace high-interest credit card debt with much lower-interest loans.
The savings from simply swapping credit card interest for HELOC interest can add up to hundreds annually.
Those savings could eventually help pay off your house.
HELOCs could be the fastest, easiest and cheapest way to access extra cash, for whatever purpose, from consolidating debt to upgrading an outdated kitchen: HELOC rates are less than half what credit cards charge
In seconds, Money.com's comparison page will show you the best rates in your area, so you know you’re getting the best deal.
4. Stop drowning in credit card debt
Worrying about debt is probably the worst way you can spend your time, and paying interest and late fees is the worst way you can spend your money.
If you’ve got a problem, the sooner you deal with it, the better.
If you have over $10,000 in debt, National Debt Relief is one of the most respected providers of debt relief in the U.S.
There’s no upfront fee and no obligation to get started.
Ready to start a new, happier chapter of your life?
5. Turn $50 into $1,000 in stock (5 minutes)
Empty-nesters should always be on the lookout for any edge; any way to get ahead.
Perfect example? SoFi Active Invest is giving away up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account with just $50. Buy fractional shares of giants like Amazon, Netflix, and NVIDIA for as little as $5. No trading fees, ever. SoFi Active Invest is one of the top investing platforms on the market with an “Excellent” rating on TrustPilot based on over 9,000 reviews.
The 5-minute set-up couldn’t be simpler:
- Click here to open your account.
- Fund your account with at least $50 (important — don’t skip this step!).
- That’s it! You’re now eligible to win up to $1,000 in stock.
Your $50 stays yours to invest however you want, plus whatever free stock you receive.
Get My Free Stock Now (Only Need $50)
Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.026%; If you don’t make a selection in 45 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify.
The stocks shown are meant to be a representative sample and are not meant to convey a recommendation to buy, hold, or sell.
6. Earn $1,340 watching TV in your downtime
Swapping a little spare time for extra money is easier than most people think. Some make up to $1,340/month doing it.
Lots of companies let you earn money for testing apps, playing games and taking surveys. But the one I used, FreeCash, is in a league of its own.
They list thousands of offers from companies with most taking only around 5-10 minutes to complete.
7. Don’t stay with a bank that gives you nothing (Get $300 to switch)
Another example of getting an edge: getting paid simply for opening a better bank account.
If you’re banking at a traditional brick-and-mortar bank, you’re getting ripped off. They’re charging you monthly for a checking account and paying a pittance on your savings.
Better idea? SoFi. They offer a combination checking-and-savings account, and if you set up direct deposit, you’ll earn a whopping 4.50% on your savings. (Can change without notice.) That’s eight times the national average.
Direct-deposit $5,000 or more within the first 25 days, you'll get a $300 bonus. Direct-deposit $1,000 to $5,000, you’ll get a $50 bonus.
That’s free money.
8. Don’t leave your family unprotected, secure them $3M
While doing everything possible to build wealth, protecting family shouldn’t be neglected.
What would happen to your family if you died today? If you don’t like the answer, do something about it.
If you’re between the ages of 20 and 59, and not living in New York, check out a term life insurance policy. It’s probably cheaper than you think.
For example, Ethos is one company where you can find up to $3 million in coverage for less than your monthly streaming subscriptions.*
Better yet, there’s typically no medical exam, ** and 90% of applicants get instant approval. They even offer free will and estate planning tools valued at $898.*
Peace of mind is only a click away. Check out their easy online application.
Perks: *Estate Planning Tools are available with the purchase of an eligible policy; not available in SD or WA. Pricing: *Term length, health, age, coverage amount, No medical exams. **Answer a few health questions
9. Cut your phone bill in half without sacrificing coverage
If you’re with a major carrier, pull up your last phone bill right now. Chances are, you’re paying $70-100+ per month for unlimited data – money that could be growing in your investment accounts instead.
Mint Mobile runs on T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G network and offers unlimited data for just $30/month (with upfront payment required). This isn’t just a great price—it’s truly unlimited.
Customers get unlimited talk, text, and high-speed 5G • 4G data on the nation’s largest 5G network, with no hard data caps. Over 2 million people have already made the switch.
Still unsure about coverage quality? Every Mint plan comes with a 7-Day Money-Back Guarantee for purchases made on Mint Mobile
Switching is simple: bring your own phone and number, and get started in as little as 15 minutes.
Calculate Your Exact Savings Based on Your Current Bill
See additional terms and conditions, here.
10. Stop paying full price for weight loss meds
If you’re finally ready to lose weight, FDA-approved GLP-1s — like Semaglutide & Tirzepatide — burn fat fast. And this company we found called MyStart gets them to you 80% cheaper!
It might sound crazy, but MyStart operates on a cash-only basis and does not accept insurance. This is how they’re able to provide up to 80% off the typical cost of weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Zepbound. (You can pay via credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard.)
Skip the surgeries, diets, and expensive costs of weight loss. Get real results with GLP-1s at 80% less than name brands! Plus, get access to U.S.-based doctors 24/7 when you go through MyStart. No insurance is required and there are no hidden fees.
Dr. Ritu Chopra (from the show “The Doctors”) says this is the future of weight loss. Join now before prices go up! You could qualify in 5-minutes or less.
Take the quiz to get up to 80% off weight-loss medications.
11. Don’t pay interest charges on balance transfers until 2027
High-interest credit cards can make it ridiculously hard to get ahead.
But there’s a solution: transfer your balance to a credit card that offers a 0% intro APR until 2027 on balance transfers and no annual fee, which means more of your money actually goes toward paying down your balance. It could be worth considering if you want to break that high-interest cycle.
Stop letting high-interest credit card payments eat into your budget. Paying those steep rates every month? It’s like throwing money away!
If you’re ready to break free, now might be the perfect time to switch to a card that allows you to pay no interest on balance transfers into 2027.
The FinanceBuzz editors have uncovered an incredible deal: with cards offering exactly that! That could mean over a year of no interest on balance transfers, giving you the chance to pay down your balances faster and keep more money in your pocket.
Even better? These cards come with a $0 annual fee. It’s the ultimate way to take control of your finances and escape the high-interest trap.
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