If life is a game, you want to play the game skillfully and find a way to win. And the best way to beat a game is to find a way to hack it.
We’ve found a bunch of hidden money hacks that can make you a master of your game. These are tips and strategies that can level up your game and put more money in your pocket.
Because the idea is to beat the game and come out ahead. And knowledge is power. Ultimately, the better you play this game, the more money you’ll be able to stash in your savings and retirement accounts.
Not all these hacks will work for you, but some of them will, so check them all out.
1. Diversify your wealth with gold
Here’s an important trick of the game: Putting all your money in one place – stocks, bonds, crypto, whatever – is a recipe for losing wealth, not building it. Diversification is key to financial security.
Here’s an easy way to start: Buy gold and/or other precious metals. Those investments typically do well when the stock market decides to tumble.
Be careful who you deal with, though. Not all gold dealers are on the up-and-up, and some of them are only too happy to sell you gold and silver at vastly inflated prices.
Oxford Gold Group, on the other hand, has a 4.9-star rating (out of five stars) on Trustpilot, where 96% of reviewers call the company “excellent” and 4% call it “great.” It also has an AA rating with the Business Consumer Alliance and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
They’ll allow you to invest in a gold IRA that adheres to IRS regulations. They also offer gold bars and coins, as well as silver (including silver IRAs), platinum and palladium.
If you’ve ever thought of investing in gold, give Oxford Gold a try.
2. Grow your money with professional help
It’s important to take a long-term view of this game. To properly manage your money, work with a professional – it’s totally worth it. If you’re not doing this, you could be missing out on some serious financial gains.
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!
If you’ve got at least $100,000 in investments, check out a free service called SmartAsset. You fill out a short questionnaire and instantly get matched with up to three vetted financial advisers in your area, all legally bound to work in your best interests.
Even if you don’t want help picking investments, an adviser can help lower your tax burden, create a comprehensive financial plan for you, maximize your Social Security, and serve as a second pair of eyes to make sure you’re on the right track.
Using SmartAsset only takes a few minutes, and in many cases you’ll be offered a free consultation.
Please carefully review the methodologies employed in the Vanguard white paper, “Putting a value on your value: Quantifying Vanguard Advisor’s Alpha.”
3. Plan ahead
Now it’s time to take an even longer-term view of the game of life. Here’s hoping that your retirement years are active, healthy and vibrant and that you’re able to function as you always have, right up to the time you shuffle off this mortal coil.
But don’t bet on it. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 7 in 10 people who turn 65 today will probably need some kind of long-term care.
“But won’t Medicare take care of all that?” Nope. Medicare doesn’t cover long-term custodial care — and paying for it out of pocket could take a huge chunk of your retirement savings. That plus inflation could mean near or total depletion of your nest egg.
Without long-term care insurance, your options aren’t great: running through savings, borrowing money, burdening your family with your care, and possibly losing independence because you can’t live on your own.
One place to find long-term care insurance is GoldenCare (unless you live in one of the four states where GoldenCare doesn’t operate: Alaska, Florida, Hawaii and Washington).
At least check it out and see if it’s a fit. Because planning now could mean a more secure tomorrow.
4. Have this company pay off your 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.
National Debt Relief is one of the most respected providers of debt relief in the U.S.
They’ve helped more than 500,000 people, are A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau and are top-rated by Top Consumer Reviews, Top Ten Reviews, ConsumersAdvocate.org and ConsumerAffairs.
You simply fill out a form on the company website, then a debt coach will call you to learn more about your situation. If they can help you, they’ll set you up with an affordable plan that works for you — and give you an estimate of when you can expect to be debt-free. There’s no upfront fee and no obligation to get started.
National Debt Relief can help you with almost any unsecured debt, like credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, repossessions … even some student loan debt. Ready to start a new, happier chapter of your life?
5. Take a few minutes to protect your family
There’s nothing you wouldn’t do for your family, right? Well, if something happens to you, who’s going to pay the mortgage, or college bills? This is why life insurance is so important.
Not everybody needs insurance. If your kids are grown and you have a nice, fat bank account, there’s really no need. But if your family would have a hard time getting along without you, life insurance is definitely something you should look into. Just don’t pay too much for it by buying the wrong kind, or buying from a commissioned salesperson.
Shopping for life insurance used to be a long, complicated process. Now? Not so much. For example, Ethos is a company that lets you apply online in minutes without getting off the couch. There are no medical exams, no blood tests. You can get term life insurance ranging from $20,000 to $2 million. And it may cost as little as $7 a month: less than you might be spending now on coffee.
Simply answer a few online health questions and get a personalized quote in less than 5 minutes. This could be the most important thing you ever do for the people you love.
6. Protect your home from unexpected costly repairs
Home repairs can disrupt your game big-time. Whether it’s a leaky roof or a broken appliance, your home can quickly become a nightmare and cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars to keep up.
But you don’t have to worry. Luckily, with a home warranty company called American Home Shield, you can safeguard yourself against giant repair bills. From home appliances to electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, it can all be protected.
AHS protects your stuff no matter the age. Their plans cover up to 23 appliances and systems, and if they can’t repair it, they’ll replace it. That’s why American Home Shield is America’s top home warranty company with more than 17,000 contractors and 2 million members.
All over America, homeowners are choosing AHS for the savings, service and peace of mind that it delivers.
7. Protect your pets for less
Your pet is more than just an animal, they are a member of your family.
Unfortunately, accidents and illnesses can happen, leaving you with hefty vet bills. That’s where Lemonade comes in. With customizable plans and affordable premiums, you can ensure your pet gets the care they need without breaking the bank.
Lemonade Pet insurance is not your average pet insurance. They use technology to make the process seamless and efficient, with around half of claims settled instantly. Plus, unclaimed premiums are donated to charity, including animal rights organizations. You can feel good about protecting your pet while also contributing to a good cause.
Visit Lemonade's website today to get a personalized quote for your furry friend and take the first step in securing their health and well-being.
8. Shield yourself against costly auto repairs
The cost of car repairs can disrupt your game, too. One shop told Consumer Reports that a decade ago their average repair was $1,600. These days, the average bill is $4,000.
Typically, a vehicle manufacturer warranty lasts three years. Yet the average driver will hang on to a car for about a dozen years. If you’re concerned about coming up with thousands of dollars for a repair bill, protect your investment with Endurance Warranty Services.
The company provides extended warranty plans of up to 36 months. Choose from among six different plans, to get only the coverage you actually need, for cars up to 20 years old. All their warranties include 24/7 roadside assistance plus rental car benefits while your vehicle is being repaired.
Endurance has a network of more than 350,000 ASE-certified repair shops. More important: Endurance pays the repair bill upfront. All you need to cover is the deductible.
The company has a 4.4-star rating with Trustpilot. ConsumerAffairs calls it “a solid choice” for drivers of any age, and “particularly appealing” for those with older vehicles.
9. Use this secret source for discounts
Are you over 18? Then you’re eligible to save hundreds of dollars every year simply by joining AARP.
“What?” You say, “I thought AARP was for retired people.”
As it turns out, you don’t have to be 50 or older to join AARP. And members get discounts on hundreds of things, like:
- Up to $200 per person off flights
- Up to 30% off rental cars
- Up to 15% off restaurants
- Up to 20% off hotels
You’ll also save on eyeglasses, prescriptions, meal deliveries and lots more. Anyone trying to save money can’t afford not to join AARP, especially since the cost is as low as $12 per year with auto-renewal. You’ll likely recoup the cost in the first week.
They even give you a free gift to sign up!
10. Stop losing $610 a year on car insurance
If you’re like most Americans, you’re probably paying too much for car insurance. But shopping around for a better deal can be a hassle.
Or is it?
Take a few seconds and check out Provide Insurance, the largest online marketplace for insurance in the U.S. Provide Insurance lets you compare quotes from more than 175 different carriers in the blink of an eye.
Just answer a few questions about yourself and your driving history. Then Provide will show you the best options for your needs and budget.
You could save up to $610 on car insurance by using the Provide marketplace. That’s money you could use for traveling, paying down debt or simply having more fun.
11. Make money renting your driveway or extra space
Do you have room in your garage, driveway, basement or attic? Would you like to earn some extra cash? Then check out Neighbor. It’s like Airbnb, but instead of hosting people, you just store their stuff for them.
You can potentially earn hundreds or even thousands of dollars in passive income this way, and Neighbor makes it easy. It connects homeowners with people who need storage space for less than the rates that commercial storage places or parking garages charge. You set your own prices, although Neighbor suggests guidelines for you.
You review renters’ requests, and how much stuff you store is up to you. You can stash a few boxes in a closet, or keep someone’s belongings in a room or a shed.
You can think even bigger. If you have the space, you can make money storing vehicles, RVs or boats. Your earnings depend on where you’re located, but most driveways rent for $100 to $150 a month.
You’re allowed to inspect anything you store, and reject anything you don’t want on your property. Neighbor insures you for up to $1 million if your home gets damaged or someone gets hurt moving their stuff in.
Neighbor handles the payments and automatically deposits them into your account each month. They take a 5% cut, but listing your space or driveway is free.
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Try it. You’ll be glad you did!
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