Long-term financial planning is nice and everything, but who has the patience for that when you want results right now? What’s something you can do today that’ll put more money in your pocket?
That’s right, we’re looking for immediate ways to boost your bottom line. No waiting around. No “check back in six months.” No long-range financial forecasts.
We’ve compiled a helpful list of money moves that will bring you results in the short term.
Not all these tips may work for you, but some of them will, so make sure to read them all.
1. Diversify your wealth with gold
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 4.7-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. Escape the jaws of 25% interest
The average credit card interest rate these days is approaching 25% — a record high. Sounds like what a loan shark would charge, doesn’t it?
Never borrow recklessly, but when it’s time, do it right. Take advantage of much lower rates by borrowing against your home. Use that loan — with rates as low as 6.75% — to fix up your house, to pay off high-interest debt or for any other purpose (besides financing a lifestyle you can’t afford).
That’s a fraction of what credit cards charge, and will literally save you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.
How do you shop for the best deal? Simple: Head to a loan shopping site like Rocket Mortgage. They’ve eliminated most of the hoops you had to jump through in the past, so it only takes a couple of minutes to see how much you could get.
3. Save up to $610 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 is such a hassle.
Well, it used to be.
Now you can just 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 minutes.
All you have to do is 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 a year on car insurance by using Provide Insurance. That’s money you could use for other things, like investing, saving or paying off debt.
Don’t let your current insurer overcharge you. Try Provide Insurance today and see how much you can save on car insurance.
4. Protect your pets for less
You have health insurance for your family, right? Of course, you do. Otherwise, an accident or illness could leave you bankrupt.
But what about your pets? They’re a member of your family, too. And just as with human healthcare, vet costs are also skyrocketing.
That’s where Pet Insurance comes in. With customizable plans and affordable premiums, you can ensure your pet gets the care they need without breaking the bank.
The best way to find the best coverage at the best price is to use a comparison site like this one, where you can clearly see various options from multiple companies, all on one page, along with expert recommendations.
Why gamble your savings on your pet’s health? Click here right now and see if there’s an affordable solution for your four-legged family members.
5. Shield yourself against costly auto repairs
The cost of car repairs is skyrocketing. 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 car is around 12 years old. 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 at least 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. For the first year, you’ll get the Elite Benefits program for free; this includes complete tire coverage, key fob replacement, a collision discount and a $1,000 payment if your car is determined to be a total loss.
Endurance has a network of thousands of ASE-certified repair shops. More important: Endurance pays the repair bill upfront. All you need to cover is the deductible.
ConsumerAffairs calls Endurance “a solid choice” for drivers of any age, and “particularly appealing” for those with older vehicles.
6. Slash your interest bill by $500 (or more)
One way to slash that sky-high credit card interest you’re paying is to get a lower-interest personal loan and use the proceeds to pay off all your debt in one fell swoop.
And finding one couldn’t be easier.
Whether you’re consolidating high-interest debt, financing your next home renovation project, or covering unexpected expenses, NerdWallet's loan marketplace makes finding the right loan quick and easy.
It only takes a few minutes to apply — without affecting your credit score — and if approved, you’ll have money in your account in no time.
NerdWallet has rated and reviewed loans from more than 35 financial institutions, with loan amounts ranging from $2,000 to $50,000 and APRs as low as 5.99%.
Their marketplace also offers a range of helpful resources and tools, so you’ll feel confident and informed throughout the process. It’s never been this easy to find and compare personal loans.
7. 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. And that’s not all. AARP offers a Fraud Watch Network, job listings, retirement planning tools, games, and tons of information, programs and resources.
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.
8. Get paid to shop — plus a free $40 bonus
Shopping online is so convenient. And there really is no end to what you can buy on the web. Tools for the workshop? Check. New clothes for vacation? Check. Presents for the kids? Check.
Wouldn’t it be nice if there was an easy way to save money on all those purchases? Well, there is. It’s called Rakuten.
Yes, we know. The name is a little weird-sounding. But you’ll forget all about that once you realize you can get cash back on virtually every purchase made through Rakuten’s site, app or browser extension.
It’s not complicated, either. You simply log in to your Rakuten account and search for the store you’d like to shop — Walmart, Target, Lowe’s or one of the thousands of others. Rakuten shows you available discounts, and then you click the link to shop at the retailer’s site and earn cash back.
New members are entitled to a $40 cash-back bonus too. Start earning cash back on Rakuten today and claim your free $40 bonus.
Bonus: Get free, expert advice on everything money-related
What’s free and gives you tips to spend less, make more and avoid rip-offs? The Money Talks Newsletter. Every day we provide free tips and tricks that will make you richer. And it doesn’t cost a dime.
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