Stop Throwing Away Money by Doing These Four Things

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Prices everywhere are rising, from gas and eggs to insurance premiums and utilities.

You’ve tried to cut down and stick to your budget, but even so, some costs can’t be avoided. Overpaying for monthly and everyday expenses eats into your savings worse than almost anything else.

If you’re ready to stop throwing away your money, do the following four things and start saving now!

1. Find Coupons Easily and Get the Best Available Prices

Shopping online is easy and convenient, but it often leaves you wondering whether or not you’re getting the best price.

Thankfully, this service helps stop you from overpaying online! It automatically searches other websites for the items you’re shopping for, and alerts you if it finds a better price somewhere else. It even accounts for shipping fees and delivery times! You can also use it to find coupon codes, view price history, and get price-drop alerts if you want to wait until the item is cheaper to purchase.

The best part? It’s completely free! All you have to do is download it on your browser and continue online shopping as you normally would. If you get a price comparison alert, you can view the item on the other website and decide whether or not you want to save!

Why wait? Stop overpaying while shopping online now!

2. Get Better Car Insurance Offers Now

How long have you had your current auto insurance?

While some auto insurance companies offer discounts for loyalty, many others will keep you paying the same rate or even raise your premiums if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s always smart to compare your current policy to new offers, to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Even if you don’t have any auto insurance yet but are in the market for auto insurance, comparing today’s offers could help you find a plan that offers great coverage for a low cost.

Click here to start comparing auto insurance companies now!

3. Get Cash Each Month Without a Monthly Mortgage Payment

If you’re 62 or older, you can utilize a Reverse Mortgage to help finance your retirement!

With a reverse mortgage, you can borrow from the equity in your home and use the funds however you wish.

If you’ve paid off all or most of your mortgage, then you could be sitting on a gold mine of equity. A reverse mortgage allows you to access that equity in either a lump sum, fixed payment amount, or a line of credit.

Even better, there’s no monthly payment to the lender required, and the loan only has to be repaid when the last borrower sells the house, moves out, or dies.

Planning to utilize a reverse mortgage can help add additional cash to fund your retirement. You can click here to see if a reverse mortgage is right for you!

4. Stop High Interest Credit Card Debt with a Balance Transfer Credit Card

High interest credit card debt can seem impossible to surmount, especially when most of your payment goes towards the interest expenses and is not actually paying down your debt.

That’s where a balance transfer credit card can be handy! These type of cards typically offer a 0% Intro APR for a period of time for balance transfers (and sometimes new purchases as well), then a regular APR thereafter!

With an intro APR like this, you’re able to transfer your current credit card debt to this card and focus on paying it down, without an interest expense! That means you pay off your debt faster and spend less money on interest.

Even better, some of these cards have no annual fees, allow you to earn rewards, and have other perks! Learn more about balance transfer credit cards now!

Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. The content on this page is accurate as of 4/26/2023; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

We may receive compensation when you use the links provided.

How to Get Companies to Give You Low Prices

Bargain hunting can be time-consuming, confusing, and sometimes down-right frustrating! Wouldn’t it be easier if companies came to you, offering low prices and great deals? Here’s a secret – they will, if you know where to look! Banks, power suppliers, and other companies all want your business, and with a few easy steps, you can get them to show you amazing deals! Keep on reading to learn how.

Start Your Journey to Excellent Credit

Having a good credit score unlocks all types of opportunities, from lower mortgage rates to better deals on car insurance. Having a great credit score is awesome, but if your score is less than ideal, it’s easy to feel left out. After all, who doesn’t want to save? But don’t worry – you can get total credit coverage today through ExtraCredit! With ExtraCredit, you can check and monitor your credit score, work on building your score, protect your identity, and earn cash rewards! ExtraCredit is a great service even if your credit score is already awesome, by continuously monitoring for threats and for ways to improve your score. If you want to take control of your credit score, get ExtraCredit today!

Save On Auto Insurance

How long have you had your current auto insurance? While some auto insurance companies offer discounts for loyalty, many others will keep you paying the same rate or even raise your premiums if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s always smart to compare your current policy to new offers, to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Even if you don’t have any auto insurance yet but are in the market for auto insurance, comparing today’s offers could help you find a plan that offers great coverage for a low cost. Click here to start comparing auto insurance companies now!

Get Cash Fast with a Personal Loan

Personal loans can be used for almost anything, from home renovations to luxury vacations to emergency bills! These loans often range from $1,000 all the way up to $100,000. By comparing top personal loan lenders, you can find one that offers a low interest rate and payment terms that work for you. Don’t accept the first personal loan offer you get – be sure to compare it with at least two or three other personal loan lenders, so that you can choose the one that works best for you. Doing so is a good financial move and will let the lender know you’re a smart borrower.

Earn Money Faster with a Savings Accounts

Are you keeping your money in a savings account that earns just a few cents a year (or maybe a dollar, if you’re really lucky?) Or maybe you have a checking account that doesn’t earn any interest at all? You can do better! MyBankingDirect offers a High Yield Savings Account with a 4.05% APY for balances over $1! The national average APY in January of 2023 was just 0.21%, which makes MyBankingDirect’s 4.05% APY over 19 times higher! High yield savings accounts are a risk-free way to grow your money, and with no monthly or maintenance fees, MyBankingDirect’s account is a very attractive option! Start learning more by clicking here!

Cut Down Your Electric Bill

Electricity costs keep on rising, but what your power company doesn’t want you to know is you may be eligible to convert to solar energy, at no cost to you! That’s right – you could switch to solar energy with all costs covered, then benefit from huge savings as your monthly energy bill drops! Check now to see if you live in a qualifying area and are eligible to benefit from this program.

Give Your Windows an Energy-Saving Tune-Up

If you don’t have energy-efficient windows, you could be wasting hundreds of dollars each year! Old windows can leak heat in the winter and cool air in the summer, often making it necessary to waste more energy on heating or cooling your house. That’s why replacing your windows with energy-efficient windows is one of the best renovations you can do! Start saving now by switching to energy-efficient windows!

If You’re a Costco Member, You Need to See These Offers

Costco members have the chance to save big time with the following deals and promotions! If you’re a Costco member, check out how to save on energy costs, auto insurance, and more!

Save on Auto Insurance

How long have you had your current auto insurance? While some auto insurance companies offer discounts for loyalty, many others will keep you paying the same rate or even raise your premiums if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s always smart to compare your current policy to new offers, to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Whether you want cheaper premiums, better coverage, are trying to insure a new car, or want to change your auto insurance completely, comparing auto insurance offers is free, easy, and can put you on the road to save even more cash!

Get Better Savings Rates

Did you know banks will actually pay you to keep your money in their accounts? Savings Accounts and Certificate of Deposits (or CDs, as they’re more commonly known) pay a percentage of your balance in interest in return for banking with them! CDs offer a higher APY than traditional savings accounts because they have fixed terms, during which the consumer agrees not to withdraw that money and instead allows the bank to use it. Savings accounts have more flexibility, but often have a lower APY. Whether you’re looking for a higher guaranteed return from a CD or more flexibility with a Savings Account, earning interest on money you already have is a no-brainer! Different banks will offer accounts with different APYs, and some have promotions that give you even more bang for your buck! In order to get the best deal, compare multiple bank accounts to find one with a high APY, low fees, and other features that works for you!

Cut Power Costs with Solar

Electricity costs keep on rising, but what your power company doesn’t want you to know is you may be eligible to convert to solar energy, at no cost to you! That’s right – you could switch to solar energy with all costs covered, then benefit from huge savings as your monthly energy bill drops! Check now to see if you live in a qualifying area and are eligible to benefit from this program.

Install Energy Efficient Windows

If you don’t have energy-efficient windows, you could be wasting hundreds of dollars each year! Old windows can leak heat in the winter and cool air in the summer, often making it necessary to waste more energy on heating or cooling your house. That’s why replacing your windows with energy-efficient windows is one of the best renovations you can do! Start saving now by switching to energy-efficient windows!

Get a Personal Loan

Personal loans can be used for almost anything, from home renovations to luxury vacations to emergency bills! These loans often range from $1,000 all the way up to $100,000. By comparing top personal loan lenders, you can find one that offers a low interest rate and payment terms that work for you. Don’t accept the first personal loan offer you get – be sure to compare it with at least two or three other personal loan lenders, so that you can choose the one that works best for you. Doing so is a good financial move and will let the lender know you’re a smart borrower.

Monitor Your Credit and Build Your Score

Having a good credit score unlocks all types of opportunities, from lower mortgage rates to better deals on car insurance. Having a great credit score is awesome, but if your score is less than ideal, it’s easy to feel left out. After all, who doesn’t want to save? But don’t worry – you can get total credit coverage today through ExtraCredit! With ExtraCredit, you can check and monitor your credit score, work on building your score, protect your identity, and earn cash rewards! ExtraCredit is a great service even if your credit score is already awesome, by continuously monitoring for threats and for ways to improve your score. If you want to take control of your credit score, get ExtraCredit today!

5 Ways to Combat Rising Electric Costs

Rising Electric Costs Will Soon Affect Your Area – Here’s What You Can Do About It

At a time when inflation has driven prices up for everything from groceries to furniture, residents of the US are soon to have another unwelcome surprise: a bigger electricity bill.

Reduced supply to natural gas has increased its cost, forcing power companies to pass the burden on to customers. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t steps you can take to combat these higher prices! Check out these suggestions below to save on energy costs!

Convert to Solar Energy at No Cost to You

Electricity costs keep on rising, but what your power company doesn’t want you to know is you may be eligible to convert to solar energy, at no cost to you! That’s right – you could switch to solar energy with all costs covered, then benefit from huge savings as your monthly energy bill drops! Check now to see if you live in a qualifying area and are eligible to benefit from this program.

Save on Heating and Cooling Bills with Energy Efficient Windows

If you don’t have energy-efficient windows, you could be wasting hundreds of dollars each year! Old windows can leak heat in the winter and cool air in the summer, often making it necessary to waste more energy on heating or cooling your house. That’s why replacing your windows with energy-efficient windows is one of the best renovations you can do! Start saving now by switching to energy-efficient windows!

Renovate your Home with a Home Improvement Loan

Renovating your home to include more energy-efficient appliances, insulation, or remodeling can be costly at first, but ultimately save you money in the long run. While these renovations can save on electricity, big expenses like these are often too expensive to put on a credit card. Taking out a home improvement loan can fund your home upgrade while not using up all of your credit limit. Even better, renovations tend to add to your house’s value, which can be useful if you ever sell your home!

Cut Costs by Switching your Auto Insurance

Another way to combat rising power prices is by finding other ways to save in your budget. How long have you had your current auto insurance? While some auto insurance companies offer discounts for loyalty, many others will keep you paying the same rate or even raise your premiums if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s always smart to compare your current policy to new offers, to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Whether you want cheaper premiums, better coverage, are trying to insure a new car, or want to change your auto insurance completely, comparing auto insurance offers is free, easy, and can put you on the road to save even more cash!

Get More Bang for your Buck with High Savings Rates

Did you know banks will actually pay you to keep your money in their accounts? Savings Accounts and Certificate of Deposits (or CDs, as they’re more commonly known) pay a percentage of your balance in interest in return for banking with them! CDs offer a higher APY than traditional savings accounts because they have fixed terms, during which the consumer agrees not to withdraw that money and instead allows the bank to use it. Savings accounts have more flexibility, but often have a lower APY. Whether you’re looking for a higher guaranteed return from a CD or more flexibility with a Savings Account, earning interest on money you already have is a no-brainer! Different banks will offer accounts with different APYs, and some have promotions that give you even more bang for your buck! In order to get the best deal, compare multiple bank accounts to find one with a high APY, low fees, and other features that works for you!

People Born Before 1965 Can Get Huge Savings with These Offers!

Senior Citizens have access to savings like never before thanks to these discounts and promotions! If you were born before 1965, check out these top offers of 2022.

Find a Bank Account with Better Savings

Did you know banks will actually pay you to keep your money in their accounts? Savings Accounts and Certificate of Deposits (or CDs, as they’re more commonly known) pay a percentage of your balance in interest in return for banking with them! CDs offer a higher APY than traditional savings accounts because they have fixed terms, during which the consumer agrees not to withdraw that money and instead allows the bank to use it. Savings accounts have more flexibility, but often have a lower APY. Whether you’re looking for a higher guaranteed return from a CD or more flexibility with a Savings Account, earning interest on money you already have is a no-brainer! Different banks will offer accounts with different APYs, and some have promotions that give you even more bang for your buck! In order to get the best deal, compare multiple bank accounts to find one with a high APY, low fees, and other features that works for you!

Tap Into Your Equity with a Reverse Mortgage

If you’re 62 or older, you can utilize a Reverse Mortgage to help finance your retirement! With a reverse mortgage, you can borrow from the equity in your home and use the funds however you wish. If you’ve paid off all or most of your mortgage, then you could be sitting on a gold mine of equity. A reverse mortgage allows you to access that equity in either a lump sum, fixed payment amount, or a line of credit. Even better, there’s no monthly payment to the lender required, and the loan only has to be repaid when the last borrower sells the house, moves out, or dies. Planning to utilize a reverse mortgage can help add additional cash to fund your retirement. You can click here to see if a reverse mortgage is right for you!

Drive Happy with Auto Insurance Savings

How long have you had your current auto insurance? While some auto insurance companies offer discounts for loyalty, many others will keep you paying the same rate or even raise your premiums if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s always smart to compare your current policy to new offers, to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Whether you want cheaper premiums, better coverage, are trying to insure a new car, or want to change your auto insurance completely, comparing auto insurance offers is free, easy, and can put you on the road to save even more cash!

Save On your Energy Bill with Solar

Electricity costs keep on rising, but what your power company doesn’t want you to know is you may be eligible to convert to solar energy, at no cost to you! That’s right – you could switch to solar energy with all costs covered, then benefit from huge savings as your monthly energy bill drops! Check now to see if you live in a qualifying area and are eligible to benefit from this program.

Take Advantage of this Window of Opportunity

If you don’t have energy-efficient windows, you could be wasting hundreds of dollars each year! Old windows can leak heat in the winter and cool air in the summer, often making it necessary to waste more energy on heating or cooling your house. That’s why replacing your windows with energy-efficient windows is one of the best renovations you can do! Start saving now by switching to energy-efficient windows!

Get a Brand-New Walk-In Tub

Walk-in tubs significantly decrease the chances of slipping or falling in the bathroom, while still providing the luxury of a bath. If you’re in the market for a walk-in tub, it makes sense to find one that has great reviews and competitive pricing. We think this brand has the best value due to its affordability and quality – check it out now to get your free quote!

Our Favorite Financial Advisor Firms for 2022

These five financial advisor firms have ranked as our Top 5 in the United States for 2022:

Why These Firms

In RateZip’s review of top financial advisement firms in the US, we considered the following factors:

  • Whether a firm is a Fee-Only Firm (who only earn money through what their clients pay them) or a Fee-Based Firm (who can earn money through other fees, including commissions from insurance policies, executing trades, and more). Fee-Based Firms may have a conflict of interest when it comes to their clients as they can be trying to earn additional commissions.
  • The firm’s individual client count. Firms who serve a larger number of individuals are ranked higher than firms who service mostly institutions or corporations. This is because they often specialize in financial products that most often concern you as an individual, such as wealth management, retirement planning, tax help, and more!
  • The number of years that a firm has been in business. Well-established firms with many years of business often have more expertise.
  • The amount of clients-per-advisor that a firm has. If a firm has a lower clients-per-advisor ratio, then typically each advisor will have more time to focus on their clients.
  • The total amount of assets that the firm manages.

The above list may include firms that currently or in the past have had a business relationship with RateZip. RateZip did not earn compensation for including any of the above firms on this list. RateZip may earn compensation for matching you with one of our vetted financial advisor firm partners.

Working with an Advisor can Grow your Wealth!

Pandemics, inflation, recessions, rising interest rates – all of these things can dramatically affect your portfolio. What may have seemed like a cushy retirement amount could quickly get swallowed up, leaving you needing more funds than you have. Furthermore, selling stocks or other investments due to fear or confusion could lock in losses, cutting off the potential for future growth. Financial advisors help individuals navigate their finances in a way that minimizes loss and maximizes growth. In fact, according to a study published in the Journal of Retirement, those who work with a financial advisor often feel more confident about their finances and can earn approximately 15% more in retirement funds.1

Let’s look at some numbers: A 2022 study from Vanguard found that if an advisor managed a theoretical $500,000 investment, on average, it would grow to more than $3.4 million over a 25-year span. The same theoretical investment would grow to an average of $1.69 million over 25 years if it was self-managed. That’s 50% less! This means that portfolios managed by a financial advisor see an average of 8% annualized growth over 25 years, versus only 5% annualized growth from self-managed portfolios. That 3% difference ends up turning into a huge amount of money!2

The majority of adults in the United States say they need to handle their finances better, yet only 29% work with a financial advisor!3  If you haven’t considered a financial advisor yet, or if you don’t know where to start, try our online quiz to get matched with a financial advisor today.

Working with a Vetted Advisor, Matched to Meet Your Needs!

It’s important to learn about the top financial advisement firms in the US, but more than that, it’s important to work with an advisor who is best for you. You need someone who specializes in your unique situation, whether that’s tax management, investing, retirement planning, or more!

That’s why RateZip has developed a free online quiz that asks basic information about your financial situation, what you need advisement on, and what your financial goals are. You’re then matched with up to three financial advisors who have been vetted to meet our standards. All of the advisors we work with have been thoroughly screened, and only those who pass our due diligence process are allowed to be matched. Once you have your matches, you can compare them based on advisement strategies, customer service, and personalities, and choose the one you like best!

The best part about RateZip’s matching quiz? It’s free, easy to use, and there is no obligation to work with any of your matches! These are simply suggestions that might work well for your situation based off of the information you provide – but if you decide they’re not for you, that’s no problem!

The best way to be in control of your finances is to be well-informed. That’s why we want to keep giving you information about financial advisors and help you find a financial advisor suited to your unique needs and goals.

References:

1. “The Use and Value of Financial Advice for Retirement Planning,” The Journal of Retirement (Winter 2020) https://jor.pm-research.com/content/7/3/46

2. “Putting a value on your value: Quantifying Vanguard Advisor’s Alpha®,” Advisor’s Alpha Perspectives (July 2022) https://advisors.vanguard.com/iwe/pdf/IARCQAA.pdf

3. “Planning and Progress Study 2020” Northwestern Mutual (2020) https://news.northwesternmutual.com/planning-and-progress-2020

Here’s How Much a Financial Advisor Actually Costs

Hiring a financial advisor may not cost as much as you think – but is it worth it?

In today’s world, we rely on the knowledge of others to better our own lives. From avoiding products that have 1-star reviews to looking up cooking tutorials and recipes, we turn to expert knowledge and experience for guidance. Why, then, do so many people do their own finances with minimal research or outside help? Or worse – ignore their financial futures completely?

Many Americans wrongly assume that financial advisors are expensive and charge fees for services that people can just do themselves. However, most financial advisors are much more affordable than people think, and provide suggestions and resources that can be worth more than their actual fee.

One Fidelity Study estimated that advice from a financial advisor can add between 1.5% and 4% growth to a consumer’s account over a period of time. * On the costs side, most financial advisors will charge a percentage fee between 0.59% and 1.18% for the assets the manage (often called Assets Under Management, or AUM). ** That means that over time, the benefits of a financial advisor are likely to outweigh the costs, putting you in better control of your finances!

To give a concrete example, if you had a $50,000 account, the AUM fee for a financial advisor might be 1.18%, or $590. If the advice you receive helps grow your account between the expected 1.5% and 4%, you could end up with between $750 and $2,000 worth of growth over time! The financial advice literally pays for itself, and then some. That being said, not every financial advisor has the same fee schedule. Other common fee schedules can be seen below:

Fee TypeFee Cost
AUM Percentage Fee0.59% to 1.18% annually
Fixed Fee$7,500 for portfolios less than $500,000
Hourly Fee$120 to $300 per hour
Please note these examples are for illustrative purposes only and may be different than what financial advisors charge in your area. All costs and fees for your financial advisor should be carefully reviewed prior to services being performed.

With most financial advisors being affordable and eager to help, why do many Americans avoid partnering with one? Another common reason is that they don’t know how to find a financial advisor, which ones to trust, whether they’re priced competitively, or how proficient they are. After all, if you’re going to spend money on a financial advisor, you want to get the best – but determining which advisor is the “best” can seem impossible!

To help everyday consumers find financial advisors, we’ve vetted top advisors from all over the country and engineered a free quiz to match consumers with advisors based on pricing, specialties, and more! After answering some easy questions about your current financial situation, you’ll be matched with financial advisors that have been pre-screened to fulfill your needs. You’ll then have the ability to compare your matches and even contact them for a free evaluation, giving you the ability to choose the advisor that works best for you!

Don’t wait – compare financial advisors today and take better care of your finances!

Sources:
*“Why Work With a Financial Advisor?”, Fidelity (November 2021) https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/investing-ideas/financial-advisor-cost
** “What are the Average Financial Advisor Fees & Investment Fees Being Charged in 2021?”, AdvisoryHQ (July 2021). https://www.advisoryhq.com/articles/financial-advisor-fees-wealth-managers-planners-and-fee-only-advisors/