Mark and Sarah stared at a number that made their stomachs turn: $42,500.
They weren’t reckless. But life, a roof repair here, tuition there had turned their balances into a suffocating weight.
“We didn’t have an income problem,” Sarah admits. “We had a habit problem.”
The solution was a double attack: finding smarter ways to earn extra cash while finally plugging the leaks. Eighteen months later, they were debt-free.
Not all of these ideas will work for you, but some will.
1. Save $1,200 on your insurance
The fastest way to plug a major leak is to stop overpaying for the insurance you’re already buying.
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.
2. Ask this company to get rid of your credit card debt
If the “suffocating weight” of debt feels impossible to lift on your own, it might be time to call in the cavalry.
If you’ve got a problem, like we did, the sooner you deal with it, the better.
If you have over $15,000 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?
3. Earn $1,340 while watching TV
On the earning side of the “double attack,” you don’t need a grueling second job to bring in extra cash, just a little spare time.
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.
4. Earn up to a $300 bonus and grow your money
You can also boost your income simply by firing your old bank and moving to one that actually pays you to keep your money there.
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 up to 4.00% 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 up to a $300 bonus. Direct-deposit $1,000 to $5,000, you’ll get a $50 bonus.
That’s free money.
Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 12/23/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account andpay the $10 SoFi Plus subscription every 30 days OR receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 1/31/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Rates variable, subject to change.
Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
5. Double your retirement savings
Plugging leaks is survival, but to build real freedom like Mark and Sarah, you need a professional growth strategy.
A Vanguard study proves it: $500,000 invested over 25 years grows to $1.7 million solo, but $3.4 million with an advisor. That’s $1.7 million left on the table—and every day you wait, the gap gets worse.
SmartAsset takes 2 minutes: answer a few questions, get matched with experienced professionals with proven track records, receive personalized advice immediately.
If you have $100,000+ invested, you’re already losing serious money. The consultation is free, no obligation, no hidden fees. Even one meeting could change your retirement trajectory.
Stop the Bleeding—Get Your Free Match Now (2 Minutes).
Please carefully review the methodologies employed in the Vanguard white paper, “Putting a value on your value: Quantifying Vanguard Advisor’s Alpha.”
6. Don’t let a $4,000 repair wipe you out
It was an unexpected repair that started Mark and Sarah’s spiral, so immunizing yourself against future shocks is critical.
Stop gambling with your financial future. Endurance pays the mechanic directly, so your retirement funds stay where they belong—in your account.
They cover vehicles up to 20 years old. Includes 24/7 roadside assistance and rental benefits.
Protect My Retirement Savings Now.
7. Pay 0% interest until 2027
The smartest way to attack credit card debt is to turn off the “interest valve” completely so every dollar you pay goes toward the principal.
If you have outstanding credit card debt, getting a new 0% intro APR credit card could help ease the pressure while you pay down your balances.
Our credit card experts identified top credit cards that are perfect for anyone looking to pay down debt and not add to it!
Click through to see what all the hype is about.
8. Cut your phone bill in half
One of the most common monthly leaks is likely sitting right in your pocket: your smartphone plan.
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.
9. Use your home to get rid of high-interest debt
If you own a home, you might be sitting on a “secret weapon” to wipe out high-interest balances instantly.
When our home soared in value, I turned to a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to replace my high-interest credit card debt with a much lower-interest loan. I saved hundreds annually by simply swapping credit card interest for HELOC interest.
Those savings eventually helped our family pay off our 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.
10. Save $3,500 a year without budgeting
The stealthiest leaks are the “zombie” subscriptions you forgot about that drain your account silently month after month.
What if you could automatically save thousands without changing your lifestyle? The average Rocket Money user saves $290 per month by eliminating waste they didn’t know existed.
Rocket Money’s AI scans your spending, instantly identifies forgotten subscriptions, negotiates your bills down (including cable, internet, and phone), and even helps you get refunds on overdraft fees. Join 5+ million members managing over $50 billion in transactions.
Free to try, keep what we save you through bill negotiations, or upgrade to Premium for unlimited cancellations and 24/7 financial concierge support. No commitment, cancel anytime.
Calculate my potential savings — free instant analysis.
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