Car insurance that costs too much, bank account fees, home-energy wasters or mutual funds with high expense ratios. Each of those leaks in isolation won't damage your finances, but all of the drips can quickly add up to big bucks—maybe even thousands of dollars a year—going down the drain.
We identify typical leaks and show you how to fix them so you can keep more money in your pocket.
1: Hunt for Discounts
Sites like retailmetnot.com, promocodes.com and joinhoney.com can scour the internet for promo codes and discounts. Honey also searches Amazon.com for the lowest price. But don't just assume Amazon has the best deal. Check out walmart.com as well.
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2: Avoid Shipping Fees
Bradsdeals.com will help you find 50 stores—including big names like Coach, Microsoft, Neiman Marcus, and Ray Ban—that always offer free shipping with no minimum purchase.
Also, many big retailers will give you free shipping if your purchase is sent to a nearby store.
3: Buy an Older-Model Phone
When you're due for a phone upgrade, save $100 or more by skipping new, pricier models and going with their cheaper, almost-as-good predecessors. The iPhone 8 retails for $700, but a new iPhone 7 starts at $550. The Samsung Galaxy S8 sells for $725, but the Galaxy S7 costs $450.
4: Raise Your Homeowners Deductible
Raising your deductible from $250 to $500 or $1,000 can cut your premiums by 15% or more. It also makes you less likely to file small claims that could boost your premiums or lead to cancellation of your policy.
For many more money-saving tips, see 28 Ways to Stop Wasting Money
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