The 10 Most Overlooked Ways People Waste Money

Ways to Save
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10 Sneaky Ways You Could Be Losing Money Right Now
From hidden fees and overpriced insurance to high-interest debt, small money leaks can quietly add up over time. Read on to learn some of the sneaky ways you could be losing money right now.
1.
Outdated Auto Insurance Rates: Drop Your Payment By Up To $835/Year
Sticking with the same auto insurance year after year? It might be costing you more than you think.
Rates change often, and many drivers miss out on better deals simply by not checking. You should be shopping your auto insurance every year to make sure it doesn't go up.
The good news: it’s easy to shop smarter. You can compare quotes from trusted insurers in just a couple of minutes—and rates can start as low as $29/month. Drivers who compare options could be able to save up to $835 per year.
Here’s how to check your rates:
Click the link below and enter your zip code, date of birth, and phone number.
Answer a few questions about your car’s make and model to get matched with top offers.
Choose the best quote for you and lock it in before rates go up.
Same-day savings could be yours. Compare rates now.
2.
Paying Credit Card Interest When You Could Be "Pausing" It Instead
Want to pay off your debt with less money in a shorter amount of time, or finance a big purchase without paying interest?
A 0% intro APR credit card could help you save hundreds (or even thousands) in interest - and potentially get rid of your debt faster, if you pay it off within the 0% intro interest period. Some even have 0% Introductory periods for new purchases.
Our Nerds researched 280 credit cards, narrowing down to just one winner per category. See their pick for the Best Balance Transfer Credit Card of 2026 below.
See our list of some of the top balance transfer cards
BEST BALANCE TRANSFER CREDIT CARD 2026
Citi Simplicity® Card
Apply now
on Citibank's application
Rates & fees
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
N/A
Intro offer
N/A
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good - Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good - Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 18 months
Balance transfer APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
APR
17.49%-28.24% Variable APR
Card details
0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 18 months from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% - 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
$0 liability on unauthorized charges.
View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
Pros
No annual fee
Intro APR period
Cons
No rewards
No new cardholder bonus offer
Requires good/excellent credit
WHY OUR NERDS LOVE IT
This card’s long 0% intro APR on balance transfers, low transfer fee and lack of late fees make it a standout choice. ( EDITOR'S NOTE : This card had a 21-month intro APR on balance transfers when it received this award.)
READ OUR METHODOLOGY ❯
3.
Overpaying For Financial Planning
When it comes to building your retirement savings, fees can make a big difference. Even a small percentage taken out each year can quietly eat into your returns and shrink your long-term nest egg. But not all financial advisors charge the same way — some are fee-only (charging a flat or hourly rate), while others take a percentage of assets under management or earn commissions from the products they recommend.
Take this free advisor-matching quiz to receive up to three financial advisor matches. It’s a quick way to explore who might be the best fit — and to understand how their fee structures align with your financial goals.
4.
Not Realizing You Can Tap Into Your Home's Equity For Cash
If you’ve built up equity in your home, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) can give you a way to tap into it. It works a bit like a credit card: you’re approved for a set limit and can borrow from it as needed — often at lower interest rates than other types of credit.
A HELOC can be a flexible option for covering expenses like home improvements, consolidating higher-interest debt or handling larger costs, all without replacing your current mortgage. Here's how it works:
Borrow from your available credit line as needed
Pay interest only on the amount you use
Access funds during a set draw period, typically several years
If you’re exploring whether a HELOC makes sense, tools like NerdWallet’s comparison tool can help you navigate getting a HELOC and compare offers from multiple lenders.
Compare Top HELOC Lenders of With NerdWallet’s easy to use comparison tool.
5.
Continuing To Pay Credit Card Interest When You Should Be Pausing It
The Discover it® Cash Back is a great pick if you like earning big rewards without paying an annual fee. You’ll earn 5% cash back on popular categories that rotate each quarter (up to $1,500 in spending) — think things like grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and online shopping. Just remember to activate each quarter. For everything else, you still get a solid 1% back.
What really makes this card stand out? Discover matches all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year. That means if you rack up $200, they’ll double it to $400—automatically. No hoops, no limits.
There’s also a 0% intro APR for 18 months on both purchases and balance transfers, so you’ve got some breathing room if you’re making a big purchase or tackling existing debt (then a 17.49%-26.49% Variable APR applies).
EXCELLENT FOR LESS THAN PERFECT CREDIT
Discover it® Cash Back - 18 Month Intro Balance Transfer Offer
Apply now
on Discover's website
Rates & fees
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-5%
Cashback
Intro offer
Cashback Match™
Regular APR
17.49%-26.49% Variable APR
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good - Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Rewards breakdown
2
%
Cash back at Gas stations on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically.
2
%
Cash back at Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically.
1
%
Cash back on all other purchases.
Card details
No credit score required to apply. No Annual Fee.
Your secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit, and your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. You'll still earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum…

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