Do you dream of a stress-free retirement? Maybe even an early retirement? (Now we're talking!) Of course, you do — you're human, after all.
Unfortunately, there's a common mistake that holds people back from making that dream a reality: People often make a mental checklist of things to do by the time they retire when they should really have those things done five to ten years before retiring.
If you're looking to retire by 65 (or sooner), you'll want to have everything below checked off before 60.
But have no fear! If you don't have one checked off yet, this page will show you how to get started.
Ohio Driver? Cancel your car insurance
Driving without car insurance is illegal, but if you do this, you’re not actually breaking the law.
This tool can help you see if you’re overpaying for car insurance in just a few clicks. You’d be shocked by the difference. $159 per month is what they wanted to charge me. I thought that was the best price, don’t even look anywhere else. Right? Wrong.
I used this tool and now I’m able to pay just $47 a month for two cars.1 <p>Actual savings and coverage options vary based on factors such as driving history, location, and insurer policies. The rates shown in this example may not reflect what every user will qualify for.</p> Too many insurance companies do this. They push up our rates and make us pay even more. But if you want to try this tool and compare and potentially score same-day savings, here’s what to do:
- 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.
Compare rates now and see if you could score same-day savings today!
I can hardly believe I waited so long to do this, but I’m glad I finally did. It only took me two minutes. Super fast. You have to trust me on this. Just try it out.
Earn potentially hundreds more on your savings with this simple move
If you still have money sitting around in a traditional savings account, you could be missing out on the potential to earn hundreds — even thousands – of dollars with a simple move you can make in just minutes.
Open an American Express® High Yield Savings Account today and you can supercharge your savings with an impressive 3.50% annual percentage yield (APY).2 <p>The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) as advertised is accurate as of July 23, 2025. Interest rate and APY are subject to change at any time without notice before and after a High Yield Savings Account is opened. </p> There is no minimum deposit required, no minimum balance you must maintain,3 <p class="">There is no minimum balance required to open your Account, to avoid being charged a fee, or to obtain the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) disclosed to you.</p> and no monthly fees!
Earning nearly passive income couldn’t be easier than choosing American Express. You’ll have seamless account access online and via the Amex® App to easily transfer funds in and out as needed, or even set up auto-deposits so you can grow your wealth on autopilot. Plus, you can talk to an actual human 24 hours a day, 7 days a week whenever you need support.
You can rest assured that your funds are fully backed by the service and reliability of American Express, Member FDIC. Terms Apply.
Take this quiz to get matched with vetted financial advisors
Do you know if you can retire early? One of the best ways to find out is by speaking with a financial advisor. With the right moves and a little work, you could potentially retire years earlier.
Here’s the first step: Take this quiz from Zoe Financial. In just a few short questions, it can help you find vetted financial advisors based on your unique needs.
You get matched with three advisors and even earn free consultations, one with each match. That way, you can compare them and be fully prepared to pick a financial advisor that’s right for you.
Paid Non-Client Promotion
Earn up to a $300 bonus and grow your money with up to 3.80% APY
We hate to tell you this, really. But if you aren’t banking with SoFi®, you’re missing out on extra cash. Don’t worry though … it’s easy to fix.
You can earn up to a $300 bonus4 <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.</p><p>SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.80% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet" >http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> when you open a SoFi Checking and Savings account and make an eligible direct deposit within the first 25 calendar days of the promotional period. Eligible direct deposits totaling $5,000 or more can unlock the $300 bonus.
Plus, you can grow your money with up to 3.80% APY5 <p>SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Eligible Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or SoFi members with $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either SoFi Plus or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. If you have satisfied Eligible Direct Deposit requirements for our highest APY but do not see 3.80% APY on your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives, please contact us at 855-456-7634. Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>. See the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus">https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus</a>.</p> and enjoy other perks like no monthly account fees,6 <p>We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a></p> no-fee overdraft coverage,7 <p>Overdraft Coverage is limited to $50 on debit card purchases only and is an account benefit available to customers with Eligible Direct Deposits of $1,000 or more during the current 30-day Evaluation Period as determined by SoFi Bank, N.A. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the "Start Date" and "End Date" set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the "30-Day Evaluation Period"). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Members with a prior history of non-repayment of negative balances are ineligible for Overdraft Coverage.</p> accessing your paycheck up to 2 days early,8 <p>Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.</p> and up to $3 million of additional FDIC insurance.9 <p><b style="font-family: Rubik, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif;">SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.</b></p>
Also, you could take advantage of a limited-time offer: +0.70% Boost on Savings APY to up to 4.50% for up to 6 months on new accounts with eligible Direct Deposit. Terms apply.10 <p>Earn up to 4.50% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.80% APY as of 8/5/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account and enroll in SoFi Plus by 9/3/25. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2">sofi.com/banking#2</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p>
This is practically passive income and a great way to supercharge your earnings.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources
Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
You’ll also get insider info on social security, job listings, caregiving, and retirement planning. And you’ll get access to AARP’s Fraud Watch Network to help you protect your money, as well as tools to help you plan for retirement.
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $15 the first year with auto-renewal.
Pay no interest on balance transfers until 2027
Imagine getting 18 months with 0% intro APR on a balance transfer (APR then 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)). Sounds great — right? You could dramatically change your financial picture with this industry-leading card - the Citi Double Cash® Card.
If you want to kick high-interest credit card debt to the curb, this is one of the leading get-out-of-debt cards available. Transfer your high interest debt to this card with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After the intro period for balance transfers, the APR is 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable). Your payments can go directly to paying down your balance without incurring a pile of additional charges. That could save you hundreds of dollars in interest!
It doesn't stop with balance transfers though. Cardholders can also earn double cash back — 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel. Even better, you can redeem your cash back as direct deposit, a statement credit, or even a mailed check! You can turn your everyday purchases into cash back and make a dent in your debt, regular bills, or save for the future.
The best part? There's no annual fee with the Citi Double Cash® Card(Rates and fees).
Don’t pay a CENT to contractors for home repairs until you do this (see if you qualify)
Everyone talks about home insurance, but hardly anyone talks about this. If you live in Ohio and own your home, this company makes it so you could save $1,000s on home repairs without much work at all.
Choice Home Warranty is currently helping homeowners slash appliance repair bills. Choose a plan here and instead of paying $1,000s, you pay for a monthly plan and a simple one-time service fee per covered repair.
They’ve been around since 2008 (so you know they’re legit) and getting a monthly plan could help you tap into immense savings for nearly any system or appliance in your home that’s covered.
Not everyone is eligible for this plan so here’s how to check:
- Click the link below and enter your zip code.
- Answer a few simple questions.
- See if your home qualifies.
Choose a plan here and and see if you’re eligible for $50 off and 1 month free
P.S. We negotiated a special deal for FinanceBuzz readers who sign up using the link above. Use it this week to get $50 off and 1 month free. We don’t know how long it will last, so take advantage of it today before it disappears.
Alert: American adults lost $47 billion to scams and fraud in 2024
That's right. According to a new report, American adults lost $47 billion to scams and identity fraud in 2024.
But you can safeguard your data with all-in-one scam and fraud protection services from OmniWatch, which comes with up to $2,000,000.00 in identity theft insurance,11 <p>Restrictions and exclusions apply, <a href="https://app.omniwatch.com/insurance-disclosure">click here to read full details of insurance coverage</a>. Residents of New York receive $1 million of coverage and are not eligible for ransomware or scam protection coverage. <a href="https://app.omniwatch.com/insurance-disclosure-ny">Click here for New York insurance summary</a>.</p> to cover eligible losses and fees should you experience them.
Plans start at $10 per month and can include comprehensive protection like 24/7 monitoring and alerts, dark web scanning to identify breached personal data (like your SSN and banking info), antivirus and VPN apps for device security, and expert restoration services at no extra cost.
Before you make your next online purchase, protect what you’ve built for a fraction of what it could cost you if your data were compromised.