Stop: Do These 5 Things Before You Travel

1. Search flights using a foreign language & currency combo: Sometimes booking on a site’s non-English version (say, Google Italy + euros) can surface different fares.
2. Book “hidden city” flights by choosing a final destination beyond your actual stop: Use Skiplagged to buy a cheaper fare that connects through your real destination — just don’t check a bag.
3. Set your location to a budget-friendly country: Booking platforms sometimes show lower rates based on user location. A VPN set to India or Mexico could save big.
4. Offer house sitting in exchange for free lodging: Join platforms like Nomador or MindMyHouse to stay abroad for free in exchange for caring for someone’s home.
5. Book flights on Wednesdays at 3 a.m. (based on the airline's headquarters time): Weird but true — some airlines release new deals early Wednesday mornings. Try booking at 3 a.m. their time for the best prices.

These are practical, powerful tactics that regular people are using to travel better, cheaper, and smarter. And since you’re already thinking about how to maximize your money, check out these offers from our partners below — then take advantage of one (or all) today.

Earn a $200 bonus with this incredible cash back card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited^®(Rates and fees) lets you earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. 

In addition to this welcome offer, this card lets you earn cash back on everything you buy. Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

And it gets better (really): This card also gives you 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. That means you could finance large purchases or pay down high-interest debt for over a year. After the intro period, the APR is 18.49% - 27.99% Variable. Oh, and the annual fee is $0. 

It's almost a no-brainer to apply. 

Good or excellent credit (typically 670 or higher) is recommended.

Click here to Apply Now to the Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

Earn 75,000 bonus points — worth up to $1,125 towards travel

If you're planning a trip, apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card (Rates and fees) here and you can earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months — that's worth up to $1,125 toward travel through Chase Travel℠!

Plus, earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, vacation homes at top brands, gas & EV charging, top streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs); 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases — with a low annual fee of $95 and no foreign transaction fee.

The card could pay for itself quickly: you'll earn up to $100 Chase Travel hotel credit each anniversary year, get a complimentary year of Apple TV (a $180 value, must activate by 12/31/26), and up to $120 toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS every four years.

If you travel even once a year, this card could net you $100s in rewards to use toward travel. Don't delay. Apply today!

Click here to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card now

Recommended Credit Score FinanceBuzz credit ranges are a variation of FICO®️ scores, one of many types of credit score lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good

670-739

Excellent

740-850

Take this quiz and see if you can retire early

Do you know if you can retire early? One of the best ways to find out is by speaking with a financial advisor. You could potentially retire years earlier with the right moves and a little work.

Our advice:Take this quiz from Advisor.com. In just a few short questions, it can match you with a vetted financial advisor in your area. Once you get matched, you get a free consultation with your advisor to discuss your situation and future goals.

Join investors across the country who have found a vetted fiduciary advisor with Advisor.com.

Take the quiz

Turn your home’s value into funds

If you want to pay for a big expense now (like getting out of credit card debt so you could actually afford that vacation), tapping into your home equity could be one option to consider. And you could access the value you've built up, without giving up your current mortgage.

Use LendingTree’s simple HELOC matching tool¹ <p>Terms and conditions apply. Rates subject to change. LendingTree, LLC. NMLS# 1136.</p> to compare HELOC rates and find one that works for you. You could get the funds you need using the equity already in your home. And, rates could be much lower than personal loans or credit cards, helping you save more over time.

How to compare HELOC rates on LendingTree:

1. Check out LendingTree’s HELOC matching tool.
2. Answer a few questions.
3. Get matched with personalized offers for you.
Compare HELOC rates now

Ohio residents, save big on new windows

Old windows drive up your home's electric bill. But if you live in Ohio and your windows are 5+ years old, you could save big.

Renewal by Andersen is actively helping homeowners score huge savings. Their certified master professionals install high-quality, energy-efficient windows that could help reduce energy bills and improve comfort.

They make it extremely easy to upgrade your windows with financing options available and special limited-time offers. The entire process is hassle free.

Get started now if you check these 3 boxes:

1. You own your home.
2. Your windows are 5+ years old.
3. You live in an available ZIP code.

Complete this short questionnaire to get started

BONUS: For a limited time, buy one get one 40% OFF.² <p>DETAILS OF OFFER: Offer expires 12/31/2025. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Buy one (1) window or entry/patio door, get one (1) window or entry/patio door 40% off, and 12 months no money down, no monthly payments, no interest when you purchase four (4) or more windows or entry/patio doors between 9/30/2025 and 12/31/2025. 40% off windows and entry/patio doors are less than or equal to lowest cost window or entry/patio door in the order. Additional $200 off your entire purchase, minimum purchase of 4 required, taken after initial discount(s), when you purchase by 12/31/2025. Subject to credit approval. 12-month Promo Period: while no payments are due, interest accrues but is waived if the loan is paid in full before the Promo Period expires. Any unpaid balance owed after the Promo Period, plus accrued interest, will be paid in installments based on the terms disclosed in the customer's loan agreement. Financing is provided by various financial institutions without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, or familial status. Savings comparison based on purchase of a single unit at list price. Available at participating locations and offer applies throughout the service area. See your local Renewal by Andersen location for details. License numbers available at renewalbyandersen.com/license. Some Renewal by Andersen locations are independently owned and operated. See Renewal by Andersen® Products and Installation Transferable Limited Warranty for detail "Renewal by Andersen" and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of Andersen Corporation. ©2025 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved.</p> Plus, get $200 off your purchase!² <p>DETAILS OF OFFER: Offer expires 12/31/2025. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Buy one (1) window or entry/patio door, get one (1) window or entry/patio door 40% off, and 12 months no money down, no monthly payments, no interest when you purchase four (4) or more windows or entry/patio doors between 9/30/2025 and 12/31/2025. 40% off windows and entry/patio doors are less than or equal to lowest cost window or entry/patio door in the order. Additional $200 off your entire purchase, minimum purchase of 4 required, taken after initial discount(s), when you purchase by 12/31/2025. Subject to credit approval. 12-month Promo Period: while no payments are due, interest accrues but is waived if the loan is paid in full before the Promo Period expires. Any unpaid balance owed after the Promo Period, plus accrued interest, will be paid in installments based on the terms disclosed in the customer's loan agreement. Financing is provided by various financial institutions without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, or familial status. Savings comparison based on purchase of a single unit at list price. Available at participating locations and offer applies throughout the service area. See your local Renewal by Andersen location for details. License numbers available at renewalbyandersen.com/license. Some Renewal by Andersen locations are independently owned and operated. See Renewal by Andersen® Products and Installation Transferable Limited Warranty for detail "Renewal by Andersen" and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of Andersen Corporation. ©2025 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved.</p>

See if AI can fix your budget (and answer the money questions you've been avoiding)

Ever look at your bank account and wonder where your paycheck went? *Poof,* it's gone... and you have NO idea how you spent it all so quickly.

A budgeting app like SuperMoney could end this problem for you. Trusted by 2 million members since 2013, SuperMoney is designed to help real people achieve financial calm.

Now, some insider info: They *do* have a free 7-day trial... but the real money-saving power kicks in once you connect your accounts and let the Sense AI go to work. (Monthly plans start at just $19.99, but you can save $90/year with the annual plan!).³ <p>The 7-day free trial requires a payment method at signup. Subscription auto-renews at $19.99/month unless cancelled before the trial ends. Cancel anytime in the app.</p>

Start your free trial when you sign up, and you'll unlock features that actually help you save the most money possible. Like a budget that builds itself from your real spending, plus Sense AI you can ask personalized money questions like "Why was last month so expensive?" or "Can I afford this trip?"

You'll also be able to track your net worth, monitor your credit, and see every account in one place, so you can stop guessing about your money and start actually getting ahead.

Download SuperMoney

How Ohio homeowners are preventing roof rot, mold, and foundation damage for good

Most homeowners think of gutters as just a cleaning chore. The bigger risk is what happens when they clog. Overflowing gutters can lead to water damage, roof rot, mold, even foundation problems, the kind of repairs that run into the thousands.

If you own a home in Ohio, HomeBuddy offers a powerful, one-of-a-kind gutter guard built to prevent exactly that. Their micromesh filter keeps common debris out, so your gutters stay clear and your home stays protected. And because it actually works, you may be able to stop hiring gutter cleaners altogether. The company will even clean out and realign your gutters before they install.

Don't waste money on cheap, ineffective guards that claim to be clog-free. This one's built to last.

See if you qualify today: Click the link below, enter your ZIP code and home info, and a representative will reach out to schedule a free estimate.

See if you qualify

Ask this company to pay off your credit card debt

If you have a lot of debt, getting out of it can feel stressful (and nearly impossible). Here’s the problem: the longer you put off tackling it, the harder it gets to fix. If you don’t take control of it early on, it can add undue stress to your life for years. But what if there was a way to get out of debt once and for all?

National Debt Relief could help. If you have more than $30,000 in debt from credit cards, medical bills, collections, or personal loans, their representatives might be able to assist you in consolidating your debt into one low monthly program payment.

Best of all? There are zero fees until your debt is settled, and you could be debt-free in 24-48 months. To get started, just answer a few simple questions. It only takes 30 seconds to see if you qualify!⁴ <p>Please note that all calls with the company may be recorded or monitored for quality assurance and training purposes. Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 45% before fees, or 20% including our fees, over 24 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating. "Debt-Free" applies only to enrolled credit cards, personal loans, and medical bills. Not mortgages, car loans, or other debts. Results vary.</p>

Try National Debt Relief

Limited Time Offer: Earn 75,000 miles + $300 Capital One Travel credit — worth over $1,000 toward travel

Limited time offer: If you're planning a trip, apply for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (Rates and fees) here and you can earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months — plus for a limited time, a $300 Capital One Travel stays credit. That's worth over $1,000 toward travel!

Plus, earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases — with a low annual fee of $95 and no foreign transaction fee.

The card could help you offset the annual fee: You'll get a $300 stays credit towards hotel and vacation rental bookings through Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, a $50 experience credit on every Lifestyle Collection hotel or vacation rental stay, up to $120 toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years, and complimentary Hertz Five Star status.⁵ <p class="">Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply<br></p>

This card could help you earn $100s in rewards to use toward travel. Don't delay — this limited time offer won't last forever. Apply today!

Click here to apply for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card now

Recommended Credit Score FinanceBuzz credit ranges are a variation of FICO®️ scores, one of many types of credit score lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good

670-739

Excellent

740-850

Not retired? You can still join AARP for massive discounts and your first year is just $15

Think AARP is only for retirees? It isn't. Anyone 18 or older can join, and your first year costs just $15 (about $1.25 a month)! An AARP membership gets you massive discounts on:

• Restaurants (save up to $450 per year!)
• Airfare, hotels, cruises and rental cars
• Meal deliveries
• UPS shipping
• Eyeglasses and even prescriptions that aren't covered by insurance

Plus you'll also get insider info on health and wellness and you can add a partner for free. That’s twice the perks and potentially hundreds saved for just $15. It basically pays for itself.

Joining takes about two minutes:

1. Click the link below, choose your free welcome gift, and select "Join Today"
2. Create your account by answering a few quick questions
3. Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

Join AARP for only $15 your first year (renews at $20/yr). Start saving today.

Timeshare owners could claim a cash refund. Check to see if your resort is on the list.

If you’re stuck in a timeshare contract, you’re not alone. The average timeshare owner pays roughly $1,200 a year in maintenance fees,⁶ <p>Based on American Resort Development Association (ARDA) industry data. National average annual timeshare maintenance fee estimated at approximately $1,120 to $1,200 per one-week ownership interval.</p> special assessments, and processing charges. But depending on how your contract was sold, it may be eligible for cancelation ... and you could be owed a cash refund and a possible way out of the contract.

The Stonegate Firm helps consumers seek to cancel their timeshare for good, and reviews whether any fees they paid may be recoverable, even if you’re behind on payments. Their attorneys look for potential violations in your contract, then negotiate directly with your resort.

Cancel your timeshare and possibly even get your money back!

1. Answer a few questions about your timeshare and contract.
2. A Stonegate Firm specialist reviews your case and contract.
3. If you qualify, they pursue an exit strategy on your behalf, which may include a cash refund.

Every year you wait is another bill you may never get back. The Stonegate Firm is BBB Accredited with an A+ rating.

Check your eligibility free - 30 second assessment

Stop getting ripped off by high interest debt payments

If you have credit card debt, you know that paying your bill each month is anxiety-inducing … and sometimes close to impossible with what you have in the bank.

If that’s you, a company called LendingTree¹ <p>Terms and conditions apply. Rates subject to change. LendingTree, LLC. NMLS# 1136.</p> wants to help. They can match you with loan providers that could help you pay off your debt quickly.

Think about it this way: For example, $30,000 in credit card debt at 25% APR will cost you $622.60 every single month in interest alone. But, with a rate as low as 6.50% APR (possible through LendingTree’s lenders), you’d only pay $160.69 interest.

That’s over $460 a month you’d get to keep for yourself in this scenario! Even better, you don’t need a perfect credit score, and checking for loans won’t affect your credit.

Truthfully, this company exists to help you get ahead in life. They have a 4.5/5 rating on TrustPilot with more than 15,000 verified reviews, and you can see your options in a matter of minutes. It’s certainly worth a shot if you’re feeling suffocated by debt.