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Marie Alcober
Updated Mar 26, 2026
As the new year begins, it’s a natural time to take stock of your finances.
Trade tensions and higher tariffs pushed up the cost of living for Americans last year, squeezing both households and businesses.
Here are a few smart moves to help protect your wallet and set you up for a stronger financial start to 2026.
Fundrise Flagship Fund
Buy real estate through Fundrise's $1 billion private fund
Make your cash work harder for you
If you have a lot of cash sitting in your checking account, consider moving it to a high-yield savings account so you can get more bang for your buck.
A high-yield account like a Wealthfront Cash Account can be a great place to grow your uninvested cash, offering both competitive interest rates and easy access to your money when you need it.
A Wealthfront Cash Account currently offers a base APY of 3.30% through program banks, and new clients can get an extra 0.75% boost during their first three months on up to $150,000 for a total variable APY of 4.05%Âą.
That's ten times the national deposit savings rate, according to the FDIC's March report².
Additionally, Wealthfront is offering new clients who enable direct deposit ($1,000/mo minimum) to their Cash Account and open and fund a new investment account an additional 0.25% APY increaseÂłwith no expiration date or balance limit, meaning your APY could be as high as 4.30%.
With no minimum balances or account fees, as well as 24/7 withdrawals and free domestic wire transfers, your funds remain accessible at all times. Plus, you get access to up to $8M FDIC Insurance eligibility through program banks.
When interest rates are in flux, high-yield savings accounts can feel like a moving target. You might earn a competitive APY one month, only to have your bank quietly lower it the next. While flexible, HYSA returns aren't guaranteed — a risk that's magnified when the Fed holds rates steady or signals future shifts.
With a Certificate of Deposit (CD), you lock in a rate upfront, so your earnings stay fixed for a set term, even if market rates slip.
For those seeking predictable, reliable growth, a platform like CD Valet can help you find higher-yield options that work for you, whether you’re saving for something soon or building a cushion for the long haul.
CD Valet tracks over 40,000 verified rates from FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions nationwide. Unlike other websites, they show every publicly available rate, ensuring you have a comprehensive view of the market.
To help you save smarter, CD Valet provides free, specialized tools.
- Earnings calculator: See exactly how much interest you’ll accrue by the end of your term. Adjust different rates and terms to see how much you can earn with a 12-month vs. a 24-month CD.
- CD rates map by state: See real-time offers of the best CD rates across the country. Many institutions allow you to open an online account, so you can take advantage of a great CD rate without being located in that state.
Plus, their CD rates are updated continuously so you can shop, compare and open CDs with ease.
Diversify your retirement portfolio with a gold IRA
Gold has long been touted as a safe-haven asset — and it can go a long way toward building your retirement portfolio. The precious yellow metal offers more stable returns than stocks, especially during market volatility and recession.
Gold has climbed over 47% year-to-date in 2025, marking its biggest annual gain in more than 40 years.
Opening a gold IRA with the help of Thor Metals allows you to invest in gold and other precious metals in physical forms while also providing the significant tax advantages of an IRA.
Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, thereby combining the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainties.
To learn more, you can get a free information guide that includes details on how to get up to $20,000 in free metals on qualifying purchases.
Invest in real estate
Most of the world’s most successful investors know that investing in real estate is one of the smartest choices for long-term growth. But did you know it is still possible to build your portfolio without having to play landlord or forking over a huge down payment?
The Fundrise Flagship Fund³ is a $1 billion private real estate fund that lets you invest in an expertly crafted strategy without needing hundreds of thousands of dollars. You don’t need to be an accredited investor, and you can get started with as little as $10.
With 4,700+ single-family homes and 2,500+ residential units owned by the Fundrise Flagship Fund, you get exposure to institutional-style scale and diversification. After you place your first investment, the Fundrise Flagship Fund will work to find and add new assets to your portfolio over time and send you transparent updates along the way.
It only takes a few minutes to sign up now and become a real estate investor today.
Fundrise Flagship Fund
Buy real estate through Fundrise's $1 billion private fund
Automatically invest your spare change
For many people, the hardest part of investing isn’t getting started — it’s staying consistent.
There are easy ways that you can make auto-investing a habit. For instance, when you make a purchase on your credit or debit card, Acorns automatically rounds up the price to the nearest dollar and places the excess — the coins that would wind up in your pocket if you were paying cash — into a smart investment portfolio.
Let’s say you purchase a doughnut for $2.30. Before you’re done licking the sugar off your fingers, Acorns will round the amount to $3.00 and invest the 70-cent difference for you. Look at this math: $2.50 worth of daily round-ups add up to $900 per year — and that’s before your savings earn money in the market.
Plus, if you sign up now with a recurring deposit, you can get a $20 bonus investment.
Maximize your home equity
With home values higher than ever, you can make your home work harder for you by making the most of your equity. The average homeowner sits on roughly $311,000 in equity as of the third quarter of 2024, according to CoreLogic.
Having access to your home equity could help to cover unexpected expenses, pay substantial debt, fund a major purchase like a home renovation or supplement income from your retirement nest egg.
Rates on HELOCs are typically lower than APRs on credit cards and personal loans, making it an appealing option for homeowners with substantial equity.
Unlock great low rates in minutes with Figure. You can fill out an application that's 100% online – no need to wait for an in-person appraisal.
Clear your high-interest debt
With multiple high-interest loans, it could be worth looking into loan consolidation and shopping around for lower interest rates.
If you owe a substantial amount, you may also want to see if you qualify for a debt relief program to help clear a significant portion of your debt.
With Freedom Debt Relief, you can speak with a certified debt relief consultant for free, who can show you how much you can save by partnering with them.
If you're eligible, they can negotiate settlements with your creditors until all of your enrolled debt is resolved.
Stop wasting money on overpriced car insurance
Car insurance is likely taking a big chunk out of your monthly budget, but it could be keeping you safe for less. Insurance companies tend to pile on confusing add-ons and lingo, which leads you to pay more than necessary.
OfficialCarInsurance.com lets you compare quotes from trusted brands, such as Progressive, Allstate and GEICO to make sure you're getting the best deal.
You can switch to a more affordable auto insurance option in 2 minutes by providing some information about yourself and your vehicle and choosing from their tailor-made results.
Find offers as low as $29 a month.
Earn passive income
Owning real estate has traditionally been the path to earning steady rental income, but it can be expensive and time-consuming to manage properties.
But Arrived is lowering the barrier to entry for rental property investing, making it simpler and more cost effective.
Backed by world class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived is an online platform where you can invest in shares of rental homes and vacation rentals without taking on the responsibilities of property management — for as little as $100.
In other words, you won’t be in charge of fixing freezers or managing noise complaints, but still get to generate potential regular income and diversify your portfolio.
Find a more affordable life insurance policy
Global life insurance premiums are set to increase at an annual rate of 3% in 2025 and 2026, according to a report by Swiss Re Institute.
If you have life insurance in place – especially a term policy – it may be worth comparison-shopping to find a more affordable option. You can typically cancel a term life policy without incurring any penalties.
With Ethos, you can get term life insurance in 5 minutes, with no medical exams or blood tests.
You can get a policy with up to $2 million in coverage, starting at just $2/day.
Ethos’ application process ensures you get flexible coverage options quickly and transparently, allowing you to focus on what matters most.
Another option is an Indexed Universal Life Insurance policy through Ethos can offer insurance coverage you’ll never outlive, along with the potential for cash value growth.
Plus, if you are eligible for an accelerated death benefit rider, and you’re diagnosed with a qualifying major illness, you can access a portion of your death benefit early, ensuring financial support at a difficult time.
A portion of your premiums goes into the policy’s cash value component, which tracks market indexes — allowing you to benefit from market-based, tax-advantaged growth. And because losses are capped, there’s less downside risk in the event of a market downturn.
Unlike traditional policies, the Ethos application process doesn’t require extensive medical exams or a lengthy underwriting process. All you have to do is answer a few health questions online, and you can get an instant coverage decision and a free personalized quote from Ethos.
Disclaimers: Cash value growth not guaranteed. It is still possible to lose money due to the impact of policy related fees and expenses. Accessing cash value will reduce death benefit, if not repaid
Grow your wealth with help from a trusted advisor
Secure your financial future with confidence through a personalized plan designed to optimize investments, navigate taxes, and ensure a comfortable retirement.
And don’t feel like you have to do it alone. Studies show that working with an advisor can add as much as 3% more to your annual returns.
Advisor.com is an online platform that simplifies the process of finding a financial advisor you can trust. They match you with several vetted fiduciary advisors who are evaluated based on their credentials, education, experience and pricing.
More money moves to make right now
SoFi
Trading account
Get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new account.
Longbridge
Reverse mortgages
Tap into your home equity to pay off debt or fund a renovation.
Masterworks
Alternative investing
Invest in paintings by best-selling artists like Banksy and Basquiat.
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The Base Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is 3.30%, as of 01/30/26, and is subject to change. If you are eligible for the overall boosted rate of 4.05% offered in connection with this promo, your boosted rate is also subject to change if the base rate decreases during the three-month promotional period. The Cash Account is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront is not a bank. The Base APY is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where it earns the variable base APY and is eligible for FDIC insurance. Instant withdrawals may be limited by your receiving firm and other factors. Investment advisory services provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value.
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Based on the national average savings accounts interest rate of 0.39% as posted on FDIC.gov, as of March 16, 2026. Wealthfront doesn't charge wire fees for transfers to title and escrow companies or your accounts at other institutions, but the receiving entity or institution may charge a fee. For more wire info, visit wealthfront.com/transfer-agreement.
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The Direct Deposit Plus Investing Program ("DDI Program") from Wealthfront Advisers LLC and Wealthfront Brokerage LLC (collectively, "Wealthfront") provides eligible clients a 0.25% annual percentage yield ("APY") increase above the current base APY (paid by Program Banks) on total eligible Cash Account balances. Wealthfront may change or end the program at any time and determines eligibility at its discretion. See Terms and Conditions at wealthfront.com/promo-terms.
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Carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fundrise Flagship Fund before investing. This and other information can be found in the Fund’s prospectus. Read them carefully before investing. This marketing was vetted by the Moneywise team and sponsored by the Fundrise Flagship Fund.
Marie Alcober
Commercial Content Manager
Marie Alcober is a commercial content manager at Moneywise. She has worked as an editor, writer and producer for various media outlets, including MSN Canada, BNN Bloomberg, News UK, CBC Arts and Corus Entertainment.
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