“Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary is never one to mince words, and his latest take on Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is no exception.
In a Feb. 17 interview with Fox Business, O’Leary praised DOGE’s efforts to expose government waste, calling it “the best barbecue” he’s seen.
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Musk, through his social media platform X, has shared reports on excessive government expenses, including $14 million for "social cohesion" programs in Mali, $40 million for Cambodian women’s empowerment and $10 million for "Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision." These revelations have sparked outrage, with O’Leary commenting that such expenditures are seen as “nuts” globally, prompting questions about further waste.
O’Leary credited President Donald Trump for supporting Musk’s efforts, stating that DOGE might be remembered as Trump’s greatest achievement. He anticipates more revelations, particularly concerning the Pentagon and FAA, areas often shielded under vague "defense" explanations. O’Leary teased that these sectors would soon face scrutiny, with “so much fat dripping off these chickens.”
While DOGE is stirring things up in Washington, O’Leary’s analogy speaks to more than just government waste. Inefficiency runs through businesses, households, and even our personal finances.
Here are three smart ways to reduce your spending in 2025 — and beyond.
1. Stop overpaying for car insurance
Car insurance is a major recurring expense, and many people overpay without realizing it.
According to Forbes, premiums have risen for the seventh straight year, and the national average cost for car insurance in 2025 is now $2,101 per year, according to ValuePenguin. If the U.S. resumes its tariff strategy, insurance could spike, as 60% of car parts in America are from other countries.
However, rates can vary widely depending on your state, driving history and vehicle type. You could be paying more than necessary.
By using OfficialCarInsurance.com, you can easily compare quotes from multiple insurers — such as Progressive, Allstate and GEICO — to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
In just two minutes, you could find rates as low as $29 per month.
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2. Stop wasting money on bank fees
Bank fees can quietly drain your finances over time. Even comedian Bill Burr once complained to Joe Rogan about his bank taking $28 out of his account every month “for no reason.”
In reality, many traditional banks charge anywhere from $5 to $35 per month in maintenance fees, overdraft fees and other hidden charges. Overdraft fees alone generated $7.72 billion in revenue for some major banks, according to Financial Health Network.
Online banks, on the other hand, typically offer lower fees and higher interest rates since they don’t have the same overhead costs as brick-and-mortar institutions. Some waive fees entirely.
For example, Wealthfront’s high-yield cash account offers a 3.50% APY on deposits — nine times the national average according to FDIC.gov as of September 26, 2025. Plus, it charges no account, monthly or overdraft fees.
Even better, if you fund your account with $500 or more you get a $30 bonus with a Wealthfront Cash account.
You can open an account with as little as $1 and enjoy 24/7 instant withdrawals.
3. Get more affordable life insurance
Life insurance rates are on the rise. According to the Swiss Re Institute, global life insurance premiums are expected to increase by 3% annually in 2025 and 2026.
If you already have a term life insurance policy, now might be a good time to shop around for better rates. Most term policies can be canceled without penalty, allowing you to switch to a more affordable option.
With Ethos, you can get term life insurance in just five minutes — no medical exams or blood tests required.
And, you can get up to $2 million in coverage, starting at just $2/day.
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Jing is an investment reporter for Moneywise. He is an avid advocate of investing for passive income. Despite the ups and downs he’s been through with the markets, Jing believes that you can generate a steadily increasing income stream by investing in high quality companies.
