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5 money moves you should make in 2024
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With the year well underway, it's still not too late to get your finances in order and solidify a wealth-building plan.
There are things you can start doing now that will translate into healthy money habits for the years to come.
We’ve compiled a list of timeless ways to up your money game without significantly altering your day-to-day life. From saving to spending and even investing, here are five essential money moves you should make now.
1. Guarantee a fixed, dependable return with a CD
Because CDs are FDIC-insured, they are one of the safest options available for safeguarding and growing your wealth.
For a limited time, you can save even more with Synchrony Bank’s 9-month CD, featuring a 4.80% Annual Percentage Yield (APY)†. That’s more than twice the national average APY of 1.8% for a 1-year CD, according to Bankrate.
To get started, just set up an account, select the 9-month CD product and add the amount you want to deposit.
Synchrony Bank
† Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is subject to change at any time without notice. Offer applies to personal accounts only. Fees may reduce earnings. For CD accounts, a penalty may be imposed for early withdrawals. After maturity, if your CD rolls over, you will earn the offered rate of interest in effect at that time. Visit synchronybank.com for current rates, terms and account requirements. Member FDIC
2. 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.
OfficialCarInsurance.com
3. Pay off credit card debt with a personal loan
When you have control over your debt, you can enjoy peace of mind and look forward to the future.
Credible makes it easy to streamline your debt repayment at an affordable rate. Their online marketplace of vetted lenders provides personalized debt consolidation loan offers based on your needs, allowing you to pay off your debt more efficiently at a fixed rate without juggling multiple bills.
All you need to do is provide some information about yourself, and Credible will present you with a list of loan options to start tackling your debt.
Credible
4. Automatically invest your spare change
Acorns is an investing service and savings tool rolled into one.
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. That’s all there is to it.
Your spare change may not seem like much, but 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 you can get a $20 bonus investment.
Acorns
5. Grow your wealth and retire early with 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.
Zoe Financial is an online platform that simplifies the process of finding a financial advisor you can trust. They match you with a network of vetted fiduciary advisors who are evaluated based on their credentials, education, experience and pricing.
The best part? It won’t cost you a dime to find your perfect advisor through Zoe.
