8 Bad Driving Habits That Cost You at the Gas Pump

by Barbara Hadden

Whether it’s traveling, pursuing a lifelong passion or simply kicking back and relaxing, retirement is your time to be you, without the stress of a full-time job.

But one thing’s for sure: Long before you call it quits, you’ve got to plan, and save, like never before. Your biggest challenge? To make sure you’ll have the money to do the things that bring you happiness and fulfillment for the rest of your life.

Not to worry. You’ve got this.

Here are the steps to take now to help see you through your golden years.

1. Get an extra $1.7 million for retirement

A study by investment firm Vanguard found that, on average, a $500K investment over 25 years would grow to $1.7 million if you manage it yourself, but more than $3.4 million if you enlist professional help.

Of course, there are no guarantees a professional will do better than you, but with that much at stake, isn’t it crazy not to at least check it out? If nothing else, they can help you create a plan, maximize your Social Security, protect your assets and offer you peace of mind by ensuring you’re on the right track.

And thanks to a totally free matching service it’s easier than ever to find the perfect local pro. You fill out a short questionnaire and are instantly matched with up to three local fiduciary financial advisers, all legally bound to work in your best interests.

The process only takes a few minutes, and in many cases you’ll be connected with an expert immediately for a free retirement consultation.

Nothing to lose, lots to potentially gain: Take a minute and check it out right now!

2. Save thousands on your mortgage (while you still can)

It’s no secret that interest rates are creeping up, but you can still lower your mortgage payments if you act now. With a mortgage lender called Better, you can get fast pre-approval in as little as three minutes.

And the savings? Let’s say you refinance from 4% on a 30-year fixed-rate loan to 3%. On a $500,000 loan, you’ll save $279 a month — that’s $3,348 a year!

That’s extra money you can put towards retirement, planning a dream vacation or even home improvements. The possibilities are endless.

With rates this low, you’d be crazy not to at least check to see how much you can save by refinancing. Plus, Better streamlined the entire application process online, so you can get pre-approved in just three minutes and close up to 10 days faster than average. Plus, there are no commissions and no lender fees, and they even offer 24/7 support to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Lock in a low mortgage rate while rates are still low. Get started now.

3. Don’t let home repairs drain your bank account

Home repairs aren’t cheap. Whether it’s a leaky roof or a broken appliance, your home can quickly become a nightmare and cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars to fix.

But you don’t have to worry. Luckily, with a home warranty company called America's 1st Choice Home Club, you can safeguard yourself against giant repair bills. From home appliances to electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, it can all be protected.

Plus, their in-house service team is available 24/7 to help and ensure a hassle-free repair process if anything goes wrong. You can even choose your own technician, or they can send you one from their nationwide network if you don’t have someone in mind.

All over America, homeowners are choosing AFC Home Club for the savings, service and peace of mind that it delivers.

Stop worrying about household breakdowns, and get a free quote in 30 seconds.

4. Protect your wealth with gold

During the last recession, many hard-working Americans lost a lot – including their retirement savings. Now some economists are predicting the next recession is just around the bend, so now’s the time to prepare.

How? Use American Hartford Gold to diversify with an asset like gold or silver, either delivered to your door or in your IRA.

According to some experts, there may be less than 20 years’ worth of mineable gold remaining in the ground. They ain’t making any more of it.

American Hartford Gold has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. You’ll even receive up to $5,000 in free silver, delivered straight to your door, on qualifying purchases.

See why thousands of Americans are turning to gold and gold IRAs to protect their wealth. Get your free investors kit now.

Bonus: Get smarter with your money in just five minutes

You get it. This is the time to sock away money, to save more, to get your finances in order.

But you also get that it’s not always easy. If there were just one easy thing you could do, every day, to move the needle, to get ahead of the game, you’d do it, right?

Well, here it is: Take five minutes every day and check out the totally free Money Talks Newsletter. More than a million Americans have, and they’ve reported saving an average of $991.20 each by checking our news and advice.

If you want the best tips and strategies to help you make more and spend less, delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our free newsletter today.

Disclosure: The information you read here is always objective. However, we sometimes receive compensation when you click links within our stories.