Lower your car insurance

COVID Sucks… and for a lot of reasons. But some good has come of it. If you're like millions of other Americans, you've started working from home. Working from home means less driving and less driving means cheaper insurance! Call or go online to your car insurance website and update your profile to adjust the yearly milage. I saved over 50% on mine and you could too.

Refinance your car

Just because you started getting cheaper insurance doesn't mean you're done saving money. You can save thousands over the course of your car loan by refinancing through a cheaper provider. Since the pandemic began, the Federal Reserve has held their funds rate (the rate at which big banks get their money at) near zero. Banks pass the savings on to you, meaning it's time to shop for a cheaper lender. Any credit union, such as BECU, has super low rates and this is the time to get it.

Download the Gas Buddy app

If you've updated your insurance and refinanced your car, why not get some cheaper gas? The "Gas Buddy" app on the app store shows the price of gasoline wherever you are. It has almost every gas station, updates frequently, and is always accurate, so why not drive an extra block or two to save a few extra bucks?

Use grocery apps for free stuff

While we're on the topic of apps, get yourself a grocery store app for your phone. Having a rewards phone number is as far as most people get, but having the app to pair with it never fails to amaze. Downloading a store app like Safeway or Kroger gives you access to freebies every week like ice cream, drinks, cookies, and more.

Use the Amazon app to check prices

Before you leave the app store, make sure you have the Amazon app loaded up. Sure it's nice to get wine drunk on a Wednesday night and impulse buy in a bubble bath, but be sure to have it open while in-store shopping too. Using the barcode scan feature will let you instantly compare the price of a that product to what's offered on Amazon. Unless you're shopping at Walmart or Goodwill, chances are that item is cheaper on Amazon.

Use Amazon Affiliate links

If you do end up buying from Amazon, why not earn some cash back? Sign up for the Amazon Affiliate program to generate a commission on each sale (up to 10%). This program is intended for influencers and content creators, but nothing will stop you from joining and sending that link for the life-size cardboard cutout of Obama for $39.99 to yourself and your friends, right?

Buy gift cards at Costco

If you shop at Costco, you might be missing out on big savings through gift cards. Among some of Costco's lesser-known perks like their discounted insurance, auto program, and vacation bundles, gift cards are definitely way more useful. Load up on some $50 Olive Garden or Sephora Gift cards for only $30 or $40.

Free file your taxes

Tax season is coming up which means it's time to waste an entire afternoon doing the one thing you've been putting off for a whole year. This time will be different, however, since you'll know not to waste money on the "deluxe" packages from the big tax websites. H&R Block and Turbotax both offer free file options as long as you're a financial simpleton. Don't own six rental properties? Free file. Don't have a secret Swiss bank account? Free file. Didn't purchase a rare Monet? Free file. Be sure to double check which package you choose before you begin, otherwise you'll have to restart the entire process to free file!

Pay off your loans with your Stimulus check

If you plan on throwing your stimulus check into the bank instead of immediately using it for rent or a spontaneous Hawaiian vacation, you might want to reconsider. Loan rates are cheap right now, but it's no reason to ignore it. Interest can pile up quick, so it's important to pay it down as soon as possible. Pay off the highest interest first (credit cards/cars) followed by any remaining low interest loans (school/mortgage).

Free stocks on Robinhood

If you're feeling a little more financially adventurous you could always take that stimulus money and toss it into the stock market. Robinhood, TD Ameritrade, and almost all others recently started giving zero-commission trades, meaning there's no longer any cost to get started in the stock market. On average, the stock market has gained 7-8% each year, and it's hard to go wrong with any big company. Signing up with a friends link gives you one free random stock, which you're free to sell and trade for a Gamestop share!

(Feel free to use mine too! https://join.robinhood.com/matthet2300 )

Enjoy the perks of socialism!

Just because you own a car, shop at Costco, and diversified your stock portfolio doesn't mean you can't enjoy the benefits of socialism. Check your local city and state websites for social services to see if you're eligible for unemployment, reduced utility prices, or food stamps. In Seattle, if you live by yourself and make less than $38,000, you can get access to reduced utilities. If you lost your job within the last year, you might also qualify for unemployment. Most states and the federal government have extended unemployment benefits for months to come.