Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Ever feel like managing money is just… a lot? Between bills, savings, debt, and that little voice saying “You should probably be budgeting,” it can be overwhelming.
But here’s the good news: it doesn’t take hours of spreadsheets or a finance degree to get your money on track. In fact, just ten minutes can make a real difference.
So grab a coffee (or a cookie—we don’t judge) and knock out one of these simple financial fixes today. You’ll thank yourself later.
1. Check Your Credit Score (For Free)
Time: 2–5 minutes
Think of your credit score as your financial report card. It affects your ability to get loans, credit cards, apartments, and sometimes even jobs. But here’s the kicker: you can check it for free in minutes.
How:
- Use sites like Credit Karma, Experian, or NerdWallet.
- Or check your bank’s app—many offer free credit score access now.
Once you see your score, you can figure out if it needs a little love. A few points up or down can change your interest rates a lot.
2. Unsubscribe From One Useless Subscription
Time: 5–10 minutes
You signed up for a “free trial” of something 3 months ago, didn’t you? Or maybe you’re still paying for a streaming service you haven’t touched since that one documentary.
Here’s what to do:
- Check your email or bank statement for recurring charges.
- Use an app like Rocket Money, Bobby, or Truebill to find sneaky subs.
- Cancel just one today. That’s it.
Even cutting one $10/month service saves you $120 a year. Easy win.
3. Automate $10 Into Your Savings
Time: 5 minutes
You don’t need to save a thousand bucks today. Just automate ten.
Most banks let you set up recurring transfers, even from checking to savings at the same bank. Set it to move $10 every Friday—or whatever amount feels right.
Why it works:
- It’s out of sight, out of mind.
- Small amounts add up over time.
- You’ll build the habit without thinking about it.
Think of it as paying future you a little each week.
4. Rename Your Savings Accounts
Time: 3 minutes
We humans love purpose. So instead of a generic “Savings” account, try this:
- “Hawaii Trip”
- “New Car Fund”
- “Emergency Money”
Renaming your accounts gives your savings emotional weight. Suddenly, you’re not just saving—you’re building something real. And that makes it easier to stay motivated.
5. Raise Your 401(k) Contribution (Just a Bit)
Time: 10 minutes (or less)
If your job offers a retirement plan like a 401(k), and you’re not maxing out the match, you’re literally leaving free money on the table.
Go into your HR portal and:
- See what your employer matches.
- Bump up your contribution just 1%.
You won’t miss the small amount per paycheck, but it could mean thousands more when you retire.
Bonus: 401(k) contributions are pre-tax, so it can actually lower your taxable income.
6. Review Last Month’s Bank Statement
Time: 10 minutes
This isn’t about judging yourself. This is about getting clarity.
Pull up your bank or credit card statement from last month and look for:
- Duplicate charges
- Random subscriptions
- “Oops” spending (we’ve all been there)
Highlight anything that makes you go “Wait…what was that?” Even just knowing where your money went helps you spend more intentionally going forward.
7. Set a Low-Balance Alert
Time: 2 minutes
Most banking apps let you set an alert if your account dips below a certain amount—say $100. This is one of those small tricks that prevents overdraft fees and gives you a heads-up before things get tight.
It’s like future-you waving a little red flag:
“Hey, maybe don’t DoorDash sushi tonight.”
8. Ask for a Lower Credit Card Interest Rate
Time: 10 minutes or less (one phone call)
This one might feel intimidating, but hear me out—it works more often than you’d think.
If you’ve been a loyal customer and have a decent credit score:
- Call the number on the back of your credit card.
- Politely ask: “I’m hoping to lower my APR. Can you help with that?”
Sometimes they’ll say no. But sometimes they’ll say yes. Even a small drop (say, from 22% to 18%) can save a lot if you carry a balance.
9. Move Your Impulse Buys to “Save for Later”
Time: 5 minutes
Open up your Amazon or Target cart (we know you’ve got stuff in there).
Here’s the trick:
- Don’t delete.
- Don’t buy.
- Just move the items to “Save for Later.”
That way, you get the little dopamine hit of browsing, without the regret of impulse spending. Plus, you can come back later and ask yourself, “Do I really need this?”
Spoiler: 80% of the time, the answer is no.
10. Find One Bill You Can Negotiate
Time: 10 minutes
You can negotiate more bills than you think:
- Internet or cable? Call and ask for a promo rate.
- Car insurance? Shop quotes and tell your provider.
- Medical bills? Ask for a payment plan or discount if you pay in cash.
You don’t have to do it right now, but in ten minutes you can:
- Find a bill you pay regularly.
- Google how to negotiate it.
- Put a reminder on your calendar to make the call this week.
Sometimes, just asking is enough to lower your monthly costs permanently.
Bonus Power Moves (If You’re Feeling Ambitious)
These might take more than ten minutes, but they’re worth it if you’re on a roll:
- Open a High-Yield Savings Account: Many online banks offer 4%+ interest, vs. basically nothing at traditional banks.
- Create a “No-Spend” Weekend: Block off one weekend a month where you challenge yourself to spend nothing.
- Audit Your Insurance: Life, car, renters—are you paying too much? Could you increase your deductible and save?
Final Thoughts: Tiny Tweaks, Big Wins
The best part about these ten-minute fixes? You don’t have to do them all today. You don’t even have to do all ten. Just pick one. Then maybe another one next week. That’s it.
It’s like compound interest: small actions, repeated consistently, lead to big results.
So next time you’re scrolling social media or waiting in line, try one of these financial power moves instead. Your bank account (and future self) will totally thank you.
