Clocks Are Falling Back, But Your Debt Is Soaring. Use Your Extra Hour on These 8 Urgent Money Fixes.
This weekend, the clocks "fall back," gifting you a precious, 60-minute bonus to your day. While the temptation to hit snooze is strong, a far more profitable opportunity awaits. With American credit card debt surging to unprecedented levels and interest rates climbing, that extra hour isn't just a luxury—it's a financial lifeline. Don't waste it on sleep; use it to secure your financial future.
Let's be honest: tackling your finances can feel like a monumental task. The mere thought of deciphering a credit report, haggling with insurance companies, or combing through bank statements is enough to make anyone procrastinate. We put it off, telling ourselves we'll get to it when we have a full, free day. But what if the most powerful money moves don't require a whole weekend, but just a single, focused hour?
Inspired by a recent report from financial wellness experts at AARP, we've compiled a list of high-impact financial fixes you can complete in the time it takes to watch an episode of your favorite show. These aren't complicated, all-day projects. They are quick, decisive actions that can save you thousands and set you on a path to financial stability.
Here are eight game-changing tasks to tackle with your newfound hour:
1. Confront Your Credit Report
This is the big one. Your credit report is the foundation of your financial life, influencing everything from loan rates to insurance premiums. You can get a free report from all three major bureaus. Spend 30 minutes reading through it. Are there errors? Suspicious accounts? Knowing where you stand is the first step to improving your score.
2. Hunt for "Subscription Creep"
Go through your last bank or credit card statement with a fine-tooth comb. That free trial you forgot about? The streaming service you never use? These small, recurring charges add up fast. In 15 minutes, you can identify and cancel these money drains.
3. Shop Your Insurance
Loyalty rarely pays when it comes to insurance. Spend 45 minutes on a comparison website for your car or home insurance. You might be shocked to find you could save hundreds of dollars a year for the exact same coverage just by switching providers.
4. Automate Your Savings
Log into your bank account and set up an automatic weekly or bi-weekly transfer to your savings account. Even $20 a week adds up to over $1,000 a year. This five-minute task puts your savings on autopilot.
5. Boost Your Retirement
Can you spare an extra 1% for your future self? Log into your 401(k) or retirement account and increase your contribution by just one percent. It's a small change now that can result in tens of thousands of extra dollars by the time you retire.
The end of daylight saving offers a rare pause in our hectic lives. This Sunday, use that pause strategically. By dedicating that single hour to one of these tasks, you're not just fixing a problem; you're investing in peace of mind and building a more secure financial future. The choice is yours: an extra hour of sleep, or a head start on financial freedom?
