When you’re trying to get ahead, you don’t need complicated financial theory, you need actionable money tips that make a real difference.
I learned after coming to the U.S. with nothing that the biggest changes don’t come from giant leaps. They come from the small, smart steps you take every single day.
This page is where I share those steps with you.
Every day, I will post one quick, practical, and proven tip to help you save more, make more, or take better control of your finances.
So come back each day for a new money tip!
Bookmark This Page Now (press Ctrl+D or ⌘+D).
There will be no promotion or affiliate link either (even if I’m an affiliate of a product that happens to be part of the daily tip).
These are real money tips that work.
Using these tips you can build a stronger financial future, one day at a time.
Today’s Money Tip – August 14, 2025
Unlock Premium Subscriptions for Free with Your Library Card
Your local library card is one of the most powerful money-saving tools you own, and most people think it’s just for books. Go to your library’s website and find their “Digital Resources” or “Online Learning” section. You’ll discover you get free access to expensive premium services like Kanopy (a huge collection of high-quality movies), LinkedIn Learning (thousands of professional courses), and other platforms people pay hundreds of dollars a year for. You just log in with your library card number.
The MoneyPantry Tip Archive
Welcome to the vault.
This living library is just getting started, and you’re here at the very beginning.
Every single day, the new “Today’s Tip” from above will be added to this collection.
Check back often and watch as this grows into a massive, searchable resource packed with hundreds of our best money-making and money-saving ideas.
Use the ‘Cooling-Off’ Rule for All Unplanned Purchases Over $50
Date: August 13, 2025| Category: Saving Money
If you want to buy something you didn’t plan for and it costs over $50, you’re not allowed to buy it on the spot. Add it to a “72-Hour List” on your phone or a notepad. If you still feel you truly need it three days later, then you can consider buying it. 9 times out of 10, the urgent “need” will have vanished, and you’ll have saved yourself money you can put toward a real goal. This simple habit helped me plug the small spending leaks that were sinking my budget.
Find Your Lost Money on State Websites (It’s Real)
Date: August 12, 2025| Category: Saving Money
This is not a gimmick. State governments are holding billions of dollars in unclaimed property from old bank accounts, insurance policies, and final paychecks. I once found $68 from an old utility deposit I forgot about. Go to unclaimed.org (a safe site run by states, not a private company) and search your name in every state you’ve ever lived in. It’s a 5-minute search that could put real money back in your pocket.
Find and Rescue Your ‘Orphaned’ 401(k)s
Date: August 11, 2025 | Category: Investing
If you’ve had past jobs, you likely have an “orphaned” 401(k) account being eaten away by fees. You are losing money by letting it sit there. Go to the National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits or search for your old employer on sites like Capitalize. Finding and rolling that old account into your current 401(k) or an IRA saves you on fees and puts your money back to work for your future.
Your House Might Be Over-Assessed for Taxes (Here’s How to Check)
Date: August 10, 2025 | Category: Saving Money
Many homeowners are overpaying property taxes because their home’s assessed value is too high. Don’t just accept the number. Go to Zillow or Redfin, look up the recent sale prices of 3-4 houses very similar to yours in your immediate neighborhood. If your home’s official assessed value is higher than what these homes actually sold for, you have a strong case to appeal. Most local governments have a simple form you can fill out. This can save you hundreds, even thousands, a year.
Get a Refund on a Purchase After You’ve Already Bought It
Date: August 9, 2025 | Category: Saving Money
Many people don’t know that dozens of major credit cards (especially from Chase and Capital One) have built-in Price Protection. If you buy something and the price drops within 30-90 days, you can file a claim to get a refund for the difference. Before a big purchase, check your card’s benefit guide for “Price Protection.” It’s like a retroactive coupon you use after you buy.
Ask Your Bank to Waive Its Monthly Maintenance Fee
Date: August 8, 2025 | Category: Saving Money
Are you paying a $5 or $10 monthly “maintenance” or “service” fee on your checking account? Call your bank. Say this exact phrase: “I’d like to know what the requirements are to have the monthly fee waived on my account.” Usually, the requirements are simple (like setting up a direct deposit or keeping a minimum balance) and they will switch you to a free account right on the phone. They just count on you never asking. I know US Bank does this! Ask me how I know this!!!
Focus on This One Number, Not Just Your Paycheck
Date: August 7, 2025 | Category: Saving Money
We all want to earn more, but what really builds wealth is the percentage of your money you actually keep. This is your “savings rate.” I’ve seen people who make $50,000 a year but save 30% of it get rich faster than people who make $100,000 and save only 5%. Figure out your savings rate this month (Total Saved ÷ Total Income). The real secret is turning the act of increasing it into a habit.
Hunt for Whales, Not Minnows, to Save Big Money
Date: August 6, 2025 | Category: Saving Money
It’s easy to get obsessed with clipping coupons to save 50 cents, but your time is valuable. A single 20-minute phone call to lower your car insurance has a much bigger impact. Instead of chasing tiny savings, focus on your 3-5 biggest expenses (rent, insurance, loans) and ask for a better deal once a year. That’s how you find thousands in savings, not just pocket change.
Use the ‘Thinking of Leaving’ Script to Lower Monthly Bills
Date: August 5, 2025 | Category: Saving Money
Your internet, cable, and phone providers have a secret budget just for keeping customers from canceling. Your job is to make them use it on you. Simply call and say, “My bill is too high and I need to review my options.” Be polite, and then wait. They will often transfer you to their “retention” department, whose only job is to offer you an unadvertised loyalty discount to keep you as a customer. It’s one of the easiest ways to save hundreds per year.
Buy Prescriptions at Costco, No Membership Needed
Date: August 4, 2025 | Category: Saving Money
Here’s a little-known secret: by law, warehouse club pharmacies like Costco and Sam’s Club must be open to the public. You do not need a membership to buy prescriptions there. Before you fill a prescription, especially if your insurance co-pay is high, call the pharmacy at a local warehouse club and ask for the cash price. It can often be significantly cheaper than what you’d pay through your insurance.
