8 Smart Financial Fixes to Use Your Extra Hour Wisely
Unlock the power of daylight saving’s extra hour with these 8 financial fixes that boost your credit, savings, and retirement plans—turning a simple clock change into lasting money wins.
Key Takeaways
- Daylight saving’s extra hour is prime time for financial checkups.
- Nearly half of credit reports contain errors—review yours carefully.
- Zero-APR credit cards can accelerate debt payoff without interest.
- High-yield savings accounts offer 3.5% to 4% APY, beating average rates.
- Unclaimed money and forgotten subscriptions drain your wallet silently.
- Small retirement contribution boosts compound into big future rewards.
When daylight saving time hands you an extra hour, most people think of sleep or chores. But what if you flipped the script and used that hour to sharpen your financial edge? Personal finance often feels like a maze—credit reports, insurance quotes, and retirement plans can intimidate even the savviest. Yet, as AARP highlights, some of the smartest financial moves take less than 60 minutes.
This article distills expert advice from AARP, Bankrate, NerdWallet, and others into eight actionable financial fixes you can tackle during that bonus hour. From hunting down errors on your credit report to boosting your retirement savings, these steps turn a simple clock change into a powerful money moment.
Think of this as your personal financial tune-up—quick, effective, and surprisingly rewarding. Ready to turn back the clock on financial stress? Let’s dive in.
Reviewing Your Credit Report
Credit reports can feel like a financial horror story waiting to happen. Ted Rossman from Bankrate reminds us that nearly half of credit reports in 2024 contain errors—wrong names, phantom accounts, or outdated addresses. Imagine trying to get a loan only to be tripped up by mistakes you didn’t make. That’s why grabbing your free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com is a must-do.
Bo, a friend who once ignored his credit report, found an old credit card account he never opened. Fixing that error boosted his score and saved him from potential fraud. It took less than an hour, proving that facing your credit report isn’t a chore—it’s a shield.
As you scan your report, channel your inner detective. Spot anything fishy? Report it immediately to the credit bureaus or the companies involved. This simple act locks down your financial reputation and keeps identity thieves at bay. Remember, a credit freeze is a free, quick lock on your credit file—think of it as a security system for your financial identity.
Tackling Credit Card Debt Smartly
Debt can feel like a ball and chain, but here’s a twist: one credit card can help you escape another. Zero-APR credit cards offer a promotional period—usually 12 to 21 months—where you pay no interest on transferred balances. Ted Rossman calls this a “huge tailwind” for paying down debt.
Imagine moving your high-interest credit card balance onto a zero-APR card. Suddenly, every payment chips away at the principal, not interest. It’s like switching from a leaky bucket to a sealed container. But beware—these cards favor those with higher credit scores, so check your eligibility first.
Applying takes minutes, and the payoff can be huge. Just be sure to pay off the balance before the promotional period ends. Otherwise, the interest rate jumps back up, and the magic fades. This strategy turns a financial trap into a runway for freedom.
Boosting Savings with High-Yield Accounts
Savings isn’t optional—it’s survival. Yet, more than half of savers earn less than 3% interest annually, according to Vanguard. That’s like planting seeds in rocky soil. Online banks, however, offer 3.5% to 4% APY on high-yield savings accounts, a fertile ground for your money to grow.
Sam Taube from NerdWallet urges shoppers to compare APYs before settling. It’s a bit like dating—don’t settle for the first offer. The difference between 1% and 4% might seem small, but over time, it’s the difference between a sapling and a mighty oak.
Setting up or switching to a high-yield account takes minutes and can be done during your daylight saving hour. The relief of watching your savings grow faster is a quiet but powerful motivator. Remember, automation is your friend—set up automatic transfers to make saving effortless.
Shopping Auto Insurance Wisely
Auto insurance rates are on the rise—MarketWatch Guides projects a 7.5% increase in 2025. That’s a wake-up call to shop around before renewing. Daniel Bortz from AARP suggests using comparison sites like Insurify, Policygenius, and The Zebra to gather multiple quotes quickly.
But don’t just chase the cheapest price. Bortz warns to compare “apples to apples” by checking coverage limits and deductibles. It’s like buying a car—you want the best value, not just the lowest sticker price.
Tweaking your policy can save money too. Raising your deductible or dropping collision coverage on an older car are smart hacks. These small adjustments can shave hundreds off your premium, freeing up cash for other priorities.
Claiming Forgotten Money
Millions of Americans have unclaimed cash stashed away in lost bank accounts, uncashed paychecks, or forgotten 401(k)s. It’s like leaving money on the sidewalk. The website Missing Money acts as a clearinghouse to track down these forgotten funds.
For retirement accounts, the National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits is your treasure map. Finding and reclaiming these assets can give your finances an unexpected boost.
Imagine the relief of discovering a few hundred or even thousands of dollars you didn’t know you had. It’s free money waiting for you to claim it. Taking just a few minutes during your extra hour could turn up a pleasant surprise.
Auditing Subscriptions and Recurring Charges
Subscription fatigue is real. The average American juggles about 12 media subscriptions, many unused, according to AARP. CNET’s survey found that this forgetfulness wastes roughly $200 annually. Why splurge on wants you don’t even use?
Ted Rossman advises reviewing your last 30 days of account activity to spot these sneaky charges. Canceling unused subscriptions is like plugging a slow leak in your wallet.
This simple audit takes minutes but frees up cash flow. It’s a small act of financial self-respect that adds up over time. Plus, the mental clarity of knowing exactly where your money goes is priceless.
Increasing Retirement Contributions
Saving for retirement is a gift to your future self. The 401(k) savings rate recently hit an all-time high, but many still fall short of maxing out contributions. In 2025, the maximum 401(k) contribution is $23,500, with even higher limits for older savers.
Ted Rossman suggests a gentle nudge—increasing your contribution by just 1%. If you’re saving 10%, try 11%. This gradual boost often goes unnoticed in your paycheck but compounds into significant growth over decades.
Think of it as planting a money tree that grows while you sleep. The earlier and more consistently you water it, the bigger the harvest. Your future self will thank you for this quiet act of financial kindness.
Organizing and Securing Financial Documents
Financial chaos breeds stress. Organizing your essential documents—tax returns, insurance policies, wills, and account info—brings clarity and control. Storing them securely, ideally backed up digitally, protects you from loss or theft.
Imagine needing a document in a pinch and finding it instantly. That peace of mind is worth the effort. It’s like having a well-labeled toolbox ready for any financial fix.
Taking an hour to tidy your financial paperwork during daylight saving’s extra hour turns a mundane task into a fortress of security. It’s a quiet but powerful step toward financial resilience.
Long Story Short
The end of daylight saving time isn’t just about resetting clocks—it’s a golden opportunity to reset your financial health. Whether it’s spotting errors on your credit report or trimming unused subscriptions, these small actions add up to big peace of mind and dollars saved. Financial myths often paint money management as a marathon of complexity, but these eight fixes prove otherwise. With just an hour, you can lock down your identity, boost your savings rate, and even reclaim forgotten cash. The relief of a funded emergency account or the confidence of a cleaner credit report is worth more than the hour itself. So next time you turn back the clock, remember: that extra hour is a gift. Use it wisely, and your future self will thank you with a richer, safer financial life.