In partnership with
Read time: ~3 minutes
Welcome Back, Fellow Parent
Happy Early Valentine’s Day!
This year, let’s talk about a different kind of breakup—the kind that makes your wallet feel loved.
While everyone else is swooning over roses and chocolates, maybe it’s time to break up with something that isn’t serving you: bad financial decisions.
Take car insurance, for example.
Last year, I realized I was paying way too much. Loyalty discounts? Please. Turns out, switching insurers saved me $500 a year! And yes, a year later the savings are still stacking up.
While Progressive has raised their rates (as most if not all insurers have), it was nothing compared to the hot nonsense over at Geico.
Sometimes, the best relationships are the ones you find after you let go of what isn’t working.
Breaking up with your current provider might feel scary (or like a lot of work), but it’s extremely simple and may take you an hour or so.
Here’s how to do it:
Shop Around: Use comparison sites or call competitors directly. A 15-minute chat can lead to huge savings.
Negotiate: Even if you love your current provider, see if they’ll match a lower rate you’ve found elsewhere.
Consider Bundling: Pairing insurance products (like home and auto) often leads to discounts.
But it’s not just car insurance.
Think of all the money you could save by breaking up with other unnecessary expenses—whether it’s your overpriced cell phone plan, underutilized subscriptions, or that gym membership you keep “meaning to use.”
After a bit of research, here are three more quick breakup ideas to consider. Perfect cross between cost savings and time it takes to make the switch:
Your Cable Package: If you haven’t done so already, I’d highly recommend cutting the chord. The average cable bill is over $200 per month which is insane to me. With all of the great options out there, you can easily cut this bill. For example, the most expensive Disney+ bundle costs $17 per month (with ads) and also includes Hulu and ESPN+. Fun for the whole family at a fraction of the cost. You can also swap out subscriptions throughout the year so you aren’t paying for one to just sit there.
Unused Subscriptions: Do you really need five apps to track your steps? A recent survey confirmed 85% of paid subscriptions go unused, with an average value of ~$33 per month. Do a quick dive into what you’re paying and cancel anything you’re not using.
Bank Fees: EY advised that on average, US consumers are spending over $300 per year on bank fees. This is a hefty sum just to have someone hold your cash for you (which they then use to invest, but that’s a topic for another day). There are a ton of options out there for accounts with no fees. A quick Google search brought me to this helpful read by NerdWallet.
Breaking up is hard, but falling in love with your budget is worth it.
And unlike that bouquet of roses, these savings will last far longer than a week.
A Message from Today’s Sponsor:
(Every click supports Knocked-up Money)
Reasons you should be a Locked On NBA insider
What’s up, NBA fans! From our expert hosts who cover your team every day on our podcasts, we offer a free daily newsletter delivered right to your email so you don’t miss any of the action on the court. Get expert analysis, game previews, post-game breakdowns, trade talk, draft coverage, and more. We curate your daily ticket to everything NBA, giving you the rundown for each NBA team and the league news you need to know. Be one of thousands of fans who are already insiders - fast and easy.
