Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of utilizing an extra hour gained from the seasonal time change to address personal finance issues, highlighting that many financial improvements can be made in under an hour [1][2]. Financial Fixes - **Reading Credit Reports**: Regularly checking credit reports is crucial as nearly half may contain errors that can negatively impact credit scores. Consumers can access their reports for free at AnnualCreditReport.com [5][6]. - **Freezing Credit**: A credit freeze is recommended as a protective measure against identity theft, preventing unauthorized account openings. This process is quick and free [7]. - **Zero-APR Credit Cards**: Utilizing zero-APR credit cards can help pay down existing credit card debt by transferring balances from high-interest loans, providing a promotional period of 12 to 21 months with no interest [9][10]. - **High-Yield Savings Accounts**: Consumers are encouraged to switch to high-yield savings accounts, which can offer interest rates between 3.5% to 4%, significantly higher than the less than 3% earned by over half of savers [11][12]. - **Shopping for Auto Insurance**: With auto insurance rates projected to rise by 7.5% in 2025, it is advisable to compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best rates and adjust policies for potential savings [13][14][15]. - **Finding Unclaimed Assets**: Many Americans have unclaimed cash in forgotten accounts. Resources like Missing Money can help locate these funds [16]. - **Auditing Subscriptions**: Consumers often waste money on unused subscriptions, averaging about $200 annually. Reviewing account activity can help identify and cancel these subscriptions [17][18]. - **Increasing 401(k) Contributions**: Financial planners suggest gradually increasing 401(k) contributions, with the maximum contribution set at $23,500 in 2025, to enhance retirement savings [19][20].

Core Insights - The article emphasizes that personal finance can be simplified with quick financial fixes that can be completed in an hour or less, as highlighted in a report by AARP [1][2] Financial Fixes - Regularly reading credit reports is crucial to identify potentially costly errors, with nearly 50% of reports containing mistakes that can negatively impact credit scores [3][4] - Freezing credit is an effective measure against identity theft, providing a proactive way to protect personal information [6] - Applying for a zero-APR credit card can help manage and pay down existing credit card debt by transferring high-interest debt to a card with no interest for a promotional period of 12 to 21 months [7][8][9] - Opening a high-yield savings account can significantly increase savings, with many online banks offering interest rates between 3.5% to 4%, compared to the less than 3% earned by over half of savers [10][11] - Shopping for auto insurance discounts is essential, especially with projected rate increases of 7.5% in 2025, and consumers are encouraged to compare quotes from multiple insurers [12][13] - Many Americans have unclaimed assets in the form of forgotten accounts, and resources like Missing Money can help locate these funds [15] - Auditing subscriptions can reveal unused services, with the average American wasting about $200 annually on subscriptions they no longer use [16][17] - Increasing 401(k) contributions is a straightforward way to enhance retirement savings, with the maximum contribution set at $23,500 in 2025 [18][19][20]