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Free guides, tools and real resources to cut bills, find help, save on everything and build new income — one rung at a time.

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Freebie of the Day

Free credit reports

Check all three credit reports free at AnnualCreditReport.com — the official site.

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Deal of the Day

Stack gas savings

Compare prices on a gas app, then pay through a cashback app and your grocery fuel rewards.

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Need help today?

Dial 211 for local food, rent and utility help — free and confidential.

I need help with…

Paying rent → Buying groceries → A huge medical bill → I lost my job → High utility bills → Making $500 fast → Fixing my credit → Spotting a scam → Something else? Take the 60-second quiz →
Your way up

The Hard Times Ladder

Start on whatever rung you're on today. Every guide ends with your next step up.

  1. 1 Get Help Now Emergency relief, food, rent and utility help.
  2. 2 Cut Your Bills Phone, internet, insurance, energy and fuel.
  3. 3 Save Smarter Coupons, deals, freebies, discounts, cheaper care.
  4. 4 Earn More Side hustles, gigs, surveys and work from home.
  5. 5 Build Multiple Streams Affiliate marketing, online business, digital products.
  6. 6 Prosper in Any Economy Beat inflation, fix credit, relocate, build resilience.
Free tools

Calculators & tools that do the math for you

I Need Help With… Pick what you are dealing with and get a short, step-by-step action plan with real places to turn. Bill Cutter Worksheet List what you pay now and what you are aiming for. Track your calls and watch the savings add up. Debt Snowball & Avalanche Planner List your debts, add any extra you can pay, and see your payoff order and debt-free date. Side Hustle True Pay Calculator Gig pay looks different after miles, fees and taxes. Find your real hourly rate. 90-Day Credit Roadmap Enter your score (or tell us you have none) and get a simple 90-day plan. Discount Finder Tell us who you are and what you need. We will show well-known discount and assistance programs worth checking. Is This a Scam? Checker Answer 10 quick yes/no questions about a job, offer or message and see its risk level. The $100 Challenge 20 ways to find or save $100 this week. Check them off and watch your progress.

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Latest guides

Fresh ways to save, earn and get help

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Everything in one place

Get Help Now Emergency help, assistance programs, unclaimed money and what to do first. Cut Bills Lower utilities, phone, insurance and every other monthly bill. Save & Deals Groceries, coupons, cashback and smart shopping. Free Stuff Freebies, free learning and free fun. Discounts Military, senior, student and low-income discounts. Health for Less Cheaper prescriptions, clinics, dental and medical bills. Fuel & Energy Cheap gas, fuel efficiency, solar and home energy savings. Make Money Side hustles, surveys, gigs, affiliate marketing and online business. Work From Home Legit remote jobs and how to avoid fake ones. Credit Secrets Build, repair and protect your credit — for free. Prosper Inflation, relocating, resilience and building a better future. AI Money Tools Use free AI to save money, find deals and earn more.
New · AI Money Helper

Ask anything. Get a plan.

Lost a job? Bills piling up? Need to earn $500 this month? Ask our AI helper in plain words and get practical next steps plus the exact guides and tools on this site that fit your situation.

  • Free, private, no sign-up
  • Copy-paste AI prompts that write bill scripts and budgets
  • Points you to real, scam-checked resources
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Hard Times AI HelperSmart guide · points you to the right help
Hi! I'm here to help you save money, cut bills, find free help and earn more. What's going on? (Please don't share account numbers or your SSN.)

General information only — not financial, legal or medical advice. In an emergency dial 911; for local help dial 211.

The $100 Challenge

20 ways to find or save $100 this week. Check them off and watch your total grow.

Take the challenge

Is it a scam?

Answer 10 quick questions about any job, offer or "opportunity" and get an instant risk check.

Run the Scam Checker

Bill Negotiation Scripts

Copy-paste what to say to your internet, phone, insurance, hospital and landlord.

Get the scripts
Top books

Books that change how you handle money

Every one of these can be borrowed free from your library.

Your Money or Your Life

by Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez

A classic on aligning spending with what really matters and tracking your “life energy.”

Find this book Borrow free at a library

See all top books → Watch helpful videos →

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