Five Money Moves to Make Before Friday

Aug 31

Most people think financial progress takes months or years. The truth? You can do more for your money in the next five days than most people do in a year.

Here are five simple moves you can make before Friday that will leave you in a stronger position than you are today.

1. Automate Your Savings (or Investments)

If money hits your checking account, odds are it’s getting spent.

If you’re building an emergency fund → set up an automatic transfer into a high-yield savings account.
If your savings are solid → automate contributions into your Roth IRA or another investment account.

Either way, it’s the easiest way to “pay yourself first.” And once it’s automatic, you don’t have to think about it again.

2. Open a High-Yield Savings Account

Most banks still pay almost nothing on savings. A high-yield account can earn 10–20x more interest with the same FDIC insurance.

It takes 10 minutes to set up online, and once you’ve done it, every dollar in there works harder for you automatically.

There are plenty of good options out there. Places like Ally, Marcus, or Discover often offer competitive rates. And for clients I work with, the Altruist Cash account is another great way to earn higher yields while keeping things simple in one place.

3. Negotiate One Bill

Pick up the phone and call your internet, phone, or insurance provider.

Try this script: “I’m thinking about switching, is there anything you can do on the rate?”
It’s not unusual to shave $10–20 a month with a 10-minute call. That’s hundreds over the year for almost no effort.

Just last week, I looked at my parents’ Verizon bill and noticed we could save $60/month simply by switching the payment method from credit card to bank account. Same service, less money leaving the wallet.

4. Check Your Credit Report

Check your official report at AnnualCreditReport.com (it’s free). And if you want an ongoing snapshot of your score, tools like Credit Karma or even your bank’s app can give you quick updates.

Look for errors, old accounts, or anything suspicious.
Catching mistakes early protects your credit score, which can save you thousands when you borrow for a car, house, or anything else.

5. Review Your Investments

Ask yourself:

Is my money invested, or just sitting in cash?
Am I diversified, or is everything in one fund/stock?
Does my allocation match my goals and risk tolerance?

Even a quick review puts you miles ahead of most people.

Closing Thought

That’s it. Five days. Five moves. No complicated spreadsheets. No waiting for “someday.”

By Friday, you’ll be saving more, earning more, protecting your credit, and putting your money to work. In just five days, you’ll have done more for your finances than most people do in an entire year.

If you’re ready to go beyond quick wins and build a full plan that covers your goals, taxes, and investments, that’s exactly what I help clients do.

Trey Ortman