I always enjoy hearing about the small decisions that end up making a big difference. Maybe you paid off a debt, switched banks, canceled a subscription, started budgeting, found a better credit card, or simply changed a spending habit that saved you more than expected. It doesn’t have to be anything major. Sometimes the simplest changes have the biggest impact over time. What’s one financial decision you’re glad you made recently, and would you recommend it to others?
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Cut ties with Delta Dental, which put me out of network with all dental insurance companies. Now I am unfettered by constraints of payment, and can do any procedures I am competent to do.
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Signing up for Amazon Prime for a 1-week trial for $1.99. I do this a few times a year to take advantage of Prime-only specials, such as Prime Days which just ended or an item I want to buy that has a special price for Prime members. During this trial period, our Prime/Chase Visa gives 5% cashback instead of 3% for all Amazon purchases, so I stock up on things I know I’ll use such as paper products, toiletries, etc. I also buy high-dollar gift cards for Amazon and Home Depot to use after the trial is over. Surprisingly, the 5% cashback applies to gift card purchases so a $1,000 Home Depot or Amazon gift card in effect costs $950 (we also get a 10% military discount at Home Depot, so we are effectively getting 15% off all Home Depot purchases using the gift card).
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At first I thought, “Okay, DYI dental work…” then I seem to recall you are a dentist. Please confirm 
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Shopping for auto/home insurance. ANNUALLY. Do it after you complete your taxes.
For decades I was a USAA customer. My FIL had a few decades on me. One day I received a cold call from Allstate. The last time I checked prices (admittedly a long time ago), there just wasn’t enough cost savings to pursue. This time, Allstate cut my costs by almost 50%. We’re talking $5k/year combined. I was stunned.
18 months later, I had a washing machine go berserk on my 2nd floor. $80k work of repairs later, Allstate handled the claim. The next year, I was hit with a huge price increase - homeowner went from $2300 to $8000 annually. Allstate gave me a silly/absurd explanation.
Shopped around, State Farm came in $100/yr more on homeowner’s that I had been paying, $200 less a year on auto. Huh. I think the insurance industry has issues.
Reminder: shop your insurance.
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Really enjoying reading everyone’s answers. It’s interesting how what feels like a small financial decision can end up making a much bigger difference than expected. Thanks for sharing your experiences, and keep them coming! I’m always curious to hear what worked well for others.
Yes, I am a licensed dentist.
One of the best financial decisions I made over the last year was becoming much more intentional about my purchases instead of buying things on impulse. If I want something that’s not essential, I wait a few days before buying it. Most of the time, I realize I don’t actually need it.
The money I saved has gone toward paying bills, building a small emergency fund, and buying better-quality items that last longer instead of replacing cheap ones. It wasn’t a huge change, but it made a noticeable difference over time. I’d definitely recommend giving yourself a short “cooling-off” period before making non-essential purchases.
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