This Week’s Money Map:

• 🚗 Car insurance rates are finally cooling off — here's how to lock in savings

• 🌴 How to travel the world without paying for hotels

• 💳 Credit card reset: Q1 deals worth switching for right now

• 💸 Is refinancing personal debt still worth it in 2026?

🚗 Car insurance rates are finally cooling off — here's how to lock in savings

After years of double-digit increases, car insurance rates are finally stabilizing. If you haven't shopped around lately, now is the time.

Between 2023 and 2025, auto insurance premiums skyrocketed. Inflation drove up repair costs, advanced vehicle technology made parts more expensive, severe weather increased claims, and insurers raised rates across the board to catch up.

That catch-up phase is ending. The market is shifting in your favor. Here’s how you can act on it.

Compare quotes from at least three companies — About half of drivers only look at one insurer, usually because of a referral. But comparing prices could save you $500 or more per month in some states. For example, the difference between the cheapest and most expensive insurer in Connecticut is over $400 per month.

Stack every discount you qualify for — Bundling home and auto insurance can save 10% to 25%. Safe driver programs can cut another 10% to 30%. Good student discounts, defensive driving courses, and anti-theft devices add up. Ask your insurer to run through every available discount — they're not always automatic.

Raise your deductible — Increasing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can reduce premiums by 15% to 30%. Just make sure you have that cash on hand if you need to file a claim.

Improve your credit score — In most states, your credit score affects your rate. Drivers with poor credit pay about 80% more than those with good credit. Paying down debt and fixing credit report errors can lead to real savings at renewal.

Consider usage-based insurance — If you don't drive much, pay-per-mile programs can save 40% or more. Apps track your mileage and driving habits. Good drivers with low miles come out ahead.

Right-size your coverage — If your car is worth less than $4,000, dropping collision and comprehensive coverage might make sense. You'll save on premiums while keeping liability protection.

Don't wait for your renewal — You can switch insurers anytime. Start shopping 30 to 45 days before your renewal date to avoid coverage gaps. Get quotes with the same limits and deductibles so you're comparing apples to apples.

The rate relief won't last forever. Lock in your savings while the market is favorable.

🌴 How to travel the world without paying for hotels

What if lodging is the one travel cost you could erase? A growing number of travelers are doing exactly that — without points, deals, or budget hotels.

How home exchange works
Platforms like HomeExchange charge an annual membership fee of about $235. You list your home with photos, a description, and your available dates. Then you search for homes in your destination.

Two types of exchanges exist. A reciprocal exchange means you stay in someone's home while they stay in yours, either simultaneously or at different times. A points-based exchange means you host travelers and earn GuestPoints, which you then spend to stay at other members' homes, even if they don't want to visit your area.

The math works fast. A decent hotel in New York City runs $200 to $400 per night. Four nights in a home exchange saves $800 to $1,600. The $235 membership pays for itself after your first trip.

What you get beyond free accommodation
Home exchanges come with kitchens, laundry, and often cars. You'll live like a local instead of a tourist. Families traveling with kids get play areas, baby gear, and child-friendly spaces that hotels can't match.

Most platforms include protections: up to $1 million in property damage coverage, cancellation assistance, and help finding alternative accommodation if something goes wrong.

The catches to know about
Not everyone responds to exchange requests. Expect to send 10 messages before finding a match. You'll need flexibility with dates and locations. And yes, strangers will stay in your home — which means cleaning before guests arrive and trusting them with your space.

Standard home exchange platforms don't include travel insurance for your trip. You'll want a separate policy covering trip cancellation, medical emergencies abroad, and baggage loss. The property damage coverage from the exchange platform protects the homes, not your travel plans.

Getting started
Create a detailed profile with honest photos. Start with a domestic exchange to build confidence and reviews. Be responsive to messages and flexible with your expectations. The community runs on trust and reciprocity.

Your bucket list trip might be closer than you think. You just need to look at other homes as the ticket to get there.

💳 Credit card reset: Q1 deals worth switching for right now

If your current card isn’t earning its keep, early 2026 is the best time to reassess. A handful of welcome offers and intro APR deals stand out — but only if they line up with how you actually spend.

When switching actually makes sense
A new card is worth considering when your rewards no longer match your habits. If you’re earning 1% back on groceries while newer cards offer 3–6% in that category, that difference adds up quickly. The same goes for annual fees — paying $95 a year for perks you don’t use is money out the door.

Other signs it may be time to switch:

• Your credit score has improved, making you eligible for better bonuses or terms

• You carried a balance last year and could benefit from a long 0% intro APR

• You want stronger purchase protections or travel benefits than your current card provides

Promotions worth considering right now

Best for travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is currently offering 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first three months. That’s one of the largest public offers the card has had. This card makes sense primarily for frequent travelers who will consistently use the credits and benefits.

• Annual travel credit: $300

• Ongoing lounge access and premium travel protections

• Annual fee: $795 

Best for simple, everyday spending: Capital One Venture Rewards
The Capital One Venture Rewards card is running a limited-time offer of 75,000 bonus miles after $4,000 spent in three months, plus a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit valid in your first cardholder year.

• The $250 credit must be used through Capital One Travel

• You earn 2X miles on every purchase, with no categories to track

• Annual fee: $95

Best for cash back: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The Chase Freedom Unlimited currently offers $200 cash back after spending $500 in the first three months. While smaller than some past limited-time offers, it’s still a solid return for a low spending requirement. This card makes sense primarily for frequent travelers who will consistently use the credits and benefits.

• 5% back on travel booked through Chase

• 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases

• 1.5% back on everything else

• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers

• No annual fee

Best for paying down debt: Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
The Wells Fargo Reflect Card offers a 0% intro APR for 21 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, with no annual fee. If you’re carrying a balance at high interest, this card can still save hundreds or more by giving you time to pay it down without interest.

• Balance transfers typically come with a 5% fee

• There are no rewards or sign-up bonuses

Don’t forget the basics
Before closing any card, redeem your existing rewards. Look into product changes within the same issuer if you want to avoid shortening your credit history. And avoid opening multiple cards at once — each application causes a small, temporary dip in your credit score.

Just as important: make sure you can hit the requirement naturally. A bonus isn’t worth it if you have to overspend or carry a balance to earn it.

The goal isn’t to collect more cards. It’s to make sure the ones you use are still pulling their weight in 2026.

💸 Is refinancing personal debt still worth it in 2026?

With interest rates staying higher for longer, many people are asking the same question: Is refinancing personal debt still a smart move, or did I miss the window? The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. Refinancing can still make sense, but only if the math (and your habits) work in your favor.

When refinancing can still help
The biggest opportunity is escaping very high-interest debt. Credit card APRs are still hovering in the low- to mid-20% range. If you can replace that with a lower fixed rate, refinancing may be worth it.

Refinancing can work if it lets you lock in a meaningfully lower interest rate than your current cards or replace variable rates with predictable monthly payments. It also makes sense if you can combine multiple balances into one payment that’s easier to manage, and pay off debt faster, not just cheaper.

For many borrowers, even today’s personal loan rates are better than those on revolving credit.

Where refinancing often goes wrong
The danger isn’t refinancing itself — it’s how people use it.

Common pitfalls include extending the loan term so much that the total interest paid increases, refinancing, and then running up credit card debt again. Overlooking origination fees that quietly eat into savings is also a problem, as well as treating a lower payment as extra spending money.

A lower monthly bill feels good, but it doesn’t automatically mean you’re making progress.

When refinancing is usually a bad idea
Refinancing often doesn’t make sense if your credit score has slipped and the new rate isn’t better. If you’re close to paying the balance off already, then there’s no need to refinance. It’s also a bad idea if fees cancel out most of the savings, or you don’t have a plan to avoid new debt afterward.

How to decide
Before refinancing, ask yourself:

• What’s my current average interest rate?

• How much interest will I pay if I keep things as-is?

• How much interest will I pay after refinancing, including fees?

• Does this shorten my payoff timeline or stretch it out?

If the refinance clearly reduces total interest and simplifies your plan, it’s usually a good move. If it only rearranges balances, it may not be worth the effort.

Refinancing personal debt isn’t dead — it’s just more situational. It’s worth doing when it lowers real costs and helps you get out of debt faster, not when it just makes the problem look smaller.

Smart Cents gives you actionable tips and mindset shifts to help you reach your financial happy place. Thanks for being a part of our community.

The MoneyGeek Team

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