13 quick ways smart people save money

Taking control of your finances might seem like a daunting and time-consuming task. However, there are actually several money-smart moves you can make in a matter of minutes.

Here are 13 smart financial tasks you can tackle in 10 minutes or less. If you have some free time in the coming weeks, consider taking one or more of these steps to manage your money better and improve your financial well-being.

1. Check Your Credit Report

One-third of Americans have never checked their credit reports, according to a survey by the credit bureau TransUnion. However, doing so is fast, easy and free, thanks to a federal law that requires each of the three credit bureaus to provide you with a copy of your credit report once a year.

To get started, visit Annualcreditreport.com and click “Request yours now.” You will then fill out a brief form requiring your name, birthday, Social Security number, current address and previous address if you moved in the last two years. Next, choose to receive a report from Equifax, Experian or Transunion. You can opt to get all three reports at once or stagger them throughout the year. You may also be asked to verify your identity by providing some information only you would know, such as the year in which you secured a particular loan.

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