Top money moves: 5 essential strategies

You don't have to be a financial whiz to be smart with your money. These top five money moves prove anyone can be savvy with a few essential strategies.

Maintain a high credit rating
Keeping our credit rating on the high end of the scale helps ensure better rates on insurance, credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, and other financial endeavors going forward. A key way to keep it high is by paying your bills on time, every time. If a month comes where you may not have the funds, consider covering the bills with a cash advance online to keep your credit intact.

Shop around for auto insurance
Even if you already have car insurance, it never hurts to look around at what other car insurance companies are charging for the exact same coverage. In fact, it can actually be very smart. Car insurance is a highly competitive market and you may be able to score a better deal from a new company or even your current company if you ask if it can match a cheaper rate quoted by a competitor.

Combine insurance for discounts and deals
Once you find an auto insurance company with highly competitive low rates, you may be able to score an even deeper discount if you choose the same company for additional policies. Companies often cut rates if you insure more than one vehicle, both your home and vehicle, or any combination of policies.

Avoid credit card interest payments
Even credit cards with low interest rates can start to gobble up your funds if you let a balance remain for months on end. You can instead save gobs of cash if you pay the full amount of your credit card bills every month, which lets you avoid paying any interest whatsoever. Paying off your highest-interest cards with a low-interest cash advance online may also save you money if you must keep a balance due.

Take advantage of your 401(k)
Free money is always smart, and that's what you get when you invest in a 401K from a company that matches your contributions. Even if your employer only puts in a percentage of your contribution, you are still amassing free cash.

Making and saving money doesn't have to be complicated or painful. These five top money moves are about as painless and easy as you can get, and you can start using them today!