This Week’s Money Map:

• 💰My 401(k) mistake: Yours may not be working as hard as you think!

• 💪 Get rewarded for being healthy: 3 health insurance plans that pay to stay active

• 🐶 Skyrocketing vet bills? How pet insurance can help

• 🤑 Never miss an Amazon sale: How to set up alerts for your favorite items

Got a burning question about money that you'd like to see answered in the Smart Cents newsletter? Drop it here and your topic may be featured in a future newsletter.

 💰 My 401(k) mistake: Yours may not be working as hard as you think!

Many people set up their 401(k)s, select a contribution percentage and never check back. The problem? Your money might be sitting in low-return investments, costing you hundreds of thousands of dollars over time.

At one point, I had a 401(k) account that I hadn’t looked at in about a decade. When I did, I realized that my money was being auto-invested in very safe, low-return investments that weren’t right for me. If the money had been invested in an S&P index fund instead, my return would have been three times higher — dang!

Why it matters
Your employer’s default investment option may not be the best choice for long-term growth. The difference between a 4% and 8% annual return might not seem like much right now, but over 30 years, it could mean retiring with hundreds of thousands (or millions) more in your account.

Action plan to maximize your 401(k)
1. Log into your account — Check how your money is currently invested. Many plans default to conservative funds with lower returns.
2. Evaluate your investment options — Index funds are often solid choices.
3. Adjust for your risk tolerance and retirement horizon — If retirement is 20+ years away, you can typically afford to take more risks.
3. Review fees — High fees can eat away at returns. Choose funds with low expense ratios (ideally under 0.5%).
4. Set a recurring check-in — Markets change, and so should your strategy. Review your 401(k) at least once a year.

A little attention now can mean big money later. Take five minutes today to make sure your 401(k) is set up for success!

💪 Get rewarded for being healthy: 3 health insurance plans that pay to stay active

Ever wish your daily walks or gym trips could fatten your wallet? Good news: some health insurers reward you for being active. Here are three plans that help you stay healthy and score extra cash or perks in the process.

1. UnitedHealthcare Motion
   UnitedHealthcare Motion lets you earn up to $1,000 a year simply by moving. You set daily step goals — like 5,000 or 10,000 — and track them through an approved fitness device. You can also get credit for 15-minute workouts and improved sleep habits. After each milestone, you can receive a prepaid debit card or direct deposit into your HSA. Some plans even offer a free Apple Watch after six months of consistent use. Start by confirming eligibility on myuhc.com.

2. Cigna Healthy Rewards 
   Cigna Healthy Rewards is all about turning healthy habits into tangible benefits. Some plans also offer a free Fitbit. Medicare Advantage (MA) plan members (HMO, PPO, D-SNP) can earn up to $200 annually by completing preventive screenings (e.g., annual wellness visits, diabetes checks) or participating in healthy activities like fitness challenges or nutrition programs. Earned dollars are loaded onto the Cigna Healthy Today Card, a prepaid Visa® card usable at 65,000+ retail locations (e.g., pharmacies, grocery stores) for approved health-related purchases.
   

3. Blue Cross Wellness Incentive 
   Blue Cross Blue Shield's Wellness Incentive Program lets members earn significant rewards while maintaining their health, including monthly discounts up to $20 through the Sharecare Fitness Incentive for making 12 monthly gym visits and up to $170 in rewards for completing the Blue Health Assessment (BHA). The program extends valuable benefits like wellness rewards for FEP Blue Focus® members' annual physicals, pregnancy support for expecting mothers, free blood pressure monitors for hypertension management, prescription savings through the Generic Incentive Program for FEP Blue Standard® members, and comprehensive tobacco-cessation resources. 

Take action to move and save
Before jumping in, verify each program’s requirements and make sure your plan qualifies. Then, pick a fitness routine you enjoy — like jogging, cycling or even dancing in your living room. The important thing is to stay consistent. 

Want the best health insurance deal? Take a few minutes to compare quotes online and find a plan that fits your lifestyle and budget.

🐶 Skyrocketing vet bills? How pet insurance can help

Our pets are part of the family. Not only do I love the $#*!! out of my dog, she makes me a better person. According to recent figures from the American Veterinary Medical Association, the average cost of a routine vet exam for dogs rose 20% in the past three years. Emergency vet visits can easily top $400 and advanced procedures (like surgeries or specialized treatments) often run $1,000 or more.

These soaring vet bills have made pet insurance one of the fastest-growing types of coverage. More people are turning to insurance to protect their finances and ensure their pets get the care they need — here’s what you ought to know about pet insurance:

Different policy and plan types

• Accident-only: Covers emergencies such as broken bones or accidental poisoning.

• Accident and illness: Pays for infections, surgeries and chronic conditions.

• Wellness add-ons: May include routine checkups, vaccines and dental cleanings.

Plans range from $25 to $60 per month for dogs and $15 to $40 for cats, though actual costs vary by pet age, breed and location. I’m currently paying $39 a month for my dog and chose an accident and illness plan from Nationwide because I get a discount for being a current customer.

Top providers by reviews
Based on online reviews, Healthy Paws and Lemonade consistently rank high.

• Healthy Paws earns praise for precise coverage details and fast payouts.

• Lemonade stands out for dog coverage. It is also known for competitive prices, user-friendly apps and a quick, hassle-free claims process.

• Spot leads in preventative care coverage.

• Pets Best excels in cat insurance.

• Figo specializes in senior pet insurance.

• Pumpkin offers optimal solutions for multi-pet households.

Tips for a seamless claims process
1. Stay organized — Save all vet invoices, diagnosis reports and itemized receipts in a single folder. Digital copies are easier to submit and track.
2. Know your timeframes — Some insurers require claims within a set window. File quickly so you don’t miss out on reimbursements.
3. Get pre-approved — Contact your insurer first for major pet surgeries or treatments. This reduces the risk of claim denials and clarifies what’s covered.

As veterinary costs continue to rise, pet insurance offers a practical solution for managing pet health care expenses while ensuring our beloved companions receive the care they deserve. Explore pet insurance options and compare personalized quotes from leading providers today.

🤑 Never miss a sale on Amazon: How to set up alerts for your favorite items

Don’t you hate that feeling when you finally decide to buy something in your Amazon cart, only to see it went on sale last week? You can avoid this by using free price-tracking tools that do the heavy lifting for you. Just install the right browser extension or app, set your desired price, then sit back and wait for an alert. It’s easier than you think and could save you hundreds per year.

Keepa
Keepa logs more than two billion price points. That means you can view up to five years of price history on items like TVs or laptops, so you know whether you’re getting a bargain. To use, just install the free browser extension. When you visit an Amazon product page, Keepa automatically adds a price history chart below the item’s description. You can set multiple alerts at different price levels for the same product. Keepa’s detailed data lets you see patterns (like holiday markdowns) and time your purchase for maximum savings.
• Pros: Tons of historical info, reliable alerts via email or push notifications, and very user-friendly.
• Cons: Some advanced features require a paid subscription, but the free tier suffices for most people.

Honey
Honey is known for auto-applying coupon codes, but it also tracks Amazon (and 30,000 other sites) for discounts. To use, just add the free Honey browser extension. Whenever you visit a product on Amazon, it shows you historical price data and an option to “Add to Droplist.” You’ll get an email or pop-up alert if the price falls below your target.
• Pros: Includes coupon-finding features and covers many online stores.
• Cons: Overlapping alerts from different sites can become noisy. Manage your settings to avoid notification overload.

CamelCamelCamel
CamelCamelCamel offers a clear interface with easy-to-read graphs and alerts.
To use, just type the Amazon link of your desired product into CamelCamelCamel’s search bar. You’ll see a clear chart of historical prices; then you can specify when you want an alert — say if it drops by 10%. The site is very simple and doesn’t require you to sign up just to peek at past prices.
• Pros: No clutter, straight to the point, free email alerts.
• Cons: It’s Amazon-only. You can’t track across other shopping platforms.
• Pro Tip: Browse “Top Drop” on CamelCamelCamel. This section highlights which items have just gone on big discounts, which is great if you’re not brand loyal but love a bargain.

Making it work for you
These tools do the hard work by watching price trends around the clock. Here’s the best part: you’ll free up your brain (and your wallet) for more important things, like enjoying life instead of hitting “refresh” on Amazon. So, pick a tracker, set your targets and let the alerts roll in so you’ll never miss a sale again.

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

Got this newsletter from a friend? Subscribe to Smart Cents to get street-smart about money matters!