Smart moves when cash is tighter than time

Lots of people have more time than money nowadays. If this is you, optimize that extra time by making smart financial moves that won't cost a dime.

"If you have time but no money, it's time to become the best version of yourself," said Ryan J. Marshall, a financial adviser in New Jersey. "What separates successful people from people who struggle financially is often how they spend the time they are given each day."

From the quick-and-simple to the more-involved, here are ideas to create your personalized money to-do list.

Set goals. This is the obligatory recommendation to develop a household budget, perhaps using the 50/30/20 method to divvy up needs, wants, and savings or debt repayment. But creating a budget should be about finding money to spend on things you care about and cutting ruthlessly on things you don't.

More free money moves: Calculate your current net worth (all you own minus all you owe); calculate a nest egg amount for retirement.

Assess spending. Recurring expenses are the black hole of regretful spending. Examine your credit and debit card statements to identify subscriptions and re-justify them. When a recurring expense makes the cut, try to get a better price — we're looking at you, cable, internet and cellphone bills.

One big potential payoff? Compare auto insurance premiums by yourself or with help. "It can be a pretty painless process, by just forwarding your current insurance to a broker and having them shop it with multiple carriers," said Autumn K. Campbell, a certified financial planner in Oklahoma. Some brokers work on commission only and don't charge a fee.

Plan debt payment. Develop a plan for paying down debt. Two popular strategies: Pay extra toward debt with the highest interest rate (debt avalanche) or pay extra toward the smallest debts to wipe them out quickly and get a sense of accomplishment (debt snowball).

More free money moves: Refinance your mortgage; refinance your student loan; transfer debt to a lower rate.

Deepen money smarts. Money advice online is abundant, but don't forget about at-home digital access at your unsung public library. Beginners can check out the book "Personal Finance for Dummies." Or you can consult Consumer Reports to get better products for the money you spend.

And while not everyone enjoys investing topics, you should have a basic understanding. "There are countless wonderful free resources such as Morningstar's free investment classroom and Vanguard's free articles hosted on their website," said Avani Ramnani, a financial adviser in New York.

More free money moves: Spend one hour every Sunday night researching an unfamiliar money topic.

More free money moves: Check your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com; check your credit scores (numbers that summarize your credit reports, available many places online); initiate a credit freeze if you are worried about credit identity theft.

Reconsider housing and cars. Where you live and what you drive steer your money life more than most money decisions. Think critically about how your mortgage or rent, along with the cost of your vehicles, fit your financial life.

New cars lose value like they drove off a cliff, while used ones can be bargains. That's why you can buy a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan for the same price as a new Kia Forte. If your mortgage or rent is more than 28% of your gross monthly income, it's time to ask hard questions about where you choose to live.

More free money moves: Renegotiate rent; create a next-car account and plan to fund it; consider moving/downsizing.

Automate everything. After you make a good money decision, put it on autopilot. That way, you won't forget to stash away money or pay bills. And ultimately, you'll have more time and money.