Last-Minute Money Checklist: 10 Smart Moves to Make Before December 31

Every December, the same headlines circulate: “Boost your 401(k), harvest tax losses, make your charitable contributions.” Helpful, for sure, but if you’re trying to drum up some extra cash before the year resets, here’s where to look.

Let’s dive into your year-end “cash sweep” – the lesser-known places where real dollars are hiding.

1. Wellness Benefits You Haven’t Claimed

A surprising number of health plans reimburse for things people don’t associate with “healthcare.” Depending on the plan, this can include:

• Fitness trackers
• Exercise classes or gym memberships
• Meditation apps
• Nutrition or weight-management programs
• Museum visits
• Certain community classes
• Stress-reduction tools
• Smoking-cessation or sleep programs

Most have a clear year-end deadline: submit receipts by December 31 or lose the reimbursement.

If your plan offers a wellness credit or reimbursement allowance, this can easily be $150–$600 sitting there. And yes, you are allowed to claim it. You just have to submit it.

Action: Check your online account for “wellness benefits,” “lifestyle benefits,” “reimbursement programs,” or “preventive services.” If you see a dollar amount, claim it now.

2. Credit Card Benefits You Forgot You Have

Most people never use half the benefits attached to their credit cards. The less flashy ones often matter more: Possible year-end benefits:

• Streaming service credits
• Food delivery credits
• Ride-share credits
• Free or discounted museum passes
• Travel protections
• Purchase protection reimbursements
• Extended warranty refunds
• Cell-phone insurance reimbursement
• Statement credits tied to specific merchants

Some of these reset on January 1, whether you used them or not.

Action: Log in to each card and look for “benefits,” “offers,” and “credits.” Use what applies to you and ignore the ones that pressure you to spend just to earn a credit. If it’s something you already pay for (streaming, phone insurance, etc.), take the free money.

3. Employer Benefits You Haven’t Claimed

Even if you don’t have a traditional corporate job, many employers – including small businesses – offer benefits no one uses. Consider:

• Professional development stipends
• Software or equipment reimbursements
• Health & wellness stipends
• Commuter benefits
• Childcare or dependent-care benefits
• Tuition or certification reimbursement
• “Home office” stipends (common in remote-first companies)

Most people don’t realize they have these until they’re gone.

Action: Check your employee portal, HR handbook, or benefits summary. Anything with a “use by year-end” deadline needs to be handled now.

4. HSA / FSA Overlooked Purchases

You already know about “use it or lose it.” This is about:

• Expired prescriptions that need updating
• Over-the-counter medicines you’ll need anyway
• First-aid supplies
• Menstrual products
• Sunscreen
• Dental care you’ve been putting off
• New glasses or contacts
• Basic medical equipment (thermometers, blood pressure cuffs)

If the money is already allocated, using it is not “spending more.” It’s redirecting funds you already earned.

Action: Check the remaining balance, look at your household needs, and use what’s eligible. This is one of the simplest ways to keep cash from evaporating.

5. Points, Rewards, and Cash Back That Expire

Most people don’t realize that certain points and cash-back rewards:

• Expire annually
• Require a minimum redemption action
• Only transfer if used by a certain date
• Are forfeited if your account is inactive

Even if you don’t travel, many points can be redeemed for:

• Gift cards
• Retail purchases
• Charitable donations
• Cash deposits (the most overlooked)

Action: Check every rewards program – airline, hotel, credit card, retail loyalty – and cash out anything non-travel into gift cards or deposits. If it’s money, use it.

6. Auto-Renewals You Forgot to Cancel

This is the closest thing to found money you will ever see. Year-end is when:

• Free trials flip to full price
• Promotional discounts end
• Annual subscriptions renew at higher rates
• Auto-shipping programs charge automatically

Canceling something before the renewal date often results in:

• A prorated refund
• A full refund if you are within the auto-renew window
• A chance to downgrade to a lower tier
• An immediate credit if you’ve been double-billed

Action: Review your last 90 days of charges. Anything that isn’t pulling real weight gets canceled now, especially if renewal hits in January.

7. Little Refunds People Don’t Bother With

These are small, but they add up:

• Price protection reimbursements
• Returned items showing as “pending” but never fully refunded
• Bank errors (yes, this still happens)
• Utilities or telecom overbilling
• Erroneous service fees
• Duplicate charges or double-taps at restaurants/shops

Most people don’t chase these because they seem minor. But the cumulative value can hit $200–$500 easily.

Action: Scroll through your bank and credit card statements for pending refunds that never hit, duplicate charges, fees that shouldn’t be there, or auto-tips you didn’t authorize. If you see something, dispute it. It’s your money.

8. Loyalty Programs You Didn’t Know You’re Enrolled In

Retailers and pharmacies often auto-enroll you in loyalty accounts tied to your email or phone number.

These sometimes include:

• Cash rewards
• Store credit
• Birthday discounts
• Quarterly rewards that expire
• Fuel points
• Coupons tied to past purchases

People leave this money on the table constantly.

Action: Enter your phone number or email into the loyalty portals of grocery stores, pharmacies, big-box stores, and retailers where you shop regularly. Redeem before the quarter ends.

9. The “House Sweep” for Sellable Items

This is one of the fastest ways to produce cash with zero upfront cost. Categories that reliably sell:

• Tools
• Small appliances
• Name-brand cookware
• Sneakers
• Bags
• Electronics accessories
• Collectible books
• Certain clothing brands
• Baby gear
• Seasonal items

Even if you don’t want a full resale side gig, clearing out what you’re not using before the year ends serves two purposes:

• Cash in hand
• Less clutter heading into January

Action: Pick one room or closet. Search its items on eBay / Poshmark / FB Marketplace. If it sells for real money, list it. Don’t overthink it.

10. Your Own Workplace PTO or Sick Leave Rules

Some companies:

• Payout unused PTO at year-end
• Roll over only a small portion
• Offer partial payouts for sick time
• Allow a “sell back” of excess hours

People who don’t check this lose money every single year.

Action: Check your PTO policy. If you qualify for a payout and haven’t requested it, do it before the cutoff.

Remember…

Not every item will apply to everyone and we know, these aren’t windfalls. But they are loose ends – and loose ends add up. If you can turn three or four of these into real dollars before year-end, you’re not “finding money.” You’re reclaiming it.