Knowledge Center

Spring—and the season of Passover—is a natural time to reset. It’s a chance to take stock of what’s working, let go of what isn’t, and bring a little more order to things. That goes for your home, your routines, and yes, your finances too. And unlike most to-do lists, this one is made up of three low-effort tasks with real upside.

1. Check for Unclaimed Funds

There’s a national database of unclaimed money, and there’s a real chance your name is in it. It almost sounds too good to be true—but it isn’t. According to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA), about 1 in 7 people have unclaimed property out there, and it just sits waiting until they go looking for it.

There are lots of sources of unclaimed money, like:

• Forgotten refunds or rebates

• Dormant bank or investment accounts

• Uncashed checks from a former employer

• Old utility or security deposits

Luckily, there are resources dedicated to getting property back to its rightful owners. More than $5 billion was returned in 2023 alone,¹ and in just a few minutes you can check if any of it’s yours.

Start at MissingMoney.com or head over to your state comptroller’s website. If you find something, the process is usually pretty straightforward: verify your identity, submit a form, and you’re on your way.

2. Audit Your Recurring Charges

Recurring charges are easy to set up and even easier to forget. Don’t even get us started on free trials… Subscriptions you might not need (or even realize you’re still paying for) can add up to a lot more than you’d expect.

It’s easy to get it sorted though. Start with:

• Bank and credit card statements (look for anything that repeats monthly or annually)

• Apple or Google subscription settings

A helpful rule of thumb: if you haven’t used something in a while, it may be worth letting it go. You can always come back to it. And if the idea of combing through statements sounds like a bit of a snoozefest, there are apps for tracking and managing subscriptions that can do the hard part for you.

3. Pull Your Credit Report

Your credit report is an incredibly important financial document, and you’re entitled to a free one from each of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) every year.

Most people only think about their credit when they need it, but errors are more common than you’d think. Catching something early is always easier than dealing with it later.

When you pull your credit report, look for:

• Accounts you don’t recognize

• Incorrect personal information

• Duplicate entries or accounts that should be closed

You can request your free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. But if something in your report looks off, don’t panic. That’s exactly why the dispute process exists.

While you're at it, it's best practice to freeze your credit so no one can open accounts in your name. It's free through each bureau's website, offers stronger protection than a paid "credit lock," and won't affect your existing accounts or score. When you're ready to apply for credit or a loan, lifting the freeze is also easy — just remember to re-freeze once everything is finalized.

There’s no pressure to tackle all three at once. Think of these small moves as your own practice of Seder—bringing order to the parts of your financial life that may have scattered over time. Taking small consistent steps moves you toward financial stability and freedom.