Smart money moves no more? Here are 6 things that you probably shouldn’t throw your money at in 2026

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It’s always popular to spend money on things that feel smart. Intuitively, some items just seem like the right things to justify throwing money at, but when you look at the data and think critically, the underlying logic quickly falls apart.

For example, Blockbuster might have looked like a great blue-chip style investment in the early 2000s with numerous retail locations and a household name. But the advent of digital media changed consumer preferences, leading to a sudden decline that (with some research) might not have been so surprising (1).

Top Picks

With that in mind, here are the top six things that may have been good purchases at some point, but are no longer worth your money in 2026.

1. New cars

Buying a brand new car was once justified as a way of saving money on maintenance in the long run. But with the price of new vehicles surging, you may want to reconsider this idea.

As of April 2026, the price of an average new car was $49,461, according to Kelley Blue Book (2). To make matters worse, if you’re looking to pay well below that mark, there are currently no auto manufacturers selling new car models under $20,000.

Simply put, if you’re on a budget and looking to save money, consider a used car instead.

2. Vacation homes

Decades ago, when wages were robust and home prices were reasonable, buying a vacation home was typical of upper-middle class or affluent families. But in 2026, with the ongoing housing crisis, buying a second home is a big stretch for most people.

It’s especially true if you’re buying a vacation home to rent out seasonally for a bit of extra money. All that extra labor for maintenance probably isn’t justified when you can get access to rental properties much more easily.

That’s why platforms like Arrived have democratized this asset class so you can get exposure to world-class, professionally managed vacation homes online.

Backed by world-class investors, including Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of vacation and rental properties, earning a passive income stream without the extra work that comes with being a landlord of your own rental property. No midnight maintenance calls over busted pipes here.

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To get started, simply browse through their selection of vetted properties, each picked for their potential appreciation and income generation. Once you choose a property, you can start investing with as little as $100, potentially earning monthly dividends.

Plus, for a limited time, when you open an account and add $1,000 or more, Arrived will credit your account with a 1% match.

3. Credit card travel benefits

The Amex Platinum (3) credit card now charges $895 annually. And Chase’s Sapphire Reserve (4) is $795. Both cards lean hard on access to airport lounges as their marquee benefit — except airport lounges have become so overcrowded that they’re no longer considered the luxury perk they used to be, according to Fortune (5).

Unless you enjoy overcrowded lunges and lukewarm, overcooked eggs, a no-fee credit card is probably a better deal for most people.

4. Name-brand medicines

Generic drugs are exactly the same molecules as their branded counterparts. But, armed with a hefty marketing budget, name brands tend to be more familiar to consumers, who might overlook generic alternatives. That could be a costly mistake, because generics can be 80% to 85% cheaper, according to FDA estimates cited by the Association for Accessible Medicines (6).

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if there are any generic alternatives for your needs. This is especially important for retirees who may need to up their medication with aging to deal with chronic aches and pains.

5. Exotic alternative assets

President Donald Trump and the U.S. Department of Labor are pushing to rewrite rules that allow you to invest your 401(k) plans in alternative assets like cryptocurrencies, private credit and private equity, according to CNBC (7).

However, with the lack of transparency, the liquidity and the high costs of these funds, retail investors should approach these exotic asset classes with “some caution,” Crystal Cox, a senior vice president at Wealthspire Advisors in Madison, Wis., told CNBC (8).

6. Overpriced financial advice

With all the research and data available now, paying someone 1% or 2% of your net worth to manage money probably seems a little outdated. Instead, you could consider a flat-fee financial advisor to help you plan your budget and taxes, while also leaning on online platforms like Moby for investment news and analysis.

Moby offers expert research and recommendations to help you identify strong, long-term investments backed by advice from former hedge fund analysts. In four years, and across almost 400 stock picks, their recommendations have beaten the S&P 500 by almost 12% on average. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Moby’s team spends hundreds of hours sifting through financial news and data to provide you with stock and crypto reports delivered straight to you. Their research keeps you up-to-the-minute on market shifts, and it can help you reduce the guesswork behind choosing stocks and ETFs.

What’s more, their reports are easy to understand for beginners, so you can become a smarter investor in just five minutes.

Bottom line

Times change — and so does good financial advice. It’s often a good idea to be adaptable so that you can stay ahead of the many twists and turns of the financial world. In 2026, a good place to start is by cutting out at least some of these six overpriced items, potentially saving you a lot of money.

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