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- Clark Biweekly 12 1 25
Clark Biweekly 12 1 25
Sally McDonald
December 01, 2025
Today’s Sponsor
💵 Today’s Top Stories
 | If you lean into winter, you can get great travel deals to colder places this month. Take advantage of deep post-Christmas discounts on decorations and wrapping paper, ongoing holiday sales and more. Read more. |
 | Considering early retirement? Understanding the Rule of 55 will help you plan. Read how it works and whether it’s a good idea for you. Read more. |
Sponsor | Our 2025 study found that happy retirees are twice as likely to have a written retirement plan. Taking just an hour to put your plan on paper could double your chances of happiness in retirement. Take the first step toward your happiest retirement. |
 | Holiday travel often involves hitting the road. Make the most out of your next trip and avoid a bad rental car experience by tracking the rental car companies that satisfy their customers. Read more. |
 | If you have the option to get an extended warranty on your TV, should you do it? Clark has a hard and fast rule. Read more. |
 | Years of inflation hurting your monthly budget? Consider these money-saving cell phone plans under $40 a month. We researched more than 70 plans before selecting our top picks. Read more. |
🏠️ Today’s Current Mortgage Rates
According to Freddie Mac, 30-year mortgage rates are 6.23% and 15-year rates are 5.51% as of November 26, 2025. The following chart shows the 30-year mortgage rate trend over the last year.
✈️ U.S. Asking for a Return of Manners at Airports
Have you noticed a slow decline in the formality of fashion at the airport and on flights?
You’re not alone. The U.S. Department of Transportation is trying to bring back certain decorum to the flying experience.
The department introduced a new campaign labeled “The Golden Age of Travel Starts With You.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is asking travelers to avoid pajamas and slippers. “People dress up like they’re going to bed when they fly,” he said.
The DOT cited a 400% increase of “in-flight outbursts” since 2019 and 13,800 unruly passenger incidents since 2021 as the reason for the campaign.
Says a press release on the campaign: every flyer should ask themselves questions such as “are you dressing with respect?” and “are you saying please and thank you in general?”
Perhaps a bit more civility can stem the tide of airport fights in front of a Spirit Airlines counter after cancellations and unruly passengers on planes. Others were frustrated by the request, pointing instead to shrinking legroom and other issues.
📊 Stat of the Day
📱 29: Months that the average American keeps a smartphone. That’s up from 22 months in 2016. The average American pays $634.35 for their phone, less than the cost of most premium smartphones. And Android commands about half the market (52%).
💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
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🎙️ Podcast
☎️ Need Money Help?
The Team Clark Consumer Action Center is a free helpline that can help you navigate your money questions. Call 636-492-5275. Visit clark.com/cac for more information.
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