Clark Biweekly 3 28 24

Looking to hire local pros such as exterminators and electricians? Find out why you should shun Google later on in this email.

💵 Today’s Top Stories
Passport

You need to keep your passport safe when you’re traveling. Here’s where Clark wants you to put it. Read more.

Robo

You can’t fall for a phone scam if you don’t … well, we’ll allow Clark to finish that sentence. He explains how to avoid common phone scams with one simple rule. Read more.

car

Here are the safest small and midsize cars and SUVs in 2024 – as well as how car safety gets measured. Read more.

Follow Clark’s No. 1 rule to rack up instant savings every time you buy batteries. Clark.com reveals the cheapest sellers and the best places to find deals. Read more.

T-Mobile

money-saving plan Clark recommends and how it compares to other bargain cell phone providers. Read more.

💵 Shun Google When Hiring Local Pros Such As Electricians and Exterminators

It’s hard to find trustworthy local mechanics, exterminators, electricians, locksmiths, appliance repair and other pros.

National rollups – where private equity buys out dozens or hundreds of small local businesses in the same industry – are one factor. Because they often retain the name of the local business, you may not know you’re dealing with a company that may be anything but local at heart.

But a real underlying issue is that Google’s search results have become more and more ad-driven.

“Doing a Google search for a local service provider is a recipe for disaster,” Clark says.

“It’s the kind of thing Google could clean up. They have made no effort in this area because obviously all they’re chasing are the dollars.”

Instead, Clark recommends you turn to Nextdoor, a gated neighborhood app that can help you fetch recommendations from real people. He also suggests joining local Facebook groups and asking members for various recommendations.

Another solution is Angi (formerly Angie’s List), which specializes in finding vetted options in your area for these types of jobs.

You could also try an alternative search engine such as DuckDuckGo.

📊 Stat of the Day

📺️ $61: The amount the average American household pays per month for streaming. That’s up 27% from 2023 ($48/month). About 48% say they would cancel even their favorite streaming service this year with another price increase of just $5.

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
Easter
Costco Wholesale warehouse
🎙️ Podcast

Clark has long talked about 529 plans as a way to save for a child’s education. If you’re a grandparent who is interested in helping to save for your grandchild’s college, there’s a new loophole you need to know. Also, the car market is normalizing, but there are winners and losers in this shift. Unfortunately, the number of upside down loans is growing. Clark has important advice if you find yourself in this situation.

☎️ 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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