Clark.com Biweekly Newsletter (Mondays and Thursdays)
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Clark Biweekly 4 22 24

Clark Biweekly 4 22 24

Anthony Hazzard
April 22, 2024

Clark loves rewards credit cards but it comes with a warning. Find out more later on in this email.

💵 Today’s Top Stories

Why Our Travel Expert Thinks This New Tool Is a Game Changer

This browser extension makes using airline miles and points simpler and faster. Here’s how it works and why we like it. Read more .

Top 5 Auto Insurers With the Biggest Price Increases

The 10 largest auto insurers raised rates by more than 10% in 2023(!). But these five companies were the worst offenders. Read more .

The #1 Mistake People Make When Switching Cell Phone Providers

People who switch cell phone carriers often make this costly financial mistake, Clark says. Hint: Timing is everything here. Read more .

I Always Report Spam Emails. Am I Wasting My Time?

A loyal Clark podcast listener makes sure to report all her spam or scam emails. Is she helping or just spinning her wheels? Read more .

Are Municipal Bonds a Good Investment?

Bonds got beat up even when the stock market was struggling post-COVID. But they’re still important long-term, Clark explains. This type can give you a great tax benefit. Read more .

💳️ Clark Warns Millions of Americans Against Using Rewards Credit Cards

Clark loves a good 2% cash-back rewards credit card.

Team Clark covers rewards credit cards year-round. And Clark prefers that you use credit cards to pay for almost everything considering the cash back as well as the consumer protections.

But there’s a major caveat to that. If you’re someone who runs a credit card balance, you need to ignore this category of credit cards. It’s a deceiving trap for you. (By the way, that represents about half of all Americans.)

Among those carrying credit card balances, about two-thirds are using rewards credit cards.

“Why is that something that I would be upset about? Because reward cards tend to carry the highest interest rates of any credit cards,” Clark says.

“[The rewards are] fool’s gold because of what you’re paying in interest every month for the card. Forget the rewards if you’re not paying balances.”

Instead, Clark says, get a credit card from a local credit union. You’re almost sure to save big on interest.

“If you’re paying twice the interest, you’re not getting anywhere [with rewards cards]. You’re going backwards,” Clark says. “Don’t make the bank rich.”

🏠️ Today’s Current Mortgage Rates

According to Freddie Mac, 30-year mortgage rates are 7.10% and 15-year rates are 6.39% as of April 18, 2024. The following chart shows the 30-year mortgage rate trend over the last year.

Refi Info | Mortgage Refi Calculator

📊 Stat of the Day

💸 67: Average number of hours that married American couples work each week. It’s a number that has stayed remarkably consistent since the 1880s. Although women are making up a higher percentage of those hours these days.

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals

40+ of the best deals for Earth Day 2024

Get this deal.

The best deals of The Home Depot’s Spring Black Friday Sale