Clark Biweekly 4 3 25

Author

Anthony Hazzard
April 03, 2025

Auto prices could face significant price increases. But what does this mean for you and me? Find out more later in this email. 

💵 Today’s Top Stories
Discount

Enjoy spring with deals on designer sunglasses, free admission to national parks, discounts on lawn and garden supplies and more. Read more.

Home

The harsh truth about home renovations is that you’re not going to recoup your costs. There’s one reason and one reason only to consider doing it, Clark says. Read more.

Retirement Account

You want to save enough for retirement. And you don’t want to underestimate your needs. But at what point is it OK to start living more for today? Read more.

Library card

Did you know you can get free streaming with your local library card – without any advertisements? Here’s what’s available in the content library. Read more.

Insurance

Clark calls this “one of the worst rip-off products that the banks have dreamt up.” Why is it so bad? And what exactly is it? Read more.

📣 Today’s Top News
💻️ Tech Tip From Kim Komando

🚨 Banking app scam alert: A phishing attack is tricking people into installing an “updated” (read: bogus) banking app. Scammers contact you via email, SMS or voice call. Download their app, log in, and now they have your password. Stay safe: Only update apps via the App Store or Google Play. If you need your bank’s app, go to their website for a direct link. Join 575K people who get tech smart with my friend Kim Komando’s free newsletter, The Current.

🚘️ Tariffs: All Eyes on the Car Market

The tariff landscape in 2025 has been difficult to predict.

But whatever tariffs exist, and for however long, are likely to affect the auto industry. And sometimes by a significant amount.

An interesting stat: One day after the U.S. announced it will charge a 25% import tax on imported vehicles and auto parts, shares of rental car companies Avis and Hertz soared. They had gained nearly 20% at one point, threatening all-time record days.

Rental car companies often sell their used cars. So that’s a strong signal on what may happen to car prices, assuming these tariffs are implemented and remain active in the intermediate term.

U.S. car dealerships imported 46% of light vehicles (cars, SUVs, hybrids and pickup trucks) it sold last year, mainly from Mexico, South Korea, Japan, Canada and Germany.

According to Car Dealership Guy, Ford and Hyundai are among the brands most insulated from these tariffs, while General Motors, Porsche, BMW and Mercedes-Benz could get hit hard.

It’s hard to predict how much of those increased costs that automakers will pass on to consumers – and how other factors could impact prices. It’s likely a brand-by-brand situation, just like recovery from the COVID-19-fueled supply chain issues was.

But it’s possible that some vehicles could see significant price increases on the horizon.

📊 Stat of the Day

💸 $47.5 billion: Wall Street bonuses paid out in 2024, an all-time record. The average: nearly $250,000, up 30%. One in 11 jobs in New York City is tied to Wall Street in some way.

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
Caribbean
Home Depot
Apple AirTag deal
🎙️ Podcast

New data shows home insurance premium increases across the country. Which areas will get hit the hardest? Clark shares the latest. Also, there’s a surge in cryptocurrency again. Clark explains his crypto money rule.

☎️ 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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