Clark Biweekly 6 17 24

Author

Anthony Hazzard
June 17, 2024

We buy products all the time. But do you ever think about whether or not the brand is trusted? Learn more about the 10 most trusted brands in the United States later on in this email.

💵 Today’s Top Stories
Money

Never exchange money at an airport, invest with a bank or talk rudely to customer service. Here’s what causes Clark to bring out his trademark “never, never, not ever” catchphrase. Read more.

Money

Clark says most people won’t even think about this until age 50. But he wants you to set it up by the time you’re 30. What is it, how do you sign up and how can it help you achieve financial security? Read more.

Customer Service

Here are the shortest customer service wait times based on day of the week and time of day. Plus, here are Team Clark’s three tips to getting great customer service. Read more.

ID Theft

This type of account is the biggest vulnerability for identity theft in 2024, Clark says. Here’s how bad it can get – and what you can do to play defense against criminals. Read more.

Costco Travel

Clark loves Costco and loves to travel. Do you think you should book your next trip through Costco’s travel service? Here are the pros and cons. Read more.

🏠️ Today’s Current Mortgage Rates

According to Freddie Mac, 30-year mortgage rates are 6.95% and 15-year rates are 6.17% as of June 13, 2024. The following chart shows the 30-year mortgage rate trend over the last year.

🩹 10 Most Trusted Brands in the U.S.

What’s the power of branding? According to Morning Consult’s fifth-annual Most Trusted Brands report, it’s measurable.

The report itself breaks down the numbers into all sorts of categories. But I appreciate the organization’s “Net Trust” score. Here are the 10 most trusted brands in the United States based on Net Trust:

1. Band-Aid: 60.6
2. UPS: 57.2
3. Google: 54.5
4. Lysol: 54.3
5. Dove: 54.2
6. Amazon: 53.9
T7. Colgate: 53.6
T7. Kleenex: 53.6
T9. Home Depot: 52.6
T9. United States Postal Service: 52.6

Of note, Band-Aids, invented by Johnson & Johnson in 1921, took the top spot for a third consecutive year.

📊 Stat of the Day

🏷️ 2,300: Walmart stores that will make use of electronic shelf labels by 2026. According to Walmart, electronic shelf labels (ESLs) will reduce the time it takes to change prices on the typical 120,000+ items in a given store from two days to a few minutes.

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
Japan
Woot
BJ's Wholesale Club
🎙️ Podcast

It’s time for "Clark Stinks!" Christa reads the latest "Clark Stinks!" submissions and Clark responds. Also, it’s never too late to start saving for retirement, but it does make a meaningful difference when you start at age 25, 35, 45, 55 or later. Clark walks you through the numbers and encourages all of us to save for our financial futures.

☎️ 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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