New 2026 tax refund schedule (2 9 26)

Author

Sally McDonald
February 09, 2026

💵 Today’s Top Stories
tax refund

Tax Day is coming. If you’re looking forward to getting money back from the IRS, here’s when you can expect your tax refund. Read more.

Save money piggy bank cash grow

Interest rates of 4% have vanished. We could see the Fed cut rates even further later this year. If you’re still letting big banks cost you with microscopic interest rates, it’s time to review your options. Read more.

Robo

Shameless criminals are preying on grieving families with this dastardly scam that involves impersonating funeral homes. Read more.

Credit Card list

The right travel credit card can be a force for good when it comes to enhancing your trips. Here are the four qualities Team Clark says your card needs, as well as two of our favorite cards. Read more.

Aldi

Get Valentine’s Day cards for 99 cents (one-third the price of Target!), a 1.5 quart triple slow cooker for $39.99, a collapsible trunk for $19.99 and more this month. Read more.

🏠️ Today’s Current Mortgage Rates

According to Freddie Mac, 30-year mortgage rates are 6.11% and 15-year rates are 5.50% as of February 5, 2026. The following chart shows the 30-year mortgage rate trend over the last year.

Mortgage Rates 020526
🚘️ It’s Time To Re-Shop Your Auto Insurance

We’ll start with a familiar reminder: If you haven’t re-shopped your auto insurance recently, now’s the time.

But before you tune us out and we start sounding like Charlie Brown’s teacher (“wahh, wah wah wahh, wahhh wah”), know that it could save you big bucks you can use instead for retirement, your next vacation or those home repairs you’ve been putting off.

After prices surged about 46% from 2022 to '24, the average auto insurance policy fell by 6% last year, according to new analysis.

If you’re in Wyoming (-30%), Iowa (-25%) and Arkansas (-23%), you’re in luck, and if you’re in New Jersey (+20%) or Washington D.C. (+18%), well, sorry!

Auto insurance is projected to increase by 1% this year. So, on average, prices at the start of 2027 could be cheaper than they were at the end of 2024.

One key takeaway: Loyalty doesn’t pay in auto insurance. Falling prices won’t automatically lower your premium — you usually have to shop around to get the best deal.

📊 Stat of the Day

🏈 $140: The average cost of a Super Bowl spread for a 10-person party yesterday. That’s up 1.6% from last year, which is less than overall inflation. (U.S. grocery costs are up 2.4% in the same period.) If you insisted on veggies, your costs may have been on the high side, as cherry tomatoes, celery and cauliflower were up 2-4%.

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
Airtag deal
Walmart
🎙️ Podcast

It’s time for "Clark Stinks!" Christa reads the latest "Clark Stinks!" submissions and Clark responds. Also, what will happen to home prices in 2026? Clark shares his predictions – including if conditions are finally favorable for buyers.

☎️ 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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