Why don’t you need an 800 credit score (2 19 26)

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💵 Today’s Top Savings Rates

Check out our updated list of Clark.com-approved high-yield savings accounts with the highest rates. Here are the top five APYs on our list as of February 19, 2026.

See All Rates | High Yield Savings Accounts Calculator

💰️ 5 Things To Do When You’re Within 5 Years of Retiring

Already retired? Pass this along to family and friends. More than five years from retiring? Take notes. You’ll be there one day.

Five or fewer years from retirement? You’ve reached the gold medal round.

Kiplinger recently published an article, “5 Mistakes to Avoid in the 5 Years Before You Retire, From a Financial Planner.”

Since Clark is an optimistic guy, let’s flip those from the “mistakes” to positive steps you can take.

1. Prioritize Liquidity

You may be tempted to increase your nest egg by every extra penny in your financial couch cushions. Good news! That’s probably not the best strategy. Start stashing a portion of your savings outside of tax-advantaged retirement accounts, or even in savings. It will offer you flexibility and potentially help limit your tax bill later.

2. Enjoy Paring Back Your Risk

The hay is in the barn. You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through excess risk anymore. Kick up your feet and pare down your stock market exposure. That way, the potential for “bad timing” won’t matter as much.

3. Know Your Expenses

Look at your bank statements for the last two years and divide them by 24. This should give you a great idea of your current monthly expenses. That will help tremendously as you start to budget for retirement.

4. Understand Where (When) Your Finish Line Is

Knowing your number, or figuring out when you’re going to reach it, “provides incredible peace of mind to know you are working because you want to, not because you have to.” As Kiplinger put it, you’re free to run through the finish line if you want. But know when you’ve “made it,” so to speak.

5. Consider a Roth Conversion Sweet Spot

Your last years before retirement often are high-earning years. Not the best time to funnel loads of post-tax dollars into a Roth 401(k) or IRA. The good news: the period between your retirement and when you start your Social Security benefits often is a great time for a Roth conversion.

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💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals

🎙️ Podcast

Are you dreaming of a new life overseas but worried about the price tag? From cash grants and tax breaks to startup funding, countries like Chile, Ireland, Italy, and Japan are actually offering incentives to get you to relocate. Whether you are a remote worker or someone looking for a fresh start, Clark explores the reality of these relocation programs and the vital differences between being a traveler and a permanent resident. Also, Clark tackles the "debt trap" by sharing a simple, often overlooked strategy to lower your credit card interest rates. Data shows that simply calling your card issuer and asking for a better rate works up to 75% of the time, yet many consumers never try. We discuss how to leverage this tactic, the role of balance transfers, and — most importantly — how to change your financial habits to ensure that once your debt is down, it stays down for good.

☎️ 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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