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💵 Today’s Top Stories
Cruise

U.S. News & World Report ranked cruises based on health ratings, reputation and affordability. Here are the winners. Read more.

Amazon

Searching for the lowest price? “Amazon ain’t it most of the time,” Clark says. But it’s so convenient. These money-saving tricks bend Amazon’s prices toward the reasonable. Read more.

Home insurance

We’ve all seen the signs at street corners or the ads on TV offering to buy your house as-is for cash. Are the offers any good? And are those companies legit and worth dealing with? Read more.

Credit card companies

Doing business with a big bank? You’re crazy for having a checking account with them, crazier for having a savings account with them and crazy like a fox for holding their credit cards. Here’s why. Read more.

🏠️ ️ Today’s Current Mortgage Rates

According to Freddie Mac, 30-year mortgage rates are 6.95% and 15-year rates are 6.25% as of July 3, 2024. The following chart shows the 30-year mortgage rate trend over the last year.

💰️ Survey Responses: What Area Do You Have the Toughest Time Spending Less and Saving More?

Last week, we asked you what expense you struggle to reduce. Here are a few responses:

Betty in Georgia: “Hobby Lobby is my kryptonite. The more I stay away, the more money I get saved.”

Alma in California: “Anything for my cats.”

Jean in Illinois: “Buying for other people like my family and friends. I know I have to keep a budget. Yet it is so nice to give!”

Dave in Georgia: “Dining out! Although my wife and I have a generous amount allotted in our budget each month for dining out, we invariably go over budget. Obviously it’s a matter of self-discipline. But we cannot seem to break our ‘bad’ habits!”

Jill in Kentucky: “Deals at the grocery store. I’m a sucker for a good sale and I find myself spending more than I planned to stock up when I find a good deal.”

📊 Stat of the Day

🚦$70.4 billion: The cost of traffic congestion to Americans in 2023. New York City was the worst for the average motorist in the world with the typical motorist losing 101 hours in traffic. Los Angeles and Boston also made the global top 10.

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
Apple AirTag deal
Target store new
🎙️ Podcast

Costco is a great place to get deals on food, clothing, gas, prescriptions, and more. But should you buy your car insurance through Costco? And how does it work? Team Clark member Michael Carvell walks you through everything you need to know, including the coverage, perks, discounts, and helpful advice to help you decide if buying auto insurance through Costco makes sense for you.

☎️ 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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