#1 internet service (10 13 25)

Jennifer Hutcheson
October 13, 2025

💵 Today’s Top Stories

The #1 Internet Provider in America According to Customers

The best internet in the country comes from a major cell phone carrier, according to the latest customer satisfaction survey. Where does your provider rank? Read more.

IRS Announces New Tax Brackets for 2026

The IRS added a modest boost to the standard deductions and changed the thresholds for the federal income tax brackets. Read more.

10 Best New Products at Sam’s Club in October

A pre-lit Santa yard Christmas countdown calendar, a 2026 paperback square calendar with life hacks and a two-pack of autumn squash soup are among the best new items. Read more.

The Only Reason To Ever Use a HELOC

Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) have become a popular source of cash with interest rates higher and many homeowners holding a lot of equity. There’s only one reason to get one, Clark says. Read more.

🫧 Think Twice Before Getting Sucked Into a Car Wash Subscription

Big business loves the subscription model, which we’ve all seen at work in the streaming industry.

But did you know it’s the hottest thing since sliced bread for those who own car washes? Some project the car wash industry will be worth nearly $65 billion by 2032. And right now, all the big money seems to gravitate toward heavy subscription models.

Sherwood, which is a media outlet owned by retail investing giant Robinhood, wrote this subheadline for a recent article chronicling the trend:

An unlikely subscription charge is increasingly showing up next to Netflix and Amazon Prime on our credit card statements. Believe it or not, Americans are lining up to buy monthly subscriptions to… the car wash.

Sherwood noted that private equity and large-scale operations are rolling up local car washes into conglomerates governed by subscriptions (“most car wash chains aim for a 70-30 split between membership and drive-up customers”).

It’s an exploding business that Clark clocked early. He warned podcast listeners long ago to be wary before getting a subscription, as many people will not get their money’s worth.

“If you know yourself – that you’ll get that car washed enough to make it work for you – then fine, but if you find that you’re not using it, go through the process to discontinue,” Clark says.

Calculate how many times per month you’d have to get your car washed for the subscription to be worth it (vs. paying for one-off car washes as needed). And be prepared for the subscription price to increase over time.

📊 Stat of the Day

💸 0.6%: The average savings that buyers achieve during Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, according to an analysis of about 50 products. That’s not factoring in the annual Prime membership fee.

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals

4-pack Apple AirTags for $65

Get this deal.

6-night Paris & Prague escape with flights from $969

Get this deal.

🎙️ Podcast

It’s time for "Clark Stinks!" Christa reads the latest "Clark Stinks!" submissions and Clark responds. Also, wireless carriers are constantly flashing those "free phone" deals, especially around the newest iPhone launch. But before you jump on that supposed discount, Clark has a HUGE warning 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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