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💵 Today’s Top Stories
Only eight cars boast a five-year depreciation of less than 25%. But one surprise brand claimed the top two spots (while another, less surprising brand nabbed half the top 10). Read more.
People are getting terrible advice about how to pay for their taxes, Clark says. Should you pull out the plastic or keep it in your wallet? Read more.
It has never been cheaper to invest. Vanguard’s average mutual fund costs 0.06%. Fidelity offers “Zero” funds with no expense ratio. But avoid investing via banks, non-fiduciary advisors and annuities. Read more.
Get a $300 discount for a limited time with this plan that bundles annual unlimited cell phone service with home internet. Find out how much you’d pay per month for both. Read more.
💵 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 April 9, 2026.
🛳 A Warning About Cruise Lines and Fuel Surcharges
If you’re going on a cruise soon, brace yourself. At least temporarily.
Due to increased oil prices since the start of the Iran conflict, some cruise operators have introduced additional fees.
StarDream Cruises (based in Malaysia) added a daily fuel surcharge to trips booked after March 20. The additional cost: $19 to $26 per guest, per day (age 2 and older).
With nearly 40 million people in the world expected to take a cruise in 2026, this could become a widespread trend.
One passenger recently posted on Facebook, per Fox News: “I was going through some paperwork for my cruise next week, and I saw it said the cruise lines reserve the right to impose a fuel surcharge on guests if oil prices rise, even after a booking is paid in full.”
A Deutsche Bank equity analyst told Fox News that the fine print is common, throwing out $9 to $12 per person as the typical fuel surcharge if a barrel of oil exceeds a pre-defined price point.
Fortunately, Carnival Corporation and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, two of the largest cruise companies, say they currently have no plans to add fuel surcharges.
And it’s difficult to predict how long these inflated oil prices will last.
Still, it’s a good time to look more closely at the fine print if you’re booking a cruise soon.
📊 Stat of the Day
🏘 $2.15 million: Median price for a house in San Francisco, up 18% from last year. The price of new condos also went up 27% to $1.36 million. The AI startup boom is considered a major factor, although prices were already high.
💰 Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
🎙 Podcast
Is "Travel Inflation" ruining your summer plans? Clark breaks down the staggering rise in travel costs and why the $150 hotel room feels like a thing of the past. Clark shares his "Golden Rules" for booking airfare and hotels to ensure you don't overpay. Also, Clark discusses the growing movement to ban cell phones in schools, restaurants, and concert venues. Is it time we finally start looking at each other instead of our screens?
☎ 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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