10 states paying higher property taxes (2 15 24)

Later in this email, find out what every major cell phone carrier offers you on international trips (data, texts, minutes) – and why you may want to consider alternate options.

💵 Today’s Top Stories
Tax

This state charges 0.29% in annual property taxes and this other state charges 2.47%. That’s a difference of nearly $5,400 a year on a home that’s worth less than $250,000. Read more.

Credit Card

Don’t ignore this crucial step when you get a new credit card. Clark explains why it’s a mistake to miss this. Read more.

Fund

So you want to make a tax-deductible charitable contribution and you have some investments that have appreciated in value. Here’s why you should consider a donor-advised fund. Read more.

Smartphone

If you’re a Spectrum internet customer with a physical store nearby, check out this Verizon network alternative for as low as $20 per month. Read more.

☎️ International Phone Plans For 3 Major Carriers, Other Options

We’ve all come home from a major vacation and felt a tinge of consternation when we check our financial accounts.

But getting an unexpected bill for hundreds of dollars (or more) in international phone charges can be especially stunning.

Clark strongly recommends using Google Fi Wireless or purchasing a local SIM card or eSIM when you arrive at your destination. Here’s our analysis of the best international phone plans.

Just in case, here’s a quick look at the standard international data plans for the major cell phone providers.

AT&T

  • Pay-per-use rates listed here. Example: $4/min for calls to or from Australia.

  • International Day Pass: $10/day for unlimited talk and text, plus your normal high-speed data plan.

T-Mobile

Verizon

  • Pay as You Go (pay per minute, per text and per MB of data used) unless you pre-buy a travel plan. Pay as You Go example: $1.79/min and $2.05 per MB in Australia.

  • TravelPass: $10/day outside of Canada and Mexico. Use your plan’s normal talk, text and data allowances.

  • $100 International Monthly Plan: Unlimited data and texts, 20GB of high-speed data and 250 minutes.

  • $20 International Monthly Plan: 50MB of data for select cruise ships and airplanes.

📊 Stat of the Day

💸 +13%: Year-over-year change in visits made to music piracy sites (more than 17 billion in 2023). That reverses a seven-year decline due to Spotify, Apple Music and others. Research suggests “in some cases it’s a matter of people not being able to afford music streaming services.”

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
Zenni
Kohls
🎙️ Podcast

There are a lot of issues with our mail lately. Postal service employees are working so hard, and we’re still seeing delays. What’s going on? Also, Amazon is in a market share war, and we’re the winners as consumers! Be on the lookout for deals on clothing and more.

☎️ 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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