According to Freddie Mac, 30-year mortgage rates are 6.52% and 15-year rates are 5.84% as of June 11, 2026. The following chart shows the 30-year mortgage rate trend over the last year.

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What do airlines always say in case of emergency?

Put on your own oxygen mask first. Then you can help those around you.

It may sound callous to apply that same principle to your finances. But it’s in everyone's best interest.

Whether it’s about minor children or adult children, parents in 2026 face a lot of pressure to step up to the plate financially – sometimes above and beyond what is reasonable.

According to a study from marketing firm DKC, kids and teenagers ages 8 to 15 directly control $95 billion and influence big-picture household spending.

Nine out of 10 parents have modified their spending based on their children’s preferences. And nearly half of parents feel that their children influence all household spending decisions. (As in 100%.)

If you think your school-age children are controlling the family piggy bank, just wait until they’re young adults.

Last year, Clark cited surveys that find between 33% and 40% are financially supporting their adult children in some way. And that it’s very common for parents in their 50s and 60s, approaching retirement.

Clark isn’t against spending, or even splurging, on kids of any age … as long as you’re funding your retirement as well.

“That can be OK and that can be a disaster. Because if you yourself as a parent can’t put aside enough money for your own retirement, then what’s going to happen?” Clark says.

“You’re going to keep working. And your kids are gonna say, ‘Gosh. Wish mom and dad had saved more money so they wouldn’t still be working at this point.’

“Kids at any age are clueless about what their parents have done for them. Don’t do more than you should based on your own financial health. Period.”

It’s time for "Clark Stinks!" Christa reads the latest "Clark Stinks!" submissions and Clark responds. Also, we all love the thrill of scoring a great deal, but a dangerous retail trap called "spaving"—spending money to "save" money—might be quietly sabotaging your budget. Retailers like Amazon have mastered the art of the impulse buy, using tricks like "buy two, get an extra discount" or free shipping minimums to trigger a dopamine rush that makes us chase the deal instead of the actual value. Even Clark is guilty of it! He breaks down why our brains fall for these clever marketing tactics, how to recognize when you're being manipulated at checkout, and the simple rules you can use to protect your hard-earned cash from the spaving trap.

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.