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💵 Today’s Top Stories
Freezing your credit and checking your accounts regularly are non-negotiables. Also, here’s a short list of things to be wary of, including pretexting and those trying to create financial urgency. Read more.
As many as one in three Americans rent storage units. But at an average cost of $1,500+ per year, we often pay more in long-term rental fees than the items are worth. Here’s what Clark thinks. Read more.
We’ve identified the most cost-effective cell phone plans for your specific budget, data needs, family situation and more. Pay as little as $10 a month. Read more.
Get access to ESPN, ESPN2 and a small number of other channels for $10 less than the ESPN Unlimited package costs (and $53 cheaper than YouTube TV). Read more.
🏠️ Today’s Current Mortgage Rates
According to Freddie Mac, 30-year mortgage rates are 6.37% and 15-year rates are 5.74% as of April 9, 2026. The following chart shows the 30-year mortgage rate trend over the last year.
💰 Salary You Need To Afford a Home By State
MoneyLion recently published an article on the minimum salary you need to afford a home if you’re single.
The article broke it out by state. (It seems like the salary ranges would generally apply for couples as well.)
“In 11 states, singles will have a tough time owning a home and getting by on less than $100,000 a year,” MoneyLion wrote, noting interest rates averaging more than 6% on typical mortgage loans right now.
Hawaii ($200,000) and West Virginia (less than $35,000) are the bookends of the 50 states in terms of the salary you need to afford a home with a 20% down payment.
Homes are most expensive in Hawaii ($956,542) and California ($778,888), and cheapest in West Virginia ($168,181) and Mississippi ($185,617).
If you can’t afford a home in your state right now, don’t sweat it. You may be surprised by Clark’s take on whether buying a home is actually a good investment.
Run your numbers with Team Clark’s Rent vs. Buy calculator to find the best long-term path for your situation — and make the decision on your timeline.
📊 Stat of the Day
🚘 73: Days of supply of new vehicles in March. That’s up from 66 days one year earlier and is the most in five years. Higher prices pushed more customers to used vehicles in Q1. Sub-$30,000 vehicles now account for 13% of the market, down from more than 30% just five years ago.
💰 Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
🎙 Podcast
It’s time for "Clark Stinks!" Christa reads the latest "Clark Stinks!" submissions and Clark responds. Also, think your retirement is safe? Think again. Clark explains why digital crime has replaced traditional crime and how fraudsters are using sophisticated tools to get into your life and your wallet, using a sense of urgency to bamboozle you out of your hard-earned money. Clark shares a personal story of a friend who lost massive amounts of money in a crypto scam and explains why your faith in humanity shouldn’t prevent you from being digitally vigilant.
☎ 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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