8 things you should stop buying (1 2 26)

Author

Sally McDonald
January 02, 2026

💵 Today’s Top Stories
bottled water

Ditch takeout food and gym memberships this year and your wallet will thank you. Here’s the complete list of money-saving opportunities. Read more.

Streaming TV

We compare six popular live TV streaming services on price, channel selection, DVR hours and more. Plus, Clark reveals the service he just unsubscribed from. Read more.

Retirement money in a jar

You spend your working life stockpiling money into retirement accounts. What happens when it’s time to withdraw? Can you take money out whenever you want? Read more.

Credit cards in wallet

Your bank likely tries to market its credit card to you. You may be able to get special terms as a customer. But Clark warns about this clause that could sting you. Read more.

📊 Stat of the Day

🐶 $1,700: The average amount that pet owners spent on their pets in 2025. Interestingly, 47.6% of households that got a new pet in 2025 got a cat, up from 43.5% in 2023. The share of dog ownership fell from 57.3% to 54.5% in that same period.

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
Greece
Sam's Club warehouse
🎙️ Podcast

Protect your wallet and stop getting ripped off. Subscribe to Clark Howard's channel now for free, actionable money-saving advice every day.

☎️ 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.

Did You Enjoy Today’s Newsletter?

Let us know what you think so we can better serve you!

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.