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Avoid Medicare Advantage plans (10 22 24)

Avoid Medicare Advantage plans (10 22 24)

Anthony Hazzard
October 22, 2024

Imagine applying for a job and hearing back nearly a half-century later. Learn more about what happened to a British woman later in this email.

💵 Today’s Top Stories

Why Clark Howard Thinks Medicare Advantage Plans Stink

Clark has a bone to pick with Medicare Advantage Plans and the salespeople who profit off of selling them to unsuspecting customers. Read more.

Scam: Think Twice Before You Respond To This Credit Card Alert

Scammers are sending fake credit card alerts that mimic what real credit card companies send. If they ask you to talk to them, don’t do it, as Clark explains. Read more.

6 Top Cell Phone Plans for One Person

If all you need is a single phone line, you have good options. Here are Team Clark’s top choices in six different categories, including best unlimited and cheapest prepaid. Read more.

Should I Avoid Callable CDs?

Certificates of Deposit come in two types, callable and non-callable. Here’s why Clark “hates” callable CDs – and what they allow banks to do. Read more.

🙅‍♀️ Woman Hears Back on Job Application Nearly a Half-Century Later

Have you ever applied for a dream job only to never hear back, forever wondering if you got any consideration?

A British woman applied for such a job in January 1976, nearly 49 years ago. She wanted to be a motorcycle stunt rider. After never hearing back, she took jobs as a pilot, flight instructor, horse “whisperer” and snake handler.

Now 70 years old, she estimates she’s moved 50 times since, including four or five times to different countries.

Recently, she got a mail parcel that stunned her: Her application. At the top, in block, handwritten capital letters, it read: “LATE DELIVERY BY STAINES POST OFFICE. FOUND BEHIND A DRAW[ER]! ONLY ABOUT 50 YEARS LATE. SIGNED BY U [K]NOW [W]HOO!!!”

Looking at the letter now, Tizi Hodson says she was careful to avoid tipping off the company that she was a woman.

“I even stupidly told them I didn’t mind how many bones I might break as I was used to it,” Hodson says. “If I could speak to my younger self, I would tell her to go and do everything I’ve done. I’ve had such a wonderful time in life, even if I have broken a few bones.”

Filling out complex job applications, often online, and never hearing a word is a modern frustration. But as Hodson teaches us, you can always make your own path.

📊 Stat of the Day

🥪 98%: Share of employees that say lunch breaks enhance their job performance. But only 38% of workers take a lunch break away from their desk each day. That’s despite it making people happier (51%) and lowering burnout (49%).

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals

🎙️ Podcast

There were two big news stories recently that both involved mandatory arbitration. Clark explains why he detests mandatory arbitration and implores Congress to make a change. Also, it’s open enrollment season. Clark has three big reasons why you should consider switching to an HSA-eligible plan. (Hint: The reasons all involve money and taxes!)

☎️ 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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