Best age to buy long-term care insurance (1 21 26)

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✈️ Save Money Traveling Without Feeling Cheap

It sometimes seems like an oxymoron: “Save money traveling.” And to an extent, it is. Travel isn’t free. And it doesn’t preclude you from paying your mortgage or rent.

However, Clark and others consider it one of life’s greatest pleasures. Whether you’re visiting a nearby city or going overseas, there are ways to do it sensibly.

A recent Yahoo! story caught our eye with the headline “7 smart ways to save money while traveling (that don’t feel cheap).” Here’s a rundown of the tips, along with some quick thoughts.

1. Stay at a cheaper hotel, at least for your first and/or last nights.

Most people check in at 4 p.m. or later. Plus, if you’ve spent the day traveling, you probably aren’t taking full advantage of a nice hotel or resort’s amenities.

2. Rent a car outside of the airport.

This clicks with Clark’s constant reminders to comparison shop for as many things as possible.

3. Travel during shoulder season.

The article recommends some specific locations that shine in spring and fall. But this is a variation on Clark’s rule to be flexible with your dates and destinations to score a deal.

4. Eat picnic lunches to cut food costs.

The article suggests buying ingredients from a local market. You can also cook your own food a few times – or at least take advantage of hotel breakfasts if they’re included.

5. Use city passes to save on attractions and transportation.

Our bottom line on this tip: Do your research beforehand to understand your options.

6. Travel where the dollar is strong to save money in the destination.

This is another variation on Clark’s No. 1 travel rule (find the deal first, then figure out what to do at that destination).

7. Use credit card points for free flights and hotel upgrades.

Clark is a huge fan of rewards points, including cash-back credit cards for travel. (But he’s not a fan of limiting yourself to a single airline or hotel chain and becoming a price-agnostic captive.)

📊 Stat of the Day

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals

🎙️ Podcast

With the median S&P 500 company now valued at $35 billion and "Mega Caps" like Microsoft reaching the $3+ trillion mark, the scale of the market has reached levels that are difficult to even conceptualize. While large caps have dominated the last three years with returns, Wes highlights why investors shouldn't ignore small and mid-cap categories. With small caps currently catching up in 2026 and offering more attractive valuations, diversifying beyond the top 10 stocks in the S&P 500 is more critical than ever. Also, have you ever wondered why individual investors consistently underperform the broader market. While the S&P 500 has averaged a 13% return over the last decade, the average balanced investor has seen closer to 8%. Wes discusses the framework needed to stop chasing headlines and start building long-term wealth.

☎️ 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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