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💵 Today’s Top Stories
Clark was NOT happy when Dollar Tree hiked prices. But as Americans shift their shopping habits to fight inflation, Dollar Tree looks better than ever, with some surprising downstream effects. Read more.
If you’re looking to save money on a vehicle, you may consider buying from a rental car company. That idea is worse than ever, Clark says. Read more.
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Worried about identity theft or online fraud? NordProtect monitors your personal data, sends instant alerts, and provides insurance-backed recovery if your identity or finances are compromised – use code clark5 for an exclusive discount.
Team Clark tested this provider for 30 days, comparing it to more than 200 other phone plans. Here’s what we found about this cheap, unlimited plan. Read more.
The next time you have car trouble and don’t know who to call, consider dialing up your credit card company. Here’s a rundown of the roadside assistance offered by Visa, Mastercard and more. Read more.
💵 Today’s Top Savings Rates
Check out our updated list of Clark.com-approved high-yield savings accounts with the highest rates. Here are the top five APYs on our list as of March 26, 2026.
❤ New: Life Expectancies Increase in Latest Data
Life expectancies are back on the rise after a brief (two-year) backslide during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
New CDC data, based on 2022 life tables, shows that the average life expectancy is now 77.5 years. Overall, that’s a 1.1-year increase from 2021.
There’s nearly an eight-year gap between Hawaii, the longest average life span at 80 years old, and West Virginia, at 72.2 years old.
Women outlive men on average in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., though the gap between genders varies widely. “States on the lower end of life expectancy tended to have larger divides, while higher-ranked states had smaller gaps,” Visual Capitalist reported.
Generally, once you reach retirement age, most people have a life expectancy beyond the overall average.
It’s impossible to predict exactly how long you’ll live. But the trend is clear: Americans are living longer, and many will live well beyond the averages. That makes planning for a longer retirement essential. Whether it’s delaying Social Security, building a larger nest egg or thinking ahead about long-term care, it’s important to be prepared. The real risk isn’t dying too soon — it’s running out of money while you’re still very much alive.
📊 Stat of the Day
💻 +$1 billion: The delta between money spent on data centers ($45 billion annualized) vs. private offices ($44 billion) in the United States in December. At the onset of COVID-19, we were spending roughly $60 billion more on private offices. Data centers are now a bigger construction expense for the first time.
💰 Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
🎙 Podcast
Think your home is private? Think again. Clark discusses the rise of insurance companies using drones and AI to inspect your property without you even knowing it – and why they might try to force you into crazy replacements based on bad data. Also, from Apple’s surprisingly affordable new MacBook to McDonald’s $3 value menus and YouTube TV’s new pricing tiers, companies are targeting two extremes: the big spenders and the budget-conscious. Clark explains how you can navigate these "price buckets" to make sure you aren't overpaying just because of habit.
☎ 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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