Clark: Do NOT trust hotel brand names (9 22 25)

Author

Sally McDonald
September 22, 2025

💵 Today’s Top Stories
Hotel

Hotel brand names used to guarantee a certain quality standard, Clark says. No longer. Here’s what Clark says has changed, including a story about rotting, dead baby rats. Read more.

Cell phone

Looking for the cheapest price, the best value or the top unlimited data plan? We researched more than 200 unlimited phone plans to determine the best one in all the big categories. Read more.

Grocery

This free app is a cheat code for comparison shopping on groceries. Organize your grocery list, find the best deals in your area and more. Read more.

Two credit cards

Did you know you can beat 2% cash back? You’ll probably need to juggle category-specific rewards cards – or cards that boost your rewards for banking with them. Read more.

🏠️ Today’s Current Mortgage Rates

According to Freddie Mac, 30-year mortgage rates are 6.26% and 15-year rates are 5.41% as of September 18, 2025. The following chart shows the 30-year mortgage rate trend over the last year.

Mortgage Rates 091825
💰️ S&P 500 Funds Offer Less Diversification Than Ever

The S&P 500 is the most prominent, oft-referenced stock index in the U.S., if not the world.

Suppose you are a partially or fully self-directed investor. You may think the two biggest ETFs by assets under management, Vanguard’s VOO and State Street Global Advisors’ SPY, offer tremendous diversification.

But the S&P 500 is weighted based on market cap. How much of the price do you think the 10 largest companies represent? Answer: It’s close to 40%.

That’s not exactly betting on individual stocks, like Clark advises against. But it’s not too far removed, either.

“I believe in diversification beyond just the good ol’ fashioned S&P 500. Particularly today, more than ever, because it’s the most top-heavy it’s ever been,” Wes Moss said on the “Ask an Advisor” podcast.

Clark often recommends target date funds to ensure diversification. If you’re investing on your own, he often suggests a total stock market fund, an international fund and a bond fund.

Wes suggested looking into equal-weighted S&P 500 ETFs where the 10 biggest companies – and any 10 companies in the index – contribute to price changes equally.

He also discussed a world index fund due to a listener's question, and mentioned that they’ll still be weighted heavily toward U.S. large-cap companies while offering some international diversity.

📊 Stat of the Day

🚘️ $49,077: The average new car transaction price in August. That’s up 2.6% year-over-year, the largest annual gain in more than two years. Incentives are softening and model year 2026 vehicles are arriving on lots.

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
Costco Wholesale warehouse
🎙️ Podcast

It’s time for "Clark Stinks!" Christa reads the latest "Clark Stinks!" submissions and Clark responds. Also, did you know the name on your hotel reservation means almost nothing anymore? Clark explains how major hotel chains are no longer focused on quality or consistency. He shares his #1 tip for avoiding a nightmare stay and reveals the secret to spotting fake reviews.

☎️ 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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