- Clark.com Daily Newsletter
- Posts
- Clark Howard’s #1 travel rule (1 8 24)
Clark Howard’s #1 travel rule (1 8 24)
Today’s Sponsor
Later in this email, find out why you may have less than a week to return unwanted Christmas gifts this year.
💵 Today’s Top Stories
 | Clark founded travel agencies when he was younger and has visited almost every corner of the globe. Read his one simple rule to save on travel. Read more. |
 | You’re missing out on savings if you haven’t tried any of these 10 things. And with car insurance premiums going up swiftly, it may be time to check out these methods. Read more. |
Sponsor | It’s simple to select and fund savings products offering top national rates — as high as 5.32% APY. You can get started in minutes and start earning more on your hard-earned savings. |
 | Without a will, you’re risking the financial future of your family and children. Here’s how to make a will online without paying a penny. Read more. |
 | If you’re a big-time spender, the credit card reward stakes are higher for you. Depending on how you’re spending those big bucks, we’ve got a credit card to recommend to you. Read more. |
🎁 Returning Christmas Gifts? This May Be the Final Week You’re Allowed To
If you have Christmas gifts that you want to return but have been busy celebrating New Year’s, traveling, watching football or readjusting to work, this is an important PSA.
“Returns are different this year post-Christmas than any prior year,”Clark says. “Normally you have a very generous and easy return window and policy to return items.
“You’re gonna find that a lot of retailers, if you don’t get it done this week, they may say, ‘Sorry. Too late.’ Because a lot of retailers are cutting off returns as soon as this Sunday. So be aware of that and get those things back.”
About 40% of online retailers are charging for returns (some waive the fees if you bring the item back to a physical store).
Retailers experienced a better-than-expected holiday season. But they’re distressed about return rates in the mid-to-high teens. Returns that come with a gigantic cost. Hence the crackdown on return policies.
Kiplinger put together a list of return date deadlines for major retailers.
Aside from the new normal in terms of deadlines, Clark says this week is a perfect time to exchange goods anyway:
You get a credit for what the gift-giver paid
Prices are heavily discounted as stores try to get rid of remaining merch
Foot traffic in those stores is way down from the pre-Christmas rush
“So this is a sweet spot week,” Clark says. “But next week could be sour. Because you may have missed the deadline that a lot of retailers have imposed this year.
“I never remember the return window closing before Jan. 31.”
📊 Stat of the Day
💸 $36: The amount of money that remote workers save per day on coffee, meals, parking, gasoline and other things vs. their office counterparts. Office workers spend about $51 a day (or $255 per normal work week) vs. just $15 a day ($75 per work week) for remote workers.
💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
 |
 |
🎙️ Podcast
It’s the first "Clark Stinks!" of 2024! Christa reads the latest "Clark Stinks!" submissions and Clark responds. Also, are you looking for a remote job? There are so many scams that could really hurt you financially. Clark shares red flags and tips to help you find legitimate opportunities.
☎️ 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.
Sponsor
Did You Enjoy Today’s Newsletter?Let us know what you think so we can better serve you! |