Clark: Lock your Social Security number (9 17 24)

Author

Anthony Hazzard
September 17, 2024

Automakers are shifting their investment amounts in EVs downward, but find out where they are putting those resources later in this email. 

💵 Today’s Top Stories
Social Security Lock

With huge data breaches hitting all the time and scammers using stolen Social Security numbers to pass employment background checks, consider locking your Social Security number. Read more.

Sewer Line

Homeowners insurance often doesn’t cover issues related to your water and sewer lines. So should you get insurance on those or cover it with your own emergency fund? Read more.

Penny Stock

Penny stock scams were so big in the 1980s and ’90s that Hollywood blockbuster movies centered around them. Now they’re propagating more than ever, Clark says, thanks to social media. Read more.

Android Storage

Follow these simple steps to create more space for your photos. You may make your device work better and faster in the process. Read more.

📣 Today’s Top News
🚗 Hybrid Vehicles Are Having a Moment

With electric vehicles facing headwinds, or at least an intermediate-term bottleneck on growth, automakers betting on hybrids are reaping the rewards.

EVs are in a strange period for adoption. Many of the market guinea pigs, those eager and willing to try out the new technology, already drive EVs.

Of those who are interested but not quite there, some of the reasons include the battery life on road trips, high battery replacement costs, a lack of charging infrastructure and falling prices.

  • Toyota reported a 49% increase in hybrid and alternative fuel vehicle sales year-over-year. Hybrids now account for 47.6% of Toyota’s U.S. vehicle sales.

  • Hyundai (+81%) and Kia (+43%) also saw huge year-over-year jumps in hybrid sales.

  • Ford boasted 50% hybrid sales growth (16,394 units last month).

Automakers have shifted their investment amounts in EVs downward while putting more resources into hybrids at various levels of aggression. The most aggressive movers are doing best in the marketplace at the moment.

📊 Stat of the Day

📈 $80,610: Median U.S. household income in 2023. That’s 4% higher year-over-year and the biggest jump since 2019. So it’s the first increase since the pandemic.

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
Paris
Ireland
🎙️ Podcast

Clark has never been a fan of gift cards. He discusses the two biggest problems with gift cards and a new law that may better protect consumers. Also, Clark talks about something he despises: ATM fees. Where are they the highest, and how can you avoid paying them? Plus, he shares a funny story about ATM perks that existed decades ago.

☎️ 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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