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💵 Today’s Top Stories
Clark reveals how much cash he keeps in case there’s an emergency that prevents him from accessing his bank. He has a rule for you as well. Read more.
Most renovation happens when someone buys a new-to-them home. The market has frozen, so demand at The Home Depot and for contractors has been low. That presents a great opportunity. Read more.
Your phone can only hold so many photos and videos before it runs out of memory. Luckily, you can also use these free cloud services. Read more.
Robinhood just announced a new credit card plated in 99.9% pure platinum. It looks flashy and boasts over $3,000 in benefits – but with a massive annual fee, does the math actually work for your wallet? Our expert breaks down the perks and the pitfalls. Read more.
✈ International Travel Safety: A Guide for U.S. Citizens
Social media is full of inquiries about international travel. Is it safe to travel to Paris right now? Should I join my planned tour to Croatia? In general, yes, it's safe to travel to Europe, but as always, you should:
Exercise increased caution based on U.S. threat levels in certain countries.
Expect potential civil unrest, such as protests or strikes.
Expect heightened security in heavy tourist areas, including visible military/police presence and bag checks.
Violent crime against tourists is rare, with petty theft being the main risk.
As a first step in planning any trip abroad, check the Travel Advisories for your intended destination. The U.S. State Department recently published a color-coded map with warning levels around the globe, explanations of each level, and risk indicators.
If you plan to travel to medium to high-risk countries, follow these tips:
Make sure your U.S. passport and any other critical documents are valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned date of departure.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service for U.S. citizens and nationals to enroll their trip abroad so the Department of State can accurately and quickly contact them in case of emergency.
Make sure you have a phone or other smart device(s) that will work in your destination. Use your device to share your location with your trusted friends and family while you are abroad.
Share important documents, logins, and contacts with loved ones before you travel. They will need them if you cannot return to the U.S. as planned. Make at least two copies of your passport’s photo page with your name, birthdate, and passport number (color copies and digital scans saved to email or cloud storage). Place an additional copy separate from where you keep your passport in case it goes missing.
In case of an emergency, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, the FBI, and/or the State Department’s Office of American Citizen Services.
Keep these “In Case of an Emergency” phone numbers handy:
From U.S. and Canada: 1-888-407-4747
From overseas: 1-202-501-4444
📊 Stat of the Day
🏠 4.99%: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate that Opendoor Technologies is currently offering, roughly a full point lower than the national average. The company, known for instantly buying homes and flipping them for profit, recently reopened its mortgage lending platform after exiting in 2022.
💰 Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
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☎ 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.
