Is your credit score above average? (6 4 24)

Author

Anthony Hazzard
June 04, 2024

The preferences of soda buyers are changing as there is now a tie for the number 2 soda brand. Find out more later in this email.

💵 Today’s Top Stories
Credit Score

The average score in the U.S. improved year over year. With more missed payments, rising consumer debt and high interest rates, will America’s credit score start dipping? Read more.

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Our wallets have been hit hard at the supermarket. But there are several easy ways to cut your grocery bill. See if you can start using one of these tips – and read more insights from fellow readers! Read more.

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🥤 New No. 2 Soft Drink in the United States As Pepsi Loses Ground

Whether you know the soft drink for its catchy theme song from the turn of the century, the halftime contest where fans throw footballs into a giant inflatable Dr. Pepper can or some other reason, you probably think of it as a popular third option behind Coke and Pepsi.

That’s no longer the case. Dr. Pepper now commands 8.3% of the U.S. carbonated soft drink market, tied with Pepsi at No. 2.

In 2000, Pepsi more than doubled Dr. Pepper’s market share. So it looks like Dr. Pepper is set to zoom past Pepsi as a strong No. 2 to Coke (19.2%). It sat in sixth place as recently as 2004.

Love soft drinks but looking for cheaper ways to buy? Heed Clark’s advice.

“I never buy them at Sam’s or Costco anymore. Because it’s a ripoff now,” Clark says. “I buy them at supermarkets or I buy them at Walmart when they’re on promotional [sale].

“My target price now is between 25 and 30 cents a can in a 12-pack and 40 to 50 cents a bottle in a 16.9-oz. bottle.”

📊 Stat of the Day

☀️$9: The price of the top-rated sunscreen from Consumer Reports. Coppertone Water Babies Lotion SPF 50 scored a perfect score of 100. The sunscreen that landed in second place costs more than $30.

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
Sam's Club warehouse
Work from home
Beach
🎙️ Podcast

We’re kicking off June by talking about travel! Using points for summer airfare and hotels has been a great way for many of us to save over the years, but the airlines and hotel chains are limiting how you can earn those points. Also, there’s new technology at a few stores across the nation that may solve problems for both retailers and customers. Team Clark member, Anthony, visited a Fairway store in New York to research how it works.

☎️ 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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