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💵 Today’s Top Stories
Cut spam email out of your life so you can sift through your email inbox in peace. Here’s how to do it. Read more.
Automatic bill pay is convenient, but it can also be dangerous. Clark gives a big warning when it comes to automated debit card transactions. Read more.
The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots meet in Super Bowl LX on Sunday. Here’s where you can watch the game, and how you can watch even if you don’t have cable. Read more.
Grocery credit card rewards are tricky. You may not get rewards unless you’re careful. Avoid a major letdown by following our guide on the best options in the category, including a new addition. Read more.
💵 Calculator of the Week: CD Ladder Calculator
In a time of uncertain interest rates, Clark says a CD ladder can be a great parking spot for your savings. Use our CD ladder calculator to see how your money can grow.
🚘 Ridesharing: Tesla Offers Cheapest Prices, Longest Waits
Almost all of us use ridesharing at some point for daily transportation, getting to the airport, getting around on vacation or when our vehicle is in the shop.
But it can quickly put a dent in your wallet.
Thankfully, with the introduction of real-world autonomous vehicles (Waymo and Tesla Robotaxis), competition is growing. And more competition tends to lead to more competitive pricing.
A recent study put some numbers to our current options. Obi looked at more than 94,000 simulated ride requests in November and December in the San Francisco area, where Uber, Lyft, Waymo and Tesla all offer rideshares.
The average price of a Tesla Robotaxi ride is roughly half that of other options. But customers waited an average of 16 minutes (as opposed to 3-6 minutes).
Here were the averages for price and wait time by company:
Waymo: $19.69/5.7 minutes
Uber: $17.47/3.3 minutes
Lyft: $15.47/4.2 minutes
Tesla: $8.17/15.7 minutes
“Tesla’s low prices appear aimed more at attracting customers than turning a profit,” Sherwood reported. “CEO Elon Musk has said Robotaxi rides would eventually cost about as much as a bus ticket.”
In a survey of consumers’ biggest ride-sharing issues, price (45%) and wait times (34%) were the biggest concerns.
Interestingly, Waymo was more expensive relative to Tesla on shorter trips. Waymo’s average price per kilometer for trips less than 1.5 kilometers: $14.16, or four times that of Tesla. The price per kilometer and ratio fell to $3.67 and 2.3 times on trips between 4.3 and 9.3 kilometers in length.
📊 Stat of the Day
❤ 79: The new record life expectancy for Americans, according to new data. It includes a decline in deaths from heart disease, cancer and drug overdoses. COVID also fell out of the top 10 causes of death in 2024 for the first time since the pandemic started. Here’s why life expectancy is important for financial planning.
💰 Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
🎙 Podcast
Are you feeling "stuck in the mud" with your housing situation or your career? Clark explores whether homeownership is still the ultimate American dream or if we are witnessing a fundamental shift in how people live and work. With housing inventory rising in nearly 20 states and more affordable markets opening up in the American heartland, Clark explains why moving your zip code might be the key to unlocking both homeownership and professional opportunity. Also, using the latest data, Clark breaks down the fastest-growing occupations for the next decade.
☎ 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.
