- Clark.com Daily Newsletter
- Posts
- Why Now Is a Bad Time to Spend Money (12 6 23)
Why Now Is a Bad Time to Spend Money (12 6 23)
Today’s Sponsor
Buying furniture soon? There’s a new trend that may cost you a lot of money. Find out what’s going on and Clark’s advice to spend less later in this email.
💵 Today’s Top Stories
 | Times are a-changing for the economy. Brace for the adjustment by saving money now so you can get better prices later in 2024, Clark says. Read more. |
 | If you’re 55+, you can switch to a cheaper provider or price-advantaged plan without sacrificing service. We studied more than 70 plans to identify the best. Read more. |
Sponsor | Tello Mobile upgraded all their phone plans with more data & lower prices. For all customers, new & existing. From now on. The Unlimited Data plan is now $25/month, offering 35 GB of high-speed data & increased throttling speed. Enjoy MAX Flexibility like nowhere else with:
|
 | Clark often talks about USAA for auto insurance, but it’s not open to everyone. Who is eligible? And how do USAA’s premiums and customer service compare to the competition? Read more. |
 | Clark counts Hotwire as an important part of his arsenal when he plans trips. Here’s the most effective way to use it to find cheap rates on hotels, flights and car rentals. Read more. |
💵 Avoid New Furniture Loans on Items You View as Disposable
Expect Costco’s semi-annual furniture sale soon. It’s one of the notable items available at a discount in December.
But before you rush to buy new furniture, consider the trend. “The customer base looks at furniture now as a disposable item,” Clark says.
Compounding that problem, local and regional furniture stores peddle furniture but are primarily lenders.
“The joke is that you’re still paying for the furniture after it’s already broken when you buy what are known as ‘no, no, no’ plans,” Clark says.
Clark, drawing on his experience working for a furniture store when he was 11 years old, suggested buying used furniture on the Nov. 1 podcast.
He took it a step further and suggested buying unloved wood furniture from a bygone era on the cheap.
“A lot of people are into vintage clothing. So maybe the smart move is vintage furniture,” Clark says. “Where you get something ultracheap that actually will stay together because it was put together right the first time.”
If that money-saving tip would cramp your style too much, consider IKEA. Especially if you’re part of the trend and consider your furniture disposable rather than something you’ll keep forever.
Clark has expressed admiration for the behemoth which just reported a record $6.3 billion in sales. In addition to paying out internal bonuses and planning an expansion, IKEA cut prices on hundreds of products.
📊 Stat of the Day
💸 34.2%: The percentage of U.S. households that wouldn’t be able to afford an unexpected $2,000 expense within the next month. American savings have been dwindling in the last year. Here are Team Clark’s tips for saving more money.
💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
 |
 |
 |
🎙️ Podcast
Inflationary trends are turning into disinflation, and the next trend coming on consumer goods is deflation. What does this mean for us? Clark explains what’s going on in the economy and why prices will finally start to drop on many items. Also, drone delivery was a big announcement 10 years ago and not much has happened since the wave of attention. Is it finally happening?
☎️ 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! |