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- The dangerous investing mistake to avoid (7 22 25)
The dangerous investing mistake to avoid (7 22 25)
Sally McDonald
July 22, 2025
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💵 Today’s Top Stories
 | Be careful. Americans owe nearly $1 trillion due to this increasingly-popular investing strategy that Clark considers the equivalent of gambling. Read more. |
 | CDs typically offer higher interest rates than savings accounts. With interest rates potentially set to decline, is it a good idea to consider a ladder? Read more. |
Sponsor | The average Baby Boomer has just under $250,000 saved in a 401(k)—for Gen X, it’s closer to $200,000. No matter your age, this new guide offers clear steps and smart strategies to help you take control of your financial future. |
 | The postal service is in a brutal financial struggle, Clark says, recently bumping prices significantly after many failed business decisions. There’s a good alternative for better prices and reliability, he says. Read more. |
 | US Mobile just upgraded its unlimited plans with more high-speed data for the same price. Read more. |
🌴 Trending: Buying Strangers’ Canceled Vacations To Save Money
Clark teaches all of us the tenacity and relentlessness it takes to save money when traveling.
Often the one spending the most time hunting for deals across the most pathways “wins,” at least when it comes to paying the least for the same thing.
But there’s a trending angle that you may not have considered: buying the canceled vacation of a stranger.
Recently highlighted by Dollar Flight Club’s travel newsletter, apparently there are sites growing in popularity by reselling vacations when the original bookers are unable to go.
For example, according to the newsletter item, SpareFare takes a 12% cut for acting as the middleman in these transactions. “One traveler got a week in Thailand for $1,200 instead of $4,700,” Dollar Flight Club wrote.
This could be a new angle on Clark’s long-standing “find the deal first, then figure out what you’re going to do once you know the destination” travel rule. In theory, it seems like it would work better for those who are less picky on exact dates and destinations.
Of course, even popular third-party hotel booking sites create a world of headaches when it comes to unreliable satellite sites and sometimes a lack of customer service.
If you’re going to consider digging into this trend, take extreme care to do your own research. Team Clark isn’t recommending the aforementioned SpareFare or any other specific site that serves as a marketplace for these deals.
But it’s an interesting trend that seems to be on the rise, and may be a creative new money-saving thread you can occasionally tug on.
📊 Stat of the Day
🏡 110: Number of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets that saw year-over-year price declines from June 2024 to June ’25. That’s 36% of the biggest housing markets in the U.S. that are now experiencing falling prices. It also means the number of markets with falling prices has increased every month this year, from 31 in January to 110 in June.
💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
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🎙️ Podcast
Are restaurant bills eating up your budget? Clark shares what’s going on in the restaurant industry, along with a few opportunities to save. Also, Clark explains the ongoing struggles at the USPS and how services like Pirate Ship can help you save money and avoid shipping headaches.
☎️ 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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