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- The hidden danger of cheap flights (1 14 26)
The hidden danger of cheap flights (1 14 26)
Jennifer Hutcheson
January 14, 2026
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šµ Todayās Top Stories
 | Innocent airline passengers are being stranded, losing thousands of dollars and even being treated like criminals by law enforcement. The culprit? A sophisticated new wave of travel scams. Read more. |
 | The era of massive, double-digit increases in auto insurance premiums seems to be over. Some insurers are even cutting prices. And this technology offers hope for more affordable rates in the future. Read more. |
 | New Tello Mobile customers can get the unlimited plan for just $10 a month for a limited time. Normally $150, thatās just $60 for not one, not two, not three, but six months of cell phone service. Read more. |
 | A new limited-time offer for this annual-fee Marriott-branded credit card offers a chance at five free nights at a Marriott hotel and an airline credit. Hereās how much you need to spend to earn it. Read more. |
 | Carrying a few extra pounds after the holidays and wanting to get back on track? Weāve studied these totally free apps in detail so you can keep yourself on track. Read more. |
š Understanding Vehicle Depreciation for EVs, Hybrids
Stellantis, which manufactures Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram in the United States, among other foreign car brands, recently announced itās ending production of all plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in 2026.
Normally, this would be news for a niche content company rather than for Team Clark.
But the latest change to the electric vehicle industry, following the end of federal tax credits a few months ago, sparked some interesting notes about depreciation.
Car Dealership Guy, one such niche content company, found that āconventionalā hybrid vehicles (no plug-in needed) are worth about 62% of MSRP (sticker price) after five years. Plug-in hybrids are worth about 50% of MSRP after the same period.
So āconventional hybrids are holding their resale value better over time, while plug-in hybrids are seeing steeper drops in trade-in and used-car pricing.ā
Stellantis was seeing depreciation closer to 60% on its plug-in hybrids.
Another study found that non-hybrid EVs lose about 58.8% of their value in five years vs. 45.6% for all vehicles (gas, hybrid and diesel).
Itās an interesting note as consumers. Technology is changing rapidly and depreciation likely will vary considerably by model and year. Itās a good idea to research this if youāre looking to buy a hybrid or EV.
But for now, it appears that thereās a significant difference in five-year depreciation. In general, from best to worst at retaining value:
1. Gas-engine vehicle
2. Hybrid vehicles (no plug-in)
3. Plug-in hybrid vehicles
4. Electric vehicles
š Stat of the Day
šø -55%: The drop in movie theater attendance in the United States since the peak before the COVID-19 pandemic. The average movie theater ticket price increased from $5.81 in 2002 to $11.31 in 2024, more than doubling. Concession stands also āyield 85% marginsā and āadd $50 to $60ā for a family of four.
š°ļø Deal Alert: Todayās Top Deals
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šļø Podcast
In this episode, Clark Howard and Wes Moss dive deep into the legacy of Warren Buffett and what the future holds for Berkshire Hathaway as it enters a new chapter. Wes breaks down the staggering math of Buffettās success, and Clark discusses the "jockey vs. the horse" theory, questioning if the company can maintain its magic without Buffett at the helm. Also, Wes provides his definitive 2026 market outlook by answering five critical questions for investors.
āļø 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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