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💵 Today’s Top Stories
Team Clark’s resident travel expert has decades of experience. Here are her tried and true resources for booking cheap trips. Read more.
You can get a discount on your monthly bill if you accept auto-pay. But is that safe? What does Clark think you should do? Read more.
Want to avoid car salesperson negotiating games at dealerships that can take hours and are designed to wear you down? Tesla, Amazon Auto, Costco Auto and Carvana can be shockingly simple. Read more.
Hiring the wrong movers can turn into an expensive nightmare, from surprise charges to damaged belongings. Here are some precautions to take to improve your odds of a good experience. Read more.
💵 Today’s Top Savings Rates
Check out our updated list of Clark.com-approved high-yield savings accounts with the highest rates. Here are the top five APYs on our list as of May 14, 2026.
🚘 The No. 1 Rental Car Mistake Customers Make
You’re traveling. You arrive at a far-away destination, navigating the airport, grabbing your luggage and finally securing your rental car after signing your life away.
Your first inclination may be to get in the car and drive to your lodging. But before you rush off, take the time to video the car.
Skipping that step is the No. 1 mistake travelers make when renting a car, Travel + Leisure recently proclaimed.
Clark always takes pictures and videos of his rental cars before he drives it off the lot and once he drives it back. He also asks the rental car company to note any significant damage on his file before he leaves the lot.
So the advice is sound. This should be a habit for you every time you rent.
In this day and age, rental car companies are using AI to detect “new damage,” with lots of reports of misidentified issues and undeserved bills. So it’s good to have proof of the condition of the vehicle when you accepted it.
Be sure to walk around the entire vehicle when you film it and get every angle. Also, photographing the roof is a great idea. In regions where there are hailstorms, there may be damage not visible from the ground level.
Disputes may also arise over stains, ripped upholstery and other things, so take photos of the dashboard and the interior of the vehicle as well. You’ll especially want a picture of the fuel gauge showing a full tank if you fill up before returning the vehicle to save money on the fuel surcharge.
📊 Stat of the Day
✈ 21%: Average fare reduction for flights in markets (such as Frontier and the now-defunct Spirit Airlines) where discount airlines operate.
💰 Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
🎙 Podcast
While Congress has made it easier than ever to access 401(k) funds through hardship withdrawals, Clark explains why this "free-for-all" is a dangerous trap for your future self. He dives into the behavioral economics of why we’re tempted to pull that money out and offers a stern warning about the long-term consequences of losing out on decades of compound interest. Before you touch a dime of your retirement savings to cover a financial bump, Clark urges you to use the Team Clark 401(k) Loan Calculator to see the true cost of that withdrawal – it might just convince you to find another way to bridge the gap. Also, Clark addresses the changing landscape of the auto industry as Amazon expands its "Amazon Auto" platform to more brands and cities. Buying a car has historically been a high-stress "grind," but the success of the Tesla and Carvana models is finally forcing traditional dealers to adapt. Clark breaks down how Amazon is now partnering with brands and new markets to streamline the buying process. Whether you are using Amazon Auto, the tried-and-true Costco Auto program, or navigating a dealer's online portal, Clark shares how you can bypass the gimmicks and games to get a fair price on your next vehicle without the headache.
☎ 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.








