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- Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile freebie to avoid (10 20 25)
Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile freebie to avoid (10 20 25)
Sally McDonald
October 20, 2025
Today’s Sponsor
💵 Today’s Top Stories
 | These freebies (free upgrade! free phone!) may seem attractive, but they’re rotten underneath. Learn what we found in the fine print. Read more. |
 | Clark has consistently named three discount brokers as his favorite. But when it comes to first-time investors, he thinks one is better than the rest. Read more. |
Sponsor | It’s not the most exciting topic—but it might be one of the most important. Learn the basics to ensure your wishes are honored and your loved ones are cared for. |
 | The best window of time is opening. Our team of deal experts has posted nearly 200 of the top Chromebook deals. So we’ve got the data to show you when and where to shop. Read more. |
 | Even if you’re already signed up for overdraft protection, it’s not too late to cancel it. Clark explains why you should. Read more. |
🏠️ Today’s Current Mortgage Rates
According to Freddie Mac, 30-year mortgage rates are 6.27% and 15-year rates are 5.52% as of October 16, 2025. The following chart shows the 30-year mortgage rate trend over the last year.
💰️ U.S. Households: Breaking Down the Distribution of Wealth, Debt
Ever wonder how your peers distribute their net worth?
According to J.P. Morgan Asset Management data from Q1, investments make up nearly half of America’s wealth.
“Notably, direct and indirect stock ownership as a share of household financial assets stands at an all-time high, bolstered by a strong stock market,” an article by Visual Capitalist notes.
U.S. households claim $190.1 trillion in assets and $20.8 trillion in debt as of Q1, an assets to debt ratio of more than nine to one.
Here’s how the net worth of the average American household breaks down:
Investments: 43%
Homes: 27%
Pensions: 17%
Bank Deposits: 8%
Other Tangible Assets: 5%
Not surprisingly, our homes make up about two-thirds of our total debt on average:
Mortgages: 67%
Student Loans: 9%
Other Liabilities: 9%
Auto Loans: 8%
Credit Card Debt: 6%
Non-Credit Card Loans: 2%
📊 Stat of the Day
💰️ $40 billion: The biggest digital infrastructure acquisition in history. BlackRock, Microsoft, Nvidia and Elon Musk’s xAI are buying one of the largest data centers in the world in a deal expected to close in Q1 or Q2 of 2026. The previous record: $16.6 billion. Expect more deals of this size as AI evolves.
💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
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🎙️ Podcast
It’s time for "Clark Stinks!" Christa reads the latest "Clark Stinks!" submissions and Clark responds. Also, banks are aggressively pushing Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) and home equity loans, tempting you to tap into your housing wealth. But Clark warns: Don't fall for the trap! There’s only one reason you should do it.
☎️ 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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