Warning: Costly Medicare scam (11 4 24)

Would you spend $125,000 for a lifetime flight pass? We have the scoop on who purchased one in 1990 and another shocking story later in this email.

💵 Today’s Top Stories
Scam alert cash

Scammers are now targeting Medicare card numbers. Here’s how to prevent it from ever happening to you. Read more.

Series I Bond

The government just updated its Series I savings bond rates for the next six months. Here’s the new combined rate for November through April. Read more.

Cell phone money

For a limited time, save up to $156 on the already-low prices of this prepaid cell phone service on T-Mobile’s network. Read more.

Credit Card Question

What’s the difference between an authorized user and a joint account holder on a credit card? And does Team Clark think you should avoid either one of them? Read more.

Budget App

Unsure of all the things you’re subscribed to, and whether you’re using everything you’re paying for? This service can help with that and budgeting, finding cheaper auto insurance and more. Read more.

🏠️ Today’s Current Mortgage Rates

According to Freddie Mac, 30-year mortgage rates are 6.72% and 15-year rates are 5.99% as of October 31, 2024. The following chart shows the 30-year mortgage rate trend over the last year.

✈️ The Ultimate in Airline Travel Value

What’s the best purchase you’ve heard anyone make? Perhaps a 30-year mortgage under 2% a few years ago on a forever home. Or a few thousand dollars on a car that still runs 20+ years later.

For some with wealth and means, it’s a lifetime first-class airline ticket. Mark Cuban famously bought a lifetime fight pass for $125,000 in 1990 and later upgraded it.

The company? American Airlines. Just 66 people took them up on the offer.

Another man purchased a lifetime ticket from American in 1987, reportedly leveraging it to board more than 10,000 flights(!) over the next 20 years (retail cost: $21 million). He also purchased a buddy pass and racked up 30 million airline miles for free before American revoked his pass.

You may never see such a deal again in your lifetime. But those lifetime passes, now all discontinued in 2024, offered some shocking value to frequent flyers.

📊 Stat of the Day

🦷 $4.58: The average price that the tooth fairy leaves for U.S. children these days. We don’t know about you, but we would’ve loved a $5 bill under our pillow for every tooth we lost as a kid! Most Americans got $1 (31%) or 50 cents (27%) growing up.

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
Lowes
Cruise
🎙️ Podcast

It’s time for "Clark Stinks!" Christa reads the latest "Clark Stinks!" submissions and Clark responds. Also, recently, there was an odd cycle when eating out was costing about the same as eating in. Clark explains where we are in the cycle now and why you should consider eating at home to help your budget.

☎️ 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.

Did You Enjoy Today’s Newsletter?

Let us know what you think so we can better serve you!

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.