"The elephant in the room" — the national debt, which is approaching $40 trillion — is slowly but surely commanding more attention.

It's a bipartisan issue. For years, Clark has expressed optimism that the government will figure it out eventually, likely with some sort of tax increase as part of the solution.

For now, though, the debt continues to rise. And as the government issues more Treasury debt to finance those deficits, it could eventually affect interest rates — and even complicate the Fed's monetary policy decisions.

The government is issuing roughly $2 trillion in Treasury bills and bonds each year, and that amount continues to grow.

The challenge is that issuing more debt doesn't guarantee investors will be willing to buy it at today's interest rates.

"If investor demand does not keep pace with this increased supply, bond prices may decline, resulting in higher yields," a senior portfolio manager told The Daily Upside.

Why does that matter?

"Higher Treasury yields generally lead to higher borrowing costs for mortgages and auto loans," The Daily Upside explained. "As a result, even if the Fed doesn't raise rates, financial conditions may still tighten, which complicates the decision."

The Fed's dual mandate is to promote maximum employment and stable prices (keeping inflation under control). Managing the national debt and budget deficit isn't part of its job.

Even so, it's notable that economists are discussing whether the growing federal debt could indirectly influence the Fed's interest-rate decisions. (The Fed meets today to decide whether to keep rates where they are or make a change.)

Regardless, as The Daily Upside put it, continually increasing the deficit is "unsustainable." Hopefully, lawmakers can eventually come together on a long-term solution before higher borrowing costs become an even bigger problem.

It is one of the toughest, most uncomfortable role reversals we face in life: stepping in to manage your aging parents' finances. As your parents get older, it is incredibly common for physical health to take priority while their financial well-being gets completely ignored. Clark breaks down the vital lessons on elder-parent care. While parents often push back against their adult children asking "nosey" questions out of pride, Clark explains why you and your siblings must push through that comfort zone. Waiting until a crisis or a parent's passing to look for wills, passwords, and bank accounts guarantees immense pain later. Also, Clark tackles a growing budget buster that is pushing homeowners to the brink: surging HOA and condo fees. What used to be a minor monthly expense has turned into a massive financial strain due to "amenities creep" and inflation. Clark warns that an HOA acts like its own taxing authority with the power to fine you or even foreclose on your home, making it vital to know exactly what you are signing up for before you buy. If you already live in a community where the board is running amuck, Clark shares his personal experience serving on three different boards and explains why organizing with your neighbors and running for a seat is the ultimate way to protect your wallet.

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.