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💵 Today’s Top Stories
One in four American homeowners pay condo or homeowner association fees. If you’re one of them, you know those fees have been going up (5% a year, and more in some places). Why? And what can you do? Read more.
Ready to buy a car? Don’t fall into the most common trap. Discover how to avoid the No. 1 mistake car buyers make and save big on your next vehicle. Read more.
Criminals are getting smarter and can access better tools. Here are five signs you need to replace your router to stay safe, including this age threshold. Read more.
No annual fee, unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases and seamless sync with Intuit products such as TurboTax and QuickBooks, $300 welcome offer. Is this the small-business credit card you need? Read more.
🏠️ Today’s Current Mortgage Rates
According to Freddie Mac, 30-year mortgage rates are 6.58% and 15-year rates are 5.96% as of July 23, 2026. The following chart shows the 30-year mortgage rate trend over the last year.
👰 Weddings Are More Expensive Than Ever
“Love is inflation-proof,” a recent Daily Upside headline reads.
Given the details in the article, it’s hard to argue with the contention:
Wedding costs were up 8.5% year-over-year in May (vs. 4.2% in May for general inflation). So wedding costs are rising at more than double the pace of broader inflation.
The average wedding cost a record $36,000 in 2025. “And this year they’re holding steady at that all-time high.”
Couples are spending more than $6,000 on flowers and décor. Most of the flowers we import come from Colombia and Ecuador, “both of which have faced steep levies.”
Chocolate fountains are roughly double the cost of years past due to steep cocoa price increases.
Almost half of couples boost their budgets to tailor their weddings to a “vibe or trend they discovered online.”
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s recent wedding at Madison Square Garden in New York “will inspire couples to spend an extra $2.2 billion globally” on their weddings in the next two years, The Knot predicted.
Nearly six in 10 couples say they’re postponing buying a home to prioritize their wedding.
Weddings tend to be more personal than practical in general. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But it’s worth making decisions eyes open rather than blindly if you or your family are planning one.
Clark’s top advice: create (and stick to) a budget. And be flexible on the venue and the wedding date.
📊 Stat of the Day
🏠 $109,152: The income needed to buy a median-priced single-family home in the United States with a 20% down payment in June. Homes have gotten less affordable for five consecutive months. (Median price: $446,400; average 30-year fixed mortgage: 6.57%; average payment: $2,274.)
💰 Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
🎙 Podcast
It’s time for "Clark Stinks!" Christa reads the latest "Clark Stinks!" submissions and Clark responds. Also, many of us are getting more comfortable using artificial intelligence in our daily lives. While AI can be an incredibly useful tool, a dangerous new trend is emerging that could cost you serious money: AI shopping bots. Before you let an AI bot handle your wallet, you need to understand the hidden agenda at play.
☎ 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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