Why you should never use a debit card (1 15 16)

Author

Sally McDonald
January 15, 2026

💵 Today’s Top Stories
debit card

Did you know that using debit cards can be financially dangerous? Clark explains why you should really think about following his rule. Read more.

Best investment companies

Clark’s three favorites haven’t changed. But there have been some recent and notable imperfections among them. What are the best investment companies in 2026? Read more.

cars on road

The average age of vehicles in the U.S. is higher than it’s ever been. Find out if your car has hit the mark. Plus, we reveal Clark’s special rule for achieving the financial and safety sweet spot. Read more.

credit card foreign transaction fee

Traveling abroad means digging into your wallet and whipping out the plastic (or metal, but still). Leaving the U.S. is expensive enough. Here’s how to avoid foreign transaction fees. 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 January 15, 2026.

Savings Rates 011526
⛽️ Circle K Offers 40-Cent Discount on Gas

Need some cheap gas for the weekend? You can get 40 cents per gallon off the price at Circle K before noon today, assuming you’re willing to join the gas station’s free Inner Circle loyalty program.

Circle K is offering the promotion before a holiday weekend, as Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday.

The national average for a gallon of gas sat at $2.84 yesterday morning. So we’re talking gas in the neighborhood of $2.44 per gallon on average with the promotion.

You can sign up for Inner Circle via the Circle K app, on the company’s website or at a Circle K location.

The company is calling the promotion Fuel Day. It has been offering deep discounts on gas a few times a year, according to Quartz.

Unfortunately, due to state regulations, the promotion is only available in 29 of the 50 states, as well as Washington D.C.

📊 Stat of the Day

🍏 20%: Apple’s share of the global smartphone market in 2025, besting Samsung (19%) thanks to 10% year-over-year growth – the most among any of the five biggest global brands.

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
Greece
🎙️ Podcast

Clark dives into a disturbing new trend in the travel industry that is leaving innocent travelers stranded and banned for life from major airlines. Clark shares a cautionary tale of a passenger who booked a deal through a third-party site, only to discover the ticket was purchased by criminals using stolen credit cards. This "news of the weird" is becoming dangerously common; whether it’s mileage brokering for first-class seats or "UFO" booking sources on social media, the risks are higher than ever. Also, Clark analyzes the current "Growth Recession" defining 2026. To protect yourself against economic cross-currents and stubborn inflation, Clark emphasizes the importance of the classic financial playbook so you can maintain financial security no matter which way the data shifts.

☎️ 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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