Warning: cell phone scam targeting everyone, Should I use a dealership for car maintenance?

June 17, 2024 | Read Online

We buy products all the time. But do you ever think about whether or not the brand is trusted? Learn more about the 10 most trusted brands in the United States later on in this email.

💵 Today’s Top Stories

The Dangerous Cell Phone Scam Everyone Needs To Know About

SIM card swapping can give your personal and financial information to scammers in an instant. Luckily, these steps can help prevent it from happening to you. Read more.

Should I Take My Car to a Dealership for Maintenance Despite the Expensive Prices?

Dealerships are expensive and sometimes slow when it comes to maintenance. Many overlook the flaws and blindly trust dealerships. That’s a mistake, Clark explains. Read more.

Should You Use Costco Travel To Book a Trip?

Clark loves Costco and loves to travel. Do you think you should book your next trip through Costco’s travel service? Here are the pros and cons. Read more.

$28 Streaming Service Just Added Channels With a Price Hike

Team Clark describes this live TV streaming service as “a bargain seeker’s dream.” Its channel lineup just expanded to more than 80, including Comedy Central, Discovery, Nickelodeon, Food Network and more. Read more.

🏠️ Today’s Current Mortgage Rates

According to Freddie Mac, 30-year mortgage rates are 6.95% and 15-year rates are 6.17% as of June 13, 2024. The following chart shows the 30-year mortgage rate trend over the last year.

Refi Info | Mortgage Refi Calculator

🩹 10 Most Trusted Brands in the U.S.

What’s the power of branding? According to Morning Consult’s fifth-annual Most Trusted Brands report, it’s measurable.

The report itself breaks down the numbers into all sorts of categories. But I appreciate the organization’s “Net Trust” score. Here are the 10 most trusted brands in the United States based on Net Trust:

1. Band-Aid: 60.6
2. UPS: 57.2
3. Google: 54.5
4. Lysol: 54.3
5. Dove: 54.2
6. Amazon: 53.9
T7. Colgate: 53.6
T7. Kleenex: 53.6
T9. Home Depot: 52.6
T9. United States Postal Service: 52.6

Of note, Band-Aids, invented by Johnson & Johnson in 1921, took the top spot for a third consecutive year.

📊 Stat of the Day

🏷️ 2,300: Walmart stores that will make use of electronic shelf labels by 2026. According to Walmart, electronic shelf labels (ESLs) will reduce the time it takes to change prices on the typical 120,000+ items in a given store from two days to a few minutes.

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals

🎙️ Podcast

YouTube video by Clark Howard: Save More, Spend Less

Full Show: Clark Stinks! and Why You Should Start Saving for Retirement TODAY

It’s time for "Clark Stinks!" Christa reads the latest "Clark Stinks!" submissions and Clark responds. Also, it’s never too late to start saving for retirement, but it does make a meaningful difference when you start at age 25, 35, 45, 55 or later. Clark walks you through the numbers and encourages all of us to save for our financial futures.

Watch the Full Episode

☎️ 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.