How to stop robocalls for good, Clark’s tips to save money on internet

January 06, 2025 | Read Online

The stock market may be up in 2025. But how much? Find out more later in this email.

💵 Today’s Top Stories

How To Stop Spam Calls for Good

Junk calls are out of control again. Want to stop them? We’ve got options for you. Read more.

Clark’s Tips To Save Money on Home Internet in 2025

Do you really need a traditional internet provider at the fastest possible speeds? Or is faster and faster internet a ruse to get you to pay more and more? Read more.

Best Budgeting Apps in 2025

Still missing Mint? Team Clark has updated their list of the top budgeting apps for 2025, including this new addition. Read more.

Get Your Credit Score for Free

Here are four ways you can find out your current credit score for free – and the credit score Clark says should be your target goal. Read more.

🏠️ Today’s Current Mortgage Rates

According to Freddie Mac, 30-year mortgage rates are 6.91% and 15-year rates are 6.13% as of January 2, 2025. The following chart shows the 30-year mortgage rate trend over the last year.

Refi Info | Mortgage Refi Calculator

📈 Stock Market Likely Up in 2025 But Not As Much, History Says

The S&P 500, a major benchmark for the U.S. stock market, gained 23.3% in 2024. That’s the 18th-best year since 1950 and the 15th time in the last 50 years it gained more than 20%.

During those 15 instances of 20%+ growth in the last five decades, the average return equaled 27.3%.

In the year after, the S&P 500 averaged 14.1%.

Considering the S&P 500 has turned negative in just two years – the last being 1989 – after a 20%+ gain, there’s some strong history to suggest it will be another pretty good year for the stock market (if not as good as last year).

Interesting that the year after the big year averages 14.1%. Because the average S&P forecast for 2025 across 16 firms is 14%.

Some potential contrarian factors: the possibility of resurgent inflation and the possibility of tariffs under the new presidential administration.

Of course, the year-to-year market price doesn’t matter if you follow Clark’s long-term, buy-and-hold, dollar-cost averaging strategy.

📊 Stat of the Day

📺️ 13: Number of the most-watched primetime telecasts out of 15 that the NFL claimed in 2024. Clark’s favorite sport claimed 100% of the top 10 despite it being a presidential election year. Netflix, which paid $150 million to broadcast an NFL doubleheader on Christmas, averaged 26.5 million viewers.

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals

The best deals on mattresses right now

Get this deal.

The best deals at Sam’s Club right now

Get this deal.

See All of the Best Deals Today

🎙️ Podcast

YouTube video by Clark Howard: Save More, Spend Less

Full Show: Why Clark Canceled YouTube TV and Make Returns ASAP

Happy New Year! It’s our first full show in 2025!

YouTube TV’s base subscription package pricing will increase by $10 per month, from $72.99 to $82.99, beginning in January. As a result, Clark is canceling YouTube TV. He shares several ways to cut your streaming bill – potentially to $0! Also, retailers are making the process of returning items difficult. Some even charge to return an item! Clark says to return items in-store early to avoid issues. He also shares a deal prediction for January!

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.