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Later in this email, we give you an important post-holiday public service announcement. |
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💵 Today’s Top Stories |
| | There’s a huge gap between the best and worst airlines in the U.S., according to customers. Where does your favorite rank? Read more. |
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| | What would happen to the U.S. economy if every American instantly became as frugal as Clark? The long-term result of that occurrence may surprise you. Read more. |
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| | Want a membership at an average gym? That’ll be $700. Surprise: You don’t have to pay for a fancy health club. Here’s how to get fit for cheap. Read more. |
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| | Get 50% off your first month and a slew of other deals on prepaid cell phone plans this month. If you’ve been thinking of cutting your cell phone bill to save, these deals will help. Read more. |
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💵 Reminder: Spend Your Gift Card Money ASAP |
Check your wallet, purse or bedside table right now. Chances are you have an unused gift card in one of those places. |
Americans were expected to spend $29.3 billion on gift cards this holiday season. Yet 47% of adults hold at least one unspent gift card or voucher. |
The amount of unspent gift cards is even more shocking: $23 billion, or $187 per person in the United States. |
Take restaurants alone. The National Retail Foundation estimated Americans would spend about $10 billion on restaurant gift cards during the holidays. |
Of that money, an estimated $7 billion will get spent before July 4. That still leaves $3 billion in holiday restaurant gift cards. |
Clark discourages giving gift cards as presents. He prefers cash instead. But if you’ve gotten a gift card, spend it sooner than later. |
Inflation will eat away the value over time. Some companies may go out of business. |
Federal law stipulates that gift cards can’t expire for at least five years. But, for example, Visa and Mastercard cash cards start charging inactivity fees after just one year. |
Plus, the longer it takes to use your gift card, the less likely you are to ever use it. |
National Use Your Gift Card Day, created by a public relations executive five years ago and backed by many retailers, is Jan. 20, 2024. It’s a great day to use your cards. |
If you’re not going to use your gift cards, you can sell them. Typically you can expect in the neighborhood of 70 cents on the dollar. |
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📊 Stat of the Day |
🎭️ $1.3 billion+: The amount of money that “Phantom of the Opera” grossed on Broadway. The longest-running show ended in 2023 after 35 years, citing operating costs near $1 million per week. |
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💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals |
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🎙️ Podcast |
 | Full Show: Big Roth News in 2024 and Used Electric Car Tax Credit |
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Clark is the man from Roth, and there’s great news on the Roth IRA in 2024. Clark explains everything you need to know. Also, there’s more great news for your wallet if you’re planning to buy a used electric vehicle this year! |
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☎️ 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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Did You Enjoy Today’s Newsletter?Let us know what you think so we can better serve you! | |
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