Clark Howard: EV Deals, Credit Card Changes, and Consumer Advice

Clark Stinks: Listener Feedback and Rebuttals

• 💡 Chase credit card points have been devalued, with redemptions now often requiring booking through their portals at a minimum of 1 cent per point, making simple 2% cash back cards more appealing.
• ✈️ SeatGuru is no longer a reliable source for seating information; Aerolopa.com is recommended as a superior alternative.
• ✉️ UPS and FedEx should not be used for sending valuable instruments like bonds, as they cannot be insured and violate terms of service; registered mail is the only secure method.
• 🛒 Clark disagrees with a listener's assessment of warehouse clubs, arguing that for the average person, the membership fee is worth it for lower everyday markups, and Scan & Go at Sam's Club eliminates lines.
• 👕 Costco clothing is noted for its low price but significantly lower quality and lifespan compared to traditional department store items.
• 🏦 A listener argues that Capital One did not engage in a bait-and-switch with its savings accounts, stating customers should have paid attention to interest rate differences; Clark counters that internal emails showed intent to deceive.
• 🚗 Tesla's self-driving systems are clarified as Level 2 ADAS, requiring constant driver attention, with a warning system that can disable the feature if attention wanes.
• 🏠 Energy audits are highlighted as a valuable step for saving on utilities, potentially unlocking federal, state, and utility incentives, especially as federal credits for audits are expiring soon.
• 🛣️ Uni toll transponders cover 19 states, and Best Pass Complete Pass works in over 20 states for private vehicles, correcting previous information about their limited coverage.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Clark apologizes for a broad generalization about children not appreciating parents, acknowledging that while often true, it's not universally the case.

Electric Vehicle Market Opportunity

• ⚡ The electric vehicle (EV) market is experiencing a shift, with a rapidly closing window of opportunity for buyers due to changing incentives and dealer inventory.
• 📉 Federal tax credits for new and used EVs are ending soon (by the end of September), creating a potential buying opportunity as demand has decreased.
• 🚗 Used EVs are becoming dirt cheap, significantly less expensive than comparable gas-powered used vehicles, at a time when the average used vehicle price has increased.
• ⛽ The increased adoption of EVs globally is helping to reduce gasoline consumption, making gas prices more favorable for all drivers.

Supplemental Insurance and Pet Insurance

• 🩺 Supplemental health benefits like accident, hospital indemnity, and critical illness insurance are generally not recommended; focus should be on broad coverages like health, disability, life insurance, 401k, and HSAs.
• 🐶 Pet insurance is a complex purchase with many exclusions and breed-specific rules; it's advised to trust veterinarian recommendations or save the money instead of paying for a policy.