I visited a big regional bank branch near my house yesterday and there was a long bank of teller windows. There were no tellers working. There were two women working in offices. I had to wait several minutes for someone from a department downstairs to come up and take my payment, then she disappeared back down to the basement. It was midday and it felt like a ghost town. One other customer entered as I was leaving. It gave me a feeling of foreboding.
Yeah, back when most of the banks were built there was heavy walk-in traffic, so they needed multiple teller windows filled with tellers. Not so much anymore, but no tellers is crazy. Most will have at least 1 or 2. 💚
Go Kathleen! I do the same debit-card-swipe game.... Other ways to make the '15 swipe' cut are buying gas in small quantities, and forever stamps at a kiosk (if you still use snail-mail).
I buy both Costco and Sam's paper towels. Costco sheets are only slightly larger, but the big difference to me is that the rolls have more sheets on them, so Costco rolls don't fit on some of my holders. Having both gives me options. I like bigger rolls. One downside of Costco cost-cutting is that, now, the rolls aren't individually wrapped, which limits where I can store them. I have to keep them in the big package to keep them from getting dirty. So, I'll be buying more from Sam's.
cut the roll of paper towel in half. Bounty are very good and a quarter or half sheet is all you usually need. Same thing for Bounce dryer sheets... cut box in half 🤗
My BIL mailed me something fragile and used Costco paper towels as packing material. I saved every single one! Dad gave me paper towels he got with Walgreens bucks or whatever they call it so when a need happens, I weigh whether it's worth a Costco towel which is on top of my microwave, or the cheap one. LOL
Shopping clearance is a great savings strategy! 👏👏👏 Costco's clearance items are marked with an asterisk. Price tags with asterisks mean an item will not be reordered. If you see the asterisk and there are a lot of the items in stock, wait until the price gets marked down to a price ending in .97 and then buy (.97 means the item is being sold below cost and you won't find it cheaper elsewhere). You’ll find most of the 97s and asterisks in the seasonal section in the back third of the middle of the store. 💚
Have you ever traveled by car on I-95 in CT? It’s a nightmare. Traveling from one town to the next can take an hour. Living in CT all my life I’ve never gotten across the state in an hour. How I wish your statements about CT were true.
The AT&t breach has caused my cousin so much harm. They opened up for checking accounts in his name. They transferred money from his children's account into a new fake account. They opened up about three credit cards and his name. They went on a shopping spree in Orlando florida. They went to a casino and opened up some kind of account and gambled in the casino. And he's been fighting it ever since. Been trying to get him freeze his accounts as profiles for years. This is what it took when AT&t messed up his life
Clark people say we should report our credit fraud to our local police. In my cousin's case when he reported it because of mass fraud because of the AT&t breach. The police said he needed to do the report in the counties where the actual fraud occurred, which is not the county he lived in. We had to push them to actually do a police report for the fraud. So is it that police departments are not up on the concept that a fraud should be reported locally with the person lives?
Red Robin sneaks a computer onto your table hoping you have a child grab it up and start punching buttons. Yep, you guessed it, took my grandson, and he started plunking. I grabbed it and told him it was probably a gimmick and put it back. Too late, he had hit a ,stick button so that a $3 plus charge on my bill for entertainment. Will never go back, because food already overpriced.
#Bonus Phrase "I was in a warehouse district"... seems like a lot of Clark's stories start this way. Hmmm. What's up with Clark and "warehouse districts"? J.K., I get it... Clark and his curiosity... observing, learning, everywhere. Thx, Team Clark!
So the further away from actual handling of cold hard cash you get, the less aware you are of the value of that money. That does not affect me at all; I have always been highly aware of money in any form, so much so that it's hard for me to understand those who have that disconnect. It's like they are disabled in some way or have failed to fully mature due to all their needs being met by others. No one taught me about money; as a child I was admonished that money was a seriously taboo topic. So, what is wrong with so many people?
Sounds like you just have an innate ability to manage money and understand financial literacy! That's awesome! 👏👏👏 But let's not money-shame people who struggle with this concept. 💚
This is a great fix! 🙌 None of your personal phone data is stored on the portable charger. Charge your travel charger at the public charging station, unplug it, then use it to charge your phone. 💚
@Clark Yes, that does seem small. Surprisingly, though, they are pretty neat! Please excuse the lengthy post, but since you asked, here we go. I've used them for napkins, and as a liner in sandwich/snack baggies to absorb excess moisture from washed/drained fruits, like grapes, etc. in bagged lunches, and to layer between washed/drained fruit (berries, grape tomatoes, and vegetable pieces (esp. salad) in smaller food containers to absorb extra moisture during storage. I've also used them to fill in the outer gaps on a paper towel covered plate when draining fried foods, to line a colandar to drain pickles, etc., and to catch/wipe small drips and spills, and even as a quick coaster. Overall, they're handy and more useful than I would've thought. PS - I've been a fan for at least 33 years.Thank you and your team for all you do.
I use cash for a 100 percent of inperson purchaces . I pay my credit card bill at the bank with cash . I have done that for so long that if i use a card to pay i am a bit clunky doing it . I think paper towels the sheets should be broken down into quarter sheets . Many times i do a rip of of smaller towel segment . My towels last a long time by doing this and i also use washable dish towels to wipe with . A role of paoer towels can last me 6 months .
@StevenCole7331 You're definitely on to something on the paper towels. I've torn those half sheets, too. Not long ago, I bought a pack of Brawny, and what do you know? Voila! It comes in a choose-a-size down to 1/4 of a sheet. Very handy and a savings! Enjoy your week.
Zelle doesn't provide basically any consumer protection if your bank funds disappear. If you're gonna use it best to fund it from a separate partitioned account.
We are here for the listeners! Unfortunately, we can't read all of our Ask Clarks on the podcast, but our Consumer Action Center responds to all of the emails not read on-air. You never heard back from anyone? Please be sure you're checking your spam/junk email folders for responses. If you still can't find a response, you can call our Consumer Action Center for an immediate response at 636-49-C-L-A-R-K (M-F, 10am-4pm ET). Or feel free to forward your emails to nicole@clark.com. Sorry if your emails are getting overlooked. 💚
Your advice on using the phone to pay I mean it’s kind of obvious that’s kind of how we would speak to a 12-year-old I’m thinking people may be slightly more sophisticated than that if they’re seeking out information on their own. Obviously just use cash that’ll cut down your spending by 25% real fast but duh
Re: TP, I get MM from Sam's, but I don't use much because I have moved into the 20th century and installed a bidet attachment. Yes, I said 20th century. No one in this day and age should be abusing themselves with toilet paper.
I absolutely love this show!
I visited a big regional bank branch near my house yesterday and there was a long bank of teller windows. There were no tellers working. There were two women working in offices. I had to wait several minutes for someone from a department downstairs to come up and take my payment, then she disappeared back down to the basement. It was midday and it felt like a ghost town. One other customer entered as I was leaving. It gave me a feeling of foreboding.
Yeah, back when most of the banks were built there was heavy walk-in traffic, so they needed multiple teller windows filled with tellers. Not so much anymore, but no tellers is crazy. Most will have at least 1 or 2. 💚
Restaurant junk fees? Making me even happier that I cook and eat at home.
Same here! Only places I go out to eat are local family owned restaurants. During these crazy times I'm supporting local as much as I can.😊
Go Kathleen! I do the same debit-card-swipe game.... Other ways to make the '15 swipe' cut are buying gas in small quantities, and forever stamps at a kiosk (if you still use snail-mail).
Great tips! 🙌
I buy both Costco and Sam's paper towels. Costco sheets are only slightly larger, but the big difference to me is that the rolls have more sheets on them, so Costco rolls don't fit on some of my holders. Having both gives me options. I like bigger rolls.
One downside of Costco cost-cutting is that, now, the rolls aren't individually wrapped, which limits where I can store them.
I have to keep them in the big package to keep them from getting dirty. So, I'll be buying more from Sam's.
It really seems like they're making it easier and easier to spend money and harder and harder to earn it.
Good point! 🙌
cut the roll of paper towel in half. Bounty are very good and a quarter or half sheet is all you usually need.
Same thing for Bounce dryer sheets... cut box in half 🤗
Great tips! 🙌
Thank you Team Clark.
My BIL mailed me something fragile and used Costco paper towels as packing material. I saved every single one! Dad gave me paper towels he got with Walgreens bucks or whatever they call it so when a need happens, I weigh whether it's worth a Costco towel which is on top of my microwave, or the cheap one. LOL
I do the Treasure Hunt at Sam's. Clearance items at Sam's have gotten me some fantastic deals!
Costco doesn't do clearance items.
Shopping clearance is a great savings strategy! 👏👏👏
Costco's clearance items are marked with an asterisk. Price tags with asterisks mean an item will not be reordered. If you see the asterisk and there are a lot of the items in stock, wait until the price gets marked down to a price ending in .97 and then buy (.97 means the item is being sold below cost and you won't find it cheaper elsewhere). You’ll find most of the 97s and asterisks in the seasonal section in the back third of the middle of the store. 💚
When you travel, carry a backup battery pack with you, and don't plug into any public USB ports.
Great alternative, Clarkie! 🙌
I’ve never seen carts toward the back of my Costco’s! I often don’t get one.
Have you ever traveled by car on I-95 in CT? It’s a nightmare. Traveling from one town to the next can take an hour. Living in CT all my life I’ve never gotten across the state in an hour. How I wish your statements about CT were true.
The AT&t breach has caused my cousin so much harm. They opened up for checking accounts in his name. They transferred money from his children's account into a new fake account. They opened up about three credit cards and his name. They went on a shopping spree in Orlando florida. They went to a casino and opened up some kind of account and gambled in the casino. And he's been fighting it ever since. Been trying to get him freeze his accounts as profiles for years. This is what it took when AT&t messed up his life
Clark people say we should report our credit fraud to our local police. In my cousin's case when he reported it because of mass fraud because of the AT&t breach. The police said he needed to do the report in the counties where the actual fraud occurred, which is not the county he lived in. We had to push them to actually do a police report for the fraud. So is it that police departments are not up on the concept that a fraud should be reported locally with the person lives?
Oh no! Sorry this happened to your cousin but glad he's finally getting a credit freeze to protect him in the future. 💚
@@TheLifetraveler1 Will check with our Consumer Action Center for any insights on why the police pointed him elsewhere. 🤔
Red Robin sneaks a computer onto your table hoping you have a child grab it up and start punching buttons. Yep, you guessed it, took my grandson, and he started plunking. I grabbed it and told him it was probably a gimmick and put it back. Too late, he had hit a ,stick button so that a $3 plus charge on my bill for entertainment. Will never go back, because food already overpriced.
#Bonus Phrase "I was in a warehouse district"... seems like a lot of Clark's stories start this way. Hmmm. What's up with Clark and "warehouse districts"? J.K., I get it... Clark and his curiosity... observing, learning, everywhere. Thx, Team Clark!
💯💯😂😂💚💚 #bonusphrase
I don't use a smartphone, try to always use cash, and prefer to shop in person.
Smart. Not convenient but smart.
As always , great show 😊
Yes, you obviously plug-in to any power outlet anywhere. You just don't use a USB directly.
💯
So the further away from actual handling of cold hard cash you get, the less aware you are of the value of that money. That does not affect me at all; I have always been highly aware of money in any form, so much so that it's hard for me to understand those who have that disconnect. It's like they are disabled in some way or have failed to fully mature due to all their needs being met by others. No one taught me about money; as a child I was admonished that money was a seriously taboo topic. So, what is wrong with so many people?
Sounds like you just have an innate ability to manage money and understand financial literacy! That's awesome! 👏👏👏 But let's not money-shame people who struggle with this concept. 💚
Pick a single target date fund and stick with it.
No, no, no. Do not ever open bank accounts that require you to game it.
I have never done tap to pay or have done a QR code. I am the last survivor.
How about plugging in a travel charging pack and then afterwards charge from that?
This is a great fix! 🙌 None of your personal phone data is stored on the portable charger. Charge your travel charger at the public charging station, unplug it, then use it to charge your phone. 💚
Agree about Costco paper towels. Sam's is better, closer to Bounty. Brawny has a good select-a-size product that can be divided into 1/4 sheets.
Wow, 1/4 sheets? That seems really small. How did you use it?
@Clark Yes, that does seem small. Surprisingly, though, they are pretty neat! Please excuse the lengthy post, but since you asked, here we go. I've used them for napkins, and as a liner in sandwich/snack baggies to absorb excess moisture from washed/drained fruits, like grapes, etc. in bagged lunches, and to layer between washed/drained fruit (berries, grape tomatoes, and vegetable pieces (esp. salad) in smaller food containers to absorb extra moisture during storage. I've also used them to fill in the outer gaps on a paper towel covered plate when draining fried foods, to line a colandar to drain pickles, etc., and to catch/wipe small drips and spills, and even as a quick coaster. Overall, they're handy and more useful than I would've thought.
PS - I've been a fan for at least 33 years.Thank you and your team for all you do.
@@karenthegoodkind OK, many great uses! Thanks for being a long-time listener! 💚
@@Clark You're welcome.
I use cash for a 100 percent of inperson purchaces . I pay my credit card bill at the bank with cash . I have done that for so long that if i use a card to pay i am a bit clunky doing it .
I think paper towels the sheets should be broken down into quarter sheets . Many times i do a rip of of smaller towel segment . My towels last a long time by doing this and i also use washable dish towels to wipe with . A role of paoer towels can last me 6 months .
@karenthegoodkind commented above that Brawny makes a select-a-size quarter sheet! ☝
@StevenCole7331 You're definitely on to something on the paper towels. I've torn those half sheets, too. Not long ago, I bought a pack of Brawny, and what do you know? Voila! It comes in a choose-a-size down to 1/4 of a sheet. Very handy and a savings! Enjoy your week.
@@karenthegoodkind Wow . That is so helpful . Thanks for sharing .
@@stevencole7331 You're welcome.
What is the thing going on with Zelle? I use it to transfer funds to my kids
Zelle doesn't provide basically any consumer protection if your bank funds disappear. If you're gonna use it best to fund it from a separate partitioned account.
@@dpporlando 💯💯💯 Spoken like a true Clarkie! 🙌
Living under a rock?
I NEVER get a response from any Email to "Ask Clark"... so I gave up. Maybe you are too big/popular for the listeners.
We are here for the listeners! Unfortunately, we can't read all of our Ask Clarks on the podcast, but our Consumer Action Center responds to all of the emails not read on-air. You never heard back from anyone? Please be sure you're checking your spam/junk email folders for responses.
If you still can't find a response, you can call our Consumer Action Center for an immediate response at 636-49-C-L-A-R-K (M-F, 10am-4pm ET). Or feel free to forward your emails to nicole@clark.com. Sorry if your emails are getting overlooked. 💚
PS the Kirkland toilet paper 🧻 is terrible. I still have some leftover from the pandemic. It’s for emergencies only. 😂
Your advice on using the phone to pay I mean it’s kind of obvious that’s kind of how we would speak to a 12-year-old I’m thinking people may be slightly more sophisticated than that if they’re seeking out information on their own. Obviously just use cash that’ll cut down your spending by 25% real fast but duh
We can't assume sophistication level. Sometimes newbies find us by accident, and we want to be sure everyone understands. 💚
Re: TP, I get MM from Sam's, but I don't use much because I have moved into the 20th century and installed a bidet attachment.
Yes, I said 20th century. No one in this day and age should be abusing themselves with toilet paper.