In my area where they salt the roads in the winter I am considering a monthly car wash subscription, once the snow starts. I get a lot of rust on my undercarriage.
My State Farm auto/homeowners has gone up from $180 a month to $230 in 2 years. No claims no law infractions. This is SW Virginia. Everyone is getting rich but me!
Clark, one thing to add to your “shopping” message; thaw your frozen credit while you shop. Some insurance companies pull your credit and if they can’t, they apply some default making your premiums much higher than they would otherwise be - this was a Q&A in one of your podcasts. * Thaw before you shop!
You didn’t mention the biggest problem about insurers. We think they are there to help us in time of need. Oh no, they exist to make profits for shareholders pure and simple.
Many of the large insurance companies (State Farm, AmFam, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, Farmers, etc) are mutual insurance companies - that means they are owned by their customers and have no stockholders. Basically co-ops.
Clark, you should know that car washes are known to be great places for laundering dirty money. They showed that on Breaking Bad. Hair salons, nail salons, tanning parlors, anywhere there’s cash.
Retired now and treat ourselves to carwashes. We like clean cars and washing ourselves, while cheaper, took time and didn't get them washed as often as liked. We wash often now! Another thought, WATER! 10 years ago a lecture series taught "water the new gold". I since seen this in the commercial and industrial sector. Legislation on waste water from driveway washing spreading. So washing at home is "not environmental" wastes water, chemicals in waste water, etc. I don't have to agree, just see it happening and wonder if this is part of the "Car Wash" growth. We may have no choice if we want our car washed. Hope you respond!
Geico has reported they are making a lot of money on auto insurance right now. The two pieces of profit come from the float (the money they hold until they pay out claims, which they invest in the interim) and underwriting. Whenever they report underwriting profit that means they are not only making money on the float, they are making cost on the premiums they charge. So it's nirvana in the insurance industry. As far as car washes, we live part of the year in the desert southwest. While it is very dry, it's very dusty. So we wash our cars probably 3 to 4 times as much as we do in the SE US.
Find a car wash close to home or along a frequently traveled route. I get my 2019 car washed at least once a week and it looks brand new. It’s also worth while to vacuum the inside as well. Definitely getting my monies worth
I'm 71. It's worth $10 for a good truck wash and it's well worth $20 a month for my unlimited membership. I hate a dirty car/truck. I'm not that guy to have a recurring membership and not use it. Trust me, I get more than my money's worth.
I'm retired and have plenty of time so I joined a great car wash company that has 8 or 10 locations. I pay $38 for the best of the three plans offered . I go at least 6 times a month for a car wash. They have air gun to blow out dust & dirt in tight areas and a total of 8 40 horsepower vacuum cleaners that are best in class. That twice as much horse power then the average ICE car. I seldom drive my SUV first couple of days after it snows but as soon as the roads are dry for 24 hours go get the car wash then includes the under carriage wash. Then a day or two later get it washed again.
Be careful with the frequency of the washes. I read an article that the amount of pressure applied by the spraying mechanisms can damage paint on your car eventually leading to rust.
I have a neighbor that had a custom made house built in Ocean City Md with the best 30 year warranty shingle roof. Right after the house & roof was ten years old his insurance company told him he if does not get the perfectly good roof replaced they would drop him. Several other insurance companies are playing the same scam.
Due to the typical lifespan of standard shingle roofs being around 20 years, insurance companies tend to avoid handling mold-related problems caused by water damage. Roof replacements can be costly, hence it's common for insurance policies to offer full replacement coverage for roofs initially, without factoring in depreciation. However, insurers may automatically shift your coverage to Actual Cash Value, where depreciation is considered, once your roof reaches a certain age, or they might even terminate your coverage altogether.
Tunnel car washes are terrible for your vehicles paint. Those nylon brushes put many swirls and micro scratches in the clear coat. During COVID lockdown, I got into hand washing my own vehicles. Now I’m an official detailing enthusiast and my vehicles are sparkling! Try it out…get outside and enjoy the warmer weather.
Did Clark actually say $10 to $20 for someone to fly the drone over the roof? $10 doesn't even buy a meal anymore. I know you're a frugal expert, BUT come on Clark! It's not the 1980s anymore. Pay up!. (I Still love the show)
@@sarashann I heard the kid comment, but have you tried to get a teenager to do anything for $10 nowadays? Most will laugh at you. It would have to be an older kid & not a little child. The older ones expect mucho dinero! Wage inflation everywhere!
@@makeyourlifeeasier5794. Exactly! I’ve got a 16yo coming over to do a bunch of yard work today. $125 for probably 5 hours. But the local handyman would charge me that for one hour, plus a “trip fee” of $155. So my reliable, technically minded, hardworking teen is an amazing bargain.
My Apple watch has become a valuable tool for measuring my heart rate, breathing, sleeping, and exercise. I have AFIB and I want know when I go into AFIB (it can also give me an EKG), which the watch will tell me, I also want to make sure I am getting my daily exercise, as well as my blood oxygen. If you can measure it, you can control it, and improvement. Also has nice alarms I use for when to take my pills, how long I meditate, cooking and various other applications. The other advantage is as long as I have my watch on, I can answer calls to my cell phone - so I can leave my cell phone on the charger - and don't have to run to fun my cell phone when it rings. Also get texts. And I am not using a fraction of its capability. Yes I don't NEED it, I don't need both hands or both eyes either, but why not take advantage of it.
#BonusTerm - "Free Car Washes" - Rain. .......At my workplace, used to shout out "Hey, guys...there's free car washes out in the parking lot!" Technically true... it was raining. :)
2 really fancy car wash only businesses nearly completed near my home, no more than 2-3 miles from each other. Lots of new apartments going up, also multifamily homes and HOAs around. If HOAs say can't wash the car, that could be big business. I will avoid it if I can.
Read somewhere that car washes are built also to anchor a piece of land and allow it to appreciate and still draw a revenue off them as the property value goes up. Whether or not this makes sense, IDK, but probably some are built for that reason. Either that or they really are turnkey when looking at ROI and can be later sold and razed to build something else when a developer comes in with $$$.
You should sign up with a new insurance company every 4 to 5 years. At that point, the majority of discounts you have will expire and the rate will never go down. They do the same trick like car washes, offer a teaser then just increase it every year afterwards. That's why you see the cheapest price when you start a new policy. They don't care about customer loyalty, only risk.
If you are with a good company it's unlikely the rates will be beat by much. At least they weren't for me. I was rear ended last year - and the other driver lied about what happened - claimed I was changing lanes. It helped that I had a twenty five year record with the company with no accidents or tickets.
You can’t shop the market in California. I’ve tried. You have to lower your coverage to minimal levels to get a reduced rate. I have Allstate for 37 years. No claims. Two years ago i paid $700 per 6 month premium on two older vehicles. 6 months ago it went from $700 to $900. Now it’s $1000.00 per 6 month. No collision or theft. $1000 deductible! Someone reading these comments will say something stupid like “Why don’t you move?
Allstate bought out my existing co. Auto went from $82/mo (no fee to pay monthly) to $1900/yr, no other changes. My home insurance was unbundled from auto, lost that discount too. In CA there are few companies offering new policies. And lots of pricey cars and homes. Went to an independent agent who only had 1 company to offer me, I did switch.
@@Clark Oh yes. Did change coverage a bit as well and submitted proper proof of mileage 90 days apart which gave additional savings. Independent agent and the new company both have been helpful getting all set up and price adjustments. Thx for commenting.
Regardless of how reasonably priced a monthly car wash subscription may be, any automatic car wash is the worst thing for your car finish. Overly harsh chemicals especially at touchless washes, brushes ruin your paint, incomplete washing/drying, and they can’t properly clean wheels, jambs, and other nooks/crannies. Hand-washing, including with a waterless solution in bad weather gives you exercise and does a way better job of protecting your finish. My wife’s 12-year old Mercedes has never been through an automatic car wash and it looks like it just left the showroom.
My 7 year old Honda CRV has Been thru an automated car wash over two hundred times and always outside and never waxed or had it detailer but with modern clear coat looks great. I'm retired but have bad knees & hips & no longer can wash it. Joined a car wash that charges $28 for premium car unlimited washes so get it washed st least 6 times a month. Only vacuum it Every other wash.
Never just pay a ticket. Get a lawyer to get it knocked down to a non moving violation. You wil pay more at the beginning, however you will save more on your insurance rates in the long term and it can avoid getting your insurance cancelled as happened to that family with the son as well
Thanks Clark! I got a big surprise here in Tennessee when I went to renew my tag, I was charged an extra $100 because I have a hybrid vehicle. EV's are an extra $200. No one knew about this ahead of time, of course...
@@ClarkI did check in to it and here is what I got back Belinda B (Tennessee Department of Revenue) Feb 6, 2024, 8:27 AM CST Good morning and thank you for contacting the Tennessee Department of Revenue, Public Chapter 159 increases the registration fee for all-electric vehicles and creates a registration fee for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles. These fees only apply when a vehicle registration is renewed. This is effective January 1, 2024. www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/notices/titlereg/tr23-14.pdf Belinda Tennessee Dept. of Revenue Vehicle Services Division
Just a warning for those who do take the good advice to shop for car insurance. If you do, you'll probably do it online because that's quick, easy, and efficient. But in doing so, you'll be required to give up your name and address because, as they will explain to you, where you drive and where you park your car overnight are factors in determining rates. OK. Makes sense. But once you've done that, you WILL BE spammed relentlessly FOR YEARS. Ask me how I know. The lady in white and the lizard are RELENTLESS. Stopping the email is easy. Stopping the snail mail not so much, though I suppose that can be done, too. Yes, there are worse problems in life, but consider yourself warned.
I totally concur, and 😢 I clicked a link on ... gulp ... one of Clark's advertisers on a newsletter over a year ago ... good gosh. Unbelievable how persistent agents near and as far away as Connecticut wanted to insure my Oklahoma car and house.
I love you, Clark! But I do have to disagree with you for the 1st time, on the car wash club. 😅 I joined a club, and as a very clean guy, I wash my car every single week. So it’s actually a very good deal! 👍🏼😅
USAA tried to increase my 8 year steady home insurance rate by 70%. Their reason was "we have a new program that determines cost to rebuild". I'm like, I only need to cover my loan and not a rebuild. I switched to Progressive and never regretted it.
I get tempted to hit up a car wash every single sunny day, but my thrifty nature always prevails. I go home, park my car, pull out my bucket and rags, and get to scrubbin' myself. I have all the things: wax, polish, brushes. I hook up the wand attachment on my vacuum and give the seats/mats a good cleaning, too. Finish it off with a spray of a nice air freshener, cleaning and moisturizing the leather interior and cleaning the windows. It probably takes under an hour.
In my area where they salt the roads in the winter I am considering a monthly car wash subscription, once the snow starts. I get a lot of rust on my undercarriage.
My State Farm auto/homeowners has gone up from $180 a month to $230 in 2 years. No claims no law infractions. This is SW Virginia. Everyone is getting rich but me!
I have the same issue
Clark, one thing to add to your “shopping” message; thaw your frozen credit while you shop. Some insurance companies pull your credit and if they can’t, they apply some default making your premiums much higher than they would otherwise be - this was a Q&A in one of your podcasts. * Thaw before you shop!
If my 20-year-old received two speeding tickets, he'd be riding his bicycle to work and school. 😊
You are so right.
🚲🚲💚
You didn’t mention the biggest problem about insurers. We think they are there to help us in time of need. Oh no, they exist to make profits for shareholders pure and simple.
Many of the large insurance companies (State Farm, AmFam, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, Farmers, etc) are mutual insurance companies - that means they are owned by their customers and have no stockholders. Basically co-ops.
Clark, you should know that car washes are known to be great places for laundering dirty money. They showed that on Breaking Bad. Hair salons, nail salons, tanning parlors, anywhere there’s cash.
Retired now and treat ourselves to carwashes. We like clean cars and washing ourselves, while cheaper, took time and didn't get them washed as often as liked. We wash often now! Another thought, WATER! 10 years ago a lecture series taught "water the new gold". I since seen this in the commercial and industrial sector. Legislation on waste water from driveway washing spreading. So washing at home is "not environmental" wastes water, chemicals in waste water, etc. I don't have to agree, just see it happening and wonder if this is part of the "Car Wash" growth. We may have no choice if we want our car washed. Hope you respond!
Asking a roofer if you need a new roof is like asking a barber if you need a haircut.
🤔 Great analogy! 💚
Ha!!!!!!
Or asking a dentist if you need braces 😂
Been with AmFam for 30 years. No claims. They raised mine twice in this past year. Bye Felicia
Geico has reported they are making a lot of money on auto insurance right now. The two pieces of profit come from the float (the money they hold until they pay out claims, which they invest in the interim) and underwriting. Whenever they report underwriting profit that means they are not only making money on the float, they are making cost on the premiums they charge. So it's nirvana in the insurance industry. As far as car washes, we live part of the year in the desert southwest. While it is very dry, it's very dusty. So we wash our cars probably 3 to 4 times as much as we do in the SE US.
Find a car wash close to home or along a frequently traveled route. I get my 2019 car washed at least once a week and it looks brand new. It’s also worth while to vacuum the inside as well. Definitely getting my monies worth
I briefly had a car wash subscription but realized I’m more of a once a month user. I’d rather use the short wash at the Mobile gas station.
Gas station car washes are FAR inferior to the "new" car washes. And they probably cost about the same as well.
I'm 71. It's worth $10 for a good truck wash and it's well worth $20 a month for my unlimited membership. I hate a dirty car/truck. I'm not that guy to have a recurring membership and not use it. Trust me, I get more than my money's worth.
I'm retired and have plenty of time so I joined a great car wash company that has 8 or 10 locations. I pay $38 for the best of the three plans offered . I go at least 6 times a month for a car wash. They have air gun to blow out dust & dirt in tight areas and a total of 8 40 horsepower vacuum cleaners that are best in class. That twice as much horse power then the average ICE car. I seldom drive my SUV first couple of days after it snows but as soon as the roads are dry for 24 hours go get the car wash then includes the under carriage wash. Then a day or two later get it washed again.
Be careful with the frequency of the washes. I read an article that the amount of pressure applied by the spraying mechanisms can damage paint on your car eventually leading to rust.
I have a neighbor that had a custom made house built in Ocean City Md with the best 30 year warranty shingle roof. Right after the house & roof was ten years old his insurance company told him he if does not get the perfectly good roof replaced they would drop him. Several other insurance companies are playing the same scam.
Wow 😲
Due to the typical lifespan of standard shingle roofs being around 20 years, insurance companies tend to avoid handling mold-related problems caused by water damage. Roof replacements can be costly, hence it's common for insurance policies to offer full replacement coverage for roofs initially, without factoring in depreciation. However, insurers may automatically shift your coverage to Actual Cash Value, where depreciation is considered, once your roof reaches a certain age, or they might even terminate your coverage altogether.
Tunnel car washes are terrible for your vehicles paint. Those nylon brushes put many swirls and micro scratches in the clear coat. During COVID lockdown, I got into hand washing my own vehicles. Now I’m an official detailing enthusiast and my vehicles are sparkling! Try it out…get outside and enjoy the warmer weather.
Love it! 💚
Did Clark actually say $10 to $20 for someone to fly the drone over the roof? $10 doesn't even buy a meal anymore. I know you're a frugal expert, BUT come on Clark! It's not the 1980s anymore. Pay up!. (I Still love the show)
I caught that as well
To be fair, Clark said get a neighborhood kid to do it, not a professional.
I have a car wash subscription - love it - I go through at least 2 to 3 times a week. I live 1 mile from the car wash.
@@sarashann I heard the kid comment, but have you tried to get a teenager to do anything for $10 nowadays? Most will laugh at you. It would have to be an older kid & not a little child. The older ones expect mucho dinero! Wage inflation everywhere!
@@makeyourlifeeasier5794. Exactly! I’ve got a 16yo coming over to do a bunch of yard work today. $125 for probably 5 hours. But the local handyman would charge me that for one hour, plus a “trip fee” of $155. So my reliable, technically minded, hardworking teen is an amazing bargain.
No kid needs an Apple watch at all. Actually, almost nobody needs any such thing.
Yeah especially elementary age...it will either get lost, broken or stolen pretty quickly.
Ok here's another one: minors should not be allowed to have smart phones or use the internet.
My Apple watch has become a valuable tool for measuring my heart rate, breathing, sleeping, and exercise. I have AFIB and I want know when I go into AFIB (it can also give me an EKG), which the watch will tell me, I also want to make sure I am getting my daily exercise, as well as my blood oxygen. If you can measure it, you can control it, and improvement. Also has nice alarms I use for when to take my pills, how long I meditate, cooking and various other applications. The other advantage is as long as I have my watch on, I can answer calls to my cell phone - so I can leave my cell phone on the charger - and don't have to run to fun my cell phone when it rings. Also get texts. And I am not using a fraction of its capability. Yes I don't NEED it, I don't need both hands or both eyes either, but why not take advantage of it.
The 529 game is definitely not worth the hassle for such a tiny amount of $ and no guarantee.
Great show 😊
#BonusTerm - "Free Car Washes" - Rain. .......At my workplace, used to shout out "Hey, guys...there's free car washes out in the parking lot!" Technically true... it was raining. :)
🌧😂 #bonusterm 💚
Clark, 20 years old is not a kid. His parent should not be supplementing his joy rides.
I just wash my own car. Takes less time then driving to the car wash and returning. I have never liked brushes rubbing on my car.
It’s easier to just buy a car wash when you feel like it. It’s $8 to $20 here and worth it.
I thought automatic car washes were bad for the paint, but that was a long time ago, have they gotten better 🤷♀️
Use touchless car washes only. The traditional ones with the large brushes trap grime and dirt and beat up your paint.
Not much better. 💚
@@stevee8318 Be careful! Touchless uses harsher chemicals to get the car clean, which can also lead to damages to some paint finishes.
Thank you Team Clark.
2 really fancy car wash only businesses nearly completed near my home, no more than 2-3 miles from each other. Lots of new apartments going up, also multifamily homes and HOAs around. If HOAs say can't wash the car, that could be big business. I will avoid it if I can.
Read somewhere that car washes are built also to anchor a piece of land and allow it to appreciate and still draw a revenue off them as the property value goes up. Whether or not this makes sense, IDK, but probably some are built for that reason. Either that or they really are turnkey when looking at ROI and can be later sold and razed to build something else when a developer comes in with $$$.
You should sign up with a new insurance company every 4 to 5 years. At that point, the majority of discounts you have will expire and the rate will never go down. They do the same trick like car washes, offer a teaser then just increase it every year afterwards. That's why you see the cheapest price when you start a new policy. They don't care about customer loyalty, only risk.
If you are with a good company it's unlikely the rates will be beat by much. At least they weren't for me. I was rear ended last year - and the other driver lied about what happened - claimed I was changing lanes. It helped that I had a twenty five year record with the company with no accidents or tickets.
Car washes are also more environmentally friendly if the company is following environmental codes that are pretty stringent in larger cities.
What is a "hell storm?"
You can’t shop the market in California. I’ve tried. You have to lower your coverage to minimal levels to get a reduced rate. I have Allstate for 37 years. No claims. Two years ago i paid $700 per 6 month premium on two older vehicles. 6 months ago it went from $700 to $900. Now it’s $1000.00 per 6 month. No collision or theft. $1000 deductible! Someone reading these comments will say something stupid like “Why don’t you move?
Allstate bought out my existing co. Auto went from $82/mo (no fee to pay monthly) to $1900/yr, no other changes. My home insurance was unbundled from auto, lost that discount too. In CA there are few companies offering new policies. And lots of pricey cars and homes. Went to an independent agent who only had 1 company to offer me, I did switch.
Wow, hopefully that 1 company saved you some money. 💚
@@Clark Oh yes. Did change coverage a bit as well and submitted proper proof of mileage 90 days apart which gave additional savings. Independent agent and the new company both have been helpful getting all set up and price adjustments. Thx for commenting.
Regardless of how reasonably priced a monthly car wash subscription may be, any automatic car wash is the worst thing for your car finish. Overly harsh chemicals especially at touchless washes, brushes ruin your paint, incomplete washing/drying, and they can’t properly clean wheels, jambs, and other nooks/crannies. Hand-washing, including with a waterless solution in bad weather gives you exercise and does a way better job of protecting your finish. My wife’s 12-year old Mercedes has never been through an automatic car wash and it looks like it just left the showroom.
My 7 year old Honda CRV has Been thru an automated car wash over two hundred times and always outside and never waxed or had it detailer but with modern clear coat looks great. I'm retired but have bad knees & hips & no longer can wash it. Joined a car wash that charges $28 for premium car unlimited washes so get it washed st least 6 times a month. Only vacuum it Every other wash.
Just use binoculars to inspect your roof. Easy.
Never just pay a ticket. Get a lawyer to get it knocked down to a non moving violation. You wil pay more at the beginning, however you will save more on your insurance rates in the long term and it can avoid getting your insurance cancelled as happened to that family with the son as well
Instead of paying for a car wash AND a gym membership, how about just washing your own car? America as we know it is coming to an end. :((
Lawyers sue for thousands, is to blame for high rates
Thanks Clark! I got a big surprise here in Tennessee when I went to renew my tag, I was charged an extra $100 because I have a hybrid vehicle. EV's are an extra $200. No one knew about this ahead of time, of course...
Wow! It's different per state. Thanks for flagging! 💚
@@ClarkI did check in to it and here is what I got back
Belinda B (Tennessee Department of Revenue)
Feb 6, 2024, 8:27 AM CST
Good morning and thank you for contacting the Tennessee Department of Revenue, Public Chapter 159 increases the registration fee for all-electric vehicles and creates a registration fee for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles. These fees only apply when a vehicle registration is renewed. This is effective January 1, 2024.
www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/notices/titlereg/tr23-14.pdf
Belinda
Tennessee Dept. of Revenue
Vehicle Services Division
It's because you don't buy gas and the way they maintain their roads is with gas tax. A lot of states are doing that now.
Just a warning for those who do take the good advice to shop for car insurance. If you do, you'll probably do it online because that's quick, easy, and efficient. But in doing so, you'll be required to give up your name and address because, as they will explain to you, where you drive and where you park your car overnight are factors in determining rates. OK. Makes sense. But once you've done that, you WILL BE spammed relentlessly FOR YEARS. Ask me how I know. The lady in white and the lizard are RELENTLESS. Stopping the email is easy. Stopping the snail mail not so much, though I suppose that can be done, too. Yes, there are worse problems in life, but consider yourself warned.
😂😂😂 @ " the lady in white and the lizard."
Thanks for the warning! 💚
I totally concur, and 😢 I clicked a link on ... gulp ... one of Clark's advertisers on a newsletter over a year ago ... good gosh. Unbelievable how persistent agents near and as far away as Connecticut wanted to insure my Oklahoma car and house.
@@OkieJammer2736 🤦♂
@@Clark LOL
Thanks for the giggles.
I love you, Clark! But I do have to disagree with you for the 1st time, on the car wash club. 😅 I joined a club, and as a very clean guy, I wash my car every single week. So it’s actually a very good deal! 👍🏼😅
If you're using it, it's a great deal! 🙌 This warning was for people who subscribe and waste money by not using it.
likely no need for any will and almost surely no need for any trust
Those car washes are horrible for your paint.
USAA tried to increase my
8 year steady home insurance rate by 70%. Their reason was "we have a new program that determines cost to rebuild". I'm like, I only need to cover my loan and not a rebuild.
I switched to Progressive and never regretted it.
I get tempted to hit up a car wash every single sunny day, but my thrifty nature always prevails. I go home, park my car, pull out my bucket and rags, and get to scrubbin' myself. I have all the things: wax, polish, brushes. I hook up the wand attachment on my vacuum and give the seats/mats a good cleaning, too. Finish it off with a spray of a nice air freshener, cleaning and moisturizing the leather interior and cleaning the windows. It probably takes under an hour.
How much influence does the immigrants driving have on this since they drive without insurance?