The Clark Howard Podcast

Various devices we use in our lives from alarm systems to fitness trackers - collect personal data. Clark discusses how to balance protecting your privacy with utilizing modern technology. Also today, huge bills that arrive after a hospitalization are often far from accurate. Clark shares strategies for dealing with these, and potentially lowering the costs.  Technology Vs Privacy: Segment 1 Ask C...

Keeping your finances organized creates more efficiency and less stress in your life. Today Clark goes back to basics on what kind of documentation you should keep, and for how long. Also, millions of our aging loved ones are aggressively targeted and collectively scammed out of billions each year. Clark offers adult children some direction for becoming proactive, in order to help protect vulnerab...

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also today - Retirement can be the beginning of a wonderful new life! But it can also present serious challenges after a lifetime of working, including depression. Clark talks about avoiding this pitfall, and making the most of your golden years.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Joy In Reti...

Only 1 in 4 people realize you can negotiate on items you think come at a fixed price. You can negotiate everything from the price of a new car to your cable bill to large appliances. Also, social media is full of pitches selling supplements and powders with claims they can improve your health and change your life. Not so fast. What you need to know about dietary supplements.  Price Negotiation: S...

Clark checks in on the current state of cryptocurrency - where it’s been, where it’s going. Also today, a look at the financial education young students are getting - including the FiCycle curriculum, and how you can start teaching them at home.  Cypto Basics: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Financial Education: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: What Clark Howard Thinks of 'Cryp...

Today - What summer sunscreen shoppers need to know about effective, affordable skin protection. Also - Perennial questions about owning car warranties have only increased in the age of modern vehicles - basically computers on wheels that are more expensive than ever to repair. Clark shares new data & direction on warranties.   Choosing Sunscreen: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Auto Repair Costs &...

Using reward points for summer airfare and hotels has been a great way to save over the years, but operators have long been devaluing these programs, and are limiting how you can earn those points. Know how to better manage the moving targets that are today’s variable travel rewards. Also, a special guest: Our man Anthony visited Manhattan’s Fairway Market, and reports on the latest version of cas...

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also, something many of us need but generally ignore is life insurance. Clark helps you take it off the back burner and take care of business, with info on how much you need and how to buy it.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Life Insurance 101: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on t...

How do we determine our “magic number” - the amount we need to retire? Clark weighs in on the debate about how much it takes to be financially secure, and how to start and keep making progress. Also today -private placements, hedge funds, limited partnerships, private equity - beware of this type of non-traditional investment “opportunity”. Even when they’re legit, there’s no liquidity, and extrem...

Clark discusses the big bank response to higher savings rates and spells out your options to make the most of your savings. Also today - small business owners are stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to borrowing money. Beware “quick” loans. Clark has a better way. Maximize Your Savings Rate: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Legal Loan Sharks Plague Small Business: Segment 3 Ask Clark...

Today - you may have heard that Walmart is closing its health centers. With the failure of this healthcare option, along with the state of the clinic attempts made by Walgreens & CVS, there’s an important healthcare takeaway to be prepared for. Also, are you ready to see a driverless tractor-trailer on the road? Are they safe? Your Primary Care Physician: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Autonomous...

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also, we’ve talked about the cost of college, and how it can hamper parents saving for their own retirement. But what about supporting adult children post-college age? Clark shares some concerning stats. What’s your take? We have a popular thread on our free Clark.com Community on this t...

Clark has never been a fan of brand names, and it seems he’s been ahead of the curve. Now consumers, sick of high prices, are fighting back. New private labels are popping up and it’s great for our wallets. Also today, with short-term rental bans proliferating, Clark has a key rule for purchasing investment property.  Private Label Store Brands Vs Big Brand Names: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Bu...

Today, an important update on Inflation Savings Bonds. Clark explains how these bonds work over time and the advantage of owning new Series I Bonds. Also, extra fees have been a topic on the show in recent years. There’s a new fee in town making a splash - Clark tells you how to avoid it.  UPDATE - Series I Savings Bonds: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Cancellation & No-Show Fees: Segment 3 Ask Cl...

Clarkonomics! Clark discusses how the US economy stacks up against the rest of the world, including concerns about our deficit. Also, Clark and Christa have a long running disagreement about a payment practice. Christa was right. Clark has changed his mind. Clarkonomics: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Automatic Payments: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: The US dollar is streng...

In this episode - did you hear about the T-Mobile customer who received a six figure bill for an international trip? Get Clark smart advice for traveling overseas with your phone. Also today - there’s a new warning out about a scam trying to collect money from you from phantom tolls. International Calling: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Toll Collection Scam Warning: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4...

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.  Also today, we’ve talked a lot about renting vs. buying in today’s housing market. New data makes a compelling argument and provides direction for aspiring homeowners.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Rent Vs Buy A Home: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Best 529 Colleg...

Today, Clark shares a personal story about a sleazy sales call he received from one of the big alarm companies - tied to an internet provider. Also in this episode, pet owners need to understand what’s going on in the veterinary medicine profession so they can choose wisely, and protect their wallets. DIY Home Security: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Veterinary Bills: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment...

Finding a fiduciary financial advisor who ONLY works for your best interests can be difficult. New regulations may add protections for consumers, but it’s on us to know how to get the best guidance.  Also, Americans have so much stuff that storage units have been overbuilt. If you have a unit, Clark has some money saving advice regarding your monthly fee. Key Warning On Financial Advisors: Segment...

In this episode - Clark takes you through the necessary steps for buying a used vehicle, including his number one rule, a key step neglected by a third of all buyers. Also today - are you traveling this summer? Airlines and hotels are changing the rules when it comes to earning points or miles.  How To Buy A Used Car: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Airline & Hotel Points: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segm...

In this episode - we often see lists of the best auto insurance companies, but now Clark has discovered an industry database for body shops that rates insurers according to how claims are handled. Also, Clark hates covenants not to compete - a labor practice that’s now on the ropes. But the ban is messy. Clark explains.  A New Source For The BEST Auto Insurers: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Non-C...

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also in this episode, how loyalty programs affect price decision making and may have you “competing with yourself”. Clark discusses how these programs work across many industries, and what to keep in mind to get the most from them.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Loyalty Programs: Segment...

During COVID, many Americans moved far away from their offices, sometimes out of state. Clark talks about how super-commuters are making it work. Also, Clark gets back to basics on something he hates: annuities. Know which type may actually be useful and which ones are to be AVOIDED at all costs!  Super-Commuting: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Sold Not Bought - Annuities: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Seg...

Investing continues to evolve and a new way some fiduciary financial advisors are charging for services could save you money. Know your options to make an informed choice for financial services. Also, before you sign up for expensive dental work, think twice & take Clark’s advice. Flat Fee Financial Advisors: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Wisdom Teeth- AVOID Unnecessary Dental Work: Segment 3 Ask...

In our everyday payment decisions, many choose Apple Pay or Google Wallet on our phones. Consumer behavior studies show the more convenient the payment method, the more we spend. Don’t let tap to pay, tap you out! Also today - we are finally seeing the results of people wanting to do more in person. Clark discusses how this is affecting some industries, including food delivery.  Phone Tap To Pay (...