The Clark Howard Podcast

Clark discusses “nonprofit” hospitals and two crucial steps to take if you get a large hospital bill. Also today, there are multitudes of properties bought for the sole purpose of renting them out, but the rules of the game keep changing. To protect your finances, follow Clark’s rule for buying investment properties. Negotiate Hospital Bills: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Short Term Rental Proper...

A common text scam just attempted to infiltrate Clark’s own company. Hear how that turned out! Also today,  a warning if you receive packages from online retailers, and the one thing you need to do immediately when you do receive an item.  Text Scam Targets Companies: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Retail Return Fraud: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Do Your Boss a Favor and...

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also today, do you or someone you know have a safe deposit box? Clark has a very important warning if the answer is yes.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Unsafe Deposit Boxes: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: 6 Things To Know About Series I Savings Bonds Should You Sell...

CDs - Are they still a good deal? Given where inflation and interest rates are heading, Clark explains that we’ve arrived at a tipping point for savers, and how to best put your money to work. Also, a report has come out about the best supermarkets in the country. What makes them great? It’s a factor you may not think about.  The SAVE MORE CD Strategy: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Best Supermark...

As the big phone companies plan big price increases, smaller competitors are taking a bigger share of the marketplace. Clark shares easy ways to keep costs down.  Also, you’ve heard of getting a second opinion when it comes to medical procedures, but did you know that getting a second opinion in all sorts of consumer areas can save you big bucks? SAVE on Cell Phone Service: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Se...

Venmo is publicly sharing your info. Clark has a special privacy check up for Venmo users. Later - collectively entrepreneurs set a new record last year. Get Clark’s take on entrepreneurship and its value for the economy.  Venmo Privacy Check: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 On Entrepreneurship: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Venmo privacy settings to change now How To Make Y...

A new hotel fee is showing up for something a lot of people aren’t even using. How to book a room without getting ripped off. Also, knowledge is power when it comes to navigating funeral costs. The FTC has a new warning out about shady practices in the funeral industry that take advantage of grieving families.  Hotel Rates + Junk Fees: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Funeral Home Rip-offs: Segment...

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also today - many employers are offering a new benefit which may eliminate the need to choose between paying down student loans and saving for retirement.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 The New Student Loan/401(k) Benefit: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: How To Find...

Cruise travel is way up and with it, problems with associated trip insurance. Learn what could go wrong, and Clark smart rules for cruise travel. Also today, a follow up on Visa Vanilla gift cards and the “draining” scam that left so many people with useless plastic. Cruise Trip Coverage Warning: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Vanilla Gift Card Scam: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the...

Happy Valentine’s Day! Where did we traditionally receive Valentine’s Day cards? The mail! There’s a big problem with our mail delivery service, and something is going to have to give. Also today, Amazon is in a fight for its life with competitors and the resultant clothing price war presents opportunity for you.   USPS Mail Delays: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Clothing Price War: Segment 3 Ask...

With Valentine’s Day coming up tomorrow, it’s a good opportunity to give couples advice on how to avoid one of the most common things we fight over - money differences. Also today - Assumable mortgages allow qualifiers to potentially buy a house with one of the great rates that existed over the past few years. There’s a new site to help you find those homes for sale.  Couples & Money: Segment 1 As...

Communities are popping up around the country that make it feel like you are living at the beach, without the high cost of insurance and upkeep. Sound too good to be true? It’s not. Also, excellent news to share concerning teens and finance.  Lagoon Communities: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Teen Work Ethic: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Their Home Has Water Views and a Sa...

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also today - So many of us are addicted to our smartphones and there are new devices and methods to help us break the habit and be more present. The discipline to ditch your phone for periods of time may improve your quality of life. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Phone-free Quality Time:...

U.S. consumers pay more for prescription drugs than anywhere else on the planet, especially for vital brand medications that are not yet sold as generics. Clark explains this price disparity, reports on Florida’s move to import from Canada, and shares how you can save on meds today. Also - How Walmart is giving its workers a stake in the game and why that is good for business.  Save More On Meds:...

Because of the pandemic, many employees are entering a corporate office environment for the first time, and companies are having to do special training to help them adjust. Clark has some advice for these new workers. Also today - After a period of punishing inflation, consumers are finally in the driver’s seat on prices. How? Clark explains our collective power in the marketplace.  Workplace Etiq...

Some reports estimate overall food waste at near 40%! That’s MONEY tossed away! There’s a simple way to help you SAVE MORE food & thus - stretch your grocery dollars. Also, Clark discusses options for those with I Bonds purchased at inflation’s peak, now with diminishing returns, and why I Bonds are still a good deal now.   Reduce Food Waste: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 I Bond Strategy: Segment...

Bad news makes news, creating general pessimism and a negative outlook on the world at large. But there’s so much good in the world that goes unheralded. Clark shares some reasons to be optimistic. Also today, colleges are competing to fill enrollments. Clark shares strategies to help you stretch every college dollar, including asking for a 4 year incentive package.  Dare To Be Optimistic: Segment...

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.  Also today  - Staying fit doesn’t have to involve costly memberships. Clark shares his affinity for fitness trackers, and how inexpensive they can be.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Fitness Trackers : Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Costco vs. Sam's Club: What Is th...

The stock market has hit record highs lately, which means investors can become misdirected by  “recency bias”.  What could go wrong?  Clark explains some market realities to keep in mind and the value of diversification. Also today, with tax season upon us make sure you know about tax filing options that are free. Investment Strategy: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Free Tax Filing: Segment 3 Ask C...

Credit card debt is up 50% in the last 3 years with default rates on the rise, as higher interest rates exacerbate the problem. What would Clark do? Also today, many people have been waiting for the market to normalize before buying a vehicle. Clark shares good news and smart approaches to the purchase of both new and used cars.  Credit Card Debt Strategy: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Car Buying...

Clark offers a primer on the 3 basic types of funds - Mutual, Index, and the fastest growing area of investing: ETFs.  Also, there is a new rule for health insurers when you need medical preauthorization approval for treatment or a procedure.  And it’s about time.  Back To Basics: ETFs: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 New Rules On Medical Preauthorization: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned o...

If you’re doing the work of saving,  how much interest are you earning? Some banks pay next to zero. Clark has an assignment for you. Also, Clark celebrates a “trendlet”  he hopes will become a full fledged trend - actual customer service.  Max Return On Savings: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Customer Service Lives: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: WSJ.com: They Thought Their...

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also today - Costco vs Sam’s and how Sam’s Club is using tech to make the customer experience easier.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Sam’s Club Scan & Go: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: 401(k) Match: What Is It, How It Works Here’s why electric cars don’t go as far...

While other crime is down post-pandemic, vehicle vandalism & theft rises. Clark discusses the great value of vehicle sentry cameras for prevention and recording of vehicle accidents and crimes. Also today - Alarmist headlines of layoffs and AI killing jobs don’t give you the full picture. Clark lends perspective on the nature of employment historically involving change, and the job growth happenin...

Today, a Red Alert if you have a checkbook in your possession. Check theft is soaring at a time when people are writing fewer checks. Clark explains the weak links in the system, and the safest way to pay your bills. Also, the rising costs of homeowners insurance hits especially hard in areas prone to flooding, fires, and other environmental concerns. Know the additional steps to take concerning i...