The Clark Howard Podcast

QR Codes have become fertile ground for criminals to load viruses and steal from you. Know how to avoid this now prevalent hazard. Also today, the big cell phone companies have made it incredibly expensive to use your phone when traveling outside the U.S. Hear Clark’s latest advice on how to handle this. QR Code Warning: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 International Calling: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Se...

Clark shares insights on how to Spend Less from a recent price study comparing behemoth retailers. Later - home and auto insurance is becoming more expensive and increasingly hard to purchase. How to be proactive vs reactive.  Retail Giant Price Comparison: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Home & Auto Insurance Increases: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Amazon vs Walmart: Who H...

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also today - do you use apps to get points & free items at restaurants? Are there app tricks going on to get us to spend more money? A current lawsuit calls this into question - but the real issue is larger. What to know about app stored payment systems.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Res...

Generation X in particular has faced unique challenges preparing for retirement. Clark talks about the factors involved and what this age group can do as they near their 60’s and beyond. Also today, in some states, housing prices have gone up 50% in the last 5 years. One solution Clark loves - composite, factory-built manufactured home building, is gaining traction in some places, but uptake will...

Clark discusses his recent heart procedure, shares the good news of his progress and thanks all for the heartfelt well wishes he received. Also in this episode, if you’re looking to upgrade the size of your TV, there are some incredible deals out there right now. Clark points the way. Health Update: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Big TV Deals: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show:...

Today, a dose of Clarkonomics. Clark shares his views on the state of the economy, including energy production and the stock market looking ahead. Also, you may have noticed fewer options when it comes to goods you buy, like toilet paper and paper towels. Clark explains how the pandemic forced new adaptive efficiencies in manufacturing, and why this is good for consumers Clarkonomics: Segment 1 As...

Wishing you a peaceful and uplifting MLK Day. Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns tomorrow with new ways to Save More, Spend Less and Avoid Getting Ripped Off! The auto insurance industry is in a world of hurt and aggressively raising rates. Clark explains the factors involved and what you can do to help keep your costs down. Also today, life expectancy is a roll of the dice but gener...

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also today -  Abandoned Places should NOT include your old 401(k). And big employers don’t want them. So new rules place this money at risk. Clark explains what’s happening now, and how to safely move your money. Don’t let it slip away!  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Forgotten 401(k)s At...

The IRS has been in the news for waiving penalties from prior tax years AND people are getting surprise tax bills. That has brought about a slew of companies advertising tax debt relief. Know what applies to you, and why you shouldn’t take the bait for “debt relief”. Also in the news, the lawsuit against Vanguard over its target date funds is moving through the courts. Know what role TDFs play in...

Clark explains the real purpose of owning gold, and, should you decide to - the best way to include it as an asset. Also - One way to save money in the new year? Cancel subscriptions! Clark revisits subscription creep, and how streaming and other services can add up to big bucks. Many people forget to cancel free trials, and worse, many companies make it difficult to cancel.  GOLD! Yes Or No: Segm...

The big pharmacies are folding under the pressure of competitive pricing. How to insure you pay less for prescriptions. Also today, Clark updates the state of the economy and interest rates, with guidance on how savers can lock in higher rates for longer. He also has an important warning about how to spot fake CDs.  Rx Pricing Changes: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 CD Rates & Saving Strategy: Seg...

If you have holiday gifts you plan on taking or sending back, you need to know how return policies have changed, and act quickly. Clark explains. Also today, companies should emulate a recent move by a major airline to help employees with their finances.  Restrictive Return Policies: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Delta’s Emergency Savings Fund: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show...

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also in this episode, there’s a real danger of scams when job searching online. Clark let’s job hunters know what to look out for and the rules of the road to employment.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Job Scams: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: What Is the Highest Cr...

The resolution to spend less can yield multiple benefits and there are various approaches. Clark explores a method called financial fasting. Also today, the U.S. is slowly adopting a method to simplify taxes, used by most other developed countries. See if this free online direct tax filing service called Direct File could work for you. Financial Fasting: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 IRS: Direct...

Clark shares good news about his favorite type of retirement account. Also in today’s show, advice for used car buyers includes new tax incentives that just went into effect.  New Roth IRA Limits: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 The Used EV Tax Credit: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Looking to save in a Roth IRA next year? Here's what you need to know. - from USA TODAY How To...

We’re back and ready to talk about how you can save more, spend less, and avoid rip-offs in 2024! Up first - your cell phone bill! Cell phone rates are going up at twice the rate of inflation because we’ve gone from 4 national providers to 3. Clark has ways to help you SAVE. Also, know what to expect this year if you’ve been worried about paying tax bills on money received through Venmo, PayPal, C...

Happy Holidays! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns January 2nd. Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Later, 20% of credit card users have heavy revolving debt, accounting for ¾ of the money banks make from cards. Few such users know their debt amount or interest rate, an oversight banks have exploited. If you’...

Happy Holidays! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns January 2nd. Clark explains the forces behind a reversal in home building trends, bringing more affordable homes to the housing market. Also today: New data shows the net cost of attending college is moderating. Clark discusses cost factors to consider when choosing a college and most importantly - a course of study and skill set. Is...

Happy Holidays! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns January 2nd. Amount lost to only the scams reported last year: $9 Billion. Clark runs down an alarming list of current cons, and what they all have in common. Also today, Clark updates his journey renting storage, with new insights on what renters of storage units need to know.  Scam-a-rama Line Up: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Ren...

Happy Holidays! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns January 2nd. Word to seniors - A new trend is serving the lifelong learning ethos which may make sense for you and greatly enhance retirement. Also, the increased challenges of homebuying have led to the resurgence of renting to own a home. Clark discusses the opportunity and hazard of these contracts.  Retirees Return To College: Se...

Happy Holidays! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns January 2nd. Credit cards are a massive expense for businesses. The U.S. has the highest merchant fees in the world, so many merchants pass on the expense to customers. Clark tells you how Visa is fighting back, and what this all means for both merchants and consumers. Also today, Clark - aka The Man From Roth - shares the considerab...

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also today, Clark explains the hybrid vehicle advantage and the difference between plug-in and regular hybrids.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Hybrids 101: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Clark’s Christmas Kids How To Save Money With Google Flights Children & Infant...

Do you financially support your adult kids? This is a tough area. Clark shares some surprising statistics and offers some guidelines for parents. Also in this episode, do you pay attention to security warnings including data breaches, scams & digital vulnerabilities? Clark discusses what it takes for us to actually take security alerts seriously and act to protect our accounts.  Funding Your Adult...

New stats reveal many Americans are tapping retirement accounts for cash shortfalls. There are safety valves that allow access to these funds pre-retirement but doing so erodes future wealth. Clark discusses where to draw the line when faced with this dilemma. Also today, positive changes from Apple include a texting fix that’s long overdue. Borrowing From Retirement Accounts: Segment 1 Ask Clark:...

Many shoppers are into “dupes” - cheaper replicas of pricier products, especially clothing, cosmetics and accessories. So are they worth a try? A recent survey assesses quality vs savings on duplicate brands. Also today, Toyota was just fined for ripping customers off with car loans. But they’re not the only ones playing games in their finance offices. How to bypass this rip-off entirely.  Cheaper...