The Clark Howard Podcast

Planning ahead means understanding available care for our aging selves and senior loved ones. Recent reports expose excessive fees imposed at assisted living facilities. Clark explains what to look out for and how to get legit help making placement decisions. Also today - something that is actually getting cheaper for you - audio books.  Assisted Living Fees: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Audiobo...

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also in this episode, great news on a common device that can prevent cognitive decline by 46% - and it’s getting cheaper to buy every day! Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Hearing Aids: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Clark’s Christmas Kids 5 Things To Know About Series...

Tax season is around the corner. Clark wants to make sure you know about a government grant for retirement savers who meet the income guidelines. Also today - an important step you need to take if you’re thinking about buying into a homeowner or condo association.  Saver’s Tax Credit: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Assessing An HOA: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Saver's Cre...

Clark shares data affirming that affordability for first time home buyers is an ongoing challenge. So where’s the housing market headed next? What to know about home prices and interest rates moving forward. Also, Clark openly disdains the higher cost of food delivery. Now, many fine dine-in restaurants are offering a cost saving option.  HOLD! First Time Home Buying: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment...

What happens if a cruise line changes your itinerary or a tour company cancels? You may be out of luck. Hear Clark’s NEVER RULE on travel insurance. Also today, a price trend is your friend. Mattress oversupply means deals. But there’s a requirement you should adhere to when buying. Travel Insurance: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Mattresses Deals: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the s...

The bad news on healthcare costs goes deep. Many are forgoing care, regardless of insurance status due to higher deductibles and copays. Clark explains the problem, the consequences, and what you can do to protect your health - and your wallet. Also today, great news for parents of college bound kids. There’s a new rule involving how parental assets affect a child’s eligibility for financial aid....

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also in this episode - do you ask for a credit score on the first date? People are approaching dating in more practical ways regarding financial stability. Clark discusses red flags and the importance of open communication around money from the get go.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Money...

Inflation silver lining: New IRS tax brackets for 2024. By historical standards, tax rates are low - at 12% on average. Understand how this informs financial planning, from Roth IRA conversion to home buying. In an era of historically low tax rates, don’t fall for irrelevant “tax smart” pitches. Also today, a very scary reason why you should always receive paper statements or keep digital records...

Bin stores, aka discount, surplus or salvage outlets - go by many names, but collectively serve an oversupplied retail market these days. Such stores specialize in selling returns and other troubled goods, offering a shortcut to lower prices. Also today, home insurance is a broken market in coastal areas, but one coastal state is adapting so well, premiums have decreased.  Bin Store Savings: Segme...

Now is the time to Save More. Clark makes economic predictions based on global indicators, with advice for timing saving and spending to get the most from your money. Also in this episode, a long promised technology is finally being tested - Amazon drone deliveries.  2024 Deflation: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Delivery Drones: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Right Now Is a...

Zelle has been a conduit for pretext scams costing consumers billions. 13 months ago, Zelle promised that by January of this year, they’d have consumer protections in place. Never happened - until now. Also today, as the value of travel points continues downward, Clark helps you determine if credit cards tied into airline & hotel providers are worth the high annual fees - and the cards that may se...

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also in this episode - Who wants to be a millionaire? New data shows that 12% of American families are now millionaires. How they got there.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Becoming A Millionaire: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: DuckDuckGo — Privacy, simplified. WSJ.c...

Today, two very practical ways to prepare for your near and long-term future - doing a home inventory and saving for long-term care. Clark gets you prepared in case you ever need to make a home insurance claim, and then discusses the problems with the broken long term care industry. Learn what financial advisors recommend now, to plan for what 80% of older adults may someday need.  Home Inventory:...

Clark has new evidence to back up something he’s long been in favor of - automatic enrollment in retirement savings plans. How some states are making saving for retirement automatic for the people. And how you can make it happen for yourself. Also, have you ever dreamed of retiring abroad to save money? Clark offers three main areas of consideration before making a decision. Automatic SAVING: Segm...

One decision that will save you big money over time is to buy a used car instead of new. And there is good news along that front. Clark updates what’s happening with prices on both new and used cars. Also, airline boarding can be a big headache - inefficient and time consuming. Clark has the solution.  Used Car Prices: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Fixing Airline Boarding: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Se...

A recent court ruling could eventually change the landscape for realtors, bringing U.S. commissions in line with global standards. Also today, it’s beyond Clarkrageous that big banks still pay zip on savings. Clark tells you how to get the most from your savings via CDs. Realtor Court Ruling: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Best CD Savings Rates: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show...

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns from travel adventures November 27th. Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also, did you hear about the ponzi scheme that involved manure conversion to energy? It’s a hard lesson about investing. Clark shares how the mass movement for private place...

Happy Thanksgiving Day! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns from travel adventures November 27th. There are cultural differences when it comes to handling money and we in the U.S. aren’t known as champion savers… YET. If building savings for financial security eludes you, Clark has a two part plan to get you on track. Even if you carry debt, follow Clark’s simple start now, and ultima...

Happy Thanksgiving Week! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns from travel adventures November 27th. If you’re trying to decide whether to buy a home now or wait, beyond pre-approval are several cost considerations to add to your decision process. Clark discusses some of the basic costs of owning a home so you go in with a realistic budget for the expected AND the unexpected. Also today...

Happy Thanksgiving Week! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns from travel adventures November 27th. People tend to carry a lot of embarrassment, shame and or anger around debt and other financial mistakes. Counselor Clark would like a word with you…. Also, water bills are up by about 50% over the last several years. Clark discusses the factors leading to this increase and what you can...

Happy Thanksgiving Week! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns from travel adventures November 27th. Rampant scams are now a global scourge, many now employing a tactic known as “pig butchering”. Clark shares a real life example and what you need to know. Also in this episode -Shocking new data reveals that most Americans are not on track for retirement. Our aspirations for early retire...

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also today - First time home buyers face many challenges now, but as homebuilders also feel the crunch, there’s a shift in the housing market that may benefit you.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Homebuilder Incentives: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: What Is a Good C...

How should couples handle money? Clark has some tried & true recommendations. Also, criminals are doing address changes on people with the postal service to steal their mail, with disastrous consequences. What you need to know about new USPS security standards.  Couples & Money: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 USPS Change Of Address ID Theft: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Ar...

Clark shares recent research on the benefits of top tier gasoline. Also in this episode, do you get an annual raise? Some companies are going to forego those next year for some employees. What to do if you are affected.  Top Tier Gas: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Wage Increase Outlook: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Yahoo News: Who has better gas between Costco and Sam’s C...

It’s getting cold out in many parts of the country. Clark has some good news on the home heating front. Also today - many insurance companies are purposely giving lowball offers for collision repairs. Clark has his own experience with this kind of dirty dealing. Know how to protect your wallet in the aftermath of an accident. Winter Heating Costs: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Auto Insurance Clai...