The Clark Howard Podcast

Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. / Some airlines have had periods of complete chaos of late. What’s behind the meltdowns, a notable exception, and a warning about online travel reviews. We’re entering a very popular travel season- Clark smart booking advice. Clark Stinks and Ask Clark topics include: Best Rewards Credit Cards: Top Picks for 2021...

The K Economy: A significant portion of the population thrives, while many others struggle mightily. Meanwhile nearly 70% worry about their kids falling behind as education has also suffered during the pandemic. So what’s the good news? Clark points to opportunity. // A LendingTree study of debt collection complaints reveals that most involve fraudulent or mistaken debt. There’s also nonexistent o...

Robocalls may have started declining due to number verification to thwart spoofing. So crooks are moving on to text scams. These are coming at you fast and furious. What to look for so you don’t download a virus. // Are you feeling burned out at your job? More than half of workers don’t take all their PTO. What!? Clark’s annual plea for your good health, happiness AND better productivity at work....

Americans are living longer. At the same time, we want to retire earlier. Clark wisdom for those ages 20 to 45 about what it takes to be FI (Financially Independent) in the back third of life. // An outrageous grocery charge you have to hear to believe - and how to protect your wallet from this kind of banking trainwreck. Ask Clark topics include: How Does Airbnb Work for Hosts? / How to Buy a Use...

The work from home genie is out of the bottle. Employees have left the building. And yet, nearly half of execs want them back in the office 5 days a week. Check the quit rate, boss. People have the power now. Clark smart executive direction. / Housing: Our number 1 expense. Clark covers the latest developments and how they affect your wallet now and in the future. Ask Clark topics include: VENMO I...

Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. / The Holiday shopping season has morphed to spread out the sales calendar for greater efficiency. The pandemic has accelerated that process. Now pre-Halloween, sales are underway. Clark points to a few so you can SAVE MORE. The biggest deals will come before December. Clark Stinks and Ask Clark topics include: Co...

There are 2 major factors that inform why people choose to move from one state to another. California and Texas are a case in point. // Clark shares an idea that may shift the way you think about retirement savings - at any age.  Ask Clark topics include: What Is a 403(b) and How Does It Work? / How to Buy a Used Car in 7 Steps / Best and Worst Auto Insurance Companies / Best and Worst Home Insura...

The investing price wars continue, giving you more choice in the marketplace. You’ll end up with 50% more money for retirement being with a low cost provider. A full commission stock broker is pitching something that may sound like a good idea. Clark’s not buying it, and neither should you. // Disney uses dynamic demand pricing which can help regulate crowd size. Now they have a new planning app c...

$40 vs $330 for the same Rx?! GREAT news on a couple of subscription programs that can save you big bucks. // Why Wall Street loves Best Buy’s new membership program for tech support and the value of membership. Ask Clark topics include: 10 Ways To Save on Prescription Drugs / Canadian International Pharmacy Association / How to Buy a Used Car in 7 Steps / Cell Phones & Smartphones for sale | eBay...

Restaurants and the service industries overall are enduring severe labor shortages for all to see. This is creating high anxiety. Patience is a virtue. / 16 years into telematics, only 2% of drivers allow themselves to be tracked. Do you want your every move tracked while driving? How one major insurer is pushing for it, plus, a tale of Tesla’s driver-assist testing. Ask Clark topics include: Why...

Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. / Why Clark loves our largest domestic airline - Southwest, what’s going on with the recent meltdowns, and Clark smart advice for travelers. Clark Stinks and Ask Clark topics include: Social Security / CREDIT CARDS - Clark.com / 5 Steps To Getting a Good Deal on a Hotel Room / Wawa Launches “Tap, Pay & Save 15 Cen...

The disappearance of cash brings new ways to tip - and challenges teaching kids about money. // The average bottled water drinker spends $1400 a year on bottled water - which may not be as safe as tap water! And bottled water IS overwhelmingly tap water! Clark explains - and suggests a WAY cheaper middle ground solution. Ask Clark topics include: What Is a Backdoor Roth IRA? / MTurk Review: How to...

How many times do you pick up your smartphone each day? Surprising statistics about how much we’re engrossed in these devices, and something else to think about. // Both Androids & iPhones are being invaded by various types of malicious apps. 10 million got hit with fake charges on their cell phone bills. Learn the number 1 way to know a rogue app is lurking & how to protect yourself from this gro...

If you’re willing to pivot for credit card perks in the marketplace, it’s a win. Learn about new Amex and Navy Federal offerings. / $500 a year for a credit score subscription!? No. DO NOT allow anyone to rip you off for credit monitoring, reports or scores. Clark reveals secrets about the business, including how you can get all that info for FREE. Ask Clark topics include: 6 Tips for Hiring a Con...

Learn how insurers are using AI, drones and robots to assess auto and property claims. This brings up concerns you need to know about. // Uber & Lyft costs are up by 1/3rd on average. Surge pricing makes these rideshare costs unpredictable. You’re not a sitting duck. Clark mentions several alternatives. Ask Clark topics include: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime Road Test - Consumer Reports / The 3 Truths of...

Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. / Holiday shopping - in October? Several factors make that a good idea this year, including current deals. Clark Stinks and Ask Clark topics include: The Free Account Everyone Needs To Set Up Before Retirement / Read This Before You Sign Up for Health Insurance at Work / How to decide if medical tourism is a viabl...

The promise of public service student loan forgiveness made 14 years ago has been grossly mismanaged, cheating compliant service workers. That injustice is being overturned with new federal regulations going into effect. Stand By! Clark’s guide is forthcoming involving an October deadline. // More Americans are living at or near a coast. Learn how the Federal Flood Insurance Program has worked, an...

Elder fraud comes in many forms. The numbers are astounding. AARP reports 5 million elderly Americans have money stolen each year. Average amount: $120,000. They can’t recover from that kind of loss. How we all can do a better job of communicating with and protecting aging family & friends. // Flying electric taxis for regional transportation are being adopted in São Paulo, Brazil. These helio-pla...

Both oil and natural gas are in short supply, with prices going up. How to save on gasoline and home energy. // Social Security has an embedded base of support, so it will continue in some form, based on your highest 35 year earnings. Clark shares why and how you should monitor this future source of income starting at age 30 - a simple but very important task. Ask Clark topics include: Energy Sage...

We’re used to everything always being available. Clark explains we’re back to historical patterns, supply chain disruption and distribution tendencies for the duration. No need to panic buy, just flex. // It’s open enrollment time for many company health insurance plans. What you should know about HSA high-deductible health plans, how to decide which plan is best for you AND - disability insurance...

Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. / Pandemic burnout has prompted many to re-evaluate their life and careers. Close to half of new business owners now are women. The economics of this development and the opportunities it presents. Clark Stinks and Ask Clark topics include: Hearing Aids / What Is a 403(b) and How Does It Work? / File complaints wit...

1 in 4 houses are being bought cash only. Sellers want certainty. Clark shares a new way some companies are helping home buyers win the bidding wars. // Microsoft is eliminating passwords. Amazon is experimenting with biometrics for concert entry. Biometrics are here to stay and passwords will be a thing of the past. Ask Clark topics include: These Airlines Are Extending Credits Into 2022 / Cemete...

529 Plans are getting better overall. But there are 2 types: direct sold, and rip offs.. Due to massive fees, you can end up with less than you put in. Know the only kind to buy: Best 529 College Savings Plans By State // 70% of the jobs of 20 years from now do not exist today. The market never stops transforming. Clark shares which careers make sense for the future. If you’re in an industry in de...

Due to extreme weather patterns, homeowners insurance is becoming a more difficult purchase. Underwriting can vary greatly from one insurer to another. New considerations for home buyers & why shopping home insurance is more important now than ever. Plus, 3D printed homes are weatherproof, cheaper & quicker to build. // Sick of getting junk robocalls about your extended warranty expiring? You are...

An important warning for those in the market for a used vehicle, and how buyers must protect themselves. Also, there will be new e-vehicles in the marketplace, sold direct. What that means for buyers. // Recent wide swings in the stock market have sparked fears among investors. Various factors have created a “wall of worry”. The problem with getting out of the market, and the right questions to as...