The Clark Howard Podcast

Clark addresses the investigation into the Tesla autopilot system and his experiences with autonomous driving. // Clark shares his  favorite places to save money on prescription eyeglasses & contacts. 3 discount sellers get the highest satisfaction ratings. Ask Clark topics include: Should You Buy an Extended Warranty on Your Car? / Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Review / How To Find and Choose a Fi...

Based on your particular needs for calling, network & data, choose the best cell plan & provider using Clark’s new cell phone guide, which makes it clear to see the best plan for you, at the best price. // New competition is changing the banking industry, which at its core, is about extracting fees from you. Now you have choice: Credit Unions, online banks & fintechs do things differently. Ask Cla...

Organized crime has had a hand in moving scams for decades and now it’s gotten more severe. Clark describes how the scam happens, so you can steer clear. // The pandemic has upended the office imperative, allowing more people to live and work anywhere in the country or abroad. But working remotely is not without downsides. Some Clark smart employment direction.  Ask Clark topics include: How Do St...

In stores and online, the ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ option is proliferating. What’s the catch? / If you are an Amazon user, there are disturbing things going on with certain sellers you need to know about involving negative review backlash and dangerous merchandise. Ask Clark topics include: Rules and Qualifications for Claiming a Tax Dependent / Donor-Advised Funds: The Benefits and Drawbacks / Why Yo...

Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. / There’s evidence the frenzy in the home selling market is cooling off.  Have we hit the point of price resistance? What home buyers and sellers should know. Clark Stinks and Ask Clark topics include: The #1 thing you need to do if you use PayPal, Venmo or Zelle / Is a Safe Deposit Box Really Safe? / Smartphone d...

Businesses have a lot to figure out right now -- vaccines, lack of workers, and wages. Employer vaccine mandates are expanding among medium to large companies. Clark explains the visceral fear of economic slowdown, in an environment of great job opportunity. // An inventive idea to solve housing shortages in cities. Ask Clark topics include: Amazon Scam Warning: Beware of Deliveries You Didn’t Ord...

If you’re an entrepreneur or have a side gig, what you need to know to save for your future. // College students are headed back to campus. A special warning about campus health insurance, and what your options are.  Ask Clark topics include: eBay Motors - Car and Truck Inspections / File Complaint with the Better Business Bureau / Roth vs. Traditional 401(k) / Petal Card Review - What Is a Credit...

The package delivery industry is beset with problems that affect small business the worst. Who is filling the niche? // Word is out about some scams that are dominant now. Warnings for individual car sellers & sellers of anything, and what can happen if you lend out your phone. Ask Clark topics include: Is a Cash-Out Refinance Right for You? / Virtual Credit Cards: An Online Security Measure Worth...

Different lenders assess you differently. Larger lenders use their own proprietary evaluations - and evaluate your patterns & their risk levels to make decisions about your credit. 80% of car buyers obtain a loan the wrong way. How to obtain the best credit terms. // QR codes have proliferated during the pandemic and are here to stay, but there are some privacy red flags going up around them. Plus...

Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. / Tips for saving money when doing laundry. Clark Stinks and Ask Clark topics include: Locast / 80+ great deals and discounts for military members and veterans - Military and Veterans Guide / 7 Things You Need to Know Before You Fly Southwest Airlines / Long-Term Care Insurance / Costco Travel / 401(k) Guide / Fid...

Clark preps you for the current state of travel, including passport delays, how to book to protect your wallet, hotel cleaning policies and rental cars. / Clark is alarmed by a new statistic about people borrowing money to play the stock market on what is called “Margin”. How this practice works and the risk involved. Ask Clark topics include: What Is a Credit Union? / How and Why to Refinance You...

Clark explains how 529 plans work to help families save for college, how to set one up, and which ones make Clark’s Dean’s List of most cost-efficient plans in his newly updated 529 Guide. But - Quiz: what comes in your financial life BEFORE you set up a 529 plan? / Employers are starting to offer incredible incentives and benefits to employees, and Walmart just announced a big one. Employer subsi...

Due to the ongoing pandemic, interest rates have fallen back down and with them, mortgage refinance rates. How refinances and mortgages differ, and how to go about taking advantage of these historic low rates. / The number of thefts of catalytic converters has risen 10 fold in the past year. It’ll cost ya big. How you can help prevent this theft problem. Ask Clark topics include: Turo: 5 Things To...

Clark explains the ongoing “right to repair” debate and what’s hopefully changing to your advantage. / 403(beware): Clark Rage Alert! Clark lets loose on how he REALLY feels about TIAA’s abuses and lame response. Ask Clark topics include: CO-OP Financial Services SHARED BRANCH / Turo: 5 Things To Know About the Cheap Car Rental Service / Best Online Will Maker: 5 Free or Cheap Options - Wills & Fu...

Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. / The era of $6K hearing aids is coming to a close. Clark describes ongoing industry cartel price-fixing, and why a WIN for consumers is sounding. Clark Stinks and Ask Clark topics include: Best 529 College Savings Plans By State / Fidelity Rewards Credit Card Review: Invest with 2% Cash Back / Liquid Biopsy: Usin...

Great internet access has become essential, and there are so many Americans without it. Clark talks about satellite-based internet service and when and where it will be available. / Often those who work for small companies don’t have access to retirement plans. Many states have an offering that can turn the intention to save, into action. Ask Clark topics include: How to File a Complaint with the...

Could we be witnessing the end of email? America’s youth prefer other platforms for communication. Is email becoming irrelevant? / One thing parents are often trying to balance is how much to give their children and how much kids should cover on their own. Clark discusses what a new study on parental giving to adult children reveals. Hint: Train Wreck City. Hear the findings. Ask Clark topics incl...

Clark explores the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement, now several years on, and the lifelong advantages of living on less than what you make. / With car prices skyrocketing, many are looking for alternative methods of transportation. Great news if you are one of them. Clark describes how new battery tech for golf carts, scooters and e-bikes is providing cheaper transportation fo...

Clark loves football! Get the latest on the NFL’s tough new Covid policy. Plus, the concert industry reopens with a fabulous concert ticket deal from Live Nation with an advantage for T-Mobile customers - starting tomorrow. / Cash App, Zelle and Venmo are free, convenient pay apps but come with risks. Venmo ends a bizarre practice and offers new security. Ask Clark topics include: How To Watch Foo...

Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. / Rising food costs, why grocery stores are actually happy about that, and how you can save at the supermarket.  Clark Stinks and Ask Clark topics include:  Health care sharing ministries surge in popularity, Magnify Money analysis shows / Target Date Funds: Clark’s Favorite Retirement Investment / Lightbox Jewelr...

Both Apple and Google are being sued over how they run their app stores. Clark explains the toll and the workaround. / Free college sounds great, especially with the outrageous price of higher education and the student loan burden so many carry.  But is it a good idea? Clark points out where this has been successful, and why it can be good for citizen, state and country when it’s skills based, for...

New reports indicate borrowing is roaring back after the pandemic slowdown. Lengthy car loans and credit card debt can be dangerous. Credit card offers are everywhere now. How to take advantage of that, without being taken advantage of by creating more debt.  / If those CD rates you’re seeing advertised seem too good to be true… you are correct! Two current pitches, what’s the catch, and how to av...

If you’ve been given the choice, what are the pros & cons of working from home vs. returning to the office you should consider?  Plus, what research reveals about the 4 day work week. / Would you buy a house you’ve never been to?  Clark’s take on this practice and what home buyers should know about buying houses online. Ask Clark topics include: YouTube TV vs. Hulu Live: Which Streaming Service Is...

Congress has never passed consumer protections against hacks of investment accounts. 3 Clark smart rules for protecting your retirement accounts. / TRAVEL NEWS: Passports, canceled flights, rental cars, high fees & more. Ask Clark topics include: 5 Sneaky Ways to Improve Your Credit Score / These Credit Cards Earn 2% Cash Back on Purchases / How To Sell, Cancel or Get Rid of Your Timeshare / How I...

Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. / Why are people opting out of the monthly child tax credit? Clark answers this and other questions about the now active Child Tax Credit. Clark Stinks and Ask Clark topics include: How to Teach Young Kids About Money / We Still Haven’t Received Our Federal Tax Refund. What Should We Do? / 4 Things To Know About...