The Clark Howard Podcast

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.  Also,  even if oil and jet fuel prices drop, major U.S. airlines warn that fluctuating costs mean high airfares are here to stay for the foreseeable future. With flight delays and unpredictable pricing making winter travel tricky, flexibility and preparation are key. Clark bre...

Secret Hospital Price Lists Exposed & Simple Cart Trick That Saves You Money Healthcare costs are skyrocketing, and with health insurance prices expected to jump even higher, taking control of your medical expenses is vital. Clark shares a radical workaround to save thousands on life-saving brand-name medications, plus a powerful free tool at hospitalpricingfiles.org that unveils secret hospital p...

Are High-Yield Investments Dangerously Risky? & Why Wes Updated His Thinking on HSAs Jim Cramer says high yields are dangerous – so is retirement income actually at risk? Wes sets the record straight on high-dividend stocks, interest rates, and how to safely build a yield ladder. Plus, Wes shares a personal shift in his own financial strategy: why he recently updated his thinking on High Deductibl...

With gas prices squeezing wallets, you might be tempted to trade in your current ride for a fuel-efficient hybrid or EV. However, making a permanent financial decision based on a temporary spike in gas prices can cost you thousands in the long run. Before you swap keys to save on fuel, make sure the math actually works for your budget. Also, Clark sets the record straight on a viral Walmart rumor....

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.  Also, is your home insurance company offering free smart tech? It is becoming increasingly common for insurers to send free monitoring devices to prevent two of the biggest – and costliest – headaches homeowners face: electrical fires and water damage. Such offers can be a win-win...

Interest rates are up, and Clark addresses how to maximize savings, and what mortgage rates mean for the housing market.  The giant monster mega banks are paying an insulting 0.01% on savings accounts, essentially a zero return. What rate should you be looking for elsewhere? Meanwhile, the housing market shifts yet again as 30-year mortgage rates hit 7%, crushed by geopolitical instability an...

Interest Rate Spike: Panic or Opportunity? & 7 Most Important Ages In Retirement Planning Why are bond yields climbing so rapidly, and what does it mean for your money? Wes Moss breaks down the massive shift in the $51 trillion U.S. bond market and why higher interest rates might actually be good news for your portfolio. Plus, Wes walks through the seven most important retirement planning ages eve...

Cut Your Bills by DIYing & Protect Yourself From This Devastating Online Scam "Necessity is the mother of invention"—that classic adage takes on new meaning under today’s cost pressures.  High prices are driving many to look for creative ways to stretch a dollar, from scoping out everyday deals to embracing DIY projects. Instead of relying on expensive professionals for every task, leaning in...

Clark Stinks & Why Health Insurance Costs Are Surging (and How To Prepare) Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.  Also, healthcare costs are surging nationwide, and Americans are feeling the squeeze whether they get coverage through an employer or buy a plan on the state exchanges. With exchange premiums set to jump up...

Alert: Bank Imposter Scam Draining Life Savings & Shocking Truth About Travel Costs Right Now Clark exposes a dangerous financial scam that is draining people’s entire life savings and explains why your protections might not apply if you fall for it. Financial imposter scams are becoming sharper and more sophisticated. Clark shares the single mandatory step you must take whenever you receive an ur...

Secret to Giving Yourself 'Permission to Spend' in Retirement & Are Pensions Back? Wes dives into new research showing that median-wealth retirees underspend their potential income by 8% – and wealthier retirees underspend by a staggering 47% to 53%. Wes breaks down the psychological difference between spending assets versus spending income streams, and the little-known shift that can give you the...

How To Inflation-Proof Your Portfolio & The Free Account Everyone Needs To Set Up Before Retirement Navigating your investments as you age can get confusing, especially when rising interest rates make traditional bond funds a scary prospect. While young investors can comfortably ride out stock market volatility, those approaching their late 50s and beyond need a more balanced portfolio to protect...

Clark Stinks & Deal Alert: Running Shoes Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.  Also, running and walking shoe prices are finally dropping, creating a massive money-saving opportunity for your wallet. Major retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods are feeling the squeeze from an oversupplied market and slowing consumer dema...

Is Your Internet Provider Ripping You Off? & How Clark Finished College Fast To Save Money Are you still paying the "inertia tax" on your home internet? As giant cable megamergers reshape the market, big providers are steadily jacking up prices on customers who stay on autopilot – just like old landline companies did decades ago. Clark reveals how to break free from the cable monster. Plus, with s...

The Dark Side of Retirement (and How To Avoid It) & Lump Sum vs. Monthly Pension Decision Tree Retirement is often touted as the ultimate goal, but Wes reveals why reaching the finish line can bring unexpected challenges. Wes exposes the sobering statistics behind aging in America, emphasizing why true retirement success requires building a "portfolio of purpose" alongside financial security. Also...

The banks are at it again, and Clark wants to make sure you don't fall into a dangerous debt trap. Home equity levels are at record highs as financial institutions aggressively push homeowners to tap equity with HELOCs and cash-out refinances to pay off credit cards or fund lifestyle expenses. Clark explains why turning your home's equity into high-interest debt is a massive financial risk, how it...

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.  Also, there are new tools for parents to keep track of their babies' health and sleep. These are much more sophisticated than old fashioned monitors. Is there cause for concern? Smart monitors and AI-powered devices are now tracking everything from sleep patterns and health metrics...

Clark drops an urgent warning for vehicle owners regarding a massive spike in auto insurance claim denials. If you let a friend, colleague, or extended family member borrow your vehicle to run a quick errand, you could be setting yourself up for financial disaster. Also, a sleazy car insurance tool has made an AI video of Clark endorsing its product. This is happening all over social media. Clark...

How To Build Wealth Without a Tech Job & Hidden Dangers of Coast FI Forget the myth that you have to work on Wall Street or in Silicon Valley to build massive wealth. Wes reveals the power of the "Everywhere Millionaires" – the 3 million Americans who have accumulated a collective $65 trillion by building unglamorous, low-tech, and non-tech businesses. Discover why tactile, essential industries ar...

Think you need an expensive, full-blown security system to protect your home? Think again. Clark shares how even a single inexpensive security camera can serve as a massive deterrent against burglars. While surveillance technology certainly has its privacy drawbacks, Clark breaks down the major safety benefits for homeowners. Plus, long considered a reliable platform bringing legitimacy to ticket...

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.   Also,  data centers being built around the country have been polarizing, but one thing is for certain: your electricity bills are going up. Clark describes how the deals are done - often out of public view, who should rightfully pay the freight, and issues a critical call to...

Rapid Fire Q&A: The "Happiest Retiree" Pet Factor, RMD Alternatives, Fidelity’s New Annuity + More Questions Answered Welcome to our first monthly "Rapid Fire Thursday" episode of Ask an Advisor! Today, Wes Moss is opening up the listener mailbag to answer your direct financial questions. We’re covering a wide range of topics: from how pets fit into the "Happiest Retirees" research, to whether UTM...

Would you pay a lower price for lower quality? Clark readily admits he would - in some cases. Is buying the absolute cheapest option actually saving you money, or is it a hidden trap? Clark breaks down the everyday dilemma between price and long-term quality, sharing where he happily goes rock-bottom cheap (like flat-screen TVs) versus where paying a bit more pays off for safety, durability, and r...

Why the "K-Shaped" Economy is WRONG & What Rising Interest Rates Mean for You Is the "K-shaped" economy an accurate description of what Americans are experiencing today? Wes breaks down why the economy looks less like a "K" and more like an "E" — and what that means for your money, spending, and job prospects. Wes also tackles the burning question on every investor and homeowner's mind: What happe...

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.   Also, Clark discusses retirement with Wes Moss including how we can plan for not only a solid financial future, but a happy one as well. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Clark & Wes On Retirement: Segments3 & 4 Mentioned on the show: Why Property Taxes Are Soaring (and How To Fight Ba...