The Clark Howard Podcast

In this episode - did you hear about the T-Mobile customer who received a six figure bill for an international trip? Get Clark smart advice for traveling overseas with your phone. Also today - there’s a new warning out about a scam trying to collect money from you from phantom tolls. International Calling: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Toll Collection Scam Warning: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: PhoneArena: This T-Mobile customer got a $143442.74 bill after a three-week Switzerland vacation The Best International Phone Plans Google Fi Wireless: My Experience as a Five-Year Customer (Pros and Cons) Hello Mobile How To Choose the Best Charities for Your Donations What's the Best Way To Donate to a Charity? Alert: FBI issues warning on toll road smishing scam USA TODAY: Road toll 'smishing' texts on the rise, FBI says: Here's what to know E-ZPass Group - Home T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: 5 Things To Know Before You Sign Up How To Prevent, Report and Repair Identity Theft Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode!Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.  Also today, we’ve talked a lot about renting vs. buying in today’s housing market. New data makes a compelling argument and provides direction for aspiring homeowners.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Rent Vs Buy A Home: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Best 529 College Savings Plans By State Homes at Menards® Insurers Are Spying on Your Home From the Sky Axios: Unpacking the productivity surge Where should I place a carbon monoxide detector? The $10 Travel Essential Clark Howard Always Packs Big city dwellers are better off renting than buying a home everywhere, analysis says - USA TODAY One-Third of Parents Are Paying An Adult Child's House Down Payment? Are You? Map: Here's Zillow's updated home-price forecast for more than 400 housing markets The cost breakdown of building a single-family home The Only Reason You Should Make an Improvement to Your Home 29 home remodeling projects that offer the best payback 6 Tips for Hiring a Contractor Senior Planning Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode!Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Clark shares a personal story about a sleazy sales call he received from one of the big alarm companies - tied to an internet provider. Also in this episode, pet owners need to understand what’s going on in the veterinary medicine profession so they can choose wisely, and protect their wallets. DIY Home Security: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Veterinary Bills: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: ADT USA Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of adt.com Your Guide to DIY Home Security Systems Which Home Security Systems Rank Better Than Ring? Turo: 5 Things To Know About the Cheap Car Rental Service Credit Card Car Rental Insurance: What You Need To Know My Credit Card Offers Some Rental Car Coverage. Why Do I Still Need To Involve My Primary Auto Insurance? Why Your Vet Bill Is So High  /  Is Pet Insurance Worth It? Best 529 College Savings Plans By State Credit Karma Review: Free Credit Score and More at Your Fingertips Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode!Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn how to find a trustworthy financial advisor who puts your interests first with new regulations. Discover money-saving tips for storage units as Americans own too much stuff. Get insights on maximizing storage space efficiency and decluttering for financial benefits.

In this episode - Clark takes you through the necessary steps for buying a used vehicle, including his number one rule, a key step neglected by a third of all buyers. Also today - are you traveling this summer? Airlines and hotels are changing the rules when it comes to earning points or miles.  How To Buy A Used Car: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Airline & Hotel Points: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: WSJ - Used-Car Sales Have Moved Online—Here’s Why Both Customers and Dealers Are Happy    How To Buy a Used Car - Clark.com How to Buy a New Car - Clark.com Should You Buy an Extended Warranty on Your Car? - Clark.com Salvage Title: What it Means, How it Works - Investopedia American Airlines Is Once Again Changing How Fliers Can Earn Rewards Hotel Resort Fee Lookup Tool Should You Ever Book a Nonrefundable Hotel Room? How Does Booking Travel Through a Credit Card Rewards Program Compare? How To Choose a Tour Company - Clark.com When Do You Need a Travel Agent? Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode!Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the best auto insurance companies according to a database for body shops. Clark explains his disdain for non-compete clauses facing legal challenges. The episode also covers healthcare options, credit card trends, and the impact of banning non-competes on various industries.

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also in this episode, how loyalty programs affect price decision making and may have you “competing with yourself”. Clark discusses how these programs work across many industries, and what to keep in mind to get the most from them.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Loyalty Programs: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: How to Start Investing: 10 Steps for Beginners Should We Worry About the National Debt and Budget Deficits? Will Social Security Run Out? What Is a SEP IRA and Who Is Eligible? Clark Deals - Hotels When Is the Best Time To Collect Social Security?  /  Social Security When? 18 Ways To Save at Walmart  /  Walmart+ Membership Program: 4 Things To Know Loyalty programs may limit competition, and they could be pushing prices up for everyone — The Conversation Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode!Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During COVID, many Americans moved far away from their offices, sometimes out of state. Clark talks about how super-commuters are making it work. Also, Clark gets back to basics on something he hates: annuities. Know which type may actually be useful and which ones are to be AVOIDED at all costs!  Super-Commuting: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Sold Not Bought - Annuities: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: The rise of the super-commuter The Best Unlimited Hotspot Plans Visible Announces New Annual Plans: Save up to $145/Year Visible Review: 5 Things To Know Before You Sign Up Using Cellular Data Internationally: Buying a Local SIM Card InsureMyTrip Review: Why We Like It and How to Use It How To Choose the Best Charities for Your Donations What Is an Annuity, and Why Does Clark Think They Stink? The Only Two Exceptions to Clark Howard's Annuity Rule What Is a 1035 Exchange? Definition and How the Rules Work Why I Think Medicare Advantage Plans Stink - Clark Howard Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode!Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investing continues to evolve and a new way some fiduciary financial advisors are charging for services could save you money. Know your options to make an informed choice for financial services. Also, before you sign up for expensive dental work, think twice & take Clark’s advice. Flat Fee Financial Advisors: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Wisdom Teeth- AVOID Unnecessary Dental Work: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Flat Fee Shops Attempt to Shake Up Financial Advising Advice-Only Network // Flat Fee Advisors 3 Places You Should Never Invest Your Money What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One? How To Find and Choose a Financial Advisor What Is an HSA Account and How Does It Work? Target Date Funds: Clark's Favorite Retirement Investment How to Advocate for Yourself at the Dentist How getting a second opinion can stop you being ripped off — The Conversation Yes, your smart TV is spying on you – Here's how to stop it GM Stops Selling Driving Data to Insurance Companies How to Buy a New Car in 5 Steps Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode!Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our everyday payment decisions, many choose Apple Pay or Google Wallet on our phones. Consumer behavior studies show the more convenient the payment method, the more we spend. Don’t let tap to pay, tap you out! Also today - we are finally seeing the results of people wanting to do more in person. Clark discusses how this is affecting some industries, including food delivery.  Phone Tap To Pay (More): Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 The Ghost Of Kitchens Past: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Using your phone to pay is convenient, but it can also mean you spend more Cash Envelope System: How It Works 10 Best Free Checking Accounts in April 2024 AT&T Data Breach: Take These Steps To Protect Your Information How to Freeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Ghost Kitchens Are Disappearing, Squeezed by Demand and Complaints Warning for Cell Phone Users: Do Not Use Public Charging Stations What Is a Thrift Savings Plan? Costco vs. Sam's Club: What Is the Difference? Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode!Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices