The Clark Howard Podcast

In light of the recent Labor Department report, Clark has key job advice to keep in mind moving forward. Also in this episode, there’s a federal statute concerning how the $7500 tax credit works for buying an electric vehicle and a surprising way to take full advantage of that credit. Clark also discusses the industry now and what potential buyers need to know.  The Job Market Is Booming: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Buying A Vehicle: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show Axios: The end of the self-employment boom From teachers to waiters: The industries that haven’t bounced back from the pandemic [The Washington Post] Labor Market Is Not Buying Into Talk of a Recession How to Teach Young Kids About Money The easiest way to get a $7,500 tax credit for an electric vehicle? Consider leasing. Are You Following Clark's Maximum Auto Loan Length Rule? The Average Vehicle Age in America When Will Car Prices Drop? Cars Archives - Clark Howard 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, this summer calls for extra travel precautions. Make sure you know what experts know about how to avoid bed bugs at your lodging destination!  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Travel Inspection - Bed Bugs: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show Best 529 College Savings Plans By State HUD Good Neighbor Next Door Program How Much Life Insurance Do I Need? Should You Sell or Stay Put in the Stock Market? Potentially record summer travel + low housekeeping staff = bed bug nightmares - from USA TODAY How To Pack a Carry-On the Right Way How To Find Cheap Flights in 3 Easy Steps Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Travel Credit Card Review Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: 6 Things To Know in 2023 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

Inflation busters! With inflation easing in some categories, Clark shares some items that are more affordable now. Also, with the housing shortage and high mortgage rates, house hunters are looking for creative ways to become homeowners, including ARMs and the 1% down payment. Get Clark’s take on both options.  Inflation Busters: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 2 Mortgage Options Explained: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show Eggs Are Going on Sale Just Months After Prices Hit Records It's not just the Costco $1.50 hot dog combo—4 products that have beaten inflation Homebuyers might be able purchase a home with less savings — thanks to the two largest US mortgage lenders now allowing down payments of just 1% Why You Should Not Get a 1% Down Payment Mortgage Adjustable-Rate Mortgage: What Happens When Interest Rates Go Up Unprecedented Change to Clark Howard’s Longtime Home Buying Rule How To Freeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion How to Freeze Your Child's Credit Should You Buy a Car With a Salvage Title? 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

Clark highlights recent and upcoming changes to retirement accounts involving tax law changes with potential benefits you should know about. Also, new issues with Zelle and Apple Savings accounts, and a warning for Venmo, Cash App & PayPal users. Retirement Account Changes: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Hazard With Payment Apps: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show WSJ: Retirement-Savings Changes You Should Know About for 2023-24 Families can make a tax-free rollover from 529 plans to Roth individual retirement accounts starting in 2024 Best Budgeting Apps in 2023: Our Top 6 Mint Review: 5 Things To Know About the Free Budgeting Tool What Is a 403(b) and How Does It Work? How To Open a Roth IRA JPMorgan Chase Working to Reverse Double Payments on Zelle - The Wall Street Journal. [The Washington Post] Don’t store money in Venmo, Cash App or PayPal, regulator says Apple Customers Say It’s Hard to Get Money Out of Goldman Sachs Savings Accounts - WSJ 7 Things To Know Before You Use Zelle 14 of the Best High-Yield Online Savings Accounts in June 2023 5 Things To Know About Series I Savings Bonds 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

Submit your travel story! 404 981-2017Clark breaks down the national debt - what the real problem is and how to fix it. The sooner the better. Also today, Amazon just settled a lawsuit over spying through Alexa and Ring devices. “Smile, You’re on Candid Camera” - depending on where your security cams are operating. Clark has suggestions.  Fixing Deficit Spending: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Privacy In The Digital Era: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show Submit your travel story! 404 981-2017 The Debt-Limit Deal Suggests Debt Will Keep Growing, Fast How To Buy Term Life Insurance in 7 Easy Steps Fidelity Investments Review 2023: Pros & Cons Schwab Starter Kit™ Amazon must pay over $30 million over claims it invaded privacy with Ring and Alexa Ring’s privacy failures led to spying and harassment through home security cameras FTC says: Amazon didn’t protect Alexa users’ or children’s privacy What Home Security Camera Does Clark Prefer Ahead of Amazon’s Ring? Amazon “Prime Visa” Card Review: 5% Back for Amazon Prime Members DOT - File a Consumer Complaint 4 Things You Should Always Pack in Your Carry-On Wills & Funerals Archives - Clark Howard 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

One company has now been sued for making BILLIONS of robocalls to Americans. Follow Clark’s simple rule to avoid this menace, plus Clark’s NEVER NEVER rule regarding texts & emails, and reduce your chances of getting scammed. Also today, Airbnb’s new transparency reveals a stunner: FEES and how much they add to the stated nightly rate. Know what to expect when booking.  Scam Avoidance Rules: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Airbnb Fee Reveal: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show [The Washington Post] Telecom company sued by nearly every state over billions of robocalls How To Stop Spam Calls for Good Clark Howard's #1 Rule To Avoid Email Scams Why You Should Never Click on Random Text Messages 3 Places You Should Never Invest Your Money How To Find and Choose a Financial Advisor Best Investment Companies for Investors in 2023 Airbnb Revamps Site to Ease Tensions Between Guests, Hosts Study: Cities With The Worst Airbnb Fees In 2023 5 Steps To Getting a Good Deal on a Hotel Room Do You Get Better Prices on Hotels From Third-Party Sites or by Booking Directly? 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, one of Clark’s long recommended vendors for prescription eyeglasses has dropped in Consumer Reports ratings. Clark discusses the ongoing eyeglasses market cartel and where to get the best value.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Where To Buy Eyeglasses: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show AAA Membership: Is It Worth It? Do Not Give Your Social Security Number at These Places I Lost $400K of My Retirement Savings in a Roth 401(k) — If You’re Not Careful, You Could, Too Consumer Reports’ best sunscreen of 2023 is only $5 from Walmart Costco Tire Center Appointments Eyeglass Store Ratings - Consumer Reports® Zenni Optical Review: 6 Things To Know Before Your First Order How To Open a Roth IRA Clark Howard and the Prostate Cancer Foundation - 3T MRI of the prostate with & without contrast with 3d post processing Be Your Own Health Advocate 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

Generally, close to half of Americans can’t cover the inevitable $400 or more unexpected expense. The mentality of tapping a 401(k) has taken hold. Running up credit card debt - not great either. Clark has a prevention suggestion to get you started on being prepared. Also, big grocery inflation has led to big changes in buying behavior. Clark talks about where people are getting the most for their grocery money.  1% Saving Habit: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Save More On Groceries: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show NYTimes: It’s ‘More Expensive to Live,’ and Workers Are Cracking 401(k)s for Help Most Americans lack the cash to cover a surprise $400 expense Emergency Fund: Everything You Need to Know Can You Use a Credit Card on Venmo? Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Review: What You Should Know About the Travel Card 5 Money Tips To Know Before You Travel Abroad Wise: the international account | Money without borders International Money Transfer from the United States - Revolut We Had a Recent Hail Storm. Should I Use My Insurance To Fix My Roof or Pay Out of Pocket? Report: Club stores absorbing grocery market share from supermarkets 22 Ways To Save Money on Groceries Fidelity Investments Review 2023: Pros & Cons Costco vs. Sam's Club Credit Cards Comparison: Which Is Better? Best Credit Cards for Gas Rewards: Top Picks for 2023 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

Investment pools that don’t offer normal disclosures are blowing up on people. Dark money funds,  SPACs, real estate crowdfunding groups, private placements on “the ground floor of opportunity”  -  they may sound wonderful. But they’re a costly lesson in high risk vs traditional investing. Clark spells out the difference to protect your investments. Also, It appears the streaming party is over. All at once, Netflix and other services are changing the rules & raising prices. Clark has a money saving assignment for you.  High Risk Investments: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 SAVE on Streaming: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show Company Insiders Made Billions Before SPAC Bust - The Wall Street Journal. A Housing Bust Comes for Thousands of Small-Time Investors Get-rich-quick schemes, pyramids and ponzis: five signs you're being scammed — The Conversation Synthetic Identity Theft Definition - Investopedia Credit Karma Review: Free Credit Score and More at Your Fingertips How To Freeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Platinum Card® from American Express Review 2023: Is It Worth It? Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: 6 Things To Know in 2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP): What It Is The cheapskate’s guide to digital entertainment Clark.com - Netflix Unveils Plans To Charge U.S. Customers for Account Sharing Clark.com - Why T-Mobile Customers May Hit a Snag With New Netflix Policy Best Free Streaming Services in 2023: Movies and TV for Cord Cutters Clark.com - Live TV Streaming Channel Tool YouTube TV Releases NFL Sunday Ticket Pricing 7 of the Best High-Yield Online Savings Accounts in May 2023 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

Clark spoke recently about the role of family and friends when it comes to fraud protection for our elders. Today he has a first hand account of why it's so vitally important we take this to heart. Also today, The Consumer Federation of America reports that home repairs and renovations are a top area of complaints. Avoiding these headaches starts with how you hire a contractor and Clark has some guidelines for getting it right from the get go.  Vigilance For Vulnerable Seniors: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Hiring A Contractor: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show How To Spot Financial Abuse of an Elderly Relative or Friend EcoATM: 5 Things To Know Before You Sell Your Phone Is Booking a Cruise Last-Minute Still a Good Bargain Strategy? No surprises here: These are the top US consumer complaints, from cars to credit cards Clark.com- 6 Tips for Hiring a Contractor PSA Collectibles Authentication and Grading Service Beckett Authentication Services: Sports & Non-sports   Memorabilia Auctions - Heritage Auctions Sell Sports Memorabilia with Sotheby's Christie’s Sports Memorabilia A Quick Guide on How to Insure Jewelry 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