The Clark Howard Podcast

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also in this episode, throughout history, older generations have maligned youth, and Gen Z - ages 11 to 26 - has received their share of criticism. So why are they the best at saving for retirement in human history? There’s a behavioral finance reason at work here….  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Gen Z Acing Saving: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show Scams & Rip-Offs Archives - Clark Howard What Is a Flexible Spending Account? CR RECOMMENDED Clark Deals - Today's Best Deals of the Day Is Apple Pay a Safe Alternative to Zelle? The Safer Way To Use Your Debit Card Do Not Give Your Social Security Number at These Places Barrons.com: Gen Z Is Saving More for Retirement Than Previous Generations. Here’s Why Auto Enrollment Plan Definition How To Buy Term Life Insurance in 7 Easy Steps Car Insurance Archives - Clark Howard Becoming a Landlord: How To Find a Good Tenant 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

Consumer goods manufacturers are using a targeted strategy to rip off consumers with vaunted versions of self-care and home products, boasting massive profit margins on their so-called premium lines. Don’t fall for this marketing scheme. Also, after shameless industry cartel gouging forever, OTC FDA approved free market hearing aids are finally available at significantly lower prices - and some are getting great reviews. Manufacturer Mind Games: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Hearing Aid Prices: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show $90 cream and $10 toothpaste: Companies target big spenders HumbleDollar: Home / Investopedia Academy Schwab - Your U.S. Investing Education Center Vanguard - Education / Fidelity Learning Center Clark.com Investing & Retirement Target Date Funds: Clark's Favorite Retirement Investment Cell Phone Protection: These Credit Cards Will Replace Your Stolen or Damaged Phone Should You Buy Cell Phone Insurance? The Best Places To Buy Hearing Aids  7 Best Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids of 2023 Use these security keys to lock down your computer and protect your personal info The Strongest Protection for Your Online Accounts? This Little Key Community.Clark.com Clark.com resources Episode transcripts 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

There’s a strange way people are violating others’ privacy on payment apps. Clark tells you the vulnerability, and what you can do about it, depending on the app. Also, the housing market remains in a kind of freeze. But new national data reveals a general trend potential home buyers can take advantage of. Payment App Violation: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Seasonal Home Buying: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show WSJ - Don’t Forget to Block Your Ex on Your Payment Apps Mobile Passport Control TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs. CLEAR: Which Is Best for You? Emergency Fund: Everything You Need to Know When Is The Best Time to Buy a House? NYTimes.com: Buying or Selling a Home? Welcome to the Year of Disappointment USDA Eligibility / Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program Clark.com resources Episode transcripts 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

The US spends 20% of our national income on healthcare vs. 8% in other countries.. Our system is rife with inefficiencies. Clark touches on 3 areas: Amazon One Medical, the primary care physician shortage and insurance issues you should be aware of. Also, the FBI has issued an alert about charging devices in public spaces. Know the risk and how to avoid it. Healthcare Updates: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 FBI Alert: Public Charging Stations: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show 5 Things to Know about Amazon’s Recent One Medical Acquisition The big squeeze: ACA health insurance has lots of customers, small networks [The Washington Post] Making a telehealth appointment? You might still pay a facility fee. First Aid Kit Consider paying cash (at least sometimes) How Cigna Saves Millions by Having Its Doctors Reject Claims Without Reading Them Are Swimming Pools Becoming Affordable Again? FBI warns consumers not to use public phone charging stations 5 Sneaky Ways To Improve Your Credit Score When Is the Best Time To Collect Social Security? Maximize My Social Security: Calculate Your Highest Benefits The Best Places To Buy Tires Clark.com resources Episode transcripts 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

Tomorrow is tax day. What if you can't pay what you owe right now? Understand the penalties: Failure to pay vs failure to file. AND - be aware of tax scams. Also in this episode, the banking industry is going through a troubled phase, making it a difficult time for customers. Banks are closing accounts with no warning, making Clark’s “Noah’s Ark Rule” more important than ever.  Tax Day-Failure To File: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Banks Shutting Down Accounts: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show [The Washington Post] If you owe the IRS and can’t pay, this is what you should and shouldn’t do No, the IRS isn't calling you. It isn't texting or emailing you, either [The Washington Post] Don’t get tricked by these ‘Dirty Dozen’ tax scams 5 Tax Scams You Need To Watch Out for in 2023 Why You Do Not Want To Get a Big Tax Refund Check Automatic Bill Pay: How It Works and How To Do It Safely What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One? NYTimes: Banks Are Closing Customer Accounts, With Little Explanation Credit Union Small-Dollar Loan Volume Hit New High in 2022 Credit Union vs. Bank: What's the Difference? How Many Credit Cards Should I Have? MyMoneyBlog About the FedNow Service Clark.com resources Episode transcripts 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 in this episode - A shortage of planes, a shortage of pilots, supply and demand - airfares are up around 20%. But there are ways to save including how far out from travel you book, and which days are cheaper to fly. Learn new ways to save money on flights.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Air Travel Saving Strategies: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show What Is a Thrift Savings Plan? What Is a 403(b) and How Does It Work? What Is an HSA Account and How Does It Work? Where To Buy the Best Cheap Printer New Feature From Google Flights Will Help Ensure That You Don’t Overpay Google Wants You to Never Overpay for a Flight Again CNET - The Best Time to Buy Plane Tickets for the Cheapest Flights [The Washington Post] This cheap flights expert thinks you should be booking trips earlier   Going™ | Formerly Scott's Cheap Flights Travel Archives - Clark Howard Best Travel Credit Cards: Top Rewards Picks for 2023 Airline admits staff gets bonus when they charge for oversized luggage Clark.com resources Episode transcripts 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 has warned against commissioned insurance products including fixed, variable and/or universal life; annuities, and annuities disguised under different names. Someone selling on commission is NOT a fiduciary, but some self-described fiduciaries are using a loophole to do just that. Clark explains what to look out for when choosing a financial planner. Also, we’re going through a clear job rotation in the U.S. New data reveals distinct geographical indicators of the top job growth metros in the country, and the effect that has on housing affordability. WARNING - Fiduciary Duplicity: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Top Job Growth Markets: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show What Is a Financial Advisor and Do I Need One? 2 Ways To Guarantee Yourself a Lifetime Stream of Income Introduction To Money Market Mutual Funds What are money market funds? Digitone ProSeries Call Blocker Product Information Sunbelt Cities Nashville and Austin Are Nation’s Hottest Job Markets When Does a HELOC Make Sense in Your Life? 7 Places to Get the Best Deals on Lab-Created Diamonds Clark.com resources Episode transcripts 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

Something new & customer friendly from Amazon is a win win. On the other hand, with online retail, know there’s really no such thing as free shipping. Also in this episode, new reporting states that without a fix from Congress, Social Security will be running short in a decade. Has this altered Clark’s advice on what age it’s best to start taking the benefit?  Amazon Return Prevention: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Social Security Strategy: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show Clark Howard: Habitat for Humanity - Clark Howard Habitat for Humanity: History - Clark Howard Amazon starts flagging ‘frequently returned’ products that you maybe shouldn’t buy Amazon, other retailers revamp 'free' shipping as costs soar How To Freeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion 11 Tips to Keep Your Cell Phone Safe Axios: Charted: Rising home insurance Why You Should Update Your Homeowners Coverage Limits Every 3 Years Attention, Travelers: Now Is the Best Time to Switch to eSIM What Is an eSIM? 5 Things To Know Visible Review: 5 Things To Know Before You Sign Up Will Social Security Run Out? Social Security is now expected to run short of cash by 2033 Barrons.com: Why It Makes Sense to Wait for Social Security Even if Benefits Are Cut When Is the Best Time To Collect Social Security? AARP Social Security Calculator Maximize My Social Security: Calculate Your Highest Benefits Homeowners Insurance Archives - Clark Howard Clark.com resources Episode transcripts 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 of the main ways you empower yourself with money is to owe less. Americans are taking on more and more credit card debt now for lifestyle, and over 40% of card holders are just servicing the debt. Learn Clark smart ways to start digging out. Also, AI is in the news constantly. Artificial Intelligence will open up so many new ways of doing things, but there are major concerns and dire predictions. Clark lends historical perspective on how tech changes the nature of work.  Reducing Debt: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 AI Perspective: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show [The Washington Post] 7 ways to lower your credit card debt after the Fed rate hike New York Post : I was $70K in debt — now I'm 'cash stuffing' to become a millionaire Half of US Employees Earn Extra Cash on the Side, Survey Finds How To Get Out of Debt in 7 Steps / Debt Archives - Clark Howard Backdoor Roth IRA: Advantages and Tax Implications Explained Ask Clark: What Is a Backdoor Roth IRA? SquareUp.com / Best money transfer apps 300 million jobs could be affected by latest wave of AI, says Goldman Sachs Elon Musk and Others Call for Pause on A.I., Citing ‘Profound Risks to Society’ The FTC should investigate OpenAI and block GPT over ‘deceptive’ behavior, AI policy group claims Clark Howard's #1 Rule To Avoid Email Scams How To Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages Why You Should Never Click on Random Text Messages Clark.com resources Episode transcripts 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

With savings rates up and I Bond rates headed down, Clark clears confusion on whether it’s time to buy or sell Series I Savings Bonds. Also, the scales are starting to “tip” when it comes to gratuities. Being confronted with the tip option touchscreen guilt machine is hitting critical mass. Hear how Clark handles this.  I Bond Update: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 The Ubiquitous Tipping Dilemma: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show 5 Things To Know About Series I Savings Bonds / SavingsBonds.gov Why This Is the Best Time To Buy Series I Savings Bonds I Bonds rates in 2023 could be better now than in May Small Banks Are Losing to Big Banks. Their Customers Are About to Feel It.   HumbleDollar: Home / Investopedia Academy Schwab - Your U.S. Investing Education Center Vanguard - Education / Fidelity Learning Center Clark.com Investing & Retirement Target Date Funds: Clark's Favorite Retirement Investment IRS - Charities and their Volunteers Can You Deduct Expenses of Volunteering for Charity? Clark.com resources Episode transcripts 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