The Clark Howard Podcast

There’s a price war going on in the cell phone industry and consumers can win savings! Clark points the way. Also, the South experienced record cold over the holidays causing pipes to burst and costing millions in water damage. No matter where you live, know how to prevent this and what steps to take if you have suffered damage to your dwelling. Cell Plan Deals: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Prevent Busted Water Pipes: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4  Mentioned on the show: Verizon: Start the Year with more savings. Switch to Verizon for just $25 per line. Guaranteed for 3 years. Boost Infinite Early Access: New $25 Monthly Unlimited Postpaid Phone Plan Boost $25 per month and includes intl calling from US Best Cell Phone Plans in 2023: The Cheapest Plan for Every Need 7 New Cell Phone Deals in January NYTimes.com: In Much of the South, Subfreezing Weather Crippled Water Systems Popmoney Pros and Cons What Is a CD Ladder and When Is It a Good Idea?  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’s first in a series about new tax rules in effect: A GREAT development with 529 plans may change your decisions on how to save for college. Also, Clark covers energy credits in the Inflation Reduction Act. Learn what you may be eligible for, covering heat pumps, solar and more, and why you should take your time!  New 529 Plan Rules: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 New Energy Credits: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4  Mentioned on the show: NYTimes.com: A Sign That Tuition Is Too High: Some Colleges Are Slashing It in Half Families can make a tax-free rollover from 529 plans to Roth individual retirement accounts starting in 2024 SavingForCollege:Section 126: Rolling Over 529 Plan Funds Into a Roth IRA BBB-File a Complaint Why This Is the Best Time To Buy Series I Savings Bonds Rewiring America - How much money will you get with the Inflation Reduction Act? [The Washington Post] 3 ways to tap billions in new money to go green - starting this month How To Pack a Carry-On the Right Way Shipt vs. Instacart: Which Grocery Delivery Service Is Better? 6 Best Grocery Delivery Services 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, Clark goes back to basics on credit card debt.  If you're committed to paying off debt, Clark smart strategies can help get you to debt free.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Credit Card Debt: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4  Mentioned on the show: Poll: Almost half of Americans are holding on to unused gift cards How To Sell Gift Cards Online for Cash-Clark.com Should I Tip on a Cruise? What Clark Howard Thinks of 'Crypto Winter' After Big Crash Best Free Password Managers: 7 Top Picks How To Create a Safe Password Clark.com How To Get Out of Debt in 7 Steps Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards: Top Picks for 2023 6 Things To Know Before Contacting the National Foundation for Credit Counseling Have you joined Clark's 'Ditch Your Debt' Facebook group yet? Ditch Your Debt - Clark Howard Community How To Improve Your Credit Score by 100 Points in 30 Days 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

Airbnb hired a background check company to vet owners and renters, fueling complaints of unjustified bans, mistaken identity, and no real appeal process. Clark weighs in. Also - planes, trains and automobiles - Clark got caught in the Southwest meltdown, and recounts his 3 day journey to make it home by Christmas. Airbnb Background Checks: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Clark’s Holiday Travel Misadventures: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4  Mentioned on the show: USA TODAY: Does Airbnb do criminal background checks? Yes. Policy sparks backlash among consumers [The Washington Post] Long a fan favorite, Southwest’s model now faces questions NYTimes.com: The Shameful Open Secret Behind Southwest’s Failure Costco Travel: 5 Things To Know Before You Book The Only Way You Should Pay for a Cruise How To Use 'Vacations To Go' To Find Bargain Cruises Should I Tip on a Cruise? Taxes - Clark Howard Community How To Open a Roth IRA U.S. Bank Savings Account Rates - Bankrate 8 of the Best High-Yield Online Savings Accounts in 2022-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

A new year, and many have resolved to work out more. Clark answers the burning question: When do you sign a contract with a gym that obligates you for 1, 2 or 3 years? Get the lowdown on gym membership and the commitment to fitness. Also, hear why younger generations are now more likely to suffer fraud than seniors. Clark counts the ways, and shares how to protect yourself.  Commit To Be Fit: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Fraud For All: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4  Mentioned on the show: Why Planet Fitness hasn’t raised its $10 monthly gym price in 30 years WSJ: How Old Do You Feel? The Answer Can Reveal a Lot About Your Health, Scientists Say WP - To live longer, pick up the pace just three minutes a day, study shows Follow the 'Minute Rule' to make exercise a daily habit How To Talk to Your Partner About Money Before Marriage Clark Howard's 5 Money Tips for Couples Fraud reports and losses: Not just a grandparent's story What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One? NFCC - National Foundation for Credit Counseling - Home Should I Get an Umbrella Insurance Policy? 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

Gift cards are universal but there’s a mistake about half us make with them. Major retailers make hundreds of millions of dollars on gift cards never redeemed. Clark has an assignment for you, including when best to start. Also - “cash stuffing” - a new term for a classic idea Clark has long recommended, can teach the real value of real money.  Gift Cards: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Cash Stuffing: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4  Mentioned on the show: Poll: Almost half of Americans are holding on to unused gift cards How To Sell Gift Cards Online for Cash-Clark.com 5 Things To Know About Series I Savings Bonds How to Budget With a Cash Envelope System Axios: Cash stuffing is back How to Save Money on Car Insurance Money Challenge: How To Save $2,023 in 2023 - 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

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also in this episode, Clark shares a key step to defend your identity and accounts from SIM swapping - the theft of your cell service. Now T-Mobile has a new security feature that helps block this type of fraud. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 T-Mobile SIM Protection: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Welcome to Clark’s Christmas Kids 2022 Clark's 4 Secrets To Save Money on Your Laundry What Is a Solo 401(k) and How Does It Work? Self employed 401K vs SEP - Investing - Clark Howard Community How an AARP Membership Can Save You Money How To Store Your Important Financial Documents Online 7 Best Free Cloud Storage Options in 2022 SIM Card Swapping: The Dangerous Cell Phone Scam Everyone Needs To Know T-Mobile Introduces New SIM Protection Feature TmoNews: T-Mobile implementing a new security feature for SIM swap requests BBB-File a Complaint 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

Good news this Christmas week - Despite upheaval in some employment sectors, Clark shares indications we are moving closer to economic equilibrium. Gas prices are now lower, including diesel for truckers, and a new report finds online prices declining as well in many categories. Also, the car rental game has gotten tougher for consumers. Companies are becoming more fee aggressive. Know the Clark smart steps for renting a vehicle.  The Economy Speaks: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Car Rental Rules: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4  Mentioned on the show: Mortgages Archives - Clark Howard Should I Buy Additional Insurance From a Rental Car Company? Cheapest Way to Rent a Car: Expert Tips Credit Card Car Rental Insurance: What You Need To Know How to Avoid Car Rental Toll Charges - AutoSlash E-ZPass Group - Home Uni - One Toll Pass. 19 States. How to Add Bluetooth to Your Car | Digital Trends UShip Review: 5 Things To Know Before You Use the Shipping Service Welcome to Clark’s Christmas Kids 2022 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

Many loved ones are separated, living in different parts of the country, and that has consequences and remedies worth considering, especially over the holidays. Also, tis the season for identity theft. Clark covers the basics including different types of ID theft and 3 key strategies to protect yourself, including some NEVER EVER rules.  Reconnecting This Holiday: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Identity Theft: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4  Mentioned on the show: Barrons.com: Americans Are Lonelier Than Ever—and That’s Bad for Your Health Should You Buy an Extended Warranty on Your Car? How To Freeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Worried about identity theft? What to do to minimize your risk There are no perfect solutions for identity theft. But experts and a victim have ideas Are you the victim of identity theft? Here’s what to do How To Prevent, Report and Repair Identity Theft The USPS mailbox scam: A sticky crime reportedly makes a comeback Why You Should Never Mail a Check Credit Karma Review: Free Credit Score and More at Your Fingertips Clark Howard Community - The place to learn about how to save 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

Is it wiser for a family to fund an investment account over a 529 plan? 529 plans are a slam dunk for a kid definitely going to college. But if there’s uncertainty surrounding attending college, Clark offers 2 alternative ways to save for the best tax outcome. Also, the pharmacy industry is under duress due to staffing shortages. Learn which are the top-ranked pharmacies for customer service. Investment Account Vs 529 Plan: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Best Pharmacies: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: MARKETWATCH: How $10,000 will help my newborn granddaughter have a better retirement Best 529 College Savings Plans By State What Are Index Funds? / Best Investment Companies for Investors in 2022 How To Open a Roth IRA Clark.com Report: The Best Pharmacies for Customer Satisfaction Can Credit Repair Companies Really Raise Your Score? How to Deal With Medical Debt 6 Things To Know Before Contacting the National Foundation for Credit Counseling Fidelity Personalized Planning & Advice Review  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