The Clark Howard Podcast

Despite increased wages, average earnings have not kept pace with inflation. Since the initial pandemic layoffs, labor force participation has gone down meaningfully, especially among men, while job opportunities with training and higher wages abound. Clark tells you how to bid your wages up in this evolving economy. Also, teaching youth about money now needs to include crypto, which can be challenging to understand much less explain. Hear Clark’s explanation of digital currency, & the problem and promise of crypto. Wage Inflation - Opportunity: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Teaching Kids About Crypto: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Why Are Middle-Aged Men Missing From the Labor Market? Cheaper Netflix Is Here: 5 Things To Know How To Sell, Cancel or Get Rid of Your Timeshare How Parents Can Teach Their Kids About Cryptocurrency NYT - The Crypto Industry Struggles for a Way Forward What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One? Straight Talk Wireless Introduces Prepaid Home Internet Submit a complaint | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau  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 - lots of people would like to retire early, but how do you know if you are really ready? Clark talks through 2 major areas to consider, before making that big decision. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Retirement Readiness Considerations: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: What Clark Howard Thinks of 'Crypto Winter' After Big Crash Virtual Credit Cards: An Online Security Measure Worth Taking? WP- You probably don’t need to worry about public WiFi anymore What VPN Do You Use? - Technology - Clark Howard Community Citi Removes Important Benefit From Costco Credit Card Authorized User vs. Joint Account Holder: Understanding the Difference for Credit Cards Why You Should Never Mail a Check Google Fi Review: Things To Know Before You Sign Up These Big Banks Are Finally Doing Something About Zelle How to Retire Early / The 4% Rule: Why it still makes sense for retirement 10 Questions to Help You Decide if You’re Really Ready to Retire Early Amount of Roth IRA Contributions That You Can Make For 2023 IRS - Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) IRS - Retirement Topics - IRA Contribution Limits Why You Should Never Invest With a Bank What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One? 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

This is the week for appreciating service providers with holiday tipping - more of an art than a science. Needed guidance found here. Also, Clark has a prediction about new heat pump, solar and EV tax credits, and reasons you should take your time approaching these incentives. Holiday Tipping: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Energy Tax Incentive Advice: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Holiday Tipping: Who To Tip and How Much  The no-stress guide to holiday tipping Holiday Tipping Guide: Who to Tip (And How Much?) Evaluate Life Insurance - Consumer Federation of America Live TV Streaming Channel Tool Save More on Green Home Improvements Under the Inflation Reduction Act Heat Pumps vs Solar Panels: Which Give More Energy Savings? [The Washington Post] Federal probe finds big solar firms flouted trade rules The #1 Thing Clark Howard Hates About Solar Panels Can Dual-Use Solar Panels Provide Power and Share Space With Crops? 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

When applying for a credit card, knowing your approval odds is a great tool being offered more often. But therein lies hazard. Household debt is rising at the fastest rate since 2007 as credit card debt soars. Also in this episode, Clark lays out 2 main reasons home prices have been going up beyond the general rate of inflation since before the recent run ups, and offers a partial remedy for home buyers to consider as home prices now moderate. Credit Card Debt: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Housing Affordability: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Credit Karma Review: Free Credit Score and More at Your Fingertips The Points Guy: American Express adds 'Apply with confidence' tool prior to submitting applications Coming soon: The big credit squeeze Clark.com - CREDIT CARDS  Target RedCard Credit Card Review: Earn 5% Back on Purchases Best Cash Back Credit Cards: Top Picks for 2022 6 Things To Know About the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card The Median Home Size in Every U.S. State in 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

Amazon has a new virtual health clinic. Clark explains the tie-in with Amazon Pharmacy and how this limited service works. Also, there’s a battle royale over pricing between manufacturers and retailers that goes way back and has recently gotten bigger. When shopping online, ever wonder why you often can’t see the price until you put the item in your cart? Clark explains what’s really going on and how to proceed. Amazon’s Virtual Health Clinic: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Manufacturer Pricing Restrictions: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Amazon Health Care Has a New Virtual Clinic: Amazon Clinic New York Post: Companies set minimum prices to halt discounting among online retailers amid soaring inflation First TVs, now tortillas: U.S. companies set minimum prices to halt discounting Are cheap sunglasses bad for your eyes? Best Credit Cards for Extended Warranty: Top Picks for 2022 Clark.com - TIRES The Best Places To Buy Tires How to Save Money on Car Insurance 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

Has your power company offered you a “special deal” that they say may save you money? Because it’s become much more complicated to provide kilowatts, power companies are trying to shift capacity burden to consumers via time of use meters and certain incentives. Clark shares how this could end up costing you more. Also, what’s better for your investments - actively managed mutual funds or index funds? A new study reveals some facts about investing you may not be aware of that can affect your outcome.    Energy Use Demand-Response Plans: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Mutual Vs Index Funds: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Utilities Hope You’ll Fix Their Power Problems - The Wall Street Journal. What Is Time-of-Use Metering and Should You Sign Up? How to handle money when you're traveling overseas 4 Money Tips To Learn Before You Travel to Europe Do Not Give Your Social Security Number at These Places How To Freeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion NYTimes: Mutual Funds That Consistently Beat the Market? Not One of 2,132. To make money, avoid these common investment biases Best Investment Companies for Investors in 2022 What Is a Roth 401(k) and How Does It Work? What Is an Annuity, and Why Does Clark Think They Stink? What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One? Immediate Payout Annuity: What Is It and Do You Need It? Longevity Insurance: What Is It and Do You Need It? 2 Ways To Guarantee Yourself a Lifetime Stream of Income Cheapest Way to Rent a Car: Expert Tips Credit Card Car Rental Insurance: What You Need To Know 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

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also in this episode: Reading is fundamental and a bit of a lost art due to technology. Yet, it’s technology that can make the enriching and relaxing endeavor of long-form reading all the more convenient - and sometimes FREE. Clark helps you discover your e-book options. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Free E-Books: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Clark Howard's Important Advice on Funeral Planning CNET-Costco Shoppers: Here's How Much You Actually Save Compared to a Grocery Store How to spot and avoid fake product reviews on Amazon The #1 Bill You Should Make Sure You Get by Mail NYTimes.com: How to Make the Most of E-Books, and Find Free Ones 15 of the Best Places To Find Free E-Books  11 of the Best Places To Find Free Audiobooks Should I Get an Umbrella Insurance Policy? 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

The news just gets worse for travelers dealing with airline customer no service. Clark cites heavy fines against airlines for non refund of tickets on canceled flights, and discusses how you can avoid high baggage fees. Also in this episode: Grocery inflation is beginning to ease, item by item and Clark shares a money saving example in the meat department, and why using a “reverse shopping list” is key to spending less.  Airline Fees: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Supermarket Savings: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: WSJ-These Travelers Would Rather Eat Glass Than Pay an Airline Fee Frontier Airlines Drops Its Customer Service Phone Line New Tool Shows Southwest Prices From Google Flights Search Look out! Airlines are setting a carry-on luggage trap Frontier, 5 other airlines to refund more than $600 million Safely Short-Term Vacation Rental Insurance & Guest Screening BBB-File a Complaint Experian Boost Review: How 3 Bills Helped Raise My Credit Score 14 Points Check Overpayment Scams | Consumer Protection Bureau How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Fake Check Scams Straight Talk Wireless Introduces Prepaid Home Internet Live TV Streaming Channel Tool 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 the price of cars still up there, your money should buy reliability. Clark runs down highlights from new Consumer Reports rankings. Also in this episode: Like a game of Twister, corporate pandemic pivots left some in better stead than others. Many tech companies over expanded and it’s coming back to haunt those companies, their employees and customers.  Reliable Car Brands: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Corporate Pandemic Fallout: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Consumer Reports ranking for the most reliable cars of 2023 are in. Here are the winners. USA TODAY When Will Car Prices Drop? How to Buy a New Car in 5 Steps Best Travel Credit Cards: Top Rewards Picks for 2022 Best Rewards Credit Cards: Top Picks for 2022 WoofTrax – Dog Walking App  Charity Miles App | Walk, Run, Bike for a Causes Silicon Valley’s greatest minds misread pandemic demand. Now their employees are paying for it. Fired by Musk or Zuckerberg? The Old Economy Welcomes You - Bloomberg WP-It’s not your imagination: Shopping on Amazon has gotten worse Is Now a Good Time To Put Money in a CD? Warning: Watch Out for This Retailer Pricing Trick 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

This December the shelves are stocked and there are still deals to be had. Clark talks friendly prices in toyland and for clothing, laptops and appliances. Also this episode: Medical providers of all types are promoting instant credit. Clark explains why these credit plans are bad medicine - financially. Holiday Deals: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Medical Credit Plans: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Axios: The end of the end of HELOC Home - Elliott Report How To Reach a Human at Experian, TransUnion or Equifax The Best Way To Reach Customer Service at the Major Airlines How to Reach a Real Person at AT&T, Xfinity, Cox and More CNBC: Frontier Airlines gets rid of telephone customer service. How banks and hospitals are cashing in when patients can't pay for health care First, see if you can get your medical bill forgiven What Is an HSA Account and How Does It Work? Fidelity Investments Review 2022: Pros & Cons What Is Disability Insurance and How Does It Work? How To Buy Term Life Insurance in 7 Easy Steps Introducing Vanguard Cash Deposit 10 Year-End Strategies To Cut Your Tax Bill 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