The Clark Howard Podcast

School is in session and many teens worry about having enough extracurriculars on their activities resume. But there's another very important route for students that should be top of mind. Also, learn why people are rediscovering gyms now and some guidelines for selecting the right gym for you.  For Students: A Key Extracurricular: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Selecting A GYM: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: 5 Things To Know About Series I Savings Bonds USHIP - Shippers, meet Carriers, Carriers, Meet Shippers How To Dispute an Error on Your Credit Report and Win Submit a complaint | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau CNET - How to Get a Gym Membership for Practically Free 5 Ways to Create a Cheap Home Gym Debt Archives - Clark Howard 6 Steps To Eliminate Credit Card Debt in 3 Years or Less Why You Might Be Paying Your Credit Card Bills All Wrong 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 shares a personal story concerning something every parent worries about - their teenager having a car accident. Also - with mortgage rates rising, there‘s an old tried & true strategy many Americans are unaware of - that could save big bucks on interest: the assumable, non-escalating mortgage.  Teen Drivers & Accident Ethics: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Mortgage Strategy: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Want a Lower Mortgage Rate? Take Someone Else’s Loan Clark's take: Why everyone should have a dash cam Is a Home Warranty Worth the Money? How can you find the best mortgage rates? 22 Places That Offer Discounts to U.S. Veterans Save More on Green Home Improvements Under the Inflation Reduction Act The cash incentives in the climate bill are only good if people actually use them Costco vs. Sam's Club Credit Cards Comparison: Which Is Better? 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

Retailers have been fighting from behind since March 2020. Suddenly supply chains are moving and stores have goods aplenty. In a time of inflation - we have never seen before deals in many categories this September. Clark calls out the buys for early holiday shopping. Also, Federal student loan forgiveness - what eligible student and parent borrowers need to know about how the program will work - and how the scams play.  Christmas in September: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Student Loan Forgiveness: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: New Vanguard Account Fees Will Increase Costs for Some of Its Most Loyal Customers Fidelity Investments Review 2022: Pros & Cons Warning: Never Get Roadside Assistance From Your Insurance Provider Password manager LastPass reports breach, says no credentials stolen Explainer: How Biden's student loan forgiveness will impact U.S. consumers Student Loan Forgiveness Plan Won’t Make Inflation Worse—Even If It Adds $400 Billion To Deficit, Goldman Says Did you hear about the student loan announcements? Scammers did, too How To Watch Football Without Cable: Stream NFL and College Football (2022) Term Life vs. Whole Life Insurance: Understanding the Difference EvaluateLifeInsurance.org Term Life vs. Whole Life Insurance: Understanding the Difference What Is an Annuity, and Why Does Clark Think They Stink? 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, this year Clark recommends extra early holiday travel planning AND early shopping and shipping. Know when to expect shipping hikes and the bargain months for online shopping & delivery.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Holiday Shipping: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: USPS says it's hiking prices for holiday shipping - CBS News What Is a Reverse Mortgage and How Does It Work? TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs. CLEAR: Which Is Best for You? Pirate Ship: Free USPS and UPS shipping software AAA Membership: Is It Worth It? 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

After a chaotic summer, the outlook for fall travel looks better on every front. September is your cue to start planning holiday travel this year. Get Clark smart advice on how & when to book, avoiding the 4 most expensive travel days, and whether you need travel insurance. Also, Labor Day signals a good time to update job market trends. Clark discusses “unlimited vacation” & taking time off, as well as great part-time opportunities for retirees - and an employee tactic that is NOT recommended.  Holiday Travel: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Job Trends: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Why You Need To Book Holiday Travel Now What Is Travel Insurance? 7 Things You Need To Know How Many Credit Cards Should I Have? Clark Howard: Books - Clark Howard YouTube: Clark Howard: Save More, Spend Less How to Start Saving and Investing with Clark's Best Advice ClarkDeals - Laptops 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

Text message scams keep coming and keep morphing. Know what the latest barrage looks like - deploying new ways to hook you into getting ripped off. Also, high mortgage rates can be avoided when conditions are right for a family member to make the loan. Learn how to lend to loved ones without the tax consequences. New Text Message Scams: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Family Loans & Taxes: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Why You Should Never Click on Random Text Messages Don’t click on that random text. It’s a scam Managed Payout Funds vs. Annuities: How Do They Compare? Best Rewards Credit Cards: Top Picks for 2022 The One Place You Can Still Get a 3% Home Loan: Your Family Frequently Asked Questions on Gift Taxes Applicable Federal Rates - Internal Revenue Service Should You Buy Out Your Leased Car? 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

People are being hoodwinked by paid influencers on social media. Clark shares how this often works with podcasting, unbeknownst to you, the listener. Also, Amazon Prime has a new option for payment that gets Clark’s seal of approval - part of a trend of added perks for retail memberships.  Undisclosed: Podcast Influencers: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Amazon Prime Layaway: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: The best time and place to buy appliances A Simple Way To Help Your Kid Build Credit Amazon Layaway: A New Perk of Amazon Prime Amazon -Get Same-Day Delivery from your favorite retail stores Walmart deal with Paramount gives members streaming perks How to Freeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Credit Karma Review: Free Credit Score and More at Your Fingertips Do Not Give Your Social Security Number at These Places 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

Saving money on streaming TV is an area of expertise at Clark.com. Clark has industry news explaining the current streaming landscape AND a new FREE Channel tool! You may be shocked to find out what free TV is available where you live. Also - Thinking of selling your home? The housing market has definitely slowed past the peak of the market. So it’s back to the normal playbook - the Clark smart way. Streaming And Free TV: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Home Seller Adaptation: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Housing markets are cooling so fast that they've caught some of the biggest buyers off guard These 2 Things Can Maximize Your Chances of Selling Your House Home Sellers Cut Prices as Housing Market Cools - The Wall Street Journal. How Many TV Channels Can You Actually Get for Free? Disney+ is getting more expensive... unless you want ads The Free TV Project Clark.com Live TV Streaming Channel Tool Netflix on Us: We Offer this Streaming Deal with Your Plan Mint Mobile Review: 5 Things To Know Before You Sign Up Mint Mobile Introduces Modern Family Plans  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, overlooked and extremely important, including for college students, is renter’s insurance. Clark tells you how to get it for a DEAL. Plus, important advice on condo insurance. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Renters Insurance: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Career Tests Our Top 10 | Monster.com Swagbucks Review: How Much Money Can You Make? Heat Pump Systems | Department of Energy Lemonade Insurance Review: How It Works, Coverage Options Best Credit Cards for Students: Top Picks for 2022 ABLE accounts: A tax-free way for parents of disabled kids to save for the future  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 big banks persist in paying no real interest on savings. Meanwhile Clark just got 3.3% on a CD from his credit union. Several money market & online savings accounts are paying over 2%. Don’t let inertia be your enemy. Move that money. Also - what destroyed Sprint is a big lesson for companies tracking and ranking their employees. Workers should know - across industries and with the rise of remote work, comes increased use by companies of the “productivity score”.  Savings Rates: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Worker Productivity Scores: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Schwab Purchased Money Funds 5 Things To Know About Series I Savings Bonds 7 of the Best High-Yield Online Savings Accounts in 2022 Equifax Sent Lenders Inaccurate Credit Scores on Millions of Consumers - Wall Street Journal. Who owns your credit score? Not you Credit Karma Review: Free Credit Score and More at Your Fingertips Fidelity Investments Review 2022: Pros & Cons How to Start Investing and Saving for Retirement 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