The Clark Howard Podcast

The quality of the average vehicle sold in the U.S. in recent years is the lowest since 1986! Clark explains what has led to this problem and why therein lies opportunity. Also - ships coming in have created massive surpluses among retailers. The plus for you: deals of a lifetime. Learn which categories are steals right now and how long this could go on. Inflationary pressures in many sectors of the economy are starting to ease. WANTED: Mechanics: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Oversupply Bargains: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Cars Archives - Clark Howard Clark Deals How To Improve Your Credit Score by 100 Points in 30 Days 5 Sneaky Ways To Improve Your Credit Score 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 revisits retail website Wish to usher it into his “graveyard.” Prices are so cheap! What went wrong? Also, EV - electric vehicle adoption is set to climb over the next few years. But where to recharge is an obstacle for car buyers. Learn how forward-thinking gas station/convenience store operators are getting with the program to serve a growing EV market.  Website WISH: Unfulfilled: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Progress - EV Charging Stations: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Fidelity Rewards Visa vs. Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer: Pick the Right 2% Credit Card What Is a Roth 401(k) and How Does It Work? ClarkDeals - Costco The Best Car-Buying Services in 2022 Visible Review: 5 Things To Know Before You Sign Up Clark.com - Cell Phones What Is an ETF? 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 hotel industry is suffering mightily from staff shortages, changing how they operate. You could get a discount forgoing housekeeping services, or be charged for it. Clark explains the owner / operator problem and what you should expect from brand name hotels moving forward. Also, the insidious cloak of mystery is about to be lifted from medical costs. 20% of our nation’s economy is eaten up by healthcare costs - by far the highest in the world. You’re on the hook for deductibles and copays. But information is power. Learn where we are now with non-emergency healthcare price disclosures. Hotel Staffing Shortages: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Healthcare Cost Disclosures: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: 7 Places to Get the Best Deals on Lab-Created Diamonds How much health insurers pay for almost everything is about to go public When does a 0% purchase plan make sense for you? How to Stock Up in Case of an Emergency 31 Items To Pack in Your Financial Emergency Kit How Much Cash Should You Keep at Home in Case of Emergency? How to Find the Best Deal on Cheap Internet Service Report: The #1 Internet Provider in America 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 - Word to savers - beware chasing that rate! Trying to make more on savings is leading people to make dangerous choices from financial apps and pseudo banks making unfounded promises of no risk strategies for high returns & FDIC security. What you need to know to safely stash your cash.    Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Stash Your Cash Wisely: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Online Banking Archives - Clark Howard T-Mobile Money: 5 Things To Know Buy Nothing Project Life Insurance Archives - Clark Howard Consumer Cellular Review: 5 Things To Know Before You Sign Up Mullen: Shaping the Road Ahead in Electric Automobiles Google Fi Review: Things To Know Before You Sign Up The Best International Phone Plans What Is a 403(b) and How Does It Work? Fidelity Investments Review 2022: Pros & Cons Best 529 College Savings Plans By State How To Open a Roth IRA 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

Labor shortages in larger airports have rendered security lines so unpredictable that people are missing flights. Clark explains how TSA PreCheck, Global Entry & Clear work, and how to get these services for free or discounted. Also - Clark discusses fake positive reviews and the recent Amazon crackdown. A new twist: Negative reviews used to extort merchants. Understand how much the review system is gamed for retailers, restaurants & hotels, and how to best use reviews.  TSA PreCheck, Global Entry & Clear: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Online Review Extortion: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: The Best Credit Cards That Pay for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Travel Credit Card Review Best Travel Credit Cards: Top Rewards Picks for 2022 The Best Credit Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees How To Bring an Old Laptop Back to Life for Free What the Carriers Are Doing About SIM Card Fraud & How to Stop It Upside Review: 6 Things To Know Before You Sign Up Fetch Rewards: 5 Things You Need To Know To Get Free Gift Cards 3 Things To Consider Before You Get Solar Panels 6 Things To Know Before Contacting the National Foundation for Credit Counseling  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

Do you know when you’re being played by sneaky product placement? Products are placed within the content of streamed TV shows and movies, and social media influencers are paid to recommend products. Know this is bought and paid for advertising - an indirect form of commercials. Also - A special warning about moving your retirement money when changing jobs. If you plan on rolling over a 401(k) into an IRA, knowing what Clark has to say about it can save you tens of thousands of dollars over time.  Ad Awareness: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Retirement Rollover Warning: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: What Is a Reverse Mortgage and How Does It Work? Clark's take on reverse mortgages How Can a Safe Driving App Save You Money? - USAA Betterment vs. Wealthfront: Which Robo-Advisor Is Best for You? Best Investment Companies for Investors in 2022 CNBC: IRA rollovers often come with higher investment fees, Pew finds: Here’s how much money that costs retirement savers. Clark.com 401(k) Rollover: How To Roll Over a 401(k) How to Freeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Why Clark Howard Thinks Medicare Advantage Plans 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

With so much economic uncertainty, should you ask for a raise to offset inflation? Dilemma: Employers are getting nervous about potential recession. So the decision to ask for a raise, to stay put or find a higher paying job is an individual assessment. Clark offers guidance to help you think this through. Also - As the Fed raises interest rates, there’s a direct effect 1 billing cycle later on your credit card rates. People have been charging more, leading to balances they can’t pay. A Clark assignment & some recommendations can help with credit card debt.  Employment Dilemma: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Credit Card Debt: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: The #1 Thing Clark Howard Hates About Solar Panels Clark.com - Credit Card Debt Budgeting & Saving Archives - Clark Howard How to Budget With a Cash Envelope System REAL ID | Homeland Security  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

As the housing market cools, price cuts are happening around the country. A widespread buyers strike has set in. Many fear a housing market collapse as experienced 15 years ago. Clark explains why that won’t happen, and has recommendations for potential home buyers and renters. Also, a special warning about using self-checkout lanes. HOUSING Update: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Special Warning: Self Check-out: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4  Mentioned on the show: Mortgage Recast Definition - Investopedia 8 Things To Know Before Your First Trip to Aldi The Points Guy - Maximize your travel. These New Apps Can Help Maximize Credit Card Rewards Best Travel Credit Cards: Top Rewards Picks for 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 - The average vehicle loan now is over $700 a month. 1 in 8 loans exceed $1K! Meanwhile the repo rate is rising. Why lenders are more aggressive with repossessions now and the negative domino effect. Clark’s recommendation for avoiding financial car loan disaster.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Of Car Loans & Repos: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: What Is a Roth 401(k) and How Does It Work? Apple Credit Card Review: Earn Cash Back on Tech Purchases Mint Mobile Review: 5 Things To Know Before You Sign Up Family Phone Plans for 2+ Lines - Mint Modern Family Plan Warning: Never Get Roadside Assistance From Your Insurance Provider 5 Things To Know About Series I Savings Bonds Uni - One Toll Pass. 19 States.  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

It’s unclear what will happen with gas prices moving forward, but prices have eased and the U.S. is leading the world in the production of energy. Clark explains the current energy market, why we see big price differences at the pumps, and saving strategies. Also - The odds are at least 50/50 we’ll have some degree of recession, as central banks worldwide work to slow economies to ease global inflation. Because capitalists hate uncertainty, some large companies have announced reduced hiring - but that’s a far cry from layoffs. Clark conveys 4  job sectors resilient against recession.  Gas Prices: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Recession-proof Job Sectors: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: These Credit Cards Offer Car Rental Insurance Benefits RentalCars.com The 4 most 'recession-proof' industries to work in, according to economists How To Open a Roth IRA How to Start Investing and Saving for Retirement Fidelity Investments Review 2022: Pros & Cons 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