The Clark Howard Podcast

Clark explains how Vanguard small investors got clobbered by big tax bills during a target retirement fund conversion, without even withdrawing money. Learn where to put your investments to avoid such tax hits. Also - Air travel is a flat out mess right now. Infrequent travelers are especially rattled. International travel is especially challenging. It’s taking extra days to reach destinations. As a constant traveler, Clark has several strategies to help protect your sanity during domestic & international flights and cruises. Tax Smart Investing: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Strategies to Avoid Air Travel Nightmares: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: How To Open a Roth IRA How to Start Investing and Saving for Retirement SpaceX and Dish’s Super-Shady War for the World  Travel Archives - Clark Howard Eager to take advantage of the cheap euro? Check out which countries have COVID travel requirements first Europe is on sale. Why the dollar-euro exchange rate is a win for Americans The Best Credit Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees 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 back to the gym for many after a long absence, but home fitness equipment is a super deal right now. Clark points to the savings. Also - There’s a 1 in 10 chance there’s unclaimed money out there with your name on it. Clark explains how this happens, the third party pitfalls, and how to find it yourself for free.  Home Fitness Equipment: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Missing Money: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Clark Deals - Gym Equipment Get Great Deals on Concerts, Pandora Music & More | T-Mobile How To Find and Claim Missing Money in Your Name What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One? Frequently Asked Questions on Gift Taxes 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 economy has upended the best laid retirement plans of many Americans. So what do you do right now if you are in this situation? Clark discusses a reasonable compromise to help maintain financial security. Also - Every grocery dollar is basically buying 10% less these days - UNLESS you shop differently. Clark shares his base strategies, plus - looks at a cash back app that can help you save.  Delaying Retirement: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 SAVE on Groceries: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: What Is a 403(b) and How Does It Work? What Are Index Funds? 5 Things To Know About Series I Savings Bonds Major Tax-Reporting Change for Users of Venmo, PayPal and Others 8 Things To Know Before Your First Trip to Aldi Ibotta Review: 4 Things To Know Before Earning Cash Back SuperCook - Zero Waste Recipe Generator Ask Clark: Should I Convert a Traditional IRA to 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

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. AND - For those seeking hedge alternatives to the standard investment portfolio, Clark discusses REITs, Crypto, and specifically GOLD as a safe zone. Learn Clark’s recommendations for owning gold - how much - and if gold is even a real investment.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Owning Gold: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card: Get 2.5% Cash Back on Everyday Purchases Best Cash Back Credit Cards: Top Picks for 2022 What Is Disability Insurance and How Does It Work? Chrome OS Flex Is There a Safe Way To Invest in Real Estate? What Clark Howard Thinks of ‘Crypto Winter’ After Big Crash 7 Gold ETFs With Low Costs Clark Howard’s Advice on Buying Gold Best 529 College Savings Plans By State  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 discusses the impact of vehicle shortages & elevated costs including illegal repossessions & how to protect yourself from this, plus new ride sharing offerings. Also - Good Intentions don’t lead to results. Autopilot does. Clark makes the case for automatic saving & investing, especially for those without a 401(k).  Vehicle Cost Pressures - Market Effects: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Automatic For The SAVINGS: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: CarMax Review: 5 Things To Know Before You Buy or Sell Carvana Review: 5 Things To Know Before You Buy or Sell Vroom Review: 5 Things To Know Before You Buy or Sell Luggage Hero - Luggage Storage Near You Checking monthly statements key defense against credit card hacks How To Open a Roth IRA What Are Index Funds? What Is a Thrift Savings Plan? 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

New data illustrates how people are now stretched financially, trading down retail purchases while overall, credit card debt is up. Clark shares some back to basics measures for more mindful spending. Also, current dislocations have opened up a fast growing area of abuse in the trade and technical school funding arena. What to look for - and look out for - when considering training alternatives to college. Inflation Shoppers: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Training Contract Warning: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Should I Buy a Used Car, New Car or Lease Right Now? Mint Review: 5 Things To Know About the Free Budgeting Tool How to handle money when you're traveling overseas The Best Credit Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees Don’t Get Dinged at the Gas Pump by New Visa and Mastercard Policies 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 Buy Now Pay Later, aka Pay in 4, refunds are a problem, and now Apple Pay offers it. Clark’s warning about this payment method and how to protect yourself. Also - Over 100 million Americans are burdened with medical debt. Learn how this happened, how the hospital monopoly game is played - and what your options are to avoid being crushed by medical debt.  Pay In 4 - New Warnings: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Avoid Medical Debt: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Can You Use a Credit Card on Venmo? 7 Things To Know About the Venmo Credit Card Best 529 College Savings Plans By State What's the Best Setting for Your Thermostat During the Summer? 7 Easy Ways To Lower Your Heating 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

Labor shortages. reliability problems and high costs are plaguing travel this summer. But the cruise industry is seeing lower demand. Clark explains how you can get screaming deals on cruises and on certain air travel destinations. Also, over 20 million tax returns remain unprocessed. A beleaguered IRS and frustrated taxpayers - Clark recounts how we got in this awful mess and makes the case for a simplified tax code.  Travel Deals: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 IRS Delays: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: New Report: The 8 Best Cruise Lines for the Money How To Use 'Vacations To Go' To Find Bargain Cruises 6 Steps To Getting the Best Car Rental Deal AutoSlash Review: How to Save on a Rental Car Follow Clark Howard's #1 Rule To Travel Cheap Tello Mobile Review: 5 Things To Know Before You Sign Up Tello: Build Your Own Plan Takata recall grows by 3 million more faulty airbag inflators How To Save and Invest the Clark Howard Way 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. And - Many are trying to decide between renting or buying a home. It’s a true squeezeplay right now but new data sheds light on what might be the best decision. Plus, Clark provides the housing market outlook. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 HOUSING Outlook: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Clark.com CELL PHONES SoFi Credit Card Review: Earn 2% Cash Back Platinum Card® from American Express Review 2022: Is It Worth It? 6 Steps To Getting the Best Car Rental Deal 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

Add auto insurance increases to higher vehicle & gas prices. Collision rates and the cost of repairs are up too, factors creating a perfect storm of costs for auto insurers, in turn passed along to drivers. Hear 2 ways to lower your auto insurance premiums. Also this episode: Employers thought they’d order everyone back to office work last September. That flew out on the Delta variant. There are pros & cons to Work From Home but for most remote workers, the advantages win out. Management had best be flexible. The landscape has changed - permanently.  Shop Auto Insurance: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 WFH: A Generational Shift: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Car Insurance Archives - Clark Howard Credit Karma Review: Free Credit Score and More at Your Fingertips 5 Sneaky Ways To Improve Your Credit Score Investing & Retirement 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