The Clark Howard Podcast

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also, jobs are abundant right now for all but the summer employment outlook has never been better for teens. There are jobs aplenty for decent pay. Plus, an important professional courtesy tip from Clark.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Summer Jobs for Teens: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4  Mentioned on the show: AAA IDP International Driving Permit Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - Federal Student Aid CURRENT - Put your savings to work with 4.00% APY¹ 6 Best Ways To Send Money Online Warning: Never Get Roadside Assistance From Your Insurance Provider What Is a Roth 401(k) and How Does It Work? 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

While investment costs have never been lower, some investors pay really high costs to non-fiduciaries. Clark explains a sneaky trick involving insurance agents posing as financial advisors, and the vital, costly difference between “fee-based” advisors and fee ONLY fiduciaries. Plus - Now is the time to break with cellular inertia and shop great new options that can serve you well and save you large dollars. Fake Wealth Advisors: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Cell Phone Plan Deals: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4  Mentioned on the show: Online Brokerage Firms Struggle to Build Loyalty among Pandemic-Era Investors, J.D.Power Finds What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One? What Is a 403(b) and How Does It Work? How to Buy Term Life Insurance in 7 Easy Steps The Best Term Life Insurance Companies AT&T Price Hikes Coming Soon AT&T Raises Prices on Wireless Plans to Address Higher Costs 5 Things To Know Before You Sign Up for AT&T Prepaid Best Cell Phone Plans in 2022: Deals For Every Budget  Clark.com CELL PHONES / Clark Deals - Cell Plans Clark.com Consumer Cellular Review: 5 Things To Know Before You Sign Up Kroger Wireless Airtime Plans / MINT Modern Family Plan Mint Mobile Introduces Modern Family Plans Verizon Price Hikes Coming In June The Verge: You can now test drive T-Mobile's 5G home internet service T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: 5 Things To Know Before You Sign Up 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

Learn how to save for the future when you freelance, work side hustles or own your own business and don’t have access to a company retirement plan. AND - Neglecting one simple auto maintenance step can cost you big time. Heed Clark before your road trip this summer.  Self-Employed Retirement Planning: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Get Roadworthy: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4  Mentioned on the show: What Is a SEP IRA and Who Is Eligible? What Is an HSA Account and How Does It Work? What Is a Solo 401(k) and How Does It Work? Medical Debt A Major Source Of Consumer Complaints, New Report Shows Can a Patient Advocate Help With Your Medical Bills? Clark.com Best Places to Buy Tires 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

Party rentals have become a huge problem for Airbnb, so they’re launching an anti-party crackdown. What to expect when booking - and major considerations for potential hosts. Also, there has been a lot of talk lately about student loans and the cost of college. Clark covers which degree programs have the best payback. When you can match your interests with an in-demand high-earning degree - career WIN.  Airbnb Guidelines: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Profitable College Degrees: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4  Mentioned on the show: A Simple Way To Help Your Kid Build Credit Should You Redeem Credit Card Points for Travel Rewards or Cash Back? How To Cancel Private Mortgage Insurance Years Ahead of Schedule 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

If you feel you can serve a need in the marketplace, this is a golden era for entrepreneurs. Clark discusses the many considerations involved in starting your own business. Also, the number of people injured or killed in road accidents has gone way up. A.I. technology can prevent or reduce the severity of accidents, which involves driver tracking & control - now mandated in parts of Europe. Auto Insurance tracking is a different matter. Clark’s take on the implications of fast moving tech which - in solving one problem - may create another. Entrepreneurs: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Vehicle A.I. Safety Tracking: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4  Mentioned on the show: Save Money on Merchant Processing Fees Creative Destruction Definition - Investopedia How and When To Cancel a Credit Card 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

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. And - Clark has a scam warning & rip off alert about travel booking, and a heads up about an emerging airline practice you need to be aware of. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Travel Warnings: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Apple Credit Card Review: Earn Cash Back on Tech Purchases Why Clark Howard Shifted to a Digital Wallet and You Should Too 10 Ways To Save on Prescription Drugs Dollar Cost Averaging Makes You a Fortune Over Time Latest Wills & Funerals How To Find and Choose a Financial Advisor 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

College isn’t the only path to success. Clark summarizes the skills education landscape including Google IT training programs. But for many, college is the path to career fulfillment. Why many are dropping out today, and ways to go the distance at lower cost and get that degree. Clark also talks about internet privacy and U.S. tech giants’ initiatives vs. Europe’s Right to Be Forgotten. Now there’s a way to opt-out of having your personal information searchable on Google. College Dropout Rate: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Google Privacy Tool: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: 4 Steps To Stop Google From Showing Your Personal Information The Top 5 Benefits of Community College 9 Ways To Pay for College Without Student Loans Where Do I Look for Affordable and Legitimate Online Schools? 7 Things to Know About Amica Insurance Best and Worst Home Insurance Companies 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

The cost of solar is down 80% from a decade ago - a way to defray energy cost, along with ultra efficient HVAC systems coming soon. Ways to reduce energy consumption now include LED light bulbs,  adequate insulation and smart thermostats.  Also - lab created diamonds are taking off and for a very beautiful reason.  Energy Consumption: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Lab Created Diamonds: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: How To Save Money on Utilities How To Extend the Lives of These 5 Major Appliances Driveway: 5 Things To Know Before You Buy or Sell a Car Online 7 Places to Get the Best Deals on Lab-Created Diamonds How to Buy Term Life Insurance in 7 Easy Steps Best Investment Companies for Investors in 2022 What Is a Spousal IRA and What Are the Rules? Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards: Top 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

Two special warnings this episode - The first deals with confusion around Medicare Advantage plans, a choice many regret. Heed this warning if you or a loved one is approaching age 65. Plus, an alarming trend in mortgages and a Clark smart hard & fast rule to follow. Medicare Disadvantage Plans: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Adjustable Rate Mortgages: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: AT&T Price Hikes Coming Soon AT&T Raises Prices on Wireless Plans to Address Higher Costs AT&T raises prices of some mobile plans by $6 per month Best Cell Phone Plans in 2022: Deals For Every Budget Clark.com - CELL PHONES How to Freeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Should I Get Pet Insurance? Should I Get a Second Mortgage? 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 runup in gas is getting people more focused on where they buy. The market is becoming dominated by independent retailers, not the traditional oil companies. The forward thinking growth of Wawa includes charging stations. And where and how you shop for groceries makes a big difference too. Clark shares what’s getting more pricey and what’s not, and strategies for all to save on groceries, including sharing initiatives.  Wawa Expansion: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 SAVE on Groceries: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: These 10 Groceries Items Are Getting More Expensive 22 Ways To Save Money on Groceries Report: The Best and Cheapest Grocery Stores Credit card companies adjust merchant fees. Consumers may pay the price Turn off the debit function of your debit card What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One? Bluebird named best banking alternative 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