The Clark Howard Podcast

Clark shares 2 new cell phone deals and then explains how he fought a 6 month battle for his wallet, and finally won. Also, Clark clears up confusion surrounding credit reporting changes on the way… A huge roadblock to good credit is being modified.   Clark’s Consumer Fight: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Medical Debt & Your Credit: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4  Mentioned on the show: New AT&T Value Plus Plan: $50 per Month for Unlimited 9to5Mac: T-Mobile introduces new $10/month prepaid plan, boosts data caps for other tiers BBB-File a Complaint Equifax, TransUnion and Experian will soon stop counting medical debt in credit reports — now, for the bad news What You Can Do About Medical Debt iPhone vs. Samsung: Which Holds Its Value Better? How to Freeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Automatic Bill Pay: How It Works and How to Do It Safely Is Amazon Prime Worth It for You? Take This Quiz To Find Out! Clark Howard: Habitat for Humanity - Clark Howard Habitat for Humanity: History - 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

Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also, the state of car rental rates with predictions and tips for getting a good deal this summer.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Summer Car Rentals: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Earthquake Coverage - The Really Big One Medical Receipts: HSA-Compatible FSA Expenses | WageWorks What Is an HSA Account and How Does It Work? 19 Ways To Save at Walmart Do Not Give Your Social Security Number at These Places Are You Following Clark's Maximum Auto Loan Length Rule? 6 Steps To Getting the Best Car Rental Deal Turo: 5 Things To Know About the Cheap Car Rental Service Why You Need To Book Your Summer Travel Now Follow Clark Howard's #1 Rule to Travel Cheap 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 talks taxes including why you should check your refund whether you’ve filed yet or not, and free filing. Also - Travel Riddle: when should you use your airline and hotel reward miles and points?  TAXES: Refunds & Free Filing: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 TRAVEL: Airline Miles & Hotel Points: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Submit a complaint | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ReportFraud-FTC.gov - Consumer Product Safety Commission FCC Complaints - Federal Communications Commission What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One? Fidelity vs. Vanguard vs. Schwab: Which Brokerage Is Best? Best Travel Credit Cards: Top Rewards Picks for 2022 How to Avoid Romance Scams - Clark Howard Health Insurance 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

Word to employers: We’re in an experimental, reset time for employees. Flex schedules and 4-day workweeks are well worth considering to improve efficiency and retention - and they’re catching on. Also, how the overdraft fee game has been played and how bank competition means game over!  The 4 Day Workweek : Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 The Death of Overdraft Fees: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: mySocialSecurity: The Free Account Everyone Needs To Set Up Before Retirement Best home battery 2022: Top battery backup systems Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) - Investopedia 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

Opportunity knocks this summer! Whether you’re a teacher, student, or just looking to make extra money, the marketplace has taken minimum wages up and up. And parents, if you can, offer some type of match and open a Roth to incentivize the saving habit for your working teen. Meanwhile, a Giant Monster Mega Bank has done something great - really! Bank of America has a great new security center tool to help protect customer accounts.  Summer Jobs: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 In Praise of a Big Bank!: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: BOA helps its customers protect their accounts Do Not Give Your Social Security Number at These Places How to handle money when you're traveling overseas Why Clark Howard Shifted to a Digital Wallet and You Should Too 7 Free Video Call Services To Keep You Connected What Is the Best Way To Keep Track of My Mortgage Payments? 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 offers direction for car buyers of both new and used vehicles in the market now as shortages persist. Also, Clark explains the challenges and considerations of buying a house under current market conditions.   Buying a Vehicle: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Buying a House: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Should I Buy a Used Car, New Car or Lease Right Now? How to Buy a Used Car in 7 Steps Clark’s Unusual Tip if You Need To Buy a New Car Right Now How to Buy a New Car in 5 Steps The Best Car-Buying Services in 2022 The Best Credit Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees International Travel Tips: 26 Things to Know Before Going Overseas 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, If you’ve had a traditional 401(k) and now access to a Roth 401(k), Clark answers questions on handling both.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Traditional to Roth 401(k): Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: 401(k) Rollover: What You Need To Know & Options Ask Clark: Should I Convert a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA? Why You Do Not Want To Get a Big Tax Refund Check Is a Safe Deposit Box Really Safe? The National Domestic Violence Hotline 3 Things To Consider Before You Get Solar Panels How To Set Up Your Own Biweekly Mortgage Plan Without Paying Any 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

Historically Americans are the worst savers but many improved during lockdown. Now, many are saving less and taking on more debt. Clark offers direction for resetting your goals. Plus, Tax time and Clark has info on what documents to keep and for how long, including property and business records. Saving-Spending Reset: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Tax Records: An Overview: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Clark.com - CELL PHONES 5 Things to Know Before You Sign Up for Cricket Wireless Which Documents Should You Keep and for How Long? Follow Clark Howard’s #1 Rule to Travel Cheap A Retired Travel Agent's Secrets for Getting the Best Travel Deals 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

Clark discusses how the war in Ukraine is affecting us all with higher energy prices, from gasoline to home energy. Learn steps you can take right now to mitigate your costs.  Gasoline Prices: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Home Energy Prices: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: 23 Ways To Save Money on Gas You can still find 'cheap' gas — if you know where to look [The Washington Post] Stop speeding, get the junk out of your trunk, and other strategies to save money at the gas pump 5 Things To Know About Series I Savings Bonds How to Save Money on Utilities Best Online Banks: Free Checking and High-Interest Savings Accounts How Much Cash Should You Keep at Home in Case of Emergency? Dollar Cost Averaging Makes You a Fortune Over Time Should You Sell or Stay Put in the Stock Market?  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

Student loan forgiveness was a promise made 15 years ago to those going into public service. That promise was broken repeatedly. Clark explains what went wrong, and what’s going right now. Student loan forgiveness is much easier through September. Meanwhile, noticing possible hearing or vision problems? There are some new, convenient and often free ways to do initial testing at home - apps that can serve as an early warning system.   Revisit Student Loan Forgiveness: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Hearing and Vision Apps: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: 4 Things To Know About the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Overhaul Student Loans, Forgiveness | U.S. Department of Education Borrower Defense Loan Discharge - Student Loan Forgiveness | Federal Student Aid Best 529 College Savings Plans By State How to Book the Best and Safest Airbnb Eye Health Screening Apps May Signal Need for Eye Exam The Best Places To Buy Hearing Aids KardiaMobile EKG Monitor - Instant EKG on Your Phone Why You Need To Re-Shop Your Car Insurance This Year Best and Worst Home Insurance Companies What Is a Reverse Mortgage and Is It Right for Me? 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