The Clark Howard Podcast

How margin investing is actually gambling - borrowing against stocks in order to buy more stocks - a huge profit center for brokerages. Clark explains how this plays, and where the danger lies. // Clark Howard - Deal Hunter, has click & collect and delivery experiences that speak to big retail competition with Amazon - and wins for consumers.Ask Clark topics include: Target Date Funds: Clark’s Favorite Retirement Investment / CELL PHONES - Clark.com / Red Pocket Deal: Get a Year of Unlimited Service Starting at $14/Month / Can YouMail Really Put an End to Robocalls? \\Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter!Free Advice: Clark's Consumer Action Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. / Clark’s thoughts on the new COVID variant, the economy and travel.Clark Stinks and Ask Clark topics include: 7 Things to Know Before You Buy Travel Insurance / Storage Unit Insurance: What Is It and What Does It Cover? \\Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter!Free Advice: Clark's Consumer Action Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The typical electric bill will be 5% higher this winter. For those using natural gas, bills are expected to be up 25 - 35% depending on location - propane even more. Clark has several suggestions to help you save. / Every time there’s a runup in home prices, people tend to take out equity. That practice is up 33% over last year. Why Clark believes this is a bad idea, and when cashing out equity is appropriate.Ask Clark topics include: How to Sell Your Car in 5 Steps / Homeowners Insurance / 9 travel safety tips to protect you & your wallet / Clark Howard: My 7 Rules for Using Credit Cards \\Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter!Free Advice: Clark's Consumer Action Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Survey Says: The number 1 type identity theft is credit card fraud. Clark smart strategies to protect your wallet when holiday shopping online. // The concert business has been in turmoil since the pandemic began. Events were postponed overwhelmingly to avoid the paying of refunds. Meet a ticket seller with better options. \\Ask Clark topics include: How to sell your house by owner - Clark Howard / The power of compound interest: Earlier you save the better / Wills & Funerals \\Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter!Free Advice: Clark's Consumer Action Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark gets into the nitty gritty of doing laundry & the best detergent buys. Consumer Reports ratings are in - how to get more for less. // We pay more for medical care in the U.S. than the rest of the world with less to show for it. Hospital systems buy up competitors and practices to reduce competition. There’s a counter move going on. How CVS, Walmart and others are making a difference in the delivery of healthcare in ways that can save you money.Ask Clark topics include: 7 Best Free Cloud Storage Options in 2021 / What You Need To Do With Your Gift Cards Right Now \\Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter!Free Advice: Clark's Consumer Action Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark discusses NFTs with Team Clark’s Christopher Smith who has done really well with them. Can you get rich quick? // Tax rates on regular savings interest and on investment earnings have been adjusted for next year. Clark explains how it pays to know the difference and save accordingly.Ask Clark topics include: 3 Rules for Buying Gold - Clark’s #1 Rule on Investing in Things Like Gold, Marijuana and Bitcoin / Investing in real estate can be a lot simpler than you think / How To Prevent, Report and Repair Identity Theft / How to counter lowball offers from auto insurers after your vehicle is totaled \\Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter!Free Advice: Clark's Consumer Action Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. / The big box retailers are better stocked for Christmas than anticipated. Inventory and sales are up. Clark lets you know what’s a deal and what’s not right now. The market never stops changing - how to be flexible in a time of rising prices.Clark Stinks and Ask Clark topics include: Costco membership deal: Save up to $30 with a new Costco membership / Best Cell Phone Plans and Deals in 2021 / Mean Reversion Definition - Investopedia / IRS Announces 401(k) Contribution Limit Increase for 2022 \\Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter!Free Advice: Clark's Consumer Action Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A USA Today investigation found 121 recalled or banned toy products, some of which have had fatal consequences, sold on Facebook Marketplace with no oversight. This is not unique to Facebook. The U.S. gov is suing Amazon for selling dangerous products. What to know and look out for from these and other marketplace sellers. // Americans are a generous people, and the season of giving brings out the scammers to exploit this virtue. The many ways they rope you in and what to know before you give.Ask Clark topics include: What Is an HSA Account? / What Is a SEP IRA and Who Is Eligible? / Best 529 College Savings Plans / How to Find a Geriatric Care Manager \\Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter!Free Advice: Clark's Consumer Action Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Holiday package thieves are a real problem and delivered goods will be priced higher than picked up merchandise. Clark discusses the advantages of “click & collect” and Amazon lockers / In modern media, the traditional wall that separates advertising from content has broken down in every format & platform. A con artist posing as a Texas financial radio host stole millions from listeners. It’s vital to know what’s going on behind the curtain. Paid media is everywhere. Clark discusses what to watch out for when consuming radio, TV, newspapers & periodicals, websites, social media et al.Ask Clark topics include: What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One? / Mean Reversion Definition - Investopedia / How To Sell, Cancel or Get Rid of Your Timeshare / Should I Pay Off Debt, Save Money or Invest? / Should I Pay Off My Mortgage Before I Retire? \\Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter!Free Advice: Clark's Consumer Action Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Skimpflation” is a form of hidden tax via customer no-service, with companies cutting corners in almost all sectors. Surviving businesses are dealing with increased demand and labor shortages - another dislocation to work through in the economy. // While spending billions on non-stop ads, the traditional market-driven insurance industry is being turned on its head. New companies like Lemonade and Root begin with trust and simplicity. It’s working.Ask Clark topics include: GetUpside Review: 6 Things To Know Before You Sign Up / Best 529 College Savings Plans By State \\Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter!Free Advice: Clark's Consumer Action Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices