The Clark Howard Podcast
Clark Howard
Save more and spend less is more than just a motto for money expert Clark Howard; it’s a way of life. Clark and his crew — Team Clark — are on a mission to empower people to take control of their personal finances by providing money-saving tips, consumer advice, hot deals and economic news to help everyone achieve financial freedom. Clark is a nationally syndicated radio talk show host and a consumer reporter for television stations around the country. His podcast, The Clark Howard Show, receives more than one million downloads each month and is a hub for listeners to get valuable advice on-demand any time. Clark answers questions on the most popular business and consumer topics including; how to buy a cars, financing a home, retirement planning, shopping for insurance and getting the most out of your savings. Join the conversation and submit your question to www.clark.com/askclark . Clark spearheads two free resources — Clark.com and ClarkDeals.com — to encourage consumers to save more, spend less and avoid ripoffs.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 27, 2021 • 36min
09.27.21 A Used Car Market Warning / Market Swings & Investor Fears.
An important warning for those in the market for a used vehicle, and how buyers must protect themselves. Also, there will be new e-vehicles in the marketplace, sold direct. What that means for buyers. // Recent wide swings in the stock market have sparked fears among investors. Various factors have created a “wall of worry”. The problem with getting out of the market, and the right questions to ask yourself to be in the game - prepared.Ask Clark topics include: How does HomeAdvisor work for contractors? / What is an UGMA or UTMA account? - Best 529 College Savings Plans By State / Trust & Estate Planning / What Is a Financial Advisor and Do I Need One? - How To Find and Choose a Financial Advisor / SPLITWISE: Less stress when sharing expenses / BBB-File a Complaint \\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
Sep 24, 2021 • 32min
09.24.21 Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / NEVER NEVER NEVER Accept the Expensive Free Dinner Invite.
Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. / You may be tempted to accept an exclusive invitation to a financial seminar that includes something fancy like a free steak dinner. Clark tells you why you need to cook at home that night instead.Clark Stinks and Ask Clark topics include: What Is Your Flood Risk on a Scale of 1–10? / Clark’s App Warning for iPhone and Android Users / Should I Convert a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA? / 7 Things to Know Before You Buy Travel Insurance / Elon Musk says Starlink internet will exit beta status next month / T-Mobile Expanding 5G Network To Offer New Home Internet Service \\ 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
Sep 23, 2021 • 28min
09.23.21 UPDATE: SBA Loan Programs / Important Plan Documents: 401(k) Fees.
Good news for small business owners about the SBA loan program, including applying for PPP loan forgiveness. // 401(k)s have 2 different kinds of fees, one of which most participants are unaware of - the cost for the investments plus administration fees, which can be high. Who pays?Ask Clark topics include: Best Investment Companies for Investors in 2021 / Why Vacation Clubs are worse than timeshares / Should You Manage Your Own Investment Portfolio? - The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing / The #1 thing you need to do if you use PayPal, Venmo or Zelle for payments / Credit Karma Review: Free Credit Score and More at Your Fingertips - How To Monitor Your Credit \\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
Sep 22, 2021 • 27min
09.22.21 Quality of New Cars / CORE Investing: Clark’s Hot Tip Advice.
We know cars are overpriced and hard to get right now - allowing time to research your next buy for when the market improves. Clark looks into the initial quality of new cars - and the types of both cars and appliances that are generally most reliable. // The yen to invest is taking hold with advice coming from everywhere. Why this is both great and terrible. Many are basing investment decisions on social media influencers’ advice. Pause with Clark to reflect on this….Ask Clark topics include: How Much Is My Used Car Worth Right Now? / TRAVEL CLArchives / Best Buy Tech Support / Kids and Teen Savings Account | USAA \\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
Sep 21, 2021 • 24min
09.21.21 Wearable health trackers / The Buy Now, Pay Later Effect - Not Good.
Health trackers are approaching the mainstream for general health monitoring. Clark talks about his devices and what’s on the horizon. // Almost half of Americans have used buy now, pay later services. What could possibly go wrong?Ask Clark topics include: The #1 thing you need to do if you use PayPal, Venmo or Zelle for payments / Loyalty fraud is on the rise — here’s what happens when your points are stolen / Is a Cash-Out Refinance Right for You? / Home equity loans & lines of credit / A factory-built home as a means to affordable housing / The 4 Insurance Policies You Actually Need / Term Life vs. Whole Life Insurance - EvaluateLifeInsurance.org \\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
Sep 20, 2021 • 28min
09.20.21 Why Crypto Isn’t Ready For Prime Time / Are wallets becoming obsolete?
Crypto is taking all shapes and forms now, including being used for risky borrowing and lending. This is in the pioneering phase. // The cell phone is potentially replacing the wallet. Pros & cons.Ask Clark topics include: What you can’t pay for with a 529 plan / How and Why to Refinance Your Mortgage / The 403(b) / Fidelity Investments Review 2021 / Life Insurance / Sam’s Club Mastercard Review: Earn 5% Back on Gas Purchases - Best Rewards Credit Cards: Top Picks for 2021 / Authorized User vs. Joint Account Holder \\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
Sep 17, 2021 • 30min
09.17.21 Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / Find Lost or Missing Retirement Accounts.
Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. / For those who’ve worked various jobs over decades, there may be lost retirement accounts or a small pension you’ve lost track of. There are 25 million unclaimed 401(k)s out there containing $1.35 Trillion. Also - what to do when you change jobs. Clark.com - How To Find Missing or Lost Retirement AccountsClark Stinks and Ask Clark topics include: Automatic Bill Pay: How It Works and How to Do It Safely / Wait times at Disneyland and Universal Studios are way down. Here’s why / Best 529 College Savings Plans By State / 5 Things to Know Before You Use Zelle / Suing in Small Claims Court \\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
Sep 16, 2021 • 29min
09.16.21 Stocking Up For Emergencies / COVID Rebates & Saving On Auto Insurance
Should you stock up on essential supplies? Clark has a different angle on deciding what to buy. // Were you expecting a refund on your auto insurance during the pandemic that never came or was less than expected? If you’re the 1 in 3 people driving less, you’re subsidizing other drivers. Clark has a suggestion to help you save on auto insurance. Ask Clark topics include: Consumer Reports Generator Ratings / Should We Buy a Truck With eBay Gift Cards? Or Is This a Scam? / CarRentals.com / Mint Mobile Review - Visible / Equitable Distribution Definition - Investopedia / Long-Term Care Insurance / What can I do if I believe my credit file has been mixed with someone else's? \\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
Sep 15, 2021 • 24min
09.15.21 Amazon’s New TVs / SpaceX Starlink Satellite Internet Delay.
TVs have gone up in price, as much as double since last November. The market effect of Amazon’s entry and Clark’s best advice for TV buyers. // SpaceX’s Starlink internet service is on hold. Clark’s excitement over the supposed imminent availability of high speed rural internet was well-placed, but premature. What we have here is a failure to serve customers.Ask Clark topics include: Rules for Using Credit Cards / 6 of the Best High-Yield Online Savings Accounts in 2021 / How to Keep Student Loan Forbearance From Hurting Your Credit / Fidelity vs. Vanguard vs. Schwab: Which Brokerage Is Best? / Dollar Cost Averaging Makes You a Fortune Over Time / How To Open a Roth IRA / Warning: 3 Big Problems With Visa Gift Cards / File a Complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau \\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
Sep 14, 2021 • 24min
09.14.21 JOBS: Understanding Total Compensation / Heads Up: Employers Spying on At-Home Workers.
When looking at job opportunities, there are many considerations beyond pay alone. // Do you know if your company or boss is using spyware to monitor you? Be aware of new ways your company may be tracking you as you work from home.Ask Clark topics include: 9 Ways To Pay for College Without Student Loans - The Top 5 Benefits of Community College / Is Investing in Dividend Stocks a Good Strategy? / File a Complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau / Carvana Vehicle Value - Also get vehicle value from dealer / How to Buy a New Car in 5 Steps \\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
