The Clark Howard Podcast

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

It’s the time of year to make elections for your retirement accounts. News on next year’s new income and contribution limits for retirement accounts and tax implications moving forward. / Zillow is out of the home buying business, but other iBuyer companies are still thriving. Industry update and when & where using an iBuyer makes sense for home sellers.Ask Clark topics include: Amount of Roth IRA Contributions That You Can Make For 2021 / Ask Clark: What Is a Backdoor Roth IRA? / SIPC - Securities Investor Protection Corporation / A strong password isn’t enough | Here’s the best way to protect your online accounts \\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 final phase of pandemic relief allows for lower premiums, more subsidies and smaller deductibles on health insurance for qualifying individuals and families for 2022. Revisit Healthcare.gov to enroll by Dec. 15. Clark explains Medicare Advantage plans & the upcoming surprise medical billing law. We’ll need to know our rights and how to use them. Clark Stinks and Ask Clark topics include: Apple Pay and Apple Cash Review - NerdWallet / Health Insurance Guide / How To Send a ‘Drop Dead’ Letter to a Collection Agency / My Dad Is Retiring But Plans To Continue Working Part-Time. How Can We Help Him Access His Benefits? \\ 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

Supply chain issues, shipping delays, and higher prices - NOT a few of Clark’s favorite things. Sale cycles are underway already and December will be expensive. Clark Smart holiday shopping guidance. Clark Deals Black Friday / A Fidelity study shows women investors on average earn superior returns to men. Why the difference?Ask Clark topics include: How to Buy a House in 9 Steps / Mortgages Archives - Clark Howard / 31 Items To Pack in Your Financial Emergency Kit \\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

Car repair rip offs are a long term, terrible problem, increasing during today’s car shortages. How to prevent car repair nightmares and what to do if you are stuck in one. / The nation’s banks have not been kind to small business, and now this market is going through the early stages of disruption. Better options for business banking from fintechs.Ask Clark topics include: 5 Things To Do Before You Sign Up for a Free Trial / Here Are the Insurance Policies Homeowners Need To Get and the Ones To Skip / How to Buy Term Life Insurance in 7 Easy 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