The Clark Howard Podcast

National 529 Day - Millions have 529 plans to save for college with tax free growth for qualified spending. Be aware 529 Plans vary. Many states roll in a state tax deduction for contributions up to a certain limit. Clark tells you which plans to eliminate and about the recent regulatory change involving grandparent owned plans. / Would you leave a $20 bill languishing in a drawer or toss it out? Gift cards are real $$ disguised as ….. gift cards. Time to use ‘em or lose ‘em. There’s $800M in gift cards never redeemed for a single major retailer. What? Retailers love this “breakage” which is pure profit for them. A Clark smart assignment. Ask Clark topics include: Asking for a credit increase - How To Improve Your Credit Score by 100 Points in 30 Days / TURO - How to Make Extra Money / Travel Planning / EvaluateLifeInsurance.org \\Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deadline to Savings: June 8 - The video streaming world is in huge transition. Mergers signal industry consolidation. Philo - still the cheapest - is going up but Clark tells you how to avoid the price increase. See if Philo would work for you. //  Why does Clark call cryptocurrency fake? Clark describes cryptocurrency in theory vs  practice, the government restrictions and the fundamental value of electronic money. What to expect if you play in crypto today. Ask Clark topics include: The New Washington State Long-Term Care Act - Coldstream Wealth Management - WA Cares Fund  / Long-Term Care Insurance / These Credit Cards Offer Car Rental Insurance Benefits / Mortgage Refinance Calculator / SIM Card Fraud & How to Stop It / Submit a complaint | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau / CarMax Review \\Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shopping auto insurance: Ideally, you need to compare to find the best deal. Clark breaks down auto insurance shopping services, highlights The Zebra, helps you navigate the lead generation aspect and understand independent vs captive insurance agents. You can do this! // There are many pitfalls with online ads and purchasing - tactics used by companies to bait you into buying services and goods you don’t want or need. Know when you’re being manipulated online.Ask Clark topics include: 7 ways small business owners can reduce their tax bill / Will a Hybrid Car Save You Money? There's An Easy Way to Find Out \\Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The “side gig” economy is the real deal, and some people are making 6 figures being their own boss. It’s a great time for those with specialized skills to make money freelancing. - SideHusl - Find the Best Money Making Option for You // Americans have paid off a great deal of credit card debt. Credit card banks are getting desperate and making generous offers. Even if you have no credit score, you may be in a better position than you think.Ask Clark topics include: Use Google Navigation to avoid tolls or a multi-state toll reader / Life Insurance - EvaluateLifeInsurance.org / Fidelity Investments Review 2021: Pros & Cons / Roth vs. Traditional 401(k): What's the Difference? - Clark HowardWant more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. / Nearly 1 in 4 Americans have 0 in their rainy day account. How to get this done after the whiplash of 2020?  Clark gives you the little steps that build life habits, including starting a savings account and Roth IRA to gradually build your savings.Clark Stinks & Ask Clark topics include: Locast / How To Watch Local Channels Without Cable / How to Make a Disposable Razor Last 12 Months / 5 Reasons Why Home Insurers Will Fire You as a Customer / What's the Deal With Dogecoin? / Your Guide to DIY Home Security Systems - Ring Security System Review - Clark Cam: Ring Security System Installation - YouTube / Fidelity’s Pitch to America’s Teens: No-Fee Brokerage Accounts - WSJ - For kids under 13 set up & monitor a credit union savings account with debit card / update this crucial beneficiary information \\ Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the pandemic, many have been forced to work from home. Now that offices are starting to re-open, do you want to go back in person? Survey: Would you rather work from home or get a $30K raise? Employees say no contest... / Survey: 71% expect significant increases in the value of homes, placing real estate investing over stocks. Why this optimism may be misplaced: Reversion to mean.  Investment real estate right now doesn’t work. If you're not buying real estate for the right reason, you may very well get burned.  Ask Clark topics include: How to Buy a House in 9 Steps / 5 Sneaky Ways to Improve Your Credit Score / Insurance Policies Homeowners Need To Get and the Ones To Skip \\Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Venmo, Tik Tok and Security: Payment App Rules - Don’t use them to pay strangers and beware hackers. Plus, PayPal has attached a social feature to Venmo. Unless you override it, people can see your payments - Why this is risky and what you can do about it. And, should you log in with social apps? / 37 Million of us are traveling  over the Memorial Day weekend. Driving tips to ease the way.Ask Clark topics include: How to Sell Your Car in 5 Steps - Clark Howard / Costco Travel / Travel Archives - Clark Howard \\ Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The average price of a used car is up 17%; new cars are up 10% over the last year. If you’re in a car lease that’s ending, Clark has a strategy your wallet will love. / Lab created diamonds are chemically identical to diamonds dug from the earth. The price is the bigger difference. Plus, there are environmental and humanitarian advantages. But there’s something you should do before you give this gift….Ask Clark topics include: Credit Cards / Fraudulent Unemployment Claims / Google Flights  / Scott's Cheap Flights | / What's the Deal With Dogecoin? \\Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clark wisdom on life-long learning, the transient nature of work, pursuing your passion and being true to yourself, staying relevant in a fulfilling vocation, your approach to money and finding satisfaction and joy in life. / There’s an important deadline you need to know about. There are just days left to take advantage of an incredible free photo storage offer.Ask Clark topics include: Replacing lost key fobs affordably / Emergency Fund Complete Guide: How Much & Where / 7 Emergency Expenses and How Much to Budget for Them / How to Switch Banks in 4 Simple Steps \\Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. /An update on net neutrality. The cable monopoly is being broken piece by piece. Internet service choice is coming. Clark explains how this is comparable to cable’s monopoly over pay TV being crushed in the marketplace. Clark has a video streaming challenge for you and helps you SAVE money by comparing streaming services all in one place! Best Streaming Services: Every Option Explained - Best Live TV Streaming ServicesClark Stinks & Ask Clark topics include: Cell Phones Archives / 5 Easy DIY Auto Repairs You Can Do Today / Authorized User vs. Joint Account Holder \\Want more money advice? Sign up for Clark’s free daily newsletter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices