The Clark Howard Podcast

Topics discussed in the podcast include forgotten 401k accounts, the risk of leaving old 401ks behind, the benefits of able accounts for individuals with disabilities, the best travel rewards credit cards, cost-effective home printers, living in Panama, and the significance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The IRS has been in the news for waiving penalties from prior tax years AND people are getting surprise tax bills. That has brought about a slew of companies advertising tax debt relief. Know what applies to you, and why you shouldn’t take the bait for “debt relief”. Also in the news, the lawsuit against Vanguard over its target date funds is moving through the courts. Know what role TDFs play in your portfolio and where they should NEVER be placed.  Tax Penalty Changes: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Vanguard’s Target Date Funds: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: [The Washington Post] IRS is waiving $1B in penalties. Beware of tax debt relief companies. IRS Zaps Nearly $1 Billion in Penalties for Taxpayers - The Wall Street Journal. Surprise Bill Coming to Those Who Underpay Taxes  When Should You Get an Accountant To Do Your Taxes? How to Freeze Your Child's Credit Should You Make Your Child an Authorized User on Your Credit Card? Is Pet Insurance Worth It? What You Need To Know Before You Buy How To Create a Will Online Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney: Frequently Asked Questions Clark Howard's 5-Point Annual Checklist You Should Follow Lawsuit Over Vanguard’s Target-Date Funds Can Proceed, Judge Rules Target Date Funds: Clark's Favorite Retirement Investment Frequently Asked Questions on Gift Taxes What Is a Roth 401(k) and How Does It Work? Best Budgeting Apps in 2024: Our Top 5 Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com 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 explains the real purpose of owning gold, and, should you decide to - the best way to include it as an asset. Also - One way to save money in the new year? Cancel subscriptions! Clark revisits subscription creep, and how streaming and other services can add up to big bucks. Many people forget to cancel free trials, and worse, many companies make it difficult to cancel.  GOLD! Yes Or No: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Subscription Creep & Streaming Services: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Costco sold more than $100 million in gold bars last quarter Clark Howard's Advice on Buying Gold Debt Archives - Clark Howard Best And Worst Homeowners Insurance Companies: December 2023 This metro woman built a tiny home and dumped her mortgage The high cost of subscription binges: How businesses get rich off you forgetting to cancel - USA TODAY  Americans Are Canceling More of Their Streaming Services The streaming wars reached a stalemate in 2023, but here are 6 trends that will define 2024  Axios: Hello TV bundles, our old friend New York Post: NY AG Letitia James sues SiriusXM: Service made it intentionally ‘hard to cancel subscriptions’ Clark.com - STREAMING TV Visible Deal: Unlimited Service for $20 Monthly for Two Years When Should You Get an Accountant To Do Your Taxes? Scams & Rip-Offs Archives - Clark Howard Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com 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

The big pharmacies are folding under the pressure of competitive pricing. How to insure you pay less for prescriptions. Also today, Clark updates the state of the economy and interest rates, with guidance on how savers can lock in higher rates for longer. He also has an important warning about how to spot fake CDs.  Rx Pricing Changes: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 CD Rates & Saving Strategy: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: NYTimes - CVS Says It Will Change the Way Its Pharmacies Are Paid WSJ.com: CVS Plans to Overhaul How Much Drugs Cost Axios: CVS' drug price transparency push  /  Axios: CVS blows up PBM model CVS is shaking up drug pricing. You can thank Mark Cuban Walgreens Launches Digital Tool To Help Save On Prescription Costs 10 Ways To Save on Prescription Drugs Will Mark Cuban's Prescription Company Really Save You Money? What Is a 403(b) and How Does It Work? Target Date Funds: Clark's Favorite Retirement Investment How To Find and Claim Missing Money in Your Name Now May Be the Time to Lock In High Interest Rates on Your Savings What Is a CD Ladder and When Is It a Good Idea? 16 of the Best High-Yield Online Savings Accounts in January 2024 FDIC.gov / 3 Places You Should Never Invest Your Money IntraFi Network Deposits: ICS and CDARS Services from IntraFi He Stole Hundreds of iPhones and Looted People’s Life Savings. He Told Us How. Apple's New iOS 17 Security Feature Blocks Opportunistic iPhone Thieves Apple unveils new security feature to safeguard against thieves Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com 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

If you have holiday gifts you plan on taking or sending back, you need to know how return policies have changed, and act quickly. Clark explains. Also today, companies should emulate a recent move by a major airline to help employees with their finances.  Restrictive Return Policies: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Delta’s Emergency Savings Fund: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: WSJ.com: Retailers Enlist AI in Fight Against Returns Return Policies Have Gotten More Annoying This Holiday Season - The WSJ Holiday Returns: Guidelines and Return Dates for Major Retailers How To Get a Gym Membership for Practically Free Retirement Accounts Are the New Emergency Funds Delta offers employees $1,000 for emergency savings, 33,000 sign up The Best Place To Buy a Mattress Amica - Get a RV & Trailer Quote Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com 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 in this episode, there’s a real danger of scams when job searching online. Clark let’s job hunters know what to look out for and the rules of the road to employment.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Job Scams: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: What Is the Highest Credit Score? What Is a Thrift Savings Plan? WSJ - Auto Dealers Find Savings by Buying Cars Off the Street Turo: 5 Things To Know About the Cheap Car Rental Service Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card: Get 5% Back on Online Purchases Best Credit Cards for Shopping Rewards (Clark.com) Is the Target RedCard Credit Card Worth? Searching for a job to work remotely? Avoid scams and identity theft Legitimate Work From Home Jobs – How to Find Them (Clark.com) Should I Prepay for My Funeral? Clark Howard's Important Advice on Funeral Planning Wills & Funerals Archives - Clark Howard SIPC - Securities Investor Protection Corporation Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com 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

The resolution to spend less can yield multiple benefits and there are various approaches. Clark explores a method called financial fasting. Also today, the U.S. is slowly adopting a method to simplify taxes, used by most other developed countries. See if this free online direct tax filing service called Direct File could work for you. Financial Fasting: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 IRS: Direct File: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Financial Fasting Can Trim the Fat From Your Spending What Is Umbrella Insurance and Do You Need It? How To Find Cheap Flights in 3 Easy Steps 13 States Sign On to IRS Direct File Pilot Program IRS plans to launch free tax filing pilot program in 13 states next year Will an IRS Tax Prep Service Replace H&R Block or TurboTax? 4 Things You Should Always Pack in Your Carry-On Should You Buy an Extended Warranty on Your Car? Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com 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 shares good news about his favorite type of retirement account. Also in today’s show, advice for used car buyers includes new tax incentives that just went into effect.  New Roth IRA Limits: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 The Used EV Tax Credit: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Looking to save in a Roth IRA next year? Here's what you need to know. - from USA TODAY How To Open a Roth IRA IRS provides tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2024 Best 529 College Savings Plans By State 529 rollover to Roth IRA: A guide to conversion Visible Review: 5 Things To Know Before You Sign Up Visible vs. Verizon Wireless: Plans, Pricing, Data and More Edmunds: Best used electric vehicles under $25,000 13 Secret Saving Hacks at Costco, Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale What Home Security Camera Does Clark Prefer Ahead of Amazon’s Ring? How To Find and Choose a Financial Advisor Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com 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

We’re back and ready to talk about how you can save more, spend less, and avoid rip-offs in 2024! Up first - your cell phone bill! Cell phone rates are going up at twice the rate of inflation because we’ve gone from 4 national providers to 3. Clark has ways to help you SAVE. Also, know what to expect this year if you’ve been worried about paying tax bills on money received through Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, or other payment services. Save On Cell Phone Service: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Payment App Tax Rule: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Mobile phone bills up 5% over last year: doxo Best Cell Phone Plans in 2024: The Cheapest Plan for Every Need CELL PHONES - Clark.com / STREAMING TV - Clark.com How To Watch the Top Video Streaming Services for Under $100 per Year Best Budgeting Apps in 2024: Our Top 5 IRS delays reporting rules for users of Venmo, Cash App and other payment apps How To Save Money With Google Flights Top Travel Deals - Clark Howard Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com 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

Happy Holidays! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns January 2nd. Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Later, 20% of credit card users have heavy revolving debt, accounting for ¾ of the money banks make from cards. Few such users know their debt amount or interest rate, an oversight banks have exploited. If you’re carrying credit card debt, Clark has an assignment that could help you achieve being debt FREE.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Credit Card Debt: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show What is Dual Enrollment and How Much Does it Cost? Best Credit Cards for Shopping Rewards: Top Picks for 2023 Best Credit Cards for Groceries in 2023 2 Ways To Guarantee Yourself a Lifetime Stream of Income Heavy credit-card users are key in the Fed’s inflation battle How to Freeze Your Credit — Literally! Clark.com - Credit Card Debt Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards: Top Picks for 2023 How To Do a Balance Transfer the Right Way Best 0% Intro APR Credit Cards: Top Picks for 2023 Citi Simplicity® Card Review 2022: A Worthy Balance Transfer Card Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com 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