The Clark Howard Podcast

There are cultural differences when it comes to handling money and we in the U.S. aren’t known as champion savers… YET. If building savings for financial security eludes you, Clark has a two part plan to get you on track. Even if you carry debt, follow Clark’s simple start now, and ultimately rewrite your financial future. Also - Clark gives an overview of the rapidly changing streaming landscape and your choices. With prices on the rise, Free Ad Supported TV or FAST TV is gaining in popularity. Clarkcore Money Principles: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Streaming Update-FREE TV: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show Financial Advisers Share the Best Financial Advice They’ve Ever Received Know thyself, know thy finances: which of the 5 money personalities are you? — The Conversation How To Save and Invest the Clark Howard Way How To Save Money: Spend Less & Build Your Savings How To Open a Roth IRA / How To Build Credit Best Secured Credit Cards for 2023: Top Picks for Building or Repairing Credit 6 Best Apps To Save Money on Groceries There’s a New Way to Watch TV. It’s Already More Popular Than HBO. Best Free Streaming Services in 2023: Movies and TV for Cord Cutters - Clark.com CLARK.com - Streaming TV 4 Things To Know Before You Buy a Digital TV Antenna Google Fi Wireless Review: Things To Know Before You Sign Up Best 529 College Savings Plans By State Understanding 529 rollovers to a Roth IRA - Fidelity Investments 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’re trying to decide whether to buy a home now or wait, beyond pre-approval are several cost considerations to add to your decision process. Clark discusses some of the basic costs of owning a home so you go in with a realistic budget for the expected AND the unexpected. Also today, when doing an online search, there’s something you’ve absolutely got to lookout for, or it can hit you hard in the wallet.   The FULL Cost of Home Ownership: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 A KEY Internet Search Warning: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show Five Key Financial Aspects to Managing Your Home Cheapest Way to Rent a Car: Expert Tips When Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Instead of Investing? [The Washington Post] Scammers are using Google results to target desperate travelers When Do You Need a Travel Agent? Income-Driven Repayment 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

Real estate agent commissions are increasingly controversial with two massive class-action lawsuits underway. Would you sell your home yourself or use an agent? We have the results of our poll on that question. Also today, Clark talks about different areas that have been really expensive, but are now becoming more affordable. Knowing the 'zig-zag' principle can help you save more. Clark.com Poll: Real Estate Agents: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Price Drops: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show Meet the overlooked monopoly that’s overcharging homebuyers $72 billion a year An epic fight over how real-estate agents get paid could transform the housing market forever Clark.com Daily Newsletter Poll: 275 responses How to sell your house by owner How To Find a Trustworthy Mechanic Amusement park attendance and prices down Hot tub sales cool as well-off Americans stop splashing out Should I Get Insurance on My Water and Sewer Lines? Automatic Bill Pay: How It Works and How To Do It Safely Recalls.gov 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

Overall, our expectations of when we want to retire aren’t matching up with our savings. Many of us lament we’re not really on track for retirement. Clark revisits the basics to help get you there, and has a challenge for you, regardless of your age. Also, there are great deals on certain electronics now. Clark shares key buying tips. Your Retirement Track: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Save On Electronics: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show Investing & Retirement Archives - Clark Howard High Income Households Not Worried Enough About Retirement $1.27 million is the magic number for retirement, Americans say. The average person has just 7% of that saved. Women Have Significantly Less Saved in 401(k)s Than Men — What to Do About It    Barrons.com: Oregon’s State-Run Retirement Plan Hits $200 Million in Savings How To Open a Roth IRA / Fidelity - Saving & investing for a child Best And Worst Homeowners Insurance Companies: July 2023 10 Ways To Save Money on Car Insurance / How to Shop for Car Insurance Clark Deals - Electronics Want to Save Money on a New TV? Consider Buying a 2022 Model 13 Secret Saving Hacks at Costco, Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale Delta Digital ID | Delta Air Lines What Is Disability Insurance and How Does It Work? What Is a Roth 401(k) and How Does It Work? 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, did you hear about the ponzi scheme that involved manure conversion to energy? It’s a hard lesson about investing. Clark shares how the mass movement for private placement investments came about - and became a green light for con artists.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Private Placement Investment WARNING: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show Amazon Scam Warning: Beware of Deliveries You Didn't Order How To Build Credit How a Toilet Plunger Improved CPR NIH.gov - Mechanical vs manual chest compression What Is the Better Business Bureau and Should You Use It? Costco vs. Sam's Club: What Is the Difference? Costco vs. Sam's Club vs. BJ's Wholesale: Which Is Best? Man Is Sentenced in $9 Million Cow Manure Ponzi Scheme Quality Condo living in the city vs Suburbs  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

People tend to carry a lot of embarrassment, shame and or anger around debt and other financial mistakes. Counselor Clark would like a word with you…. Also, water bills are up by about 50% over the last several years. Clark discusses the factors leading to this increase and what you can do about it. Facing Debt: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Rising Water Bills: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show The Hill: Americans are hiding their credit card debt Clark.com - Credit Card Debt 6 Things To Know Before Contacting the National Foundation for Credit Counseling Best Cash Back Credit Cards With No Annual Fee  /  CREDIT CARDS NYTimes: Water Bills Are Rising. Here’s What to Do About It. Should You Buy Cell Phone Insurance? Cell Phone Protection: These Credit Cards Will Replace Your Stolen or Damaged Phone Will Mark Cuban's Prescription Company Really Save You Money? 10 Ways To Save on Prescription Drugs 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

Vanguard. There have been lots of complaints about this golden child lately. Clark shares the pioneering background of what is now the second largest investment house in the world, and how the company appears to be going through a midlife crisis. Also today, Clark has an update on the cost of apartment rental and the add-on fees to be aware of. An Issue With Beloved Vanguard: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Apartment Rental Update: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show Vanguard Faces Competition and Criticism — Where Does It Go From Here? How To Open a Roth IRA Red Pocket Mobile: 6 Things To Know Before You Sign Up Shocked by those extra monthly apartment fees? 3 big rental sites plan to reveal them Laptops -Clark Deals   /   GoogleShopping  Laptops & Notebook Computers-Costco Wholesale How To Buy Term Life Insurance in 7 Easy Steps What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One? 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 U.S. is beginning to catch up when it comes to money transfer. Clark explains the deal with FedNow.  Also, you may be overlooking a simple and inexpensive way to save big bucks on cooling your home this summer.  What Is FedNow: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 SAVE on Air Conditioning: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show What Is FedNow?  Banks’ Newest Fed Headache: Nonstop Instant Payments A Retirement Tax Break That Ends the Fear of Outliving Your 401(k) What Is the Largest Homeowners Insurance Deductible That Clark Recommends? Do I Need To Re-Visit My Homeowners Insurance Coverage After Years of High Inflation? Car Insurance Archives - Clark Howard 2 Ways To Guarantee Yourself a Lifetime Stream of Income Immediate Annuities - Income Annuity Quote Calculator Want to Use Less Air Conditioning? Just Turn on a Fan How To Freeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Credit Karma Review: Free Credit Score and More at Your Fingertips What Credit Score Do You Need To Buy a Car? Are You Following Clark's Maximum Auto Loan Length Rule? 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 extreme shortage of skilled workers is affecting everything from car and home repairs to medicine. Clark discusses 2 aspects of the structural labor shortage in the U.S. Also today, Clark has Costco news to share, and addresses several questions and complaints from your emails. The Skilled Labor Shortage: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Costco Membership News: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show WSJ - Why Is It So Hard to Get a Plumber to Even Call You Back? Nurses Have Had Enough, Threatening Big Gaps in US Health Care Why It’s Impossible to Get Your Car Repaired This Summer 3 Things Clark Says You Should Do With CDs in 2023 Roth IRA Withdrawal Rules - Investopedia Going™ | Formerly Scott's Cheap Flights Best Travel Credit Cards: Top Rewards Picks for 2023 'WANT TO CORRECT' Costco CFO Richard Galanti breaks silence on new self-checkout policy after outrage over membership ‘stealing’ crackdown NYTimes: Costco Is Cracking Down on Membership Sharing Barrons.com: Now Costco Is Cracking Down on Membership Sharing 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, overwhelmingly the people who should have a will do not. The recent saga surrounding the will of Aretha Franklin is a valuable lesson for us all.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Making A Will: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show Costco vs. Sam's Club Credit Cards Comparison: Which Is Better? Credit Card Car Rental Insurance: What You Need To Know YouTube TV Releases NFL Sunday Ticket Pricing LOS ANGELES TIMES: Aretha Franklin jury selects a valid will: It's the one found in the late singer's couch Why You Really Need To Create a Will Wills & Funerals Archives - Clark Howard Turo: 5 Things To Know About the Cheap Car Rental Service 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