The Clark Howard Podcast

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also in this episode, good news - rents are dropping all over America, but there’s a unique way to pay even less for an apartment that may suit your lifestyle.    Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Standby Apartment Rental: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show Clark.com - CRUISES When Do You Need a Travel Agent? Planning Retirement Using the Monte Carlo Simulation Retirement Nest Egg calculator - Vanguard Apartment Rents Fall as Crush of New Supply Hits Market - WSJ How you can get cheap rent, but it comes with a 'bump' notice. What it's like living on 'Standby' - from USA TODAY Is a biweekly mortgage plan a good idea? The Cheapest Places To Buy Contact Lenses Should I Buy Additional Insurance From a Rental Car Company? Welcome to the Clark.com Community Clark.com resources Episode transcripts 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

So many people dread the experience of walking into a car dealership and trying to negotiate. Information is power. Clark shares how to do the work up front to properly buy a vehicle, and has a NEVER NEVER rule for buying new. Also, the FSA is an awesome benefit, but only if you USE it. A shocking stat you don’t want to be a part of: Half of workers with this benefit lose FSA money. How To Buy A Car: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 FSA: Use It Or Lose It: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show Automotive News - Consumers: Car buying lacks transparency Clark.com How to Buy a Vehicle Are You Following Clark's Maximum Auto Loan Length Rule? Looking to Lower Your Funeral or Cremation Costs? Join a Non-Profit Memorial Society Want a great credit score? Here's a trick you might want to try Workers Lose Billions Of Dollars In Flexible Spending Accounts A Simple Way To Help Your Kid Build Credit 9 Best Free Checking Accounts in February 2023 Best 529 College Savings Plans By State Families can make a tax-free rollover from 529 plans to Roth individual retirement accounts starting in 2024 7 Things on Deep Discount in March Clark.com resources Episode transcripts 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

One of the biggest expenses we face is health insurance, and many have turned to medical cost sharing programs & ministries as an alternative to traditional insurance. Clark explains the inherent risks involved with these health care co-ops. Also, a follow up on the Kia and Hyundai theft problems causing auto insurance cancellations for some owners. There are remedies from the automaker which owners of the affected models need to know about.  Health Coverage Co-op Warning: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Kia and Hyundai Theft Solutions: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show A Christian Ministry Promised An Obamacare Alternative. The FBI Says Its Leaders Pocketed $4 Million And Left Members With Thousands In Unpaid Medical Bills A Christian Health Nonprofit Saddled Thousands With Debt as It Built a Family Empire Including a Pot Farm, a Bank and an Airline 10 Ways To Save on Prescription Drugs What Does a Home Warranty Cover, and Is It Worth The Money? Here Are Your Home Warranty Horror Stories When Is the Best Time To Collect Social Security? AARP’s free Social Security calculator helps you maximize your benefits Maximize My Social Security: Calculate Your Highest Benefits Kia might owe you money. Here’s how to check Hyundai releases anti-theft software upgrade for 4 million cars after insurers drop some models   CUNA.org - Find a Credit Union Clark.com resources Episode transcripts 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

Discover how Buy Nothing groups are helping people save money, why you should approach LASIK surgery cautiously, and tips on hiring renovation contractors. Learn about the deceptive pricing of LASIK surgery and the importance of checking savings rates regularly. Find out about the benefits of buy nothing groups and financial advice for retiring military members.

Talking about finances has always been a challenge for couples, with new challenges brought on by technology conveniences. It can be an awkward dance discussing money, but it’s vitally important to a relationship. Clark’s guidelines can help get the ongoing conversation started. Also, paper products are costing more, but this time it’s not a supply chain disruption. Hear what’s happening and what to expect, as the price of TP rises once again.  Money And Relationships: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 TP Price Increase: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show NYTimes.com: Young, in Love and Figuring Out How to Talk About Money How To Find and Choose a Financial Advisor Clark Howard's 5 Money Tips for Couples Can Married Couples Get Joint Access To Utility, Mortgage and Investment Accounts? How Couples Can Get on the Same Page About Money 6 Things To Know Before Contacting the National Foundation for Credit Counseling How Many Credit Cards Should I Have? Best Credit Cards for Students: Top Picks for 2023 Clark discussed money market funds with higher yields than online savings accounts Why the housing market is making your toilet paper more expensive BBB-File a Complaint Clark.com resources Episode transcripts 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, attendance is down in movie theaters so the industry is trying to reinvent itself with wider offerings beyond popcorn and soda marked up 95%. Preview prices to determine if one-stop dinner & a movie makes for a budget friendly experience.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Movie Theater Reset: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show 22 Ways To Save Money on Groceries 6 Best Apps To Save Money on Groceries Ask Clark: What Is a Backdoor Roth IRA? When Should You Get an Accountant To Do Your Taxes? Movie theaters get creative with food and drink as they struggle to fill seats Cruise Critic: Cruise Reviews, Cruise Deals and Cruises New Report: The 9 Best Cruise Lines for the Money The Only Way You Should Pay for a Cruise How To Use 'Vacations To Go' To Find Bargain Cruises Where Should I Look for a Great Deal on a Cruise in 2023? Clark.com resources Episode transcripts 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

Popshelf is a rapidly expanding, different kind of discount store. Clark checked it out and has a review.  Also, potential home buyers are between a rock and a hard place these days. With rising interest rates, we’re seeing more and more low down payment mortgage offers. Clark walks you through the personal assessment required to make the best decision. Popshelf Review: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Low Down Payment Mortgages: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show Dollar General’s new Popshelf stores chase inflation-weary shoppers in the suburbs All About Amazon Vine Fidelity Roth IRA for Kids NYTimes: Your 2023 Guide to Low-Down-Payment Mortgages Homeowners Insurance Archives - Clark Howard How To Freeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Clark.com resources Episode transcripts 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

They’re everywhere online - quizzes and surveys. They may seem fun & interesting BUT - the fun is at your expense. Learn how quizzes are used, and why there’s one question they’re always going to ask. Online content presents challenges. Also in the realm of social media, you’ve no doubt heard of “influencers,” but you may not realize it goes way beyond the Kardashians. There are some very subtle ways some of your favorite people to follow may be advertising to you.  Warning: Online quizzes: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 The Influencer Game: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show Don’t answer another online quiz question until you read this What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One? How To Find and Choose a Financial Advisor NYTimes: No Open-House Party. Influencers Just Want an Open Door. 3 Things To Consider Before You Get Solar Panels When Should You Get an Accountant To Do Your Taxes? Enrolled Agents | Internal Revenue Service Clark.com resources Episode transcripts 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 how he got started and the life lessons that motivated and inspired him to do what he loves doing today - empowering others to live their best lives. Also - There’s a 1 in 10 chance there’s unclaimed money out there with your name on it. Clark explains how this happens, the third party pitfalls, and how to find it yourself for free.  Clark BIO: Segment 1 Missing Money: Segment 2 Mentioned on the show About Clark Howard How to Find and Claim Missing Money in Your Name How To Find Missing or Lost Retirement Accounts Clark.com resources Episode transcripts 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 early retirement is on your mind, Clark helps you think through some major considerations. Then go bargain hunting with Clark as he walks you through his favorite discounters and spills the secret pricing codes to look for & what they mean. Retirement Compromise: Segment 1 Saving Hacks At Clark’s Favorite Stores: Segment 2 Mentioned on the show How to Retire Early 6 Challenges To Consider if You Plan To Retire Before 65 Two good retirement planning tools - Retirement - Clark Howard Community 6 Ways To Make Extra Money in Retirement 6 Major Expenses in Retirement (and How To Reduce Them!) The Rule of 55: What Is It, How It Works When Is the Best Time To Collect Social Security? 13 Secret Saving Hacks at Costco, Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale 8 Secrets All Shoppers Need To Know About Costco Costco vs. Sam's Club vs. BJ's Wholesale: Which Is Best? 8 Things To Know Before Your First Trip to Aldi Clark.com resources Episode transcripts 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