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, Clark shares a key step to defend your identity and accounts from SIM swapping - the theft of your cell service. Now T-Mobile has a new security feature that helps block this type of fraud. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 T-Mobile SIM Protection: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Welcome to Clark’s Christmas Kids 2022 Clark's 4 Secrets To Save Money on Your Laundry What Is a Solo 401(k) and How Does It Work? Self employed 401K vs SEP - Investing - Clark Howard Community How an AARP Membership Can Save You Money How To Store Your Important Financial Documents Online 7 Best Free Cloud Storage Options in 2022 SIM Card Swapping: The Dangerous Cell Phone Scam Everyone Needs To Know T-Mobile Introduces New SIM Protection Feature TmoNews: T-Mobile implementing a new security feature for SIM swap requests 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

Good news this Christmas week - Despite upheaval in some employment sectors, Clark shares indications we are moving closer to economic equilibrium. Gas prices are now lower, including diesel for truckers, and a new report finds online prices declining as well in many categories. Also, the car rental game has gotten tougher for consumers. Companies are becoming more fee aggressive. Know the Clark smart steps for renting a vehicle.  The Economy Speaks: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Car Rental Rules: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4  Mentioned on the show: Mortgages Archives - Clark Howard Should I Buy Additional Insurance From a Rental Car Company? Cheapest Way to Rent a Car: Expert Tips Credit Card Car Rental Insurance: What You Need To Know How to Avoid Car Rental Toll Charges - AutoSlash E-ZPass Group - Home Uni - One Toll Pass. 19 States. How to Add Bluetooth to Your Car | Digital Trends UShip Review: 5 Things To Know Before You Use the Shipping Service Welcome to Clark’s Christmas Kids 2022 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

Many loved ones are separated, living in different parts of the country, and that has consequences and remedies worth considering, especially over the holidays. Also, tis the season for identity theft. Clark covers the basics including different types of ID theft and 3 key strategies to protect yourself, including some NEVER EVER rules.  Reconnecting This Holiday: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Identity Theft: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4  Mentioned on the show: Barrons.com: Americans Are Lonelier Than Ever—and That’s Bad for Your Health Should You Buy an Extended Warranty on Your Car? How To Freeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Worried about identity theft? What to do to minimize your risk There are no perfect solutions for identity theft. But experts and a victim have ideas Are you the victim of identity theft? Here’s what to do How To Prevent, Report and Repair Identity Theft The USPS mailbox scam: A sticky crime reportedly makes a comeback Why You Should Never Mail a Check Credit Karma Review: Free Credit Score and More at Your Fingertips Clark Howard Community - The place to learn about how to save 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

Is it wiser for a family to fund an investment account over a 529 plan? 529 plans are a slam dunk for a kid definitely going to college. But if there’s uncertainty surrounding attending college, Clark offers 2 alternative ways to save for the best tax outcome. Also, the pharmacy industry is under duress due to staffing shortages. Learn which are the top-ranked pharmacies for customer service. Investment Account Vs 529 Plan: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Best Pharmacies: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: MARKETWATCH: How $10,000 will help my newborn granddaughter have a better retirement Best 529 College Savings Plans By State What Are Index Funds? / Best Investment Companies for Investors in 2022 How To Open a Roth IRA Clark.com Report: The Best Pharmacies for Customer Satisfaction Can Credit Repair Companies Really Raise Your Score? How to Deal With Medical Debt 6 Things To Know Before Contacting the National Foundation for Credit Counseling Fidelity Personalized Planning & Advice Review  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

Despite increased wages, average earnings have not kept pace with inflation. Since the initial pandemic layoffs, labor force participation has gone down meaningfully, especially among men, while job opportunities with training and higher wages abound. Clark tells you how to bid your wages up in this evolving economy. Also, teaching youth about money now needs to include crypto, which can be challenging to understand much less explain. Hear Clark’s explanation of digital currency, & the problem and promise of crypto. Wage Inflation - Opportunity: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Teaching Kids About Crypto: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Why Are Middle-Aged Men Missing From the Labor Market? Cheaper Netflix Is Here: 5 Things To Know How To Sell, Cancel or Get Rid of Your Timeshare How Parents Can Teach Their Kids About Cryptocurrency NYT - The Crypto Industry Struggles for a Way Forward What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One? Straight Talk Wireless Introduces Prepaid Home Internet Submit a complaint | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau  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 in this episode - lots of people would like to retire early, but how do you know if you are really ready? Clark talks through 2 major areas to consider, before making that big decision. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Retirement Readiness Considerations: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: What Clark Howard Thinks of 'Crypto Winter' After Big Crash Virtual Credit Cards: An Online Security Measure Worth Taking? WP- You probably don’t need to worry about public WiFi anymore What VPN Do You Use? - Technology - Clark Howard Community Citi Removes Important Benefit From Costco Credit Card Authorized User vs. Joint Account Holder: Understanding the Difference for Credit Cards Why You Should Never Mail a Check Google Fi Review: Things To Know Before You Sign Up These Big Banks Are Finally Doing Something About Zelle How to Retire Early / The 4% Rule: Why it still makes sense for retirement 10 Questions to Help You Decide if You’re Really Ready to Retire Early Amount of Roth IRA Contributions That You Can Make For 2023 IRS - Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) IRS - Retirement Topics - IRA Contribution Limits Why You Should Never Invest With a Bank What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One? 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

This is the week for appreciating service providers with holiday tipping - more of an art than a science. Needed guidance found here. Also, Clark has a prediction about new heat pump, solar and EV tax credits, and reasons you should take your time approaching these incentives. Holiday Tipping: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Energy Tax Incentive Advice: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Holiday Tipping: Who To Tip and How Much  The no-stress guide to holiday tipping Holiday Tipping Guide: Who to Tip (And How Much?) Evaluate Life Insurance - Consumer Federation of America Live TV Streaming Channel Tool Save More on Green Home Improvements Under the Inflation Reduction Act Heat Pumps vs Solar Panels: Which Give More Energy Savings? [The Washington Post] Federal probe finds big solar firms flouted trade rules The #1 Thing Clark Howard Hates About Solar Panels Can Dual-Use Solar Panels Provide Power and Share Space With Crops? 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

When applying for a credit card, knowing your approval odds is a great tool being offered more often. But therein lies hazard. Household debt is rising at the fastest rate since 2007 as credit card debt soars. Also in this episode, Clark lays out 2 main reasons home prices have been going up beyond the general rate of inflation since before the recent run ups, and offers a partial remedy for home buyers to consider as home prices now moderate. Credit Card Debt: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Housing Affordability: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Credit Karma Review: Free Credit Score and More at Your Fingertips The Points Guy: American Express adds 'Apply with confidence' tool prior to submitting applications Coming soon: The big credit squeeze Clark.com - CREDIT CARDS  Target RedCard Credit Card Review: Earn 5% Back on Purchases Best Cash Back Credit Cards: Top Picks for 2022 6 Things To Know About the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card The Median Home Size in Every U.S. State in 2022 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

Amazon has a new virtual health clinic. Clark explains the tie-in with Amazon Pharmacy and how this limited service works. Also, there’s a battle royale over pricing between manufacturers and retailers that goes way back and has recently gotten bigger. When shopping online, ever wonder why you often can’t see the price until you put the item in your cart? Clark explains what’s really going on and how to proceed. Amazon’s Virtual Health Clinic: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Manufacturer Pricing Restrictions: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Amazon Health Care Has a New Virtual Clinic: Amazon Clinic New York Post: Companies set minimum prices to halt discounting among online retailers amid soaring inflation First TVs, now tortillas: U.S. companies set minimum prices to halt discounting Are cheap sunglasses bad for your eyes? Best Credit Cards for Extended Warranty: Top Picks for 2022 Clark.com - TIRES The Best Places To Buy Tires How to Save Money on Car Insurance 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

Has your power company offered you a “special deal” that they say may save you money? Because it’s become much more complicated to provide kilowatts, power companies are trying to shift capacity burden to consumers via time of use meters and certain incentives. Clark shares how this could end up costing you more. Also, what’s better for your investments - actively managed mutual funds or index funds? A new study reveals some facts about investing you may not be aware of that can affect your outcome.    Energy Use Demand-Response Plans: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Mutual Vs Index Funds: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Utilities Hope You’ll Fix Their Power Problems - The Wall Street Journal. What Is Time-of-Use Metering and Should You Sign Up? How to handle money when you're traveling overseas 4 Money Tips To Learn Before You Travel to Europe Do Not Give Your Social Security Number at These Places How To Freeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion NYTimes: Mutual Funds That Consistently Beat the Market? Not One of 2,132. To make money, avoid these common investment biases Best Investment Companies for Investors in 2022 What Is a Roth 401(k) and How Does It Work? What Is an Annuity, and Why Does Clark Think They Stink? What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One? Immediate Payout Annuity: What Is It and Do You Need It? Longevity Insurance: What Is It and Do You Need It? 2 Ways To Guarantee Yourself a Lifetime Stream of Income Cheapest Way to Rent a Car: Expert Tips Credit Card Car Rental Insurance: What You Need To Know Welcome to Clark’s Christmas Kids 2022 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