The Clark Howard Podcast
Clark Howard
Clark Howard
Save more and spend less is more than just a motto for money expert Clark Howard; it’s a way of life. Clark and his crew — Team Clark — are on a mission to empower people to take control of their personal finances by providing money-saving tips, consumer advice, hot deals and economic news to help everyone achieve financial freedom. Clark is a nationally syndicated radio talk show host and a consumer reporter for television stations around the country. His podcast, The Clark Howard Show, receives more than one million downloads each month and is a hub for listeners to get valuable advice on-demand any time. Clark answers questions on the most popular business and consumer topics including; how to buy a cars, financing a home, retirement planning, shopping for insurance and getting the most out of your savings. Join the conversation and submit your question to www.clark.com/askclark . Clark spearheads two free resources — Clark.com and ClarkDeals.com — to encourage consumers to save more, spend less and avoid ripoffs.
8h ago
Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks . Also in today’s episode: What if you still haven't completed your holiday shopping? Will you have to pay more this close to Christmas? Yes AND No. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 11th Hour Retail Strategy: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Clark’s Christmas Kids 2025 Why Every Family Needs a Code Word The Best Phone Plan For You - Compare Phone Plans Costco vs. Sam's Club vs. BJ's Wholesale: Which Is Best? Warehouse Clubs Archives - Clark Howard Best Free Password Managers: 10 Top Picks Credit Card Car Rental Insurance: What You Need To Know What Can I Safely Use for Peer-to-Peer Payments? 15 Financial New Year's Resolutions for 2026 Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com / Ask Clark 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
2d ago
How far are you willing to go to save money? We asked our Clarkies to share their best tips and you sure represented! Today we share our Clark Daily Newsletter survey results on the topic of frugality. Also - is home ownership still the American dream? It’s complicated. Clark discusses the decision factors involved in the largest purchase we ever make. How do you build wealth and where does a home fit into it? Frugality Hacks: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Weighing Homeownership: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: WSJ: The Lengths Americans Are Willing to Go to Make Every Penny Count Clark Daily Newsletter survey results Why You Should Re-Shop Your Cruise Booking a Cruise? Here Are 5 Ways To Do It for Less Is Chase Sapphire Reserve® Worth It? The median age of a first-time homebuyer in America just hit 40 years old 7 Ways To Invest In Real Estate Clark Deals / Clark’s Christmas Kids Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com / Ask Clark 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
3d ago
How To Feel Good About Spending in Retirement & Big Changes to Your 2026 Taxes Are you a lifelong saver struggling to spend your retirement nest egg? You're not alone! Many people who successfully save a significant amount face a major psychological hurdle when it comes time to shift from an accumulation mindset to a distribution (spending) mindset. Wes Moss breaks down how to overcome the psychological barrier of watching your retirement balance go down and how to finally feel good about enjoying the money you worked so hard to save. Also, Wes tackles the most timely and impactful tax changes coming up, including a checklist of six critical actions to consider before the end of the year to potentially lower your tax bill for 2026. Mentioned on the show: How To Find and Choose a Financial Advisor Best Financial Advisors in 2025 Year-End Tax Moves Worth Your Time IRS Announces New Tax Brackets and Other Changes for 2026 What Brokerage Do You Recommend for First-Time Investors or Kids? Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA): What It Is and How It Works Plus, Christa shares your #AskWes questions and Wes gives his take. All this and more on the December 16, 2025, Ask an Advisor episode of the Clark Howard podcast. Submit your questions at clark.com/ask . We hope you enjoy our weekly Ask An Advisor episodes. Let us know what you think in the comments! Learn more about Wes: BOOKS BY WES MOSS Wes Moss, CFP® Wes Moss - Clark.com Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
4d ago
In this episode - Brokerage accounts lack legal protection. Clark explains how criminals have figured out how to target brokerage and retirement accounts, and 2 steps you can take to protect your invested life’s savings. Plus - More doctor’s offices are moving to digital paperwork, but patient uptake is surprisingly low. Know the advantages of having electronic medical records. Safeguard Your Investments: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Electronic Medical Records: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Protect Your Brokerage Accounts From ACATS Transfer Fraud Her Stocks Were Quietly Stolen From Her I.R.A. What Can I Safely Use for Peer-to-Peer Payments? Costco Tire Center: 5 things to know about before getting new tires When Is the Best Time of Year To Buy Tires? Here's How Long Your Home Appliances Should Last Report: The #1 Appliance Brand for Customer Satisfaction Axios: Ditching the clipboard: Wellstar patients can check in digitally Do Not Give Your Social Security Number at These Places How To Get the Best Price Possible Shopping Online Secret Pricing Tricks Companies Don’t Want You To Know How To Use Camelcamelcamel Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com / Ask Clark 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
Dec 12
Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks . Also in today’s episode: Take it to the limit - the new retirement account limits. Clark has updates and advice to enhance your retirement saving strategy. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Retirement Planning 2026: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Citi Double Cash® Card Review: 5 Things To Know in 2025 5 Things To Know About the Citi Strata Premier Card Cell Phones - Clark.com Can I Use HSA for DPC? Yes, Starting January 2026! Rechargeable Batteries: Are They Worth It? The Best Place To Buy Cheap Batteries 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026, IRA limit increases to $7,500 Why Clark Howard Is Obsessed With Roth for Retirement Savings My Social Security: The Free Account Everyone Needs To Set Up Before Retirement Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com / Ask Clark 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
Dec 10
Is now the time to refinance your mortgage? Only if you meet certain criteria. Clark breaks it down. Also - Are you with what Clark calls a Giant Monster Mega Bank? If so, you may be paying fees you don’t have to! Clark’s overview of the banking industry makes it clear, the regional, super regional and giant banks are not your wallet’s friend. Hear how people are migrating their money in a way that’s comfortable for them - a method called “ soft switching ”. Mortgage Refi Guidelines: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Banish Bank Fees: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: How and When To Refinance Your Mortgage: A Step-By-Step Guide Mortgage Refinance Calculator - With Cash Out and Points What Can I Safely Use for Peer-to-Peer Payments? How To Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion How To Switch Banks in 4 Simple Steps Best Online Banks: Free Checking and High-Interest Savings Accounts Best Cash Management Account: Comparing Vanguard, Fidelity, and Schwab Costco Travel: 5 Things To Know Before You Book When Do You Need a Travel Agent? Clark's Christmas Kids Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com / Ask Clark 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
Dec 9
Costly IRA Conversion Warning & the Hidden Billions Americans Are Leaving Behind In this episode, fiduciary financial advisor Wes Moss tackles a piece of financial advice that he calls "lunacy" and "insanity" – a recent Op-Ed arguing that retirees should convert their entire Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA in a single year. Wes explains why this academic advice is a dangerous real-world strategy, warning listeners about the potential for a massive tax bill that could reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. Also, Wes addresses a sinister issue in retirement savings: billions of dollars in "forgotten" 401(k) balances. Wes warns that this money is often parked in cash or a low-interest money market, missing out on decades of critical growth. Mentioned on the show: Forgotten 401(k) Accounts Are Costing Americans Billions in Lost Investment Gains Plus, Christa shares your #AskWes questions and Wes gives his take. All this and more on the December 9, 2025, Ask an Advisor episode of the Clark Howard podcast. Submit your questions at clark.com/ask . We hope you enjoy our weekly Ask An Advisor episodes. Let us know what you think in the comments! Learn more about Wes: BOOKS BY WES MOSS Wes Moss, CFP® Wes Moss - Clark.com Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 8
Clark makes no secret of his obsession with fitness trackers. Nerd Alert: He wears three. But there’s new data that proves he’s just being, well - Clark Smart. We’re moving into an era where more devices can be monitored by healthcare providers, to potentially save lives - A true case of knowledge is power. Also, homeowners with a lot of equity can be sorely tempted to tap into that money. But when is this type of debt appropriate? And what are the best borrowing options? Clark explains the difference between a home equity loan and a HELOC in a period of lower interest rates. The New Power of Fitness Trackers: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 The Home Equity Decision: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Apple Watch data teamed with AI reveals heart damage Why Does Clark Howard Wear 2 Watches? Why Clark Howard Is So Excited About His Wedding Band KardiaMobile Personal EKG | Kardia Personal EKG Monitor What Is an HSA Account and How Does It Work? Report: Most Popular Used Cars in America What Brokerage Do You Recommend for First-Time Investors or Kids? Target Date Funds: Clark's Favorite Retirement Investment HELOC vs. Home Equity Loan: Similarities and Differences Is a HELOC a Good Idea? The Simple Answer Home Equity Loan Calculator - Clark Howard Ed.gov - Loan Forgiveness How To Roll Over U.S. Savings Bonds Into a 529 Plan Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com / Ask Clark 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
