Advertise on podcast: The Clark Howard Podcast

A common text scam just attempted to infiltrate Clark’s own company. Hear how that turned out! Also today,  a warning if you receive packages from online retailers, and the one thing you need to do immediately when you do receive an item.  Text Scam Targets Companies: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Retail Return Fraud: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Do Your Boss a Favor and Don't Fall for a Gift Card Scam - ITRC Think you know what the top scam of 2023 was? Take a guess What Brokerage Do You Recommend for First-Time Investors or Kids? What's the Best Savings Account for a Teenager? Hot Water Recirculation Systems Streaming TV - Clark.com NYTimes: She Ordered an Ashtray and Got a Can of Tuna Types of Health Insurance Plans Should You Ever Decline a Credit Limit Increase? How To Increase the Credit Limit on Your Credit 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

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also today,  do you or someone you know have a safety deposit box? Clark has a very important warning if the answer is yes.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Unsafe Deposit Boxes: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: 6 Things To Know About Series I Savings Bonds Should You Sell Your I Bonds Right Now? When Is the Best Time To Collect Social Security? Which Home Security Systems Rank Better Than Ring? Clark Howard's Simple Steps To Get Better Customer Service The US Sun: A judge dismissed my lawsuit against Chase when $100,000 & a $10k necklace vanished – years later I saw it on TV Is a Safe Deposit Box Really Safe? How Should I Handle Car Insurance for My Teenage Driver? 5 Steps To Getting a Good Deal on a Hotel Room 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

CDs - Are they still a good deal? Given where inflation and interest rates are heading, Clark explains that we’ve arrived at a tipping point for savers, and how to best put your money to work. Also, a report has come out about the best supermarkets in the country. What makes them great? It’s a factor you may not think about.  The SAVE MORE CD Strategy: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Best Supermarkets: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: The Best CD Rates for February 2024 Why you should open a CD this February - CBS News What Is a CD Ladder and When Is It a Good Idea? 16 of the Best High-Yield Online Savings Accounts in February 2024 Municipal Bond: Definition, Types, Risks, and Tax Benefits How Many Bank Accounts Should You Have? - Clark Howard Credit Cards Could Swipe Department Stores’ Profits - The WSJ. Should You Get a Store Credit Card? Supermarkets - The American Customer Satisfaction Index CNBC - Costco has replaced Trader Joe’s as America’s favorite supermarket American Customer Satisfaction Index 6 Best Apps To Save Money on Groceries 22 Ways To Save Money on Groceries 10 Ways You're Wasting Money on Groceries How To Use Camelcamelcamel Google Fi Wireless: My Experience as a Five-Year Customer (Pros and Cons) The Best International Phone Plans 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

As the big phone companies plan big price increases, smaller competitors are taking a bigger share of the marketplace. Clark shares easy ways to keep costs down.  Also, you’ve heard of getting a second opinion when it comes to medical procedures, but did you know that getting a second opinion in all sorts of consumer areas can save you big bucks? SAVE on Cell Phone Service: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Get A Second Opinion: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Comcast, Charter add subs; survey finds consumers very open to MVNOs T-Mobile Eyes Price Hikes As AT&T, Verizon Set to Raise Rates in March Best Cell Phone Plans in 2024: The Cheapest Plan for Every Need What Is Owner's Title Insurance and Do You Need It? Home Title Lock: Is It the Same As Home Title Insurance? Counterfeit Stamps How getting a second opinion can stop you being ripped off — The Conversation Brushing Scam – United States Postal Inspection Service “Brushing” Scam Indicates a Serious Problem for Victims How Can I Make Freezing a Young Person's Credit Less Risky? Should You Make Your Child an Authorized User on Your Credit Card? Credit Karma Review: Free Credit Score and More at Your Fingertips 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

Venmo is publicly sharing your info. Clark has a special privacy check up for Venmo users. Later - collectively entrepreneurs set a new record last year. Get Clark’s take on entrepreneurship and its value for the economy.  Venmo Privacy Check: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 On Entrepreneurship: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Venmo privacy settings to change now How To Make Your Venmo Transactions Private 4 Common Scams on Cash App, Venmo and Zelle (and How To Avoid Them!) Want To Guard Your Privacy Online? Search the Web With DuckDuckGo 5 Tips To Protect Your Digital Privacy Protect Your Identity Archives - Clark Howard Should You Allow Your Auto Insurance To Monitor Your Driving? Mile Auto | Pay-Per-Mile Car Insurance Entrepreneurs Opened More Businesses in 2023, Setting a New All-Time High on Yelp Sell My Car – Autotrader What Is an ETF?  -  What Are Index Funds? 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

A new hotel fee is showing up for something a lot of people aren’t even using. How to book a room without getting ripped off. Also, knowledge is power when it comes to navigating funeral costs. The FTC has a new warning out about shady practices in the funeral industry that take advantage of grieving families.  Hotel Rates + Junk Fees: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Funeral Home Rip-offs: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Hotel parking fees take a turn for the worse How to spot hidden resort fees when you're booking travel Why Structured Notes Might Not Be Right for You What Is Full Coverage Car Insurance? NYTimes: F.T.C. Warns Dozens of Funeral Homes to Provide Accurate Costs to Callers How the Funeral Industry Got the FTC to Hide Bad Actors Alert: Funeral Home Scam Targets Grieving Families Funeral Consumers Alliance: Home - Clark.com - Funeral Planning How to have that end-of-life financial discussion with your elderly loved ones Funeral Consumers Alliance - Wills & Funerals Archives - Clark Howard You Can Save Big Money on Caskets at Costco, Walmart and Amazon Low-Cost Cremation Services: 5 Things to Know  Funeralocity - Lantern - Cake - Parting - Empathy 4 Things To Consider Before You Buy a New Cell Phone Buying a Cell Phone at Costco Wholesale: 4 Things To Know Should You Buy Cell Phone Insurance? Cell Phones & Smartphones Archives - Clark Deals 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 today - many employers are offering a new benefit which may eliminate the need to choose between paying down student loans and saving for retirement.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 The New Student Loan/401(k) Benefit: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: How To Find Cheap Flights in 3 Easy Steps Going™ | Formerly Scott's Cheap Flights Airfarewatchdog: Cheap Flights & Airline Tickets Estate and Gift Tax FAQs | Internal Revenue Service 15 of the Best Free Workout And Fitness Apps What Is an ETF? A Simple Trick To Paying Off Your Credit Card Faster NYTimes: A New Perk for Some Student Loan Borrowers: A 401(k) Match More companies embracing benefits aimed at student loan debt SAVE Repayment Plan Offers Lower Monthly Loan Payments Best Budgeting Apps in 2024: Our Top 5 What Is a Flexible Spending Account? How to Teach Young Kids About Money Fidelity Investments Review 2023: Pros & Cons  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

Cruise travel is way up and with it, problems with associated trip insurance. Learn what could go wrong, and Clark smart rules for cruise travel. Also today, a follow up on Visa Vanilla gift cards and the “draining” scam that left so many people with useless plastic. Cruise Trip Coverage Warning: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Vanilla Gift Card Scam: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: NYTimes: Help! I Missed a Cruise and the Cruise Line’s Own Travel Insurance Won’t Pay. Clark.com - CRUISES / Clark.com - TRIP INSURANCE How To Plan a Trip: Clark's Best Travel Tips To Save Money 401(k) Match: What Is It, How It Works 401k Calculator With Match - Clark Howard New York Post: Visa is sued over ‘Vanilla’ gift card scam known as ‘draining’ What Is an ETF? Should We Worry About the National Debt and Budget Deficits?   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 Valentine’s Day! Where did we traditionally receive Valentine’s Day cards? The mail! There’s a big problem with our mail delivery service, and something is going to have to give. Also today, Amazon is in a fight for its life with competitors and the resultant clothing price war presents opportunity for you.   USPS Mail Delays: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Clothing Price War: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Mail freeze: Latest frigid weather is adding to the postal service's delivery woes - USA TODAY   NYTimes.com: Mail 3 Days a Week? Idea Meets Resistance in Britain. How to sell your house by owner What you should know before selling your home without an agent Selling your home yourself? Here’s how an ‘Agents Protected’ sign can help you Heard on the Street: Amazon Can’t Afford a Race to the Bottom - The Wall Street Journal. Clark Deals - Clothing Why You Need To Check Your PayPal Account for Automatic Payments 5 Steps To Getting a Good Deal on a Hotel Room PlugShare - EV Charging Station Map - Find a place to charge   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

With Valentine’s Day coming up tomorrow, it’s a good opportunity to give couples advice on how to avoid one of the most common things we fight over - money differences. Also today - Assumable mortgages allow qualifiers to potentially buy a house with one of the great rates that existed over the past few years. There’s a new site to help you find those homes for sale.  Couples & Money: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Assumable Mortgage Resource: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: NYTimes.com: Financial Questions to Discuss Before Moving In With Your Partner New Love for Older Adults: Don’t Make the Same Financial Mistakes 42% of Adults Have Committed Financial Infidelity. Have You? 10 Steps for Having Better Money Conversations With Your Spouse What is an LLC? Limited Liability Company Structure and Benefits Defined What Is Umbrella Insurance and Do You Need It? Best 529 College Savings Plans By State Rollovers From a 529 Plan to Roth IRA: What to Know Assumable Mortgage: What It Is, How It Works, Types, Pros and Cons A back door to a 3% mortgage rate? This startup has a plan to unlock housing market affordability  What's Clark's Opinion on the Greenlight Prepaid Debit Card for Kids? Cruises - Clark.com / Costco Travel: 5 Things To Know Before You Book 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

Communities are popping up around the country that make it feel like you are living at the beach, without the high cost of insurance and upkeep. Sound too good to be true? It’s not. Also, excellent news to share concerning teens and finance.  Lagoon Communities: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Teen Work Ethic: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Their Home Has Water Views and a Sandy Beach—and It’s Nowhere Near the Ocean 401(k) Rollover: What You Need To Know & Options Target Date Funds: Clark's Favorite Retirement Investment Travel Insurance: What You Need To Know Before You Buy Clark Calls Out Favorite Credit Card for 'Classless' New Policy [The Washington Post] Gen Z is bringing back the part-time job More States Now Require Financial Literacy Classes in High Schools Best Investment Companies for Investors Can a Patient Advocate Help With Your Medical Bills? 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 today - So many of us are addicted to our smartphones and there are new devices and methods to help us break the habit and be more present. The discipline to ditch your phone for periods of time may improve your quality of life. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Phone-free Quality Time: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: 12 Things You Never Knew You Could Get From Your Local Library Streaming TV - Clark.com Best Free Password Managers: 7 Top Picks / 5 Tips To Protect Your Digital Privacy 3 Big Retirement Account Changes You Haven't Heard About Financial Independence, Retire Early: What You Need To Know About the ‘FIRE’ Movement Is Temu Legit? 4 Things To Know My Cable Company Is Raising Prices Unless I Enroll in Auto-Pay. Is It Safe? How to Get Free Virus, Spyware and Malware Protection Phone-free and loving it: Why Yondr usage is spiking at schools, concerts, and soon, maybe, your living room Why Toilet Paper Has Gotten So Expensive 529 rollover to Roth IRA: A guide to conversion - CNN Free (or Cheap) College for Retirees in All 50 States How to Buy a New Car in 5 Steps 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