Happy Holidays! Please enjoy this Best Of episode. Clark returns January 2nd. 
Clark explains the forces behind a reversal in home building trends, bringing more affordable homes to the housing market. Also today: New data shows the net cost of attending college is moderating. Clark discusses cost factors to consider when choosing a college and most importantly - a course of study and skill set. Is prestige worth the price, or is it better to hold the cost and borrowing down? Plus, a NEVER NEVER rule on student loans. 

Back To Smaller Homes: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

College Major and School Choice Decisions: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show

Goodbye Bathtub and Living Room. America’s Homes Are Shrinking.

Divvy Wants to Make Rent-to-Own Deals Easy. Many Customers Find Them Hard.

Should You Buy an Extended Warranty on Your Car?

Want high earnings? Focus on the major, not a college's prestige

Student Loan Payments Are Restarting: 4 Things To Know

How Do Student Loans Work? 7 Things to Know

‘I’ve had this black cloud looming over me’: How private lenders have left millions of college students with no hope for the future

Simple Interest: Who Benefits, With Formula and Example

Rule of 78: Definition, How Lenders Use It, and Calculation

Submit a complaint | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Why Clark Howard Shifted to a Digital Wallet and You Should Too


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12.28.23  BEST OF:  The Return Of Smaller Homes  /   Smart Choices For Higher Education

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.

Business

Investing

Careers

Management & Marketing

Business News

Shopping

Entrepreneurship

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.  Also today, we’ve talked a lot about renting vs. buying in today’s housing market. New data makes a compelling argument and provides direction for aspiring homeowners. 


Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2

Rent Vs Buy A Home: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

Best 529 College Savings Plans By State

Homes at Menards®

Insurers Are Spying on Your Home From the Sky

Axios: Unpacking the productivity surge

Where should I place a carbon monoxide detector?

The $10 Travel Essential Clark Howard Always Packs

Big city dwellers are better off renting than buying a home everywhere, analysis says - USA TODAY

One-Third of Parents Are Paying An Adult Child's House Down Payment? Are You?

Map: Here's Zillow's updated home-price forecast for more than 400 housing markets

The cost breakdown of building a single-family home

The Only Reason You Should Make an Improvement to Your Home

29 home remodeling projects that offer the best payback

6 Tips for Hiring a Contractor

Senior Planning


Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode!
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05.17.24    Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks  /   Home Renting Vs. Buying

Today, Clark shares a personal story about a sleazy sales call he received from one of the big alarm companies - tied to an internet provider. Also in this episode, pet owners need to understand what’s going on in the veterinary medicine profession so they can choose wisely, and protect their wallets. 

DIY Home Security: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Veterinary Bills: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

ADT USA Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of adt.com

Your Guide to DIY Home Security Systems

Which Home Security Systems Rank Better Than Ring?

Turo: 5 Things To Know About the Cheap Car Rental Service

Credit Card Car Rental Insurance: What You Need To Know

My Credit Card Offers Some Rental Car Coverage. Why Do I Still Need To Involve My Primary Auto Insurance?


Why Your Vet Bill Is So High  /  Is Pet Insurance Worth It?


Best 529 College Savings Plans By State

Credit Karma Review: Free Credit Score and More at Your Fingertips


Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode!
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05.16.24   Clark’s Home Security Sales Pressure Pitch  /  Choosing A Veterinary Clinic

Finding a fiduciary financial advisor who ONLY works for your best interests can be difficult. New regulations may add protections for consumers, but it’s on us to know how to get the best guidance.  Also, Americans have so much stuff that storage units have been overbuilt. If you have a unit, Clark has some money saving advice regarding your monthly fee.

Key Warning On Financial Advisors: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Storage Units: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

Americans Deserve Straight Retirement Advice. They Work Too Hard for Their Money.

NYTimes: Who Can Be Trusted for Retirement Advice? New Rules Strengthen Protections.

WSJ: Advisers on Trillions in IRAs Must Now Put Your Interest First

What to Do When Your 401(k) Leaves Something to Be Desired

How To Find and Choose a Financial Advisor - Clark.com

What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One?

The Clark Howard Podcast

The Headache at the End of the Costco Gold Rush - The WSJ


Should You Buy Gold at Costco?  /  Clark Howard's Advice on Buying Gold


NYTimes: Americans Went All-In on Self-Storage. That Demand Is Suddenly Cooling.

Storage Unit Prices Keep Going Up. Is There a Better Way To Store My Possessions?

The #1 Bill You Should Get by Mail

Wirecutter: Stop Stressing About Turning Off the Lights When Leaving the Room!


Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode!
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05.15.24  Find A Trustworthy Financial Advisor  /  SAVE MORE On Storage Units

In this episode - Clark takes you through the necessary steps for buying a used vehicle, including his number one rule, a key step neglected by a third of all buyers. Also today - are you traveling this summer? Airlines and hotels are changing the rules when it comes to earning points or miles. 

How To Buy A Used Car: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Airline & Hotel Points: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:


WSJ - Used-Car Sales Have Moved Online—Here’s Why Both Customers and Dealers Are Happy   

How To Buy a Used Car - Clark.com

How to Buy a New Car - Clark.com

Should You Buy an Extended Warranty on Your Car? - Clark.com

Salvage Title: What it Means, How it Works - Investopedia

American Airlines Is Once Again Changing How Fliers Can Earn Rewards

Hotel Resort Fee Lookup Tool

Should You Ever Book a Nonrefundable Hotel Room?

How Does Booking Travel Through a Credit Card Rewards Program Compare?

How To Choose a Tour Company - Clark.com

When Do You Need a Travel Agent?


Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode!
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05.14.24  How To Really Buy A Used Vehicle  /  New Rules For Travel Rewards

In this episode - we often see lists of the best auto insurance companies, but now Clark has discovered an industry database for body shops that rates insurers according to how claims are handled. Also, Clark hates covenants not to compete - a labor practice that’s now on the ropes. But the ban is messy. Clark explains. 

A New Source For The BEST Auto Insurers: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Non-Compete Clauses: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

CrashNetwork - Top Rated U.S. Car Insurance Companies for 2024

Best Auto Insurance Companies -Clark.com

How to Shop for Lower Car Insurance - Clark.com

Ascensus Acquires Vanguard’s Small Business Retirement Plans 

Target Date Funds: Clark’s Favorite Retirement Investment

Ban on non-compete agreements sends shockwave across Wall Street

[The Washington Post] Groups sue to block FTC’s new rule barring noncompete agreements

Workers Celebrating Ban on Noncompetes. Employers Are Ready to Fight. - The WSJ

NYTimes: F.T.C. Issues Ban on Worker Noncompete Clauses

Businesses face 'seismic shift' after FTC bans noncompetes. Here's what they should do next.


Healthcare.gov   /   What Is an HSA Account and How Does It Work?


My 7 Rules for Using Credit Cards - Clark Howard


Thank you for listening today, Clarkies! If you want to be part of our “Clarkie” segment, call 404-981-2071 to leave a comment or story. We may play it during a future episode!
Clark.com resources

Episode transcripts

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Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275


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12.28.23 BEST OF: The Return Of Smaller Homes / Smart Choices For Higher Education

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