Inflation silver lining: New IRS tax brackets for 2024. By historical standards, tax rates are low - at 12% on average. Understand how this informs financial planning, from Roth IRA conversion to home buying. In an era of historically low tax rates, don’t fall for irrelevant “tax smart” pitches. Also today, a very scary reason why you should always receive paper statements or keep digital records for all financial accounts.  

New Tax Brackets: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Financial Account Statements: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

Today in History - December 7 | Library of Congress

Inflation Causes IRS to Raise Tax Brackets, Standard Deduction by 5.4%

Should I Convert a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA?

How To Use Priceline To Save on Travel

BBB-File a Complaint

Return a Gift - Amazon Customer Service

Clark’s Christmas Kids

Why Banks Are Suddenly Closing Down Customer Accounts 

My Wells Fargo bank account was closed with no warning – I lost all my life savings but they said it didn’t exist

The #1 Bill You Should Get by Mail

What's the Best Place To Sell a Car in 2023?

What Brokerage Do You Recommend for First-Time Investors or Kids?


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

12.07.23  New Tax Brackets Favorable  /   Proof Of Money! Your Account Statements

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, something many of us need but generally ignore is life insurance. Clark helps you take it off the back burner and take care of business, with info on how much you need and how to buy it. 


Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2

Life Insurance 101: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

Warning: Why You Should Never Buy Visa Gift Cards

How Do I Use All the Funds on My Virtual Gift Card?

The One and Only Exception to Clark Howard's 'No Gift Card' Rule

Travel Insurance: What You Need To Know Before You Buy

Mint Mobile Review: 6 Things To Know Before You Sign Up

3 Things To Know About Amazon Pharmacy Before You Sign Up

Why It's Still Better To Fill Prescriptions at Costco Than Amazon

10 Ways To Save on Prescription Drugs

How Much Life Insurance Do I Need? - Clark.com

Best Term Life Insurance Companies, Plans & Coverage

Life Insurance Archives - Clark Howard

Quotacy: Quote, compare and buy life insurance online

Vacations To Go: Can You Find Bargain Cruises?

Costco Travel: 5 Things To Know Before You Book


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

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

05.31.24  Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks  /   Back To Basics: Life Insurance

How do we determine our “magic number” - the amount we need to retire? Clark weighs in on the debate about how much it takes to be financially secure, and how to start and keep making progress. Also today -private placements, hedge funds, limited partnerships, private equity - beware of this type of non-traditional investment “opportunity”. Even when they’re legit, there’s no liquidity, and extremely high expenses. It pays to know why you need to avoid investing with anyone who is not a fiduciary.

How Much Do You Need To Retire?: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Risky Investment Pitches: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

The “Magic Number” Needed to Retire Comfortably Is More Than You Think

Americans Believe They Will Need $1.46 Million to Retire Comfortably According to Northwestern Mutual 2024 Planning & Progress Study - Apr 2, 2024

Retirement crisis looms as Americans struggle to save

How to Start Investing: 10 Steps (Clark.com)

How To Save Money: Spend Less & Build Your Savings

Warning: Here’s What Those Debt Settlement Companies Don’t Tell You

Clark Howard's 2024 Credit Card Debt Elimination Strategy

6 Things To Know Before Contacting the National Foundation for Credit Counseling

Best 529 College Savings Plans By State

How To Open a Roth IRA

The AJC: Atlanta hedge fund manager charged in $10M fraud scheme

Best Financial Advisors in 2024

Should You Make Your Child an Authorized User on Your Credit Card?

Best Credit Cards for Students: Top Picks for 2024

Travel Archives - Clark Howard

4 Ways To Get Your Free Credit Score


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

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

05.30.24  The Magic Number For Retirement  /  Investing: A Cautionary Tale

Clark discusses the big bank response to higher savings rates and spells out your options to make the most of your savings. Also today - small business owners are stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to borrowing money. Beware “quick” loans. Clark has a better way.

Maximize Your Savings Rate: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Legal Loan Sharks Plague Small Business: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

Banks pay savers more as ‘higher-for-longer’ rates hit interest income

Clark.com - Best High-Yield Online Savings Accounts

Montway Auto Transport: Top-Rated Auto Transport Company

uShip Review: 5 Things To Know Before You Use the Shipping Service

Facebook Marketplace Scams: Everything You Need to Know

Small businesses are still struggling to get financing, a year after bank failures

Best Small Business Credit Cards: Top Picks for 2024 (Clark.com)

Best Cash Back Credit Cards With No Annual Fee in 2024

Best 2% Cash Back Credit Cards: 8 Options in 2024

Warning: Why You Should Never Buy Visa Gift Cards

Amazon “Prime Visa” Card Review: 5% Back for Amazon Prime Members

How To Get the Best Price Possible Shopping Online

Clark Deals - Today's Best Deals of the Day

How To Spot a Fake Online Store in 6 Easy Steps


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

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

05.29.24  Update: Big Bank Savings Rates  /  Small Business Loan Warning

Today - you may have heard that Walmart is closing its health centers. With the failure of this healthcare option, along with the state of the clinic attempts made by Walgreens & CVS, there’s an important healthcare takeaway to be prepared for. Also, are you ready to see a driverless tractor-trailer on the road? Are they safe?

Your Primary Care Physician: Segment 1

Ask Clark: Segment 2

Autonomous 18 Wheelers: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

NYTimes: Walmart Is Shutting Health Centers After Plan to Expand

Walmart to close its 51 health centers, virtual care service

Walmart says it will close its 51 health centers and virtual care service

My Neighbor’s Dead Tree Is About To Fall on My House. What Do I Do?

Can I Trust the FDIC’s Recommendations on Getting Insured for More Than $250,000 at a Single Bank?

Why Are Retailers Adding an Additional $1 Charge on My Credit Card?

How Many Bank Accounts Should You Have? - Clark Howard

Self-driving trucks are ready to roll

Want To Guard Your Privacy Online? Search the Web With DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo - Get Email Protection: More Privacy, Same Inbox


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

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

05.28.24  Continuity Of Healthcare  /  Arrival: Self-Driving Trucks

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also, we’ve talked about the cost of college, and how it can hamper parents saving for their own retirement. But what about supporting adult children post-college age? Clark shares some concerning stats. What’s your take? We have a popular thread on our free Clark.com Community on this topic,  linked here and we invite you to share thoughts on financially supporting adult children.


Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2

Paying For Adult Children: Segment 3

Ask Clark: Segment 4


Mentioned on the show:

Streaming TV - Clark.com

Do I Really Need To Put Premium Gasoline in My Vehicle?

How to Get Your Kids to Step Off the Gravy Train

60% of Parents Pay Bills For Adult Children. Do You?

When it’s time to financially cut off your adult children

Clark.com Community - What is the appropriate age to wean your child off your financial support? And how much money should you give an adult child if any?


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

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

12.07.23 New Tax Brackets Favorable / Proof Of Money! Your Account Statements

Download our free app to listen on your phone